Leaderboard

Nothing against honoring your children here, but I've seen some pretty horrible tattoos where the artist was asked to reproduce little kid's work. Either way you're going to end up explaining the result for a long, long time . . .

"It's just lines." Drawing accurate, consistent lines isn't easy. And you had it done on thin, delicate skin prone to blow-outs. And in a very visible spot. And you had concerns about the artist before you started. No way that could go wrong. I would look for the best artist you can find to see what they can do about that. Look at this as a very valuable lesson - don't cheap out on artists. And take your time. I've seen many people rush out to fix something they didn't like and wound up making it worse.

Henning.

I got a new one done yesterday. Thought, in my opinion, it is done extremely well, I'm not super excited about it not looking like what I wanted, upon going in. I brought more of a neo traditional reference to my traditional artist, so he made changes putting his twist on things. Any of you ever, I'm sure it happens, get some work done and come out like... Ehhh, should have thought this through a little more!?

Hi Just thought I'd say hello as I've been lurking for a few days reading various posts. I've just got my first tattoo (attached photo was taken by the artist just after he finished, it's currently in the peeling stage), and am already planning my second (but will probably wait a few months at least). I'm based in the UK and come from a family that definitely frown on tattoos. Really happy with my first and I'm glad I waited and that I got something that was a decent size and can be added to in the future.

You guys are right. And that's also a concern of mine too. I know the favourite colours are purple and red so another thought I had was to just have that as their eyes or something small like that. Personally I'm on the fence about colouring it or not as I think it looks like it should be coloured in some days and other days it looks like it shouldn't be lol.

I just always keep a roll or 2 of saniderm at home. you never know when a tattoo opportunity comes along.

Spider Webb is the only one I cared to remember the name of, way back when.

Most of those who worked on me before 1983 are dead... Dave Aicroth (former partner of JC Fly), Mike Paterno (Peter Tat2 shop), Danny Pizzo from Body Creations in East Islip NY.

Ok, I think I have resolved this - let me know if you continue to see this on NEW posts.. or if you notice any other new wonkyness that I may have introduced w/ the changes that solve this issue. Thanks again

large knee piece(Bill Loika art), tattoo from Dave Gibson, and many small flash pieces from "California Ralph" & "Charlie" at "world Famous Emporium of Tattoo" in Van Nuys California in the early 80's.

Richard Stell

You don't need to confine yourselves with style restrictions. If you're like many of us here you will find that over the coming decades your personal tastes in art and tattoos will evolve, change, broaden, expand, loosen - or however you want to view it. Museums rarely have only 1 type of art. 😉

I'm a bit in the same boat as you. I love big cohesive aesthetics, but I also have so many artists and styles that I admire. So my compromise is that I'm reserving my upper body for large scale cohesive stuff with my truly favorite artists, but I'm using my calves and thighs as my "collector's area," with smaller pieces of meaning, styles that I only want to dip my toe in, or specific artists' work. That way, I get some huge chunks of synergy up top, but still get to collect bits and pieces. Any approach has ups and downs. Whatever your plan is, at some point you just have to pick a direction and pull the trigger.

Do what makes you happy and don't worry about having to justify your choices.

"It's a good thing tattoos hurt, because otherwise, every pussy in the world would have one.”

What was it that Jack Rudy said?

Great thread! *Bump* Richard Stell, Filip Leu, Bob Roberts, Chuck Eldridge, Don Nolan, Paul Jeffries, Danny Williams, Lou Robbins, Dave Lum, Henry Goldfield, Deb Yarian, Hanky Panky, Dave Gibson, Bill Loika, George “Lumpy” Larsson, Lance McClain, Leo Zulueta, Elio Espana, Ernie Gosnell, Bill Salmon, Cap Szumski, Greg James, Gill Montie, and a few others whose names I’ve forgotten.

What's next, anesthesia? What ever happened to earning your tattoo?

No. I don't use meds while getting tattoos unless they are prescribed. Next.

Yeah, I am not going to touch this topic. While I am not opposed to using numbing cream(s) if you feel the need and your artist agrees, venturing off into any drug discussion that references tripping isn't for me. I am much more interested in your back piece.

@Acedia Thank you, it was such an amazing journey! Yes the full left arm is already in the works 🤣

This side is kind of "done" because Tomas's dots cap it all off. The other side feels empty.