six times seven

day two of healing my right kneecap, left was a breeze! but I'm dying on this one. threw my back out limping afterwards. I am a right mess at work right now...ha.

I cannot stand when people ask me why. about every single tattoo I have. No there is no sob story behind the rose on my knee, roses just look cool on the knee. It is really the only question I just cant answer anymore. It bugs me. I do try and explain that not everyone needs this contrived emotional meaning to get a tattoo, that getting the tattoo is the meaningful part. Getting a tattoo is the experience I wanted to capture. A good tattoo should be able to stand alone. But of course if you don't have a love for tattoos and the process then you will never understand that. Also I believe once you want more than one tattoo, these thought-up meanings behind them fade for you. The people that ask me "why", are the people with one tattoo for their kids, or no tattoos and have been trying so desperately to think of the perfect image or word to get done for the last 40 years. If I am going for full coverage, each one can mean less in a back story sense, and just be awesome.

oh yipee. well ... next I may go for a wild boar head on the knee. and perhaps a giant stag beetle on my chest. my back I am still back and forth between a giant bear fighting a snake or a hindu decorated cow. ........ i like animals.

I can't really handle how amazing this is.

yea man, if you want the nice detailed thin line artwork you've been posting, go for it, and dont worry if every line will be perfect? itll look cool if its what you and the artist want. have faith in thee artiste.

so, try this. take a really thin pen or pencil and draw a perfectly straight line on a piece of paper free handed. then, take a nice thick sharpie (marker) and do the same thing. im not saying tattoo artists cant tattoo a straight line with a single needle, im just saying its harder and and harder to hide. especially when were talking about wrapping it, making it work with your body and skin/movement. same thing for the longevity as the words though, the slightly thicker line will last longer, the thinner one might fade and blur out in spots destroying the look of the line, because there is not much to it. this is my two cents from a visual artists standpoint though, not a tattooer or anything of the sort. you will probably find an artist that will do exactly want you want, but it will be good to go into it knowing how it may turn out.

youd be suprised how quickly small lettering becomes small unreadable scribbles. i speak from experience.

i feel the same way, but I realized I have to just be upfront about it now, because worrying if i took out enough cash at the atm beforehand is just unnecessary stress before a tattoo appointment, fucking with my head game. I also only get tattooed by artists who are open to talking about every aspect of the tattoo process, including money. I ask them what range to expect for a first session, so I can bring the right amount of cash, (and then some) and they don't seem to mind. I wouldn't ever bug them about giving me a specific price for a session or a piece beforehand though. I have also been asked for my budget, which again I give them a nice range of what I am comfortable spending at the time, and we go from there. I do agree that I have been snubbed a few times before about the money thing when I was a bit newer to getting tattooed, artists almost giving me an attitude about asking their hourly rate blah blah, and it sucks. I am sure it comes from the masses trying to haggle prices with them, but I'm not cheap, I have the moolah, just wanna know how much I should carry in my pocket on my way to your shop dammit.... You are trying to come prepared, mentally, physically, and financially, and not being able to do so really gets you down. Thanks for asking these questions. Stay open and casual about the conversations you have with the artists, make it clear you would just like to be prepared and pay them accordingly, and it really shouldn't be awkward. (even though it always is...haha)

hey! I have been a couch surfer for years now and have used it to travel extensively when I was an airline employee, and used to host many events. Hopefully I can do some more traveling, and not that all my travels will be tattoo related, this is a great idea. im in school now so Im pretty stationary but I will be on the move again soon!

realism while still using enough black = <3

I actually simplified my wardrobe completely after starting to get more coverage. Mostly black, and all basics. Letting my tattoos shine haha. Also started dressing more comfortable as I am healing most of the time anyway. It is interesting how this happens. I am always on the lookout for soft flowy pants and long sleeve anythings now that its getting warmer.

working in the sign business I just always want nice bold readable words everywhere. EVERYWHERE. pictures too of course. but keep those words bold.

My next inner bicep appointment in a few weeks I am giving it a go. Im heading right out to a camping trip, and this seems like the best way to go. It may be a bit uncomfortable hitting my armpit but we shall see.

Inner bicep almost hitting my armpit on day 2. I am a walking teapot. Or I just look pissed off with my hand at my waist all day. Swollen is an understatement.

I love tattoos. I love all styles. I'm almost finished with a full color "new school-ish" sleeve, and then moving on to a full traditional black and gray back piece, as well as many other traditional bold pieces. I may even go Japanese on my thigh/leg. You can have love for it all, if you do enough research. I don't think I will keep on with too much newer solid color stuff, after learning more about longevity and realizing how much I too love the bold imagery. But I dig my sleeve and its definitely a huge part of my personality. I needed that damn sleeve. my childhood self needed that thing. The contrast I am starting is actually kind of neat. I am new to these parts but it seems like as long as everyone keeps the respect up, we can all forum together. perhaps.

This thread so far is quite an interesting read, it is, as already been said, very refreshing to see such respect for the artistic imagery that religions throughout time have brought us. I used to feel, that even though I lean towards Buddhist teachings, if I were to get any of the imagery tattooed on me, I would want to do it right, to travel to places of strong Buddhist faith, visit some monks, and really have the experience to go along with the tattoo. I see now that I don't have to do so, but I have had apprehensions of cheapening someones devout faiths and whatnot. Basically, nobody wants to feel like a poser. But I have a much stronger respect for art, and powerful art it is. But really, who hasn't gone into a church/temple/mosque and not shuddered at how fucking beautiful the architecture, art, sculpture, every image is. As someone who does not follow a faith devoutly or believe one should, if these images make you feel that way just by looking at them, being in their presence, they deserve to be tattooed. - - - Updated - - - Also...holy shit thanks for reviving this is beautiful.

yea. I'm a mess. I wish I was cool enough to have planned everything out. I'll be a pretty interesting mash up after I get to whatever level of coverage I wish to stop at? (never) I always dig others' esthetics though, and respect it thoroughly.

Love the looks I get wearing sweatpants at work while healing leg tattoos. not my fault my leg doesn't fit into my jeans at the moment ...

All great advice here. good luck with treatments, it's a journey for sure. I am recommended for surgery on my lower back at the moment that I have been trying to put off. I am only 24, and have had degenerative discs since I was 18 and rampant sciatica. I have definitely tried it all, and out of the spinal injections, shots, pain killers (that I do not take often, just have a nice collection going from throughout the years)... the only thing that has worked was strength training, and core exercises. But you just have to be extra cautious about it. It is quite annoying when back pain holds me back from being as active as I want to be. I of course take it too far most of the time. not that we have the same issues at all, just my whining adding to the mix.

Snuck in with Myles Karr while he was guesting at the Torchbearer this past weekend. photo courtesy of his Instagram.

I am in the middle of a solid color full sleeve on my right arm, and am about halfway done. I dont think it's particularly feminine or masculine, as it has a space girl pin up, and is sci fi themed, but you can judge that after I post some pictures. The masculine thing never crossed my mind, but as a rule, badassness>bodyimage. (I dont have the highest self esteem about my arms, or any part of my body but I do believe that covering any parts with tattoos always makes them better ;) ) Ill post a pic in a bit for reference, i had a session yesterday and I cant move the arm much at the moment.

dAWWWW you guys are sweet.

Hey, the names Jessica, posting from the lovely state of Rhode Island. I have some tattoos, I want more tattoos, and I love looking at and talking about them as well. stoked on the community here, quality artists, and quality people. thanks for having me.

I have been lurking this place for a bit, and finally registered to post in this thread. My boyfriend of 4 years has no tattoos, and absolutely no interest in getting any. I am currently working on a full sleeve and have a few other tattoos, and have a goal of pretty heavy coverage. He likes my tattoos, and appreciates good ones, and has no issues whatsoever with me going so far as to having a full suit. This isn't really much of a problem, since we are already somewhat opposites in a lot of ways. He is an accountant, i'm a designer and am taking classes for animation. I am the daring one, he is the cautious one. i think tattoos just fall onto my side of the relationship. with us, it works. that being said, I HATE IT sometimes. I can talk for hours and hours about a certain artist, or an idea I have, or just a love for a certain style, and he has nothing to say back. I save pennies for large work while he saves up for a house. He is understanding about the art/tattoo world, but he just doesn't get it. Just like when I draw something, he appreciates it, but it just doesn't feel like we are connected when I am creating art, or getting tattooed. I wouldn't want him to ever be there with me getting tattooed, and he does not ever want to be either. It would be a waste of time. It is incredibly frustrating not being able to really share my passion and feel like he understands my passions. this is not his fault by any means, it is just the way it is. and is probably the reason i look to things like online forums about tattoos ..... I am also very attracted to heavily tattooed guys, which he knows, but its not necessary for me. I do wonder that as I get more and more into the community and get more and more tattoos, that we may drift apart. But i doubt it. we don't share all of the same passions but I guess that is not mandatory to be in a happy and healthy long term relationship. I kind of like being the heavily tattooed one. phew. nice to get that off my chest. thanks.