slayer9019

That is one hellva way to make lemons out of lemonade. I personally never cared for the way I looked so I say why the hell not lets make it look cool. (Tattoos help in that regard for sure). Are you interested in any particular artists at the moment?

Thanks for making me spit beer on my computer. That is fuckin hilarious! Might have to get it....show some Christmas spirt

I would say the wait for a good tattoo seriously outweighs getting a third coverup! I would forget about assuming and shoot an email/phone call his way and see what the wait is, or even if there is any significant wait time. You never know he could be available, at least maybe for an appointment to see what needs to be done. While I am far from a tattooist I can say it does like kinda light which does work in your favor. That being said, there might be other good artists in your area as well. @CultExciter I forgot the "I" in that statement. I missed it

My thoughts exactly!

@CultExciter missed the Houston part

Where in Texas do you live? I'm sure we can direct you to a good artist in your area. Any tattoo, especially coverups are best decided on when talking to the artist that will be doing it. They will know what will work on the existing tattoo. Welcome to LST

Ran across this interesting little teaser on youtube for an upcoming documentary on NYC tattooing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OApQA-ZPaoc Featuring Richie Montgomery, Pete Giaquinto, Ronnie DellAquila, Mike Perfetto and Tony Polito Got another trailer here Looks like it's going to be released early 2013 sometime.

I'm not a historian, so I won't attempt to give dates and I don't know how long everyone has been tattooing but knowing where those guys worked makes it clear that they all influenced each other. That makes it all even cooler to me. I didn't work with all these guys so maybe I'll miss some important detail but I know a few of them and the people they worked with. Hooper used to work at IntoYou, when Xed LeHead worked there. Jondix used to visit and do guest spots. So did Mike the Athens and his 'student' Tas. Then, Tas' work had much more Thai/Tibetan and Borneo/Micronesian influence than it does now, so did Hooper's. Tomas Tomas moved from a different shop in London to work at IntoYou. So at one shop, including guests/friends you had: Alex Binnie, Xed, Thomas Hooper, Jondix, Mike the Athens, Tas, Tomas Tomas and Duncan X. There were of course other awesome tattooers working there who specialised in different styles but these 8 people are very influential in the dotwork/blackwork (non-tribal) styles. Hooper and Jondix are close friends and have done series of paintings together and a few collaborative tattoos. I see Mike's and Alex's influence a lot in the work of Jondix, Thomas and Tas' (non Japanese) work. A lot of the dot shading comes from Xed and Tomas Tomas, I think Tomas in particular took it further than anyone, to great success. It's been awesome over the last 8 years or so, watching this amazing work grow out of existing tattoo styles and have other influences slowly added to each person's work and seeing them push themselves and tattooing in general. To me, that's perfect way for new styles to develop, rather than someone deciding that they have invented a 'new thing'. If these guys weren't awesome enough most of them can do great tattoos in many other styles too. I have learned a lot seeing their work, particularly Hoopers healed work in the flesh and nervously tattooing next to it. Something like this?

what thread?

seconded

@Dennis wow guess it did hold quite well! surprising since if I can recall correctly Rich has got 7 layers of tattoos on him (now 8 it looks like)

I saw this myself but there are only those pics of it. While seriously impressed I am, I really wonder what it looks like healed up a bit (or maybe that is?).

Might have to scoop one of these up!

This could end up being a "gateway tattoo". Who knows maybe it could spark the idea for an epic backpiece? I know there are some older members here that started late too.

I've been kinda forgot about but usually it's due to running behind schedule. Shit happens like any other job. As far as drawings being done, I noticed that sometimes it's 100% draw up in advance but usually not really that far in advance if at all. Mind you I have way more experience with just one artist and a few one-offs with others so mileage may vary but it also varies even with the same artist. You gotta look at it from their perspective. Sometimes it makes sense to draw it up on your/with you (especially if you didn't have a solid consultation session). Hell sometimes better ideas come after a second look! Depending on where it is/size/what other tattoos you got you also got to take that into consideration. Any time I got tattoos next to other tattoos it always ended up being drawn right on my with markers so it would fit right. Unless you sat around for hours without being attended to I wouldn't worry too much. I've had some appointments bumped due to stuff going late, but at the same time I've had my own sessions bump other people. Clients can show up late or whatever and screw up things. Unless it becomes habitual or excessive I really wouldn't mind it. Just curious how long did you wait?

I was actually wondering when it would be good to post up a Philly thread here...maybe in Dec. As far as this particual meetup, I guess I dropped the ball! Life has been a bit too crazy with the weather, I'm moving, getting tattooed, and a bunch of other stuff, guess it slipped my mind. We will try again, maybe after I finish moving!

http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/15-latest-tattoo-lowdown.html and still one of the best threads out there! The interviews were what actually lead me to LST.

I love how here on LST within a few posts you guys already beat me to the punch but I will reiterate I guess. 1. Where are you located? I'm sure we can point you in the direction of some great artists/shops in your area. Also would you be willing to travel a bit for some stellar work? 2. Most of us got at least one tattoo we aren't fond of. I do! (and it's a bit bigger than yours for sure!) My approach is to just get some other really killer tattoos around it. 3. The best part about going to a good tattoo artist is they are killer at drawing tattoos! Hell it's their job. I also had the same thought process as you did when I got my first tattoo, which was to make sure I had an actual draw image before I enter the shop. Now I don't do that anymore. Good tattoo artists will draw up some killer tattoos for you. This is kind important if you want to do a coverup as they will know what image will over it up the best. 4. While this is more of a personal opinion double-meaning imagery can be cool but I really enjoy readable tattoos. This doesn't mean that it has to be simple and bland but more along the lines of "within 10 seconds I understand what image I am looking at." At least in my opinion even if people don't "get it" it still is visually appealing for the rest of your life.

Love this tattoo! So far I've "liked" it on facebook, LST, and Instagram. Superb!

I'll post it up for my friend who hasn't yet joined but he's just signed up for a Odin backpiece/rib tattoo with Regino Gonzales. I'll be posting up some pictures here for people to check out. I also am just about finished with my Raijin tattoo and am about to start the rest of my leg with a dragon, some lightning and clouds. "Leg sleeve" is getting some progress!

It's a place I will visit when I get the chance to "hop the pond". http://frithstreettattoo.co.uk/ Inked Magazine :: Inked Spots :: Firth Street Tattoo Frith Street Tattoo | Webstagram - the best Instagram viewer

a link to the picture in question. I did laugh a bit at some of the comments, but it seems this happens on a few people's pictures. INK361 - A web interface for Instagram and so much more.

I liked your lady face that you posted on instagram. Do more!

I know most everyone here seems to follow the balancing of tattoos. Left then right then left. I did just remember something I saw. I was smoking a cig with my artist outside and a girl walked by that had exactly half her body tattooed black and gray. Pretty stunning and to me more eye grabbing than a whole body suit.