Duffa

I think you need ten posts before you can post threads? You can check using the search function in case a similar thread already exists, or if it's a question it may have already been asked. Failing that you could always post/ask in this thread until you get up to the necessary post count

if it's healed (by memory it would be now) it'll be fine. And if not just go get it touched up if it's that bad

Only time I've ever been stared at and was made to feel really uncomfortable was when I was in Japan on a train back from Nara, and an older gentlemen looked, nay stared straight through me. Not going to lie, it was pretty freaky and was probably the most intimidated I have ever been in my life. And it was by a 60+ year old gentleman lol. I tend to cover up, more so because i get really annoyed with people grabbing one of my limbs and stating "how sick my ink is" or recently because of a slightly more corporate environment I have found myself in.

Damn... there are more than a few friends of mine on there. Looks like I need to send some emails and warn peeps. Cheers for the heads up Jen!

@Lochlan will said new shirt be in mediums? (Not going to lie, really really want to see what it is And who it's done by!haha)

There's a painting thread if you do a search, and a few people mention which watercolours they use if it helps

Hey Shane, welcome to LST! As @Amok said, there are a few of us here but I think you may be the first South Australian? Either way, hope you enjoy your stay

@Avery Taylor - haha it's all good my friend ;) and I do completely understand! I've had to deal with a few American Agents (and I'm sure will have to again) and yeah... you hit the nail on the head. These guys where/are from rather large agencies and there was a reason they got to where they are - they where damn good at their jobs... but also complete douche bags. Not the way I would go about it, but that's probably why I'm not worth more haha. BUT I can look myself in the mirror and believe in the projects I work on. I also understand a bit of backlash for not being personal (if anyone ends up working with me on anything, you'll see what happens haha) and more so, for this particular instance. Tattooing isn't entertainment ( @Abellve - that was such a great call)

I'm a publicist, or have been/had to be in the past. I can see what your saying don't get me wrong, However in mine and others defenses - I work in indie music. There is no (or little money) and you do it for a love and usually because you believe in the project/artist/s and you want to see it and them do do well. Not all publicists are like this, sure. But not everyone is ingenuine or shitty. I won't take anything on I don't believe in as I can't sell something I'm not passionate about nor would I want to. That and I don't have the time lol.

Cheers guys ;) I'll give you a little hint... I got the Shishi on his second flash sheet for the Flash Day they recently had and I missed. But, it had to be redrawn and a bunch of other amusing stuff happened which will be told with pics.

Hrrrmmmm... maybe I won't be able to share the story then... hehehe. I really should be doing work but it's Monday and it's hard to get started this morning!

@Dan S - oh, it's the most tribal tribal anyone has ever seen. Believe that ;) lol

I was really (really) fortunate to get a little somethin' on Saturday from Matt Cunnington at Westside Tattoo - Professional Services - Brisbane, QLD | Facebook BUT I don't have any decent pics yet, and will probably have to wait for it to settle. When I do have pics they will be shared of course, as well as the cool story to go with it :cool:

Great way to start the day!

Oh shit this made me laugh. Yeah... Australia reeeeeeally sucks... like, so bad.

@MadeIndelible - oh they're appreciated ;) And I completely appreciate the amazement factor as well. Something about a well executed suit that just has some special magic. I'm thinking about heading over in September... I've sussed some cheap flights but will still have to see about funds. I'm getting itchy though I can tell you!

Hey Doug, welcome to LST. There are heaps of great resources here to check out and to soak up if that's your goal. Check out the newbie guideline section and do a search for anything that interests you :) First of all, I'm not a tattooer. I do have the privilege of knowing some amazing ones, and of having learnt a lot from them, this great site and other places. If they where answering the question, I'm sure they'd say - draw & listen. Your still young so spend the next few years drawing your ass off, maybe TAFE or Uni for art, and once your old enough find a great tattooer who's stuff you like and go and start getting tattooed by them. DON'T go to a scratcher or let some friends do it. Think ahead, work out your plan and then attack it. Get reference books and build your library - both tattoo and non-tattoo related and study your ass off. Once you've started getting some sweet tat-zaps (sorry small joke) from your soon to be mentor (they won't know this yet) start making yourself indispensable around the shop and show them that you have a real and honest desire to learn the craft, respect it and above all give as much as you can back to it. "If you look after tattooing, tattooing will look after you". Plus by this stage with hard work your drawing and painting will be off the hook and they won't be able to say no to you. And check out Scott's interviews, you'll learn a lot from them ;) One question - WTF is the Australian Tattoo Academy? And why does the thought of it scare me?.. I'm kinda glad I got in before you potentially got roasted (not supposed to ask about apprenticeships etc... but you asked for advice, not for one I guess) The fact that your 16 and trying to get your hustle on I had to respect, so I hope this helps and I hope some actual tattooers will chime in and give you some sage advice.

@MadeIndelible - I'm enjoying you having crossed over to the darkside. I just right click and I gots some new visual stimuli haha

Stories? Yes please ;) (Fully understand if you can't or prefer/choose not to share)

@Maximalion - this is nothing compared to the HA's v RM in the 90's, now that was a war! @Amok - Not sure how much I can really say on it... it is still recent history and not being from the city of sin, I have no idea what is happening/what happened in relation to it so it may have to wait for another time. Sorry homie ;) @Dan S - the Highway 61 stuff is actually pretty damn interesting, but it may have to be in a PM. That shit is local to me on a number of levels lol. As I mentioned earlier it isn't that bad, or no worse than usual? In saying that, other members of society might have a different view/argument but it's only because they are now more aware of it because of the coverage. And I guess where I grew up and who I grew up with has given me a slightly different view point. It has a lot to do with the gun crime associated with it. After the Port Arthur Massacre, all auto & semi automatic weapons where banned, handguns no longer can be owned by private citizens (citation needed) and other laws surrounding firearms where tightened. Most of the incidents have involved handguns and semi autos so that's big news. Also these younger guys have none of the 'old codes' so innocents have been getting caught in the crossfire and people are rightly pissed about it. Back in the day it was pretty bad. No, you couldn't just open a shop and you had to have some sort of affiliation to be protected/left alone. Pretty much like most places I guess, Then (and I don't know how or why) Things changed and shops started to pop up that weren't biker controlled and everyone was happy. You still had your spots outside of capital cities (and inside to be fair) that where club controlled - place I grew up for example was where Old Rebels came to retire (ie. set up meth labs lol) and the only shops around where associated. Only now has that started to change. (it takes awhile to catch up out that way) In recent years however, especially in Sydney, new groups have popped up, organisations looking to get other income streams/ways to launder money have turned to the old ways and shit has been getting a little hectic. There has been a few incidents locally (Brisbane) but in my view nothing really out of the ordinary and nothing really, really bad. Gold Coast has had some shit go down though lol. Mind you, I don't really like the place so eh. And Adelaide has had shit brewing for a few years (you don't touch another brothers old lady is all I'll say) And then the normal territorial and supply disputes. I'm going to ask some friends who are a lot more knowledgeable on the subject, and if it works out I might try and set up an interview and report back. Please note, I'm no expert, I have some knowledge and I have really only scratched the surface on some of the issues. Lets see how it all pans out over the next few months/years ;)

@Iwar I'll be back later to contribute to the thread, I'm currently running late! haha LST prior to leaving to do stuff = not that smart, but enjoyable still ;)

@Amok - ok, yes Sydney is slightly different and I know what your referring to in regards to fire bombing (or more the specific incident and in that case your correct) but it isn't as bad as the media portray - it rarely ever is

Ladies and Gentlemen, let's see what I can light I can shed here without going into specifics about anyone ;) First - I should say it's not as bad as the media makes it out to be (funny that?) However, there has been an increase recently in shit popping off between certain M/C's and the use of handguns which makes it a lot more high profile (We have pretty stringent guns laws, but that's a whole other story that I can explain later) The M/C's don't have a lock down on shops. You can be independent and remain relatively hassle free (everyone has some hassles in life ;) ), and it's usually the better shops that choose to go the indie route. They are tattooers who want to tattoo. Now don't get me wrong, I'm sure members or associates would frequent these establishments also, but they aren't club shops. What it is, is that there is currently a bit of turmoil going on within and between certain clubs (patching over, women the usual issues etc) and associated businesses are being targeted (and the po po, I'll see what stuff I can find and upload). Funny thing is though, the footage of the Gyms' and what not that have been shot/blown up are hardly shown as I'm thinking it doesn't help with ratings? I'll find a link for you guys later to check out a program that aired recently on whats been going down. NSW government have or are passing laws which makes it illegal for members or associates of a M/C to own a tattoo shop (amongst other things) This is really quick and brief and I will go into a lot more detail later when I can, with links :) In summary - not as bad as what you hear, we're still cool.

CONGRATS @Iwar !!!! And nicely done to everyone else who contributed last month! Some damn fine tattooin' going on.

Agreed. Made up or not, that gave me good Lolz