kirkson

Maybe not ideal, but I got frames at Costco for mine and they look pretty damned sharp.

@TrixieFaux thanks! I'm pretty psyched about it @Killercook76 yeah, me too, haven't been tattooed by anyone else...yet!

if you follow her IG and go back in the time line, I'm the Ganesh (last week, outline only), the Panther (finished around November), and the Tiger (finished probably 18 months ago). The first two are linked in my profile. I think they preceded her IG usage?

Hmmm, maybe I'm lucky but I had zero connections or friends or anything when I booked my first appt with Kim. Working on tattoo #5 from her right now. I think she, like anyone who is good enough and fortunate enough to have the luxury, is just picky about the projects she takes on. Or maybe I'm just that charming via email? ok, probably not

no idea is this is true, but have heard through the grapevine that talented but young tattooers applied and were rejected for being too good. essentially, they didn't one one or two being so much better than the dregs they typically get on these shows. and probably they didn't have enough drama to be interesting on TV. Though I don't doubt that most folks with any degree of skill wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. And yet here I am, watching it every week like a sucker.

In anticipation of my next appointment here's some pics of my last two

I have a huge octopus on my shoulder/upper arm. Definitely not feminine. I'm hardly alone, lots of guys have bad ass octopus tattoos. And at some point I'll have roses as well. Don't sweat it so much, get what make you happy. F anyone who gives you shit about it

Awesome snow lion. Definitely on my list. Its one of the four dignities (along with dragon, tiger and garuda). The 4 aspects of a Bodhisattva. Snow lion is unconditional cheerfulness, a mind free of doubt. Powerful symbol. Love it.

My best advice is to live somewhere that is both relatively close to work and gives you multiple driving options (ie more than one freeway that will get you there and back). The less traffic you deal with on a daily basis, the more you will love LA.feel free to ask any specific questions as you go.

Trixie, awesome, I have a few from Kim, she is great, and the nicest person on earth. Can't wait for my next appointment with her.

I've suddenly got the urge for a panther (maybe this thread has something to do with it?). Any recommendations for SoCal? So many great tattoers here, but wondering if anyone has done some especially good panthers

planning to start on my back next fall, Tibetan style, kicking around ideas still. In my dreams, with unlimited time and money, I'd move to NYC for a while and have it done by Yoni Z at NY Adorned. Reality is that I'll have it done here in LA (which is pretty good too :)).

no, when the new one heals I'll post in the "lowdown" page, along with the other one.

just had my last appt (of 4) on my upper right arm/shoulder on friday. before that was two sessions on the upper left in January-February (started in August, so 6 months between). Before that was 38 years of nothing. Next appt will probably be next Fall. take some time to think about what to do next (already have some ideas) and give my wife time to get used to the two large tattoos I got this year before I get another

Jeebus, the thought of 3 hours of color on my ribs makes me nauseous. I'd have been crying like a baby.

but it did give us the brilliant and hilarious Portlandia

thread hijack... @str8edg do you have a full sized image of your avatar? looks like a detail of a Bhutanese dragon, would love to see it. thinking about getting a tattoo of that and looking for good references.

speak for yourself! ;)

I grew up in NY (NYC suburbs), lived in upstate NY, Florida and HI as well, and SoCal is by far the best place I have ever lived. Its cool to hate on LA, but if you haven't lived here, its hard to appreciate it for what it is. Obviously some folks who have lived here hate it too, but definitely give it a long hard look. Incredibly diverse place to live with an area to suit any and every walk of life. No exaggeration. Plus the weather kicks the %! out of NorCal. Way cheaper down here as well, and yes, way cheaper than NYC too. Yeah, I love SF and the Bay Area, really love it, but I'm way more comfortable down here.

Pictures would probably help us to understand better, no?

I work in a very conservative industry in a large office, and its just not an option to have anything visible. I know for a fact there a sizable group in the office is tattooed (wtf, its LA, right?) but all of us are very careful to conceal during work hours. There's no policy or anything like that, but it's just not a recipe for advancement, or even respect, in this environment. Anyway, as Kev said, I like the hidden aspect of it all. This actually came up just yesterday, started some new work on my arm and the design had to be adjusted to make sure it didn't come down too far. Frustrating, but the same job that restricts me gives me the freedom (read:cash) to get the work done in the first place.

Just following up on my last post, and to make sure the right info is "out there" here is information on Spencer and his new shop. Charmed Life in Lexington, Kentucky. Charmed Life Tattoo Home Page

cu_bu, I saw Kim yesterday, apparently Spencer is no longer at Memoir. I'll IM you with details, but there is a good reason you haven't heard back. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news