ThaliaCamille

I haven't got a healed photo, sorry. I tried not to walk the day after it was done, then I wore open shoes (ballet flats, but not a lot of dudes are down for that...) for about a week and a half after. Didn't really hurt to walk, but I was still careful.

I hope it's obvious that I was just using the criteria laid out by the study.

Made cookie dough cupcakes. It's exactly as disgustingly sugary as it sounds.

Don't they sometimes do this at conventions? *digs around magazine collection, trying to recall where I saw it* Ah! Found it. Logan tattoo and art exhibition, apparently they have a thing called "Ink Off", where they time people in various categories and then judge a winner.

There are some images that just make great tattoos. I think it's fine to have symbols of a faith that isn't your own, provided you're aware of how some people will react (like the implications for travelling mentioned above). I'm not religious myself (but also wouldn't claim to be an atheist, agnostic is probably closer). I have no interest in getting anything Christian, but I find a lot of Hindu and Buddhist imagery appealing.

When it's something specific (eg. the octopus on my foot), I usually bring in some reference images and my own sketch. However, I don't care how different the end result comes out - I've heard of people who are really married to their own drawing and wont let the artist make changes, which seems silly to me. Other times, like for the sleeve that's currently in progress, I just gave the artist the basic premise (two women, what symbols they were usually associated with etc.), referred back to some of her previous work that I liked, and said "go for it". Though I admit to being one of those pain in the arse customers and asking her to "tweak" the drawings (but only minor things, and only once, I swear!).

^Yessssssssssssssss.

(Probably doesn't qualify as "WTF", but it is a new story) Health News - Twenty something women most tattooed "According to a study by La Trobe University’s Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) a greater proportion of women aged 20 to 29 are the most tattooed Australians, with almost one in three sporting a tattoo, whereas in the older age groups tattoos were more common among men." I realised the number was growing, but I wouldn't have guessed 1 in 3. Apparently the number for all adults is 1 in 7, and like other studies this one finds that "tattoos still appear to be associated with risk-taking behaviour in adults." "Having been tattooed also correlated with certain risk-taking behaviours, most notably smoking, cannabis use, and greater numbers of lifetime sexual partners... Tattooing was popular among men who had not finished secondary school, tradesmen, and women who did not live with their partners, whereas men and women who had completed postsecondary education were less likely to have a tattoo." Most tattooed people I know don't fit that description - my friends are university educated, non smokers (and many non drinkers) etc. I would be interested to know how many people would describe themselves as "risk-takers" in general - I wouldn't, yet here I am (seemingly defying the statistics).

Donnie Darko. "Oh, please, tell me Elizabeth, how exactly does one suck a fuck?"

Yeah, I didn't mean the internet should be used instead of foot traffic, it should be used as well as foot traffic. I also don't think the "underground" model described above is suitable for all (or even most) shops.

If it's used in the same context it used to be (eg. you see a lot of old religious statues with swastikas on them), and it's on a person who is from a faith where that symbol is important, I can see how it might be acceptable. However, I would guess most people who get swastika tattoos are not part of that religion(s?), and are just doing it to be "controversial". It would be very hard not to form an immediate judgement of a person with a swastika tattoo (either "white supremacist", "hippie swastika-reclaimer with no right to use that symbol" or "shit-stirrer").

I know of a few shops like this, don't publish their address anywhere and don't have street frontage. Not sure I'd call it underground, but it does attract a certain kind of customer - people who have looked you up, and are willing to go on waiting lists, pay a decent rate etc. This kind of setup really benefits from: You make a really good point here, for 2 reasons: 1) There's the education part of it. There are blogs, forums etc. dedicated to "good" tattoos. With those resources at hand (and with more experienced people encouraged to get involved, like here), the taste and discernment of people wanting tattoos can grow. If you spend any time on one of the numerous forums or blogs, you quickly learn that fly-by-night operations are not worth it. 2) As a relatively "young person", every single time that I have been tattooed it's been at a studio I found online. Looked through their work before even going near the place. Word of mouth is one thing (and very valuable), but it makes sense to be able to be found online. There are some people who deliberately stay away from the internet, and if they can survive on name alone that's great. Everyone else should be considering that if their work is visible, people will travel. I have, and would again. Makes a lot more sense than relying on foot traffic. (all from a customer perspective, so take it with a grain of salt if you like)

Haha, clever. Pretty decent SFX makeup, if a bit basic.

That person clearly does what they like, and they like what they do ;)

The other day, a guy at work walked past me and said (and I quote): "Cool tattoo, is it a sleeve?" I'm still trying to figure out exactly what his thought process was.

Only in a certain context, or all the time? What's wrong with portfolio?

Set a new personal best last session. 4 and a half hours, and I could've kept going (stopped because I ran out of money). Lidocaine is a hell of a drug.

I had amazing vegan lasagne today. First time ever visiting Loving Hut, mind = blown. Currently waiting impatiently on a bastard stew I whipped up out of leftovers and canned goods. Been freezing fresh herbs lately, makes a hell of a difference compared to dried.

RE: creams, I used some Dr. Numb during my last session being tattooed. Might be a different case for laser, but it worked. Well. Very well. Keep us all posted, interested to see how this turns out.

Thanks all. The only reason I ask is that I don't know anyone with something similar, and don't have much colour myself. Figured yellow might be more reliant on skin tone or other factors, given it *has* to be so bright to be effective. The outline thing is definitely the way I was leaning, I've seen some real nice potion-bottle type tattoos that are similar. Ursula, you sound a bit like myself - I have olive skin (Greek), but don't see much sun so I'm pretty pale. I am officially reassured!

Forgive me if this is something that's been covered in other threads (did a quick search, didn't yield anything quite so specific). I'm interested in getting this somewhere (just the bottle, it's a Resurrection Phial from the game Fable, thinking of putting it on the sternum where you press for CPR ;) ) Now, I can see this being stylised pretty easily, I've even had a couple of goes drawing it myself. Main thing I'm curious about is how well yellow/gold will heal and age, and what sort of changes would need to be made to the design in order to use this colour scheme. I've done a heap of Googling for pieces with a lot of yellow, but of course most of what you find is photos of fresh work. Just looking for anyone with tattoos of a similar colour scheme, who can provide some insight into how it looks after it's healed, or any advice on what would make this possible (or if it's a stupid idea altogether!). I think I know of a couple of local artists who would be able to do it, just thought I'd get informed before going ahead.

Not sure if this has been posted already. Images are pretty small, but these look better than expected. Wish I knew how old the guy was in the last photo.

I'll never tattoo my left elbow ditch. I have blood taken frequently, usually from my right arm (I'm left handed), but since getting tattooed in the ditch they've refused to draw from my right arm. So I'm gonna leave a nice little space. Everything else is fair game (if I'm in the right position to get hands etc. in regards to work). Although I don't see much point in tattooing my snatch... it's just not as comical as cock tattoos.

Haha yes, I've just been using "What's New" for a while now, seems to work just fine. Thanks guys :)

Hipster Hybrid.