mtlsam

I'm going to be driving back to the north-east from Austin. I plan on checking it out.

I unfortunately don't have anything to add about the design history, but just thought I would say that Dan is a cool guy who seems to still have a low profile. Cool to see more collectors with his work.

My front is composed of several large tattoos that all have happily avoided the nipples (but it sure felt close). If I was doing my front over and going for a huge piece I would blast over them because I think having two spots withough colour is a bit odd. Get ready for some serious ouch!

If you read through the 500 or so comments on that post you'll see some by the tattoo's owner. Seems like he might be an interesting character, the kind of guy who can pull it off. While it's a well executed tattoo, it's a bit more bold than what I would ever want.

Hi there, your artist knows best how to heal their work, but five days seems like a long time without washing or changing the dressing. If you stick with that time frame, your tattoo should be as good as heald after 6 days covered. Most of my recent tattoos have been scab free and peeling (sunburn style) after 24-48 hours covered. After six days the weeping will be done, so no real fear of dust. Best of luck with your new tattoo.

Sounds sacrilicious to me. Fun varient on a classic theme.

Sometimes there is a taboo about one artist finishing another's work. This tends to apply more to having someone colour a tattoo that was outlined by someone else. Even this gets done if the reasoning behind the switch is sensible. If you have complete work and just want to get more added in blank spots there should be nothing holding you back. Find someone who is stoked to do the tattoos you want, that's how you'll get the best quality work. Enjoy what you got from the first artist, keep your coments about them discreet as you have and keep us posted on what you add.

Haha! I think that highly motivated might be a better discription. When the man is in town you got to take the chance you get. Glad the side ribs are over though. Now starting to dread the eventual back piece. Oh what we put ourselves through for art's sake!

@Rob I I love Chad's work in general, but in my humble opinion you have one of his best ever backs! I enjoyed it through the in progress photos, but was eager to see the eyes finished. They set it off! Just too good man, I'm stoked to be able to say I know it's wearer.

In my quest to have the occasional meaningful tattoo I added a new one today. I had a pretty awesome pure walkin experience, on foot from home to PSC tattoo, where the man, the myth, the living legend, Tony D'Annessa did a quick little one on me. He has a note on his wall saying he has been tattooing for 57 years! I had spotted this little top hatted skull and 13 a couple of weeks back and knew that this was my shot. It's on an old flash poster from the 60's, and Tony even had an accetate stencil for it. It didn't take long, and when it was done I got a tattoo history lesson on the old school stencilling technique. Black powder onto the accetate and then press it onto greased skin, hope for the best. He showed me more of his major collection of accetate stencils. There were some dragons and big bearded wizards that must have required some serious freehand skills to complete once the faint outline wiped away. Several people have been telling me to get a Tony tattoo, and I'm really glad I finally found the perfect occassion to do so. This was an awesome experience, that I know I will always have a souvenir of!

Great tattoos will always look good around other great ones. Nothing will clash with the dark colour, but even if it did it would just draw the eye even more!

Hey there, I know your pain. I've had tough heals on a few tattoos, seems to be part of the game... I have been using what I think of as @BrianH 's technique of re-wrapping the tattoo. I wear the initial bandage for up to 8 hours, then rinse the tattoo 3 times with uncomfortably warm water (to get as much of the extra ink, plasma and greasy ointment off as possible). Pat it or let it air dry for up to an hour, then re-wrap with clean plastic wrap. This is repeated for the first 24-32 hours or if I think there will be major clothing friction. I've healed my last 6 sessions this way with no scabs, just sunburn style flaking around the 48 hour mark. I'm totally sold on this rather cumbersome but effective technique! Best of luck, and remember, you are actually the only one who stares at your tattoo enough to notice the healing defects anyway.

Hi, here are two really good discussions about what you are interested in. Hope that you find something to suit your needs. http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-advice/1649-fill-not-fill-space-between.html http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-designs-books-flash/818-tattoo-silhouette-negative-space.html

Never get confident! Always imagine that the next tattoo you get will be the worst pain you've ever felt! This way, if it's anything less you'll be pleasantly surprised. The worst thing is starting to think it won't be bad and then finding that it hurts more than you had imagined.

Side of the hip seemed mellow. I also had a numb spot behind my right armpit, felt nothing but pressure there. I hear the whole back is like that, right?

Keep us posted. Any excuse to indulge in bagels!

Finished off my second rib panel today with Dave C. at PSC tattoo. I'll use the royal "we" and say that we knocked this out in three sessions starting in late September, about 8 hours total. I'm super stoked on it, the colour in the tiger really pops! Dave is a great guy, and his work speaks for itself, seek him out.

Two things I would worry about, your uniform is likely a tough and rough material, so lots of friction. Also profuse sweating might not be the very best. The times that my tattoos have healed poorly has always been due to friction from clothing. I've learned my lesson, and take it easy for a couple of days post tattoo. I have also become a strong convert to the saran wrap recovering of the fresh piece for the first day or so. Many changes of the saran, with proper washes in between. Cuts the friction, and no scabs. Good luck!

I don't want to single anybody out, but we have a few fellow posters with insane backpieces from Chad Koeplinger. His large scale work is so amazing that I start to get delusions of the process of acquiring one from him being worth it. Who am I kidding, it's more than worth it!

Session two with Dave C. Got a lot done in about 2 1/2 hours. I was nervous going into this sitting as we had just done the outline last week. I was a little worried my psych wouldn't be there, but in the end it went pretty well. Glad not to have more ribs after this though.

I would think that if you are getting tattooed fairly regularly your understanding of what makes a good tattoo should be improving. If you like what you have been collecting keep it up. If you run out of ideas look at classic flash, does it inspire you? If so, keep going, if not take a break. Lots of skin, lots of time, but if you have a bunch of great ideas, things that have been on your wish list for long enough to know you want them, get 'em done. Now is as good a time as any!

Thanks for paving the way. I can't believe I waited this long. A great tattoo experience.

This is what I was able to sit for today with Dave Cummings at PSC tattoo. About 3 hours, and not nearly as intense as my 1 1/2 with Chad on my other side, thank goodness! We stopped there because the next step was colour for the tiger, and I didn't have it in me. Next session next week, healing permitting. So stoked on this!

This month is turning out to be tattoo magic. Getting in on a cancellation with Dave Cummings at PSC! Ed Hardy inspired tiger head and torso with peonies on my ribs. It's been just long enough since I had my other side done to have forgotten how bad an idea this is! Can't wait!!!

Hi Jeff, I will give you the polite mesaage before harsher fellas chime in. This is more a forum for tattoo appreciators. It is not a place where we, who are mostly clients as opposed to tattooers, discuss technical aspects of the craft. Good luck in your search for info, but you won't find it here.