Stewart Robson

Yeah, I did, thanks. It was a while ago, before I had a digital camera. If I still have a photo, it's in the bottom of a box somewhere. I dont think it was technically accomplished though. I only got to do it because someone saw a set of 20th Century occult flash I did and picked the portrait of AOS. I've tattooed sections of his automatic drawings and some of his sigils too. I thought it was cool too (except the sigils, that seemed to defeat the purpose) As a geek note to the mystical/occult interested: Frith Street Tattoo is within 15 minutes walk of the birthplace of Austin Osman Spare and around 5 minutes walk from the birthplace of William Blake. Crowley lived in various locations a further 20 mins walk west. (I use walking times because in central London driving takes longer)

It's not so much name-dropping or that we want to be "part of it" We all get a lot of time-wasters who just want to talk about tattoo ideas, you know, just shoot the shit a little via email. When someone emails me and lets me know that they have travelled or put in whatever effort and are serious about getting tattooed, if I can tell that they have selected me based on my previous work and understand how much a tattoo of that size will cost - then they are way more likely to get a timely response. Remember that if whoever you are emailing travels a lot they may not have enough time or internet connection long enough to give you a considered response. Before we can email you a time/price/day/location for your tattoo, we need to figure out all that stuff first. Sometimes even have a couple of extra options of dates/times/tattoo subjects. Personally I don't like being given "total freedom". Some days that may mean a portrait of Austin Osman Spare, other days it may mean a Baku backpiece or dagger and rose. I guess if your chosen tattooer is known for a specific set of subjects, it's a no-brainer, but it's something to consider. A couple of alternatives won't hurt either. Something that comes to mind whenever I see/hear discussions like this, I wish I could remind collectors/customers/whatever that just because you see a tattooer post to instagram or whatever else on the internet, that doesn't mean they are also checking and responding to emails.

@YOMONEY What you're asking isn't as uncommon as you'd expect. That is if you want a black arm and a Japanese arm. It's a common misconception that heavy black is the solution for covering unwanted tattoos. I'm ny opinion, Japanese style tattoos can be way more effective in covering-up tattoos. If the tattoos you have a raised, or scarred, even slightly, that will certainly show through the black. Also in my experience, if the unwanted tattoos have colours that were mixed with white pigment (bright green, some yellows, light blue, some oranges etc) then that white-based pigment can be very difficult to cover with solid black. Colour Japanese will cover it much better if you go to the right tattooer. While I'm spouting my opinions, here's another: It's easier to find a decent japanese style tattooer than one who can fill solid fields of smooth black these days. Regarding the awesome black/japanese combo by Ian Flower, above: Nobody said it was japanese before it was covered. It's testament to Ian's design and tattoo skill that it looks that way. The peony on the guy's chest was also tattooed by Ian. Laser is not a magic wand for removing tattoos. But the line we always use at Frith Street regarding black for coverups: "Once you go black, you don't go back" There are also other ways to use heavy black in cover up tattoos but there's a difference between being helpful and giving away all my secrets. @YOMONEY there's a thread somewhere here about coverup tattoos.

Season One was shot in 2 general locations: NY and the SF Bay Area. Season Two was shot on 3 continents: USA, UK and Japan. So I think it's safe to say it's probably a budget issue. You should have seen the expensive hair and make-up professionals they flew in from hollywood just to make me look handsome on camera. My burritos aren't cheap either.

I tattoo a fair number of police men & women. Most of them with large-scale work (read: bigger than half-sleeve) All if them are sensible enough to know not to get visible tattoos. They also understand that tattoos are for outcasts and outcast tendencies are best hidden from the powers that be. If you wanna be an outlaw, don't be a lawman.

Good for you, but, wow. Last Sparrow Piercing. This feels like usenet in 1997. Sorry. There are plenty of places online for this stuff, but nowhere else other than Last Sparrow for serious tattoo talk. Yeah, I'm a dick.

This has been doing the rounds for a few years now. It's still funny as fuck. Each time one of us at the shop does a Hendrix or Marley tattoo, someone else dares them to put the other's name.

That wasn't an accident. There are more LST members in there too. It was an honour to be involved with this series. Chris Grosso is such an awesome guy who really "gets it" when it comes to tattooing and tattoo fandom. We actually missed having him around when shooting finished. Usually when someone has a camera in my face I'm glad to see them go. If we all watch these episodes online, watch the first season and tell our friends about them, maybe then the sponsors will see fit to finance more episodes in the future. Also Chris' co producer Lauren Cynamon and editor Jarad Jeter are the skilled guys who make the show immensely watchable and make Valerie and I look like coherent, interesting individuals. I'm looking forward to the rest of the episodes but I think Thom's will be something special. I liked the whole experience so much I put a sticker where I'll see it every day:

Chris Grosso, one of the producers, has an account here at LST although he doesn't post much. I've met him, he's great. Why do you ask?

Nailed it!

Why is this in the General Tattoo Discussion thread? If you consider the term "artist" to have any negative connotations, that says more about you than about Art. I smell this thread being dragged into the incredibly boring and repetitive discussion of "What is Art?" which I doubt you have the capacity to fully understand due to the rambling nature of your poorly posed questions. If "Craft" solely applies to people who make things with their hands, why do actors refer to the craft of acting? There is also a craft to writing. As in Journalism, Non-fiction or even fiction. These do not necessarily require the craftsperson to make something with their hands. The term "Creative" is often used to refer to mostly inspiration-led endeavours that may be viewed as artistic by the layperson. In actual fact it can simply refer to anyone who creates something, anything. Being creative doesn't make anyone special, or different. It's a very common human activity. If you think there is a lack of respect for craft-based trades, you're moving in the wrong social circles. If you think the lack of value placed on trades is offensive, you certainly live a very comfortable life.

I think that they were not only Sevedge denim but also aged, by Jordan for the perfect fit around his scrawny ass with ink spatters, oil and all the other stuff that tough-guy bad-boys love on their motorbike clothes..

I guess people are expecting to hear from 'us' about this. While Jordan is lucky to be alive, his luck extended far enough that the only injury he suffered was his broken legs, serious enough but it's amazing that he isn't even slightly concussed. I'm not offering any new personal information or progress reports about Jordan's status. Jordan, while positive and open, was always reluctant to share personal (especially family) information, especially on the internet. Most of what I will say is scattered across comments on Instagram anyway. Aaron from True Tattoo is with him and I guess he'll be making updates via Instagram. We at Frith Street have arranged to send Jordan's girlfriend to go to LA to be with him. Some of us will be taking care of his cat and anything to do with his family back home. His financial obligations here in the UK will be taken care of. Jordan had travel insurance and the driver who hit him also had insurance. While that will most likely cover his medical bills, he and his girlfriend still need to eat, sleep, travel, attempt to be comfortable, etc etc. thousands of miles from home. The donations received via PayPal will go to help Jordan pay for the non-medical things he needs. When he's recovered, surplus funds will be donated to a charity of Jordan's choosing. Jordan is apparently in good spirits, making jokes and generally 'being Jordan', minus the acrobatics. He was upset the the paramedics had to cut off his favourite pair of jeans. Cards, gifts, flowers, lewd drawings, whatever, can be sent to Jordan via True Tattoo, Hollywood and the guys there will pass them on. I would like to stress the importance of lewd drawings - the more disgusting, the better. He also likes European chocolate and milkshakes. I would, on behalf of myself and everyone at Frith Street, like to express our enormous gratitude to everyone who has donated money, gifts, cards, time, tattoo machines, positive thoughts, etc, etc to Jordan. It's very humbling and testament to the strength of Jordan's character and the sense of community in the tattoo world. It's hugely appreciated. Special thanks to Aaron from True Tattoo, Jordan is lucky to have such a friend with him right now. Thank you, we wish him a speedy recovery.

I'm there, every day. Not got my ass in gear to arrange appointments yet. email [email protected] and ask for stuff I like to tattoo.

@Lindsey Carmichael Hi!

This is the exact reason I stopped being so descriptive with posts on my blog. I'm not trying to fish for hits from people who will print my photos, I'm trying to show my work to people who want to get tattooed.

You'd get more luck asking at the places where an apprenticeship could happen. Hint: it's not the internet. But first, you need to get tattooed. I guess that means you need to wait. My honest no-bullshit advice would be to get a real job first. You'll learn more about people, money, hard work and responsibility there than at a 'Tattoo Academy'. That 'Tattoo Academy' just swindled a chunk of money from a child. I'm sorry, but you wasted your time there. Good Luck.

@mblx If you're in the States, go see Thomas Hooper at Saved Tattoo in Brooklyn. If you're in the UK, Duncan X at IntoYou, London. I think someone at Blut & Eisen in Berlin, Germany does stuff a little like that too. Look outside tattoos or tattooing for reference images. Good luck.

I think Emiliano painted the eagle and daggers. Stefano set up the artwork for the printer. The Tattoo City rip-off was a combined effort: I did the main lettering, the dragon, scroll, some of the roses and the whole of the reverse. Valerie did the girl and rose. Jordan did a rose. Stefano did the skull & hat. Emiliano did the address lettering and "tattoo" wording. We have a new flyer/appointment card roughly every 12 months. The current one was painted by Valerie. It's lovely.

This guy... :rolleyes:

In my opinion there are no books that can teach these things with regard to tattooing. Most of what I learned is from some of the concepts from Art History (capitals intended) but throwing yourself into art history school won't help. For me the keys to learning anything in tattooing are getting tattooed by, or working with people who can do what you can't, or don't understand. Studying (not just looking at) tattoos and tattoo photos helps too. Many concepts that apply to music help with visual composition too, such as flow, dynamics, contrast, rhythm etc. Also alchemy: solve et coagula. Take apart what exists, understand it, then assemble it once more. In Japanese there is a similar concept: "Shu Ha Ri" Its a long-ass road. If your'e in Austin, see how Steve Byrne or Tony Hundahl lay out a tattoo. It can be a masterclass in composition for clarity and readability.

@Paul D join the queue. Everyone wants to take pictures of tattoos. It doesn't add credibility to your intentions that you focus on the 'freakish' aspect of tattoo conventions. The few mentions of tattoos on your site/blog make me think you maybe never considered the concept of a 'good tattoo'. Yeah, The magazine @Iwar mentioned and anything they touch, is a crock of shit. If you're trying to 'break into' tattoo photography/documentaries, you chose the wrong door. As a rule of thumb, high quality tattooers and tattoo enthusiasts/collectors don't take kindly to tourists. I like your music photography though.

Shunga, Tsuba, Hammer, Scroll, Peach, Benzaiten etc, etc. But it's a good idea to know what it is you're getting rather than just designs you think are uncommon. Popularity of designs changes. over the last year I've done less Koi than any other subject. Including shunga, foo dogs, snakes, cranes, ritual objects etc. But really, you should get more Koi. Nothing goes better with Koi than more Koi. Better still, ask Hunter, I'm sure he knows what he's doing. It's one of my many personal pet peeves when I see a Japanese style sleeve was designed as a collection of random objects, forced together with water or clouds, rather than a single coherent layout. Even when a sleeve is composed of 'scattered' smaller elements like single flowers, masks, lucky charms etc, etc, it's still planned with consideration of the whole composition. A Japanese sleeve, even before it's fully completed will have less 'gaps' than you think it does. The elegance and timeless look of Japanese (or any Oriental-influenced) tattoos comes from the coherence of the overall layout, (worked out over a couple of centuries). I would go as far to say the coherence of the whole of the wearer's body. That elegance and beauty doesn't come from stacking objects like tetris or lego. Good luck.

Please can we have a thread, area, whatever, to move the increasing number of posts asking for free advice from people who are bored, scared to visit a real-world tattoo shop, attention seeking, lonely, stupid or whatever? I'm not adverse to giving free advice, hell, I can even be nice to people sometimes but it's getting a little cluttered in here. The signal/noise ratio is getting harder and harder to manage or respond to without sarcasm. Reading 'Tattoo 101' is getting more and more like hangin' out on the wrong side of the reception desk on a busy saturday afternoon and less like an interesting or stimulating discussion between people who love tattoos and tattooing. Sorry if I'm pissing on anyone's parade.

Thanks @telbhoy Threads and posts like this remind me of the true value of Last Sparrow and are exactly why I keep returning to this site and attempting to post intelligent and thought-out responses.