Joe Stratford

Those are all sweet!!

This is a bit of a joint effort. The Dagger, Collar, Angel and Reaper (2-6 weeks old) are by Fergus Simms - Melbourne Tattoo Company, and the Eagle Snake fight (2.5 months old) is by Jess Swaffer - Chapel Tattoo. Wanted to wait until the whole spot was done before i posted them up! Super happy with them, and two of the nicest tattoo experiences (bar the pain!) I've ever had.

Well I am hugely biased and would say mix it up! Im currently up to 13 different artists on my arms (still got space, yay!) At this stage it becomes a hugely enjoyable experience walking into a tattoo studio and artists having the opportunity to see other artists work, not even my best friends would be able to tell the difference in artists if I told them! It all adds to the experience, like others have said, it's not a race, plus you never know where life will take you. If someone said 18 months ago that I'd be living in Melbourne i would have laughed at them. But now i have the opportunity to be tattooed by some amazing guys out here, already knocked Jess Swaffer and Josh Sutterby off the list, up next is Fergus Simms, John Entwistle and Cindy Ray!!! It would suck limiting myself IMO

Agreed, once you have some more tattoos surrounding it it won't stand out as much!

Further to this if there are any LST'ers in Melbourne I am moving there shortly so it would be nice to meet up, have a coffee/beer and talk tattoos/life!

I'm at work and cant watch this but I thought I'd put it up here for those who can and as a reminder for myself. I heard he moved to Tokyo so he could get the work done by 'a real Japanese artist' thats all I got!

I watched this yesterday. Loved it, echoing the previous comments, it is a really well made video with obvious love and care put into it. I've pointed people in the direction of the Tattoo Age/Gypsy Gentlman videos in the past who perhaps know nothing/very little about tattooing to open their eyes up a bit (which has succeeded BTW) this will certainly be added to the list. Thanks!

'I want to get what I want to get, and put it wherever I want it, and not feel guilty or ashamed of it!' I think it get's to a point where you have to understand that you and your parents are going have different opinions on things. You are now old enough to get what you want, put it where you want and you shouldn't feel guilty!! Appreciate it's not their thing, perhaps don't be the one to instigate conversation over it. If they show an interest, great! talk about it, educate them, if not let things be and brush it off. At the end of the day as long as you are a decent, fun and happy person their job is done - that's the most important thing - not your choice in music/food/curtains/skin pictures! Also want to add that I wouldn't try to hide or cover up your tattoos to please them (or anyone else for that matter - employment/work dress code argument aside) be proud to have them and they may see the futility in their opposition of them.

The Golden Age of Hong Kong Tattooing | VICE | United Kingdom At work so I can't watch this at the moment.. but thought i'd put it here for those who can!

I agree with @BrianH just get an eagle or an owl, you know what the meaning is behind it, it doesn't have to be a literal thing to make sense, eagles and owls look great on their own.

Ive just been to the Matt Lodder talk on Sutherland MacDonald. It was fascinating! Loads of interesting stuff, way ahead of his time it seems, and was blown away by the detail in the tattoos from the time. I'm looking forward to the book he is working on coming out. Oh and just thought I'd mention Ed Hardy was there!!! :eek::eek::eek:

@bambi PLEASE DO NOT GO TO THAT TATTOO STUDIO, even a quick look shows up terrible work, this will be on you for the rest of your life. Do not be too hasty in making your decision. We are here to help! I agree with the above, just some butterflies would look great without the stars in my opinion. Are you willing to travel (1-2hours?) to get the work done? We can help point you in the right direction

Great choice @Russ - Certainly on my list. I'm daydreaming about a trip across the states, ROA is high on the agenda. I finished my backpiece around 3 1/2 months ago (which was once a month for 7 months) and I am gagging to get a new piece. My accounts are saying otherwise :'(

@Russ this is one of the best sites I have found.. https://www.flickr.com/photos/theinkspot Hope this helps, and pictures when its done please! Also out of curiosity who is doing it?

I am LOVING everything Tony Nilsson is putting out at the moment, He is the front runner for doing my chest eagle... also a parrakeet(?) for good measure