Joe Stratford

That is rank...

Second session yesterday. Was a lot easier this time around, not so apprehensive I guess and also made a point to just focus on my breathing for the few lines that needed finishing. Looking forward to the next session! Thanks again Stewart.

I'm certainly interested in the book Matt Lodder is bringing out. Should be an interesting read!

Will a tattoo ever hang in the Louvre?

MPC - Mr X Cool little video with Duncan X. Seems like an interesting guy.. I like the style of his tattooing. I'd like a piece from him for sure, probably on my torso somewhere... has anyone got work from him?

First session done! By Stewart Robson @ Frith Street Tattoo

I'm getting the Tiger/Snake fight, Traditional. Similar to Frank Carters -http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljnocqUEJO1qbegdpo1_400.jpg (who incidentally did my last tattoo. I spoke to Valerie while I was having my consult and it turns out she is doing one also! I actually love the fact there are a few of us with it! I was showing my friend some bert krak tattoos and I saw a guy with the same hanya mask bert did on me (with inverted colours) my friend thought I would be super pissed that someone had the same tattoo. I thought it was fuckin cool!

Starting my Backpiece on Friday with Stewart Robson! 3 hours, so hopefully get the outline done! Super excited but am now feeling slightly anxious....

3 Weeks today!!!!!! I'm a little bit exited.

The otherway round, I discovered The Bee Caves (previously Death Valley) from the Gypsy Getleman (how great is that series!) I know they have an album coming out soon. Running Home To You | Bee Caves

I must say now I am in a financial position to get more tattoos I am making full advantage of it, the thought being that in say 5 years I won't have as much money to spend on tattoos, hence why I am starting my backpiece in 26 days (not that I'm counting. haha) All my tattoos are traditional so I guess it makes it easier just to go get a one shot when I can afford it after that, that's the plan for the rest of my left arm! I have a list of people I want to get tattooed by, I really like the old way of thinking, or not thinking should I say, and going and getting a tattoo without an idea of what I want when the opportunity arises. That's how I've inadvertently started my left arm in the last month. I see something, I like it, I get it. (be impulsive!) Maybe its easier with traditional? But for sure some of my favourite tattoos were impulsive decisions (well, when you walk in to a shop and Valerie Vargas has a cancellation, its a good idea to take it!) I must say that in the last two years I've really made headway with my arms, I had always imagined myself with sleeves from when first started being interested in tattoos all those years ago, I'm now finding myself considering my chest/stomach/legs something I had never considered before. Even up until a year ago I had never considered my back, now its happening! Once my back and chest are done, i'll slow down and end up getting covered piece by piece.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2436632/London-tattoo-convention-reveals-world-body-art-bizarre-beautiful-pictures.html Here ya go! Some of the vitriol in the comments section! Made me chuckle as always.

British Museum - Shunga This looks interesting! Produced from 1600 to 1900 and banned in Japan for much of the 20th century, these explicit and beautifully detailed erotic paintings, prints and books inspired Toulouse-Lautrec, Beardsley, Rodin and Picasso. Mostly created by the artists of the ukiyo-e or ‘floating world’ school, these popular works were known as shunga, - literally ‘spring pictures’. They appealed to all classes in Japan for almost 300 years, and to men and women alike. Frequently tender and humorous, they celebrate sexual pleasure in all its forms in brilliantly coloured paintings and prints, culminating with beautiful and explicit works by iconic artists Utamaro, Hokusai and Kunisada. Within Japan, shunga has continued to influence modern forms of art, including manga, anime and Japanese tattoo art. The exhibition sheds new light on this unique art form within Japanese social and cultural history. I think I will head down on Saturday before my back consult with @stewartrobson !

If you could go back to a time when you were free of tattoos and start over again, what would you do differently? the order you got tattooed? the people you got tattooed by? different style? Black and grey only? Go bigger? Interested to hear your thoughts!

I don't really have a problem with the title! Just a way of differentiating between someone who maybe gets work from a few people rather than one artist? 'Tattoo Aficionado' anyone? Haha

Got this from Valerie yesterday! Got it as a walk in, i had only gone in on the of chance somebody had space, Right place, Right time I suppose!

Harry Styles' tattoo artist leads campaign to regulate industry as it is revealed untrained tattooists are buying equipment on eBay - with terrifying consequences | Mail Online You know some of the comments on here will be gold-dust - Exhibit A "That was shocking! My first tattoo was done at a chaps house and he was very clean and showered before he even got to work on me. I guess I was one of the lucky ones!" Hopefully, a bit of celebrity and media attention may help...

I concur!!

This thread is making me need a backpiece, i need to finish my goddamn arm first! Stop posting pictures!!! :p

Tattoo by Chad Koeplinger done at Frith Street Tattoo in London, England Filled up the spot nicely! (and quickly 2 Hours!)

New one from Chad Koeplinger done at Frith Street Tattoo

Loads of old russian prison tattoos in this article - A rare article worth reading in the otherwise awful Daily Mail Symbols of a life of crime: The fading tattoos on Russia's gangland prisoners that can be read like the bearer's criminal underworld CV | Mail Online

Haha, yep the only person to make it sound acceptable!

Ive heard 'cap sleeve' for an outer arm, no inner arm tattoo. Is it just me or does 'tats' grate a little as well?

I wonder how covered you'd be back then with £5 worth of tattoos? I have 2/3rds of a sleeve that has cost me £1200 thus far