Devious6

The fact that it is healing makes it hard to fully see how it's going to look...and you are correct that no tattoo is perfect and we all tend to over -scrutinize our own work. But, if this was mine, I would not be at all happy with the work being done. I would definitely be looking for someone who might be able to either save or cover the work. Of course, there are other more experienced folks here who can chime in, as well. Only you know what's possible with the artist. The bottom line is this is your body - art you will wear forever. Personally, I would be looking for another artist/shop.

It seems to me that you've answered you own question already. IMHO, you shouldn't let anyone work on you that you don't have total confidence in - this is permanent (unless you would either cover up or laser...but if that's already in your thoughts process then, again, you know the answer). The further you get into completion, the harder it will be, most likely, for another artist to recover your intent and expectations. I understand your concern about his MS and his ego, but look at it this way. Wouldn't you be having these same thoughts if it were another artist without health concerns? Would you continue on with any artist you don't think is capable of delivering the design and quality you expect? My recommendation would be to find an artist in whom you can establish a solid working relationship and who is capable of meeting your (realistic) expectations.

Love it all @Dan! The dagger is truly awesome - great detail for the size.

Welcome to the forum! The key will be to find an artist who can transform your ideas into reality. There are lots of ways to go in finishing a sleeve using the mythology theme - since your upper arm will have the Heavens at the top and Atlas in between, perhaps the lower arm could be an earth-bound reference? As a retired Army officer, for me the warrior theme is always part of my thought process. What else captures your interest in mythology? If you indicate where you're from, or willing to travel to, there are some great folks here who might offer suggestions on artists. Scan through the photos and video archives, troll Instagram and you'll find some great ideas.

@Savage-Beauty Nice work!!! And, welcome!!

The key, as others said, is finding a good artist who can transform this - it does fade into a monochromatic mass that's hard to read. The right artist can add some background and, perhaps, reline and shade portions to make it pop.

I think it is a good cover up - and am in the camp with everyone who thinks adding around it is the better course of action!!

@Dan Pictures are required tomorrow!!!

Welcome!!! Share some pictures of your current tattoo!! Any ideas of what you're looking for next?

Yup, good thing that you went if for no other reason than to give yourself piece of mind. Welcome to the forum!

As I said before, it is very hard to tell from your picture but doesn't look infected. Everyone heals differently and many have some plasma discharge - but that generally stops within a day or so. My suggestion is for you to go see your artist and have him/her look at it. And, if it is discharging yellow sticky fluid - pus - then go see a doctor. Immediately. Having someone see it in person is much preferable to us trying to guess from your description and picture.

It's very hard to tell from your picture but if it feels warm, is red or has pus then you should go to a doctor immediately - those are signs of an infection. Of course, you should follow the directions of your artist but 5 days of Aquaphor seems a bit much and, if your tattoo is not infected it may just be swelling a bit from over-use of the Aquaphor. By all means, if you have any of the symptoms above, go to a doctor. If not, you may just want to let it dry out for a day or so and then apply a VERY LIGHT coat of a unscented lotion, like Aveeno, several times a day.

Welcome to the forum! As Dan said, it looks to be healing normally. Only time will tell on the saturation. It takes months for a tattoo to settle in. I'd suggest you check back with your artist in two or three weeks - he/she will be able to guide you on whether there might be any need for a touch up. And, remember your skin needs air to heal so don't oversaturate the tattoo with lotion - a very light coat of Aveeno or other scent-free lotion will keep it moist and less itchy.

Totally agree with @Gingerninja's recommendations. Communication is the key - and it is certainly OK to take some examples of what the artist has done to show as references to what you're looking for. That's why artists typically have books available to see what they've done before. Enjoy and post pictures!! Hopefully, @Dan will pitch in here - he's got experience having work done while visiting Hawaii.

Welcome!! Let it heal and relax. At this point the best thing you can do is let it heal properly and then talk with your artist when you go back in for the next phase.

Hi and welcome!! It looks great - all normal healing. Sounds to me - and looks like you are doing the right things in healing it. Just remember that your skin needs air to heal so don't overdo the Lubriderm!! So, what's next???!!

I agree with @Gingerninja - you'll get what you want if you go with either of those at Kings AVe. For NYC and quality artists, $250/hour isn't really that bad, IMHO. I think Megan Massacre is in the $400/hour level. In any case, welcome to the forum!!

I keep trying to come up with some "meaningful" comment and just end up laughing. Great thread!!!

Hi and welcome!! Do you have any tattoos? Considering getting one?

@Gingerninja - I think the most we've ever ended up bidding was $950 - and that is split in half since we got two trips out of it. It's a tremendous way to go and still help out a not-for-profit.

@Gingerninja and @SStu We love to go to Antigua - will be making our 5th trip to Galley Bay Resort in November. It's an all-inclusive, under 100 rooms, amazing food and secluded beach, 3 great restaurants and bars with a Rum Shack and walk-up sandwich shack, no kids and no casino. They have a band every night, a movie on the beach night and several other evening events each week. It's an amazing place just to relax and enjoy the beautiful beach. If you want to hit other night spots they are close at hand by taxi. This is a pano I took last year on our trip - that's Lynn with the camera. This was taken after we ate breakfast - the restaurant is to the left of Lynn, open to the ocean. Notice the lack of people - the resort was full yet there are many times when you feel totally alone. Even when there are people on the beach, you never feel crushed in like many other resorts/beaches. We've also found a great way to reduce the costs, as well. Most of the resorts provide reduced cost vacations to their resorts for not-for-profits to use in auctions. You can find them many times through your local PBS stations and on a site called Bidding For Good. You bid for the package and that money gets paid to the not-for-profit. Generally, you bid on a 7 day stay for up to two rooms. Then there is typically a per-person, per-day up charge you pay to the resort. For Galley Bay, we pay between $140 to $180/person, per/day depending on level of room to cover your food and drink costs. We stay in one of the luxury beachfront room - walk out the back door and into the sand; into the surf in 30 yards so we're in the 180 price range. That rate turns out to be approximately 40% of the normal cost and even with what we pay to the not for profit and airfare we are under 50% of the retail cost. Here's the really cool thing we finally realized we could do - split the weeks between two different years. If you watch the "must use" dates on the packages, you can many times find one that spans a year+. The one we got last Fall covered both our trip last November and this November so our bid price was spread over two trips. Elite Island Resorts operates out of Florida and has several properties on Antigua and St. Lucia as well as others. Galley Bay is now one of the more exclusive...wasn't that way when we started going there back in 1999 - we just love the local and the level of service. Check out the auctions! It's a great way to help out a NFP and still save a tremendous amount on a dream vacation.

What @Dan and @Gingerninja said!! LIGHT moisturizing is crucial - and some here go for a totally dry approach with no moisturizer. I prefer a very light application twice a day - it seems to help control the itch for me. In any case, remember you are healing an open wound and your skin needs air to heal itself. Over moisturizing it will be counterproductive.

Great idea @Gingerninja!! @pphilly - I'm not too far away from you - live in the Scranton, PA area.

Welcome to the forum! The answer to your question is best provided by an artist who is experienced with cover-ups. Someone experienced in doing cover-ups will be able to give you options and impacts of those options. If you indicate where you live - or how far you're willing to travel, some folks would probably be able to recommend artists who might help.

Killer tattoos!!! Congrats!!!