Tiresius

My comment did not challenge Rudy's contribution to tattooing, or in any way question the longevity of his tattoos or his skill. It had to do with his observation of today's youth which I found interesting when compared to his own youth. Older generations frequently criticise younger generations for acting the way they themselves acted in their youth. My other point had to do with the way the endurance of pain is seen as a measure of worth - this seems a very masculine form of evaluation - and the choice of language 'pussy' for one who can't endure pain, supports my observation. People took umbrage at what I was saying and then went on to criticize my attitude.

it's funny that a community of tattoo enthusiasts would either have authorities who were beyond question or else hierarchical rules about who could question what - i.e. a 'place' for new comers who are expected to be deferent under all circumstances. Or perhaps not - perhaps this all falls under the umbrella of "traditional".

Isn't it great when one's ideas are met with enthusiasm? The artist I saw was also stoked with my idea - but he only had an appointment available in a year and really, I will probably change my mind two dozen times before then! I'm thinking 6 weeks though is a pretty good waiting period - as well as the date being so significant to you.

Old enough to see where this is going and decide not to go there ?

Oh! i was considering a swan so that where my tummy sticks out it might look like the breast of the bird pushing forward. ( and then getting the swan wings to fold over my back.) I was thinking my sticking-out tummy might never bother me again :D

It's certainly interesting to see how they do age and I love how shapely the lines of her arms, and figure is, generally! I'm a relative newbie - still inspecting different styles and trying to decide what to put on my own skin so I'm curious about how different things last and what can be altered and what can't. You are obviously a long-time connoisseur with a deeper appreciation. Perhaps I will get there; perhaps I won't. :)

@bongsau That's a magnificent resurrection!

@Dan I prefer the first picture here - the swirls over each breast looks more 'stylish' to me - but I think I also just prefer the work on the more golden oriental skin tone than on the pink-hued caucasian one.

Possibly not! But here to learn? I'v been cautious of excess detail, fine lines etc just because I would prefer minimal smudging over time... Obviously I understand that this particular tattoo would represent a very particular experience and time for the person concerned and that he would therefore most likely not want to alter it for any reason. My question is therefore more general. Any input appreciated.

Presumably the details of eyes, eyebrows, etc have run together so that there are now two large dark smudges for eyes - which themselves run into the hair. Also the nose and mouth have run together. It no longer looks like a face - well, not a human face. All art deteriorates - the Mona Lisa is dull and faded today, etc etc, but that doesn't mean I have to pretend that today's dull and faded Mona Lisa is better than the way it looked after Da Vinci painted it. Modern reconstructions of the original are quite something.

If he wanted to (which I doubt he would) would he be able to do anything about the face of the pin-up, to redefine it?

I love Dr Woo's ornamental dagger. Incredibly delicate and fine line work. No idea about longevity though...

I shed plenty as my hair is long - but it's also black and so my shedding can be easily distinguished from that of Rufous!

I'm wondering what people think of lettering that is done with negative space? I'm thinking of taking a six word phrase out of a larger quote that I like. Negative space lettering needs quite a large area but I'm thinking of having it go around my left arm (like an upper arm cuff) but angled to move down so that the lettering then spans across my left side, stomach, over my right hip and then around the back of my right thigh and then ending in the front of my right thigh. One idea is a large black band with the letters being negative space in it. However, bold block letters would not suit it so the would need to be a lighter script formed by the borders. My other idea is - rather than negative spacing - to have the centre of the letters in white ink and to have it shaded darker and darker to the outside borders of the letters. I'm wondering if this could give the effect of the lettering giving off light. Obviously I need to discuss with artist etc, but does this have any plausibility?

I have a caramel-coloured boerbull and I'v kind of given up on my black canvas sneakers...

"It's a good thing tattoos hurt, because otherwise, every pussy in the world would have one." There's some hyper-masculine posturing! Also funny: he used his mother's sewing needle and Indian ink for his first tattoo - a spider he drew on himself. And yet he is pretty judgmental of today's youth who just go to a friend who happens to have a tattoo kit 'cos it's free'.

That's a really beautiful vibrant hue. I'm not keen on the "texture" in the second pic! :p All things pass ;)

nor me

The shape lends itself to a large heart. Why am I thinking that that is not going to be an option here?!

@Kurgana I don't believe conversations are hijack-able as I always enjoy the various detours they take :D Your story makes me realise how fortunate I am as I did no research regarding the artists of my first two tattoos. I knew what I wanted for a while and then it was just about finally being in the time and space to have it done. I have a serious problem with making decisions in general and I really find the need to book months in advance and all the rest to be a serious impediment. 3 tattoos shows SERIOUS commitment to a band! Makes me consider a Rammstein tattoo in the future :)

@DJDeepFried well one needs to make an appointment for a consultation. Like that is done by phone or messenger or going in to schedule it. Then the consultation involves discussing what you want and then after the consultation I made an appointment for in a year which is the soonest I could get (they did inform me of that before the consultation, so it wasn't like they sprung it on me). So - why not just make the appointment for the consultation in a year's time, a week or so before having the actual work done? I guess its to get the deposit to make sure one actually comes for the appointment - after all, the chances of changing ones mind in the interim are quite high, and it would be awkward to ask for a deposit without even having a discussion...

Question: how does it usually work when one books a tattoo with an artist who has a long waiting list? I had my consultation. We discussed the tattoo; I paid a deposit; but the appointment is in a year. I was told that I could change my mind about what I wanted done. Mostly it was a copy of a detail of a painting so the artist said he did not need to draw up a design anyway. It just seems strange to have a consultation so long before the work is actually started. Like, I could change my mind a million times before then. Why have consultations so long in advance? Would it not make more sense to have bookings made, but consultations closer to the time?

Ha ha! I love your characterisation of the middle one :D The firefly ROCKS! I really like its clean, precise geometry! The curls of the armadillo are amazing too. I'm a fan of Queen - but not enough of a fan to get a tribute tattoo... I love the way the artist managed to get those high cheek bones in. He was a beautiful man! (Freddie, not the artist ;) ) Seems like Sicily has talent!

@Kurgana I would love to see some of your pieces! Are they uploaded somewhere?

I'm still wanting my tattoos to be relatively discreet, and I'm also a little hung up regarding coherence. My body is an extension of particles, but I am also a unitary being and I feel the need for there to be a unifying principle behind it all. My first was going to be my only one: I had this idea of the tattoo being 'my motto' or my personal symbol. However, I was in a bad place at the time and some years later I had another on the other ankle to provide a kind of answer to the first. A few months ago someone that meant a lot to me passed away, and I really want to be physically marked by that - if that makes any sense! I also want something really beautiful and larger than my previous ones. I may have it done on my abdomen, however, so it remains discreet. The difficulty is that I feel like it needs to tie in with the other two and I'm not sure quite what that means. I don't want to repeat the exact motifs, and I'm not even sure whether it is unity of style that I am after... I was considering remaining with the theme: so the first was a rose- bud, the second, an anklet of hearts and this third COULD be a swan which would make them all romantic. But...I'm feeling some tooth rot from the saccharine!