CultExciter

Everyone gets that tattoo they want. It's a true statement. However, you're young, and your back is a helluva lot of real estate. They put all sorts of "comeback" magic in tattoo pigment and I seriously doubt this will be your last tattoo. I don't know, maybe the BME forum would have better advice (:eek:)

^^^ Seeing them in September. Charles Bradley, Lee Fields for modern stuff. Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Ollie & The Nightingales, anything Stax/Volt and Motown for older records.

Appointment with Dave Regan at the end of the month. Absolutely stoked to get tattooed by this fella. If you don't know, you should. We're doing a namakubi, so the gnarliness will abound.

It's definitely a very common motif that people get. I agree wholly with @Iwar and think you should consider an illustration of a jauguar. Don't worry so much about how long it will take, etc, think mostly on who you'd want to do it and the quality of the work. All tattoo artists are not made equal. I was listening to the Invisible Radio podcast and I heard something that resonated. You know, a lot of times, folks with no tattoos start out and get something giant for the first one. While I appreciate the fortitude, essentially, you're getting something giant, yet you don't have any idea how to heal it, take care for it, sit for it. Dip your toes in. Get something fun, learn the process, and then think on going larger.

This photo of Jef Whitehead. Enough said.

@irezumi I just got in touch with Dave for when he is at Classic Electric in Fredneck. Now I just need to figure out what I am going to get.

Not to mention Frederick. Jeez.

I'm quite partial to Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, and the tattooers that work there.

Speaking of Reed Street. Man, that shop. I like thinking about Brian Bruno, who was from Gloucester, but he worked with Jerry Riegger (who worked with Doc King), and then of course Reed Street, Tattoo City, and Absolute. @irezumi The pic of Charlie, et al, so amazing.

Is anyone interested in the lineage and family tree of tattooers as much as I am? Maybe I think about it because I like seeing the connection to myself. The person who is teaching me was taught by someone else, and that in turn bonds us on some metaphysical level. I think it could yield some fascinating discussion.

@TattedMama, awesome. I work in Roanoke on the weekends. Well, after you send some images over, myself and others here will gladly take a peek, give you some good advice, and try to persuade you to get the best tattoo possible.

I've lived all over, but currently reside in the Shenandoah Valley. Where southwest Virginia? Are we talking Patrick/Henry County, Grundy/Bristol, or way west like Clintville/Big Stone Gap?

Hello fellow Virginian. Welcome. Feel free to ask any question you have about your coverup right here in this thread. We will also be able to give you suggestions on who we might think do an excellent job for you.

The grey ghost of tattooing.

I second Jason Brooks.

Ay Sal, why ain't you got any brothers on the wall?

Man oh man. @irezumi I would love photos of this event afterwards. Joel, in my humble opinion, has always been in my top 5 of best American tattooers doing Japanese tattoos. Fast on the heels of Trevino. Awesome thread idea as well.

@MrsGougeTheEyes Welcome, your hubs has the best hair!

Damn right. Enjoy your trip! We look forward to seeing updates.

I turned 32 today and ran 3 miles on my lunchbreak. This is going to be a better year for me.

@stirg This is all you need to know: Home Page | Inksmith© and Rogers

This record is currently getting me to 6 o'clock.

I haven't really wanted to participate in this thread, I don't know, it seems like sometimes we are forcing an issue, even though I wholly understand the idea of power dynamics and cultural appropriation. I just believe some aspects of tattoo imagery are definitely cross cultural, especially when you think of where they came from. Would I get traditional Maori tattooing (something I know nothing about)? No. But I would get something in the vein of Leo Zulueta because of how he transitioned it. The same with the idea of an pretty young lady in a Native American headdress. It is wearable because I a) like pretty women b) like history. But that also comes through the adoption of images that were developed by the classic tattooers. I have a Confederate General tattooed on my leg. I'm not a bigot or sympathizer, nor do I want the South to rise again. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only person who has this person tattooed on them either. But, J.E.B. Stuart is a relative of mine, and I grew up in southern Virginia, on a tobacco farm. As stated before, it resonates with me, on some level, plus the dude had the best beard. I don't think there are concrete answers to be found. I just think people should do what they are comfortable with.

This, actually, would be a good article.