Colored Guy

I've seen at one point, at least in my area, some shops had on theire consent sheet "are you HIV positive?" that had to be checked off as "yes or no" before the artist would tattoo them. This was around 1986. I also have not signed a consent form in many years, no idea if it might still be on them. I've seen a diabetic that had had a weird reaction right in the shop during the tattoo process. That person did not disclose it up front and never imagined it might be an issue. It would have given the artist something to watch out for and maybe break the work up into 2 sessions. Rob

Or a leg from a stocking... for sure more shock value than any tattoo would invoke... Rob

I like dot work, not on me, but I like the look on other people, provided it is well-done. Do your research, find something that you like and take it to your artist of choice. Ask for samples of his dot work as well. Rob

I do the same thing and give them the name of the shop I use and a card if I have one on me. Rob

I drew up a #13 in a spade on CAD, really perfect proportions. Gave it away to an apprentice that worked in the shop I use. He says cool... and proceeds to draw it up free-hand to use on his Friday-13 flash sheet, wonky free-hand lines and all. I hope he never slapped it on anyone. I'm going to have it put on top of my foot eventually. Rob

Management material for sure.... I work in a big place, maybe 6 out of 500 people have visible ink of any type. I know of 1 other guy who hides his, who knows how many others of us there are? Rob

2 layers down in cover-ups... but it was nicely done. Rob

Wow, Stanley Moskowitz did my 1st tattoo in 1977. The shop was bought out by this guy Mike in 1997 and he preserved a lot of the memorabilia from the original S&W Tattoo shop. The stuff is awesome. I also had some work done by Wayne Loftain, who is now in Florida and not tattooing. JC Fly in Medford did my fu-dog in 1982, he's been gone for years but his son Greg is tattooing and does a nice job. Rob

Yeah, a great many of them struggle to pull a decent line. I would have to be inked at gunpoint to have any of them do work on me. Rob

I'd say that this shop is busy and not hungry for work. Some shops throw prices at people and see if they'll bite. Some do, some don't. Your best bet is getting a recommendation to a good shop/artist. I feel you need some rapport/dialogue going with the artist before having any work done. Showing them what you want is also big, being vague or ambiguous isn't cool. Asking them flat out for the cost of a sleeve could piss them off as well. Most shops will give you their hourly rate, which may be $150-200 for the initial hour and usually a bit less for each hour after that. I get a flat hourly rate with my artist, I figure about how many hours I need to get something done and save up for it. If I figure I need $600, I'll save up $800 before going in for the appointment(s). Rob

I've gone with a red-orange that tends to last longer on me. You may be better with the darker red as well. Red and yellow are problem colors for me always, they tend to wash out faster than any other color. I am in the sun a lot and use a sun block, but time takes its toll when you're outside all summer. Tattooed people I know that have fair skin and don't get much sun exposure, their ink seems to be sharp and has great color forever. Rob

I had 5 tattoos done by the time I was 27. Got back into it at age 50, so most of my OG work has been done over except for one piece. Now I have 11. I really wouldn't change a thing and I'm glad I went with mostly large work to start with. Rob

My 1st one is about 2 layers down in cover-ups. I got it in 1977 when I was 22, very recently married. It was 2 hearts and a banner with my wife's name and my name in the banner... which I know now is a hex on a marriage or relationship. I got it at S&W Tattooing in Amityville, NY. Walter was the artist and he slapped it on me in about 20 minutes for $25. This was the type of shop that had a line out the door on any Friday or Saturday night, 100% walkins. The actual tattoo was very good and had great color. Rob

I had one tattoo on my upper foot get infected, looks nothing like the picture in this post. Mine had a thick scabbing in a crease which eventually lifted and had pus coming out from it. It took the ink with it, which I had touched up after it healed. My mistake was wearing dark socks to work over it 2 days after it was done. I did tape a telfa pad over it, but it slipped down during the day. Rob

I was at a fireworks show some years back at Jones Beach, a Grucci show in fact. Before each show, they send up a test shot, to judge the wind, etc. Well, they let this one loose, looked startling like the "pink persuader". Me and my wife looked at each other and cracked up. Guess you hadda been there... Rob

Before the appointment, I try to take a big dump at home so I won't have to get up during the session. I don't eat much before either. A couple of years back, I came within a RCH of getting a case of the shits from something I ate off the coffee truck at work on tattoo day. So I play it safe and minimize any risks that could derail my appointment. Right before the appointment I'll shower and put on comfy clothes before I leave the house. Once I'm there, I'll go next door to the Chinese food place and buy drinks and snacks for anyone at the shop. In the chair, I'll pop open a Pepsi and down a couple of Percocets to ward off evil spirits. On the way home, I stop at 7-11 for a few 1/2 quarts of beer for the ride home. Once home, of course everyone wants to see what I got, so I give 'em a peek. I leave it wrapped, put an old beach towel across the bed and hit the hay. Rob

It's all pink on the inside.... Rob

I'll say... I'm lucky to be in good with a very nice shop, but have had some not-so-great experiences in the distant past. Those shops, I've never gone back to. Rob

The Italian food is the best in NYC. Little Italy is a must-to-do when you're in Manhattan. I still love riding the subways, they take you anywhere and everywhere. Rob

The symbology that goes with prison tattoos is staggering. Having the wrong tattoo on you can mean a serious beating, removal of the tattoo or death. Rob

Definitely fixable and needs more color. If you're not confident with the original artist, start looking for someone else in your area. Rob

Is that anything like an atomic wedgie? Rob

I made a big pot of spaghetti sauce the other day. Lots of garlic, crushed tomatoes, pork neck bones, meatballs and hot sausage. I still have to throw it back on the stove for a couple of hours, already had one meal out of it. There's about 6 quarts left, 1/2 I will freeze and have next week. Rob

Those who got the face tattoos were usually in for the long haul. Many were a big fuck-you to communism and the prison system. Rob