bongsau

Welcome Do you need to get something twisting around the script on your ribs? Why not gett something next to it or on the other ribs or stomach? I had big pieces on my ribs first...filling up your ribs first means designs for the stomach and back get narrower. Just some consideration

AMEN! - - - Updated - - - I will also add...tattoo shops that SOUND like tattoo shops. I once walked into a shop and was like "WTF is anybody working", well they all were with rotary machines dialed down. Too friggin quiet for a tattoo shop, let those coil machines roar ! IMO there is only a select few tattoo shops that look/sound/smell tattoo shop in my city. There is an oversaturation of shops however...maybe better to call them "tattoo studios" or "tattoo salons" by the look of these places, the look of the artists, the look of the fresh tattoos that leave. I think of them as boutique studios and are much more accessible, less intimidating to the average customer. Very sterile, fashionable artwork on the walls, each room has a big screen tv...I personally think it's kinda wack, missing out on part of the experience. But hey, everyone has there own reasons for booking appointments at any tattoo shop or studio,,, there is even a couple headshop-tattoostudio places around that popped up...lol...definately would recommend those if you want to get a hatchet man tattoo (jokes)! I like the open space, barbershop feel of the street shop. Bunch of tables crammed in the space, everyone is hanging in close quarters with shared misery and having a good time, bullshitting, dirty jokes, talking tattoos. Every square inch of the walls is covered in flash and artwork that looks tattoo-able. Tattoo shops that look like tattoo shops!

I wouldn't pin anything too close to that cross, it will get lost. Perhaps spider webbing in/around? The top part of your arm could be framed off somehow with another piece like a bird that would come down on to the side of your chest. IMO keep it simple, don't try to fill in all around your western styled tattoos with eastern style background, it will look confused. Keep the space to let the subjects standalone get some tattoos on your other arm and across the chest, you may be delighted how it changes the balance of your tattooed-look. The ideas on how to add your tattoos, placement, the brainstorming...one of the most fun parts about getting the tattoos! Don't overthink, enjoy the process of developing your ideas. It will come to you :) ditto...umbrella is really cool. I like the spider too.

In roughly 2 weeks my kung fu school is performing at a big Chinese New Year celebration. The organizers said "we hope the guy with the full body tattoos will be there, the Chinese community love him!" haha. Well this year I've got a Shaolin monk on my back while I run the dragon ball, as I lead around a 9-person dragon team so its going to be mega-awesome :) The day after I'm going to relax from all the CNY training and festivities. The day after the day after I got another sit on my back scheduled with TheGangOfOne and then the week after yet another backpiece sesh. I'm about 8hrs/2sessions in at the moment. I'll let my body heal and then I'm working towards a 2-day sit a few weeks later. Felt pretty strong after my last back sitting and my kung fu training is really helping me relax when I sit and improves the way my body heals. By the end of February I will be hitting a tattoo milestone for myself...the 200hr mark after 12 years of steady progress :)

PATIENCE. Who do you think is going to get that appointment first? The dude/dudette who is clear and articulate about what they want as the tattoo, has done their research and has an interesting idea, listens to the tattooers comments about how to approach the piece and follows the instructions, keeps brief and polite correspondence and *waits patiently*? OR The tatt-bro who emails and calls every week, being pushy and acting entitled to the tattoo. Actually, Tatt-bro doesn't even know what he wants, he just wants a big bad ass tattoo. Good things come to those who wait :)

it's not even scary anymore! tattoos for all!

Got tattooed on Monday, 4hrs of black across my upper back. Still bruised and tender but 3/4 of the area has flaked off like poetry this Friday morning and no sign of any scabs. Finally could put my back under the shower stream, ah relief! I think I got a neck cramp from trying to put ointment in those hard to reach spots haha! Shout out to all the husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, room mates, mistresses and cabana boys who get the gross job of rubbing A&D ointment on our scaly healing backpieces! We appreciate it!

thanks homies! shaolin power

If I recall there are 4 gradients of black in play. Going to look very smooth when the swelling and redness goes down and flakes off. Right now though, yeeesh, feels like a shaolin monk broke a staff across my back. In the name of iron shirt training haha - - - Updated - - - The sit was actually quite pleasant. I've never had that much area shaded at once, so it was a fantastic experience.

Session #2 - Did a 4 hour blast pounding the black into the perimeter of my Shaolin back yesterday! First half of the session was lying down, second half was getting tattooed sitting upright which I really enjoy, makes the tattooing feel alive. Heavy black in all the clouds, full across the shoulderblades and down to the love handle on the left hand side with a needle that looked like a metal paint brush. Machine was roaring like a tractor, the way I like getting tattooed! Unfortunately I got a little beating on the ribs/lower armpit to border my existing dragon. Zouch. It is a gnarly amount mileage for a session and I'm feeling like I took a bat across the back, a little loopy today. Built up the borders around existing tattoos on both arms, necks, and ribs tattoos. Pretty cool actually having Steve connect to the tattoos he did on my in 2003, 2005 and 2007. Despite sweating through my long johns, felt pretty strong when we called time yesterday, this morning however I woke up with a red hot back, had to shower to unglue the shirt from my back and wrecked my wife's nice towel (LOL). Once again a great experience from one and only TheGangOfOne (Steve Batt) in Edmonton, AB. I'm going to heal this up for a few weeks such that I can participate in Chinese New Year demonstrations with my kung fu school, then will setup the next rounds on the lower back and ass cheeks for February. May the Buddha be with me.

If you keep your feet completely relax, the rest of the body will follow. Try it!

Back on the table next week w/ TheGangOfOne ! Excited to get some momentum on my ShaoLin backpiece this new year. Lined in at the beginning of December. Was hoping to sunburn it off during our trip to Mexico (so I could feel the full wrath again haha) but alas it was pretty chilly down south. <sorry i'm scrambling my lines until I get more progress, only sharing the full view privately for now> @ - - - Updated - - - @beez Shad "Horitsukikage" ? Steve is great pals with Shad, got a bunch of cool stories about him and the way he tattoos. I think he's coming to Edmonton to visit in the near future, I'd love to get a small piece and meet him!

tell em that it's human natureMJ RIP WE LOVE YOU MICHAEL

Sounds like foliculitis. I had that before when I had my legged tattooed. I just had epsom salt baths and dry healed. I would refrain from using any cream or lotion, likely making things worse.

Hot Stuff riding, well, anything really. Not really new but Hot Stuff is never going out of style. But for 2015, Hot Stuff will be facing backwards, for the individual.

#1 Get a cowboy boot #2 Don't get the word "Hollywood" on the back of your neck. That is super cheesy. #3 Mom with wings is going to look like a memorial tattoo and look pretty generic. I'm sure you have many things that make you think of your mom. Be creative. I got a dragonfly for my mother when she died. The design was based off a stained glass fridge magnet. Tattoos don't need to be so literal. A picture is worth a 1000 words. In fact tattoo meanings can change and develop as you wear them through your life. A tattoo image can also mean nothing at all, that's just fine too. research this: Trinacria http://www.thatsarte.com/blog/highlights/three-legged-symbol-of-sicily-trinacria/ my mom is from Sicily...which is why I thought of this image first. The three legged Trinacria is a symbol of Siciliy and good luck charm. Would make an excellent timeless tattoo, provided it is made well. Now, don't poach my idea! (joking, not that I have much room left anyway!) The desire and idea for a tattoo needs to either come from within yourself...or off the wall at a tattoo parlour. The answers are there! Do some research, look up Italian folk art, symbols on the regional flags, history. Religion is a big part of Italy's history and culture (and the Madonna makes a very inspiring tattoo). Get a bunch of grapes with vines and flourishes. Be creative, put some effort in. It's way to easy these days. You just need to google your idea (or poll internet strangers and let them do the work for you A_O!) For my first tattoos (St.Christopher & St.Francis) I spent lots of time in libraries and used bookstores looking for religious history and images. I even spent a few afternoons in churches just looking at the stained glass murals. The more you put in, the more the tattoo gives back. (now go see a tattooer to make it reality)

Good tattoos aren't really that expensive in comparison to what I see acquaintances spend on motorcycles, travel and cocaine.

yeah your fine your leg likely ballooned, especially from sitting a longer session. once the swelling subsides those aches will disappear (Rest Ice Elevate) and then you can welcome the itch haha

St. Christopher on my shoulder, about 12 years ago

Don't stress, that tattoo is in the skin. It isn't going anywhere! I remove the bandage after 4hrs post-tattoo and hop in the shower to clean it off. I personally don't like cling wrap, it keeps your clothes clean after the tattoo but it traps a lot of moisture. But really every tattooer and every tattoo-receiver has their own methods and routines for healing. Don't mess with the ingrown hairs, unless you want to experience folliculitis, it sucks. If you're getting a lot of them I would refrain from your aftercare product i.e. moisturizer and dry heal. Leave the tattoo alone. The mortality rate from getting a tattoo is very low, so you'll be fine. I remember being a teenager and seeing BloodSugarSexMagic album, with all their tattoos and being like HOLY SMOKES you can do that? My mom probably wished she never bought me that cassette haha - - - Updated - - - ...and get some rest bud. Six hours getting drilled by a machine is hard on the body (i just read that back to myself and it yeah sounds funny lol)

If you ultimately desire to be tattooed by <famous> tattooer...shoot them an email and be prepared to wait. Be polite, clear and concise on what you want, demonstrate you are serious. No need to disclose who your Plan B artists are at the shop at this point. I'd wait to see what (and perhaps if) you get a response. If you get turned down or don't want to wait, then you could ask for a recommendation of his colleagues. I waited patiently for 2 years to get my back started by my tattooer. I kept in contact every few months after he said he was into the project. Eventually got measured up. And then suddenly it was "we can start next Tuesday or Thursday". He's in high demand and has the luxury of choosing the projects that are up his alley. But I'm sure he gets bombarded by emails. So be patient. Good things come to those who wait...

Dude, you've got a massive tiger on your back! That tiger spirit is you now, you have no choice but to be brave, you got this, piece of cake ;)

I got my back, cheeks and thigh lined in at the start of the month. We didn't even wrap it, just threw on my shirt and long johns on afterward, good to go. Showered the next morning. I used these little packets of disinfectant ointment (?) that my tattooer gave me for 2 days following. I haven't done anything else to the tattoo aside from stare at it and keep up my training regiment, keep the body healthy. Literally did nothing else and it has healed perfectly. My tattooer has his machine tuned just right and the pressure is firm and consistent so the lines aren't going anywhere once they are in. There was no mess on the table aside from my sweat...cleanest tattoo I've ever received. Can't wait to start the shading in January...see what kind of mystery TheGangOfOne has in store for me hehe Ok, now I'm ready to burn off the lines, going to Mexico for New Years jajaja

welcome! we are all here to learn, share and respectfully flame each other (jokes) about the crazy world of tattoo :)

haha thx @marley i've only uploaded my smaller goofy ones that are tucked in the hidden realms of my illustrated world. only the best for my LST posse haha - - - Updated - - - It's a flaming skull dude! It had better look too evil rather than Martha Stewart cute! If you're worried about being too evil, balance out the evil-ness with a happy go-lucky design for the other side Like a smilin' dragon or a cheeky panther ;) Remember it's not a race, ideas can take time to blossom, you can learn a lot about patience from tattoo.