onaquesttoseeamoose

Yeah, I tend to email, text and post with less regard for proper rules of writing...I'm commonly just trying to send a message, or just get some point across. But, I noticed you did write,"easier" and I never really thought about it like that, especially writing longer stories or explanations that I really want to get across, like this thread for instance. Thanks. I may edit my posts here,(I think I can) but they're usually such run-on thoughts, that I may find it hard to find appropriate paragraph breaks. Admittedly, I haven't had a PC or a laptop for so long, just relying on a smart phone with auto-correct that I barely remember to0 use apostrophes! lol. Thanks again. Bot oh, the point of the thread again...SERIOUS TATTOOISTS AND COLLECTORS..PLEASE MAKE AN OFFER!!!!! Thanks.

Hey Ya'll, I realize I've only had the "BIG G" up for sale for 1 day, but I'm really impressed with the amount of "views" that the post has gotten, thank you all very much. So, in the spirit of motivation to maybe start getting some offers, 'm gonna change my stance on something... I didn't want to explain why I want to sell it, because I've already gotten a little crap for selling a coveted item, and seeming like I was "pimping it" to a local artist. But, the primary reason is one I think you can all appreciate as fellow artisans.....after 20+ years tattooing for a living, I'm getting a little burnt out, but in favor of pursuing another art form, Ostrich Egg Carving, which I've only just begun to pursue. So the start up costs can be pretty high, and I'm gonna have to take off a lot of tattooing time to devote to the carving, as it takes many hours, depending on whether its cut through, or relief sculpted(which is so friggen cool with Emu Eggs, since they're dark blue, and get lighter as I carve deeper), or just the level of detail. The eggs, of the highest quality are pretty pricey. I've got to get a biohazard jumpsuit and respirator due to the excessive toxic dust, then a top-of-the-line Fordham Rotary Tool, diamond bits, yadda yadda yadda. After spiritually coming to terms with parting with the machine, I vowed to spend the money to full-bore invest in this new venture, and screw up a bunch of early projects to really get proficiant, without just doing one occasionally, and never gettin' in a flow. I see a future of gallery shows or installations, and the desire to do this is practically keeping me up at night. This is no B.S. It's very meaningful to me, and getting the "BIG G" sold for as much as I can fetch, like in auction style over a reasonable amount of time is pivotal to gettin' 'er done!!! So, I hope I begin to get some serious offers soon...its a dope machine, and from what Ive been told by those that have tried to buy it off me, the folks that have REALLY wanted them have pretty much bought 'em all up. So wish me luck, and I wish any of you enjoyment if you happen to buy it. Laterz..... BTW- THIS PIC IS ONE OF THE FIRST....DONE WITH AN OLD DREMEL, UNDER MOST UNHEALTHY CONDITIONS, LOL

Thanks guys, I appreciate the compliments, as the piece is only started...but for those of us that are true Dogma fans, and may have even had the Buddy Christ figure (mine was the dashboard mounted edition) You may have one day thought,"man I wish i would get to do a Buddy Christ tattoo...I know I did. So I consider myself blessed to be able to do a full back piece of him...I'm havin a shit ton of fun workin on it!

I absolutely respect your opinion on the resolution of said "pain in the ass".... But my reputation rests on many laurels, one being my promise to edit and edit till I get it right, which I define as exactly what the client wants. And ya know, it doesn't happen so often that I wanna blow my head off, and the oodles of dedicated familiar clientele that just let me run with an idea, to the point that they'll love my first draft even if I'm not yet satisfied, far outweighs those "hard to please" experiences. I just felt like posting the feelings 'cause they're more than frustrating...,they can be downright insulting!

Yes, this is an original Aaron Cain/GRIME Big"G" #108, purchased from Grime personally just before the turn of the century, HaHa. I started to get my sleeve/chest plate from Grime when he was on a huge guest tour, and we discussed the purchase of the machine during my appointment. I ordered and paid, then agreed to meet up at a convention for me to receive said machine. Of course I ran the machine, but at the time, I was REALLY INTO the machines I was using, and I've always been that way, so I never made any tattoos with this machine. This has been one of my modest amount of collectibles, ranging from an original Japanese edition 5 Lion VOLTRON in the un-opened box, to an original **pristine** Vision GATOR complete..never even rolled on concrete. I only listed these other examples of my particular choice of collectibles as marks on the timeline of my life. So, while this must seem like blasphemy to some that I am selling this machine, I have my reasons, they are deeply significant to me, and it DOES HURT to be rid of this machine. For this reason, and MANY others, some very obvious, I would like to get the absolute top dollar that I can for the machine. I have been offered enormous amounts in person at conventions and from many local tattooists, and they showed the cash to back it up...but at those times, I had no intention of selling it. But a recent epiphany changed my perspective on "material possessions", and "tools of my trade" that made me really feel ready to part with it, albeit for the largest cash offer someone makes in a reasonable time. THE CONDITIONS.... I will make sure to the best of my ability that the buyer is an experienced tattooist, with an appreciation for exactly what he is purchasing here, and how special it really is to many...not just other tattooists, but those who collect, covet and or simply love and appreciate the body of work of the 2 great artisans responsible for its creation. I would like to correspond with the buyer at length,(in a friendly way, I'm an ethical tattooist, not a Tattoo machine "Nazi"). I'd just like to get acquainted with said buyer, and inquire respectfully about your desire to own this machine...and maybe your favorite color.??? As well, the buyer will assume any and all shipping costs including insurance which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND! If anyone has taken the time to completely read this post, you might understand how much this transfer of ownership means to me. That being said, I hope you will also understand my wanting TOP DOLLAR, HIGHEST OFFER for the machine, without judgement or prejudice. Thank you very much for your consideration. I also offer the option of more discreet, private communication via email after our first correspondence. Again, thank you, and God Bless.

As a writer, I enjoyed that Banksy banter, but...back to others posts regarding the recreation of pre-existing fine art. Not only do I look through books and mags, marveling at the paintings of others, wishing someone would commission me to recreate that piece, but I will sometimes get inspiration from those works for custom designs I create from scratch. People talk about copying, or "bytin'" others artwork, but most ideas have been done before, in one form or another. A positive perspective is using the brilliance of another's creation to inspire your work. You may even be paying homage to the original creator. At least try to put your own spin on things....DON'T JUST BYTE!!! lol.

Years ago, during the mid to later 90's, there was a regular who I would see at every convention I attended, and thats when I was going to as many as I could, whether just attending or working it. He looked like what a more "close minded" individual would call a "walking stereotype". This gentleman was Asian-American. He looked about middle age, and had a very common "parted" haircut. He wore short-sleeved bright patterned button -up shirts, with (often) a few cameras hung around his neck, and was just snapping away at anything and everything he found interesting to photograph.And most noticeable, was not a single visible tattoo on this guy! I'm not exaggerating one bit in my description, seriously. He was also one of the most innovative and talented tattooists of the day, so for lack of a better "phrase", don't judge a book by its cover! This is how I learned that lesson....his name was Da Wei Zhang, and I still think his work is some of the best realism Ive ever laid eyes on. just my 2cents.

It sounds like most of us have a common denominator....saran wrapping post tattooing, with the 1st variable being how long, and the second being what products to use once you take the 1st wrap off. I dont write this just from reading through the thread, but from many years in the business. So, with the respect I've built for my fellow artists over these years (20+), I now tell my clients this...,"While other artists might give you other aftercare advice, I would appreciate that you, the client, listen to my advice for healing my tattoo. My methods may work best for the way I apply a tattoo, as other artists instructions may work best for healing they work they do." And I may be opening myself up to a world of %$#@*, here are the care instructions I hand each and every client. These have been streamlined after so many years and trying so many aftercare methods....

Most if not all of my newer clients are brought through word of mouth. Recently, I had a client who I have a language barrier with, but he does fully understand me. Well, during our consult for his custom design, I explained that the amount of detail he wants is too much for the size of the design. Well, he continues to ask me to make it smaller, and I continue to amend the detail. When we discuss each edit, which I labor over for free of course...AGAIN AND AGAIN, he gets frustrated, and speaks to me as if I'm, for lack of a better term..Dumb! Why is it that my 24 yrs of experience, and immense amount of patience and understanding of the clients wants and the tattoos design limitations, and my lack of an exotic accent, make me dumb? WTF? Any other U.S citizen with a standard grasp of the English language ever feel treated like that? It's some kind of reverse "ism" that's for sure!

This is just the beginning... Of possibly my favorite back pieces ever completed. When this client came in asking for the design, i did have to ask if he was serious...for real, dead serious? Well, i drew the design seen here, and included those banners containing a quote from carlin when he addresses the city in the beginning of the movie. So this is my first picture posting, and again...just the beginning, and i will post more as the project does progress....

I've read some of the most entertaining posts on this thread, but before I get too lost in reading nearly 15 pages..I must add this advice.... Believe strongly in the old adage, "Don't dip your pen in the company ink". Well, I once has a student of the tattoo arts, or, an "apprentice" who was a very beautiful female, who shortly began to make my very Male loins boil. Well, I soon found myself teaching, then dating, then living and sharing my life with my apprentice, whom I was still teaching ,for about 3 years. THIS WAS A MISTAKE!!!! Yes, things happen for a reason, and its hard to get a rational or practical grip around love. But, I never felt like I had the respect from my student that a mentor should, even though I felt I did a very good job in teaching the proper tools and techniques that a mentor should. Many will tell you not to even try to teach your girl Blackjack....lol Well that may be true, but I NOW feel like I did her a dis-service. I could have been more of an integral part of her career, but, luckily, I taught her how much I had learned from others, by getting tattooed, doing guest shots, and conventions. She did the same, and now she is an incredibly talented tattooist, with a wealth of knowledge she developed by absorbing anything she could from others in our trade, as well as the basics i believe I instilled before our young love went awry. She has on a few occasions mentioned my name as her generous mentor, as her education first came with no strings attatched, but I do wish that I could have taught her certain moral and ethical roots that I knew, now a 24 year veteran, that would have been miscommunicated since we were dating, and could have led to mis-judgemental "finger pointing" ( I KNOW I TYPED THAT ALL WRONG BUT AT LEAST I KNOW WHAT I WAS TRYIN' TO SAY, LOL). Aint love and tattooin' a bitch!

I jumped in here after reading through the posts on this thread, to ask a question that may be rather obscure..... When I began making tattoos, I spent time in Philly in 1992 in love with a girl, and skateboarding. I knew of 3 fellows, all with the first name JOHN, all tattoo artists in those days, and began working out of a warehouse on N. 5th and Cecil B...... The most...uhhh...."prolific" of these gents, was a tattooist named John Tyler. One could not mistake this guy,a tall Caucasian with long dreadlocks, and the word "REAL" in black Olde English on his throat...which was very intense to me back then, 20 years ago. I don't mean to treat the LST forum like I'm finding a high school friend on Facebook, but he was a Philly tattooist, and one of my earliest influences. We had good friends in common only, but would anyone happen to know what may have come of John Tyler or the rest of the J-Krew? They all worked on South Street together at some point...a LONG time ago.

I don't happen to know Nick personally, I was just entertained by this thread. But I"d like to point out how impressed I was by his commentary on Tattoo Reality Shows. Many tattooists have many things to say about the shows, but all these comments can be put into 2 very basic categories, POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE. Since tattoo reality shows debuted, most commentary Ive read by most artists has been overwhelmingly negative, to the point where I more often feel like shutting the critics down than the shows, because there have been many positive elements of tattooing brought to the public light by the shows as well as a lot of BS, and they have done a lot to increase foot traffic in shops all over the world, and that helps ke4ep the doors open and the lights on...but please take notice...Mr. Colella had NO negative things to say. He only had constructive commentary to give, and that little bit said showed me more class, confidence, and maturity than almost any other commentary I've heard from any other tattooist about the shows. Now please note, I haven't heard every commentary, by every artist, but I have heard A LOT. That says a lot for Nick Colella's character. BTW-the artist he mentioned that gave him his last tattoo...Eric Gillespie...of(at one point) Tomato Tattoo in Chicago...solid artist, and down to earth guy. Had to give that plug as well

Neato...someone quoted my first post here on LS; thank you very much. Well, as long as were on this subject, I'd like to share a couple of experiences that I feel are pretty interesting...they've become lore amongst the friends and artists I work around, so I hope you dig 'em too. FIRST- During my apprenticeship, in 1992, my mentor, Mr. G at The Ink Zone Tattoo in Lodi N.J. taught me an important lesson in the things I may do to my clients as a professional tattooist, and how they may feel.....with the educational variable of how they were "supposed" to feel. Both Mr.G and I did small to moderate sized areas of "needle work", using a solution of distilled water and Green Soap so as not to make any permanent marks, since this was just an exercise, and "tattooed" almost every conceivable part of my body.....EVERY PART! Some of these sessions consisted of up to 3hrs. of work, punctuated by direction and Q&A. I've felt confident during the span of my career giving answers to the popular client question," where do you think it hurts the worst? " based on my personal experience. Now wait...I admit, I may not have full knowledge of what longer sessions feel like in many areas, or what it feels like to receive work in those same places by an artist with the determination to make solid and or bold lines, as well as solid color and or perfect blends. ( Man, please excuse my grammar today!) Since then, I have taught two "students" most of what I knew about the art of tattooing, who, with encouragement to also develop techniques on their own based on the unique strengths they possessed, but regretfully, did not put them through the same rigors of understanding the "feel" like my mentor had with me. I remembered that I had a tough time healing these areas, and while I didn't necessarily get infections, I did experience the "crash" of my immune system when I got a lot of this "green soap work" at once. To this day, longer amounts of needle time seem to make my ear, nose, and throat system act up. This is why i chose not to pass on the lesson, but nevertheless, both of my students became very talented, accomplished tattooists. Smiles. Well, since that got rather wordy, I'll make the 2nd and 3rd stories quick.....I had Grime begin my sleeve/chest plate in 2 sessions, but 4 days apart. He was on a guest tour, and I reserved as much time as I could, and he informed me that by keeping the 1st days work wrapped until the next session, I'd be fine. I also had 2 artist work on me at one time. They were guests at my shop during our local tattoo convention. Both of these experiences were very educational, and I feel I can now give advice regarding them. Both hurt a lot, and the particularly "extreme" parts of both felt unlike any other tattoo I've ever received. Both sucked and I'll never do either again...I would advise the same, LOL. The end. I hope no one fell asleep....

As a newbie here at LS, if I may put in my 2 cents...After one particular experience, I make sure I'm properly "prepared" to get tattooed these days (and it has been a while)but........ ........Years ago, I received a tattoo from Kevin Starai on my left pectoral (chest), and I found it to be one of the easier tattoos I had received. But, when I had an appt. at Hell City to have it finished, I had a HORRIBLE time! Being at the convention, I had been partying for a couple of days since I was just attending and not working. Well I was already feeling hung over and miserable, and hoped that getting tattooed would snap me out of it,WRONG! Since then, I make sure I eat right, stay sober, and most important, get a good nights rest the night before I get worked on, and I've had much better experiences....In fact, just typing this is making me want to get some work. hhhmmmmmm...... maybe I just feel like eating and sleeping?