pintindola

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY_qW865L3Y"

The Tattoo Elite International is exactly what I was looking for. It has quite a few of my favorite tattoo artists so come payday, I will be picking up a few of these items. Saving up for pieces from Troy Denning, Mike Rubendall, Scott Sylvia, Chris Garver, Henning Trevino, and Horitomo-Kazuaki Kitamura. Thank you for a great recommendation!

Hey all, I have been looking to spruce up my apartment with some flash prints that I can frame. Obviously I can't afford Horiyoshi III original prints at this point so I was hoping someone can point me in the direction as to where to locate artist's flash originals that they sell or general areas of research that could help me find some amazing works. Thanks in advance for your help all! Pat

welcome aboard!

I got my tattoo on my upper arm. While using my computer at work, in a dress shirt, every time I was moving my arm, flakes would come out of the shirt from the wrist area and dump all over my desk. It was kind of funny as I noticed wherever I was in the office, I left some flakes. Copy machine, desk, kitchen area... and sadly a bit in my car. My bed looked like I was around a volcano with "ashy" looking flakes all in it. As far as sleeping went, I propped pillows in my bed so I couldn't roll over and it actually worked out pretty well. Part of the right of passage for my first tattoo?

I would suggest doing a fantasy football league, but we'd be a week late. We still have time if interested. Not sure if we'd be able to rally together 10-12 people interested. I am a lowly NY Giants fan. It shall be a long season I feel.

Welcome aboard!

I wonder if he has one on each foot. Then sandals would make it look really amazing.

Does he really think his stuff is good ? And do you think the customers are truly happy or do they pretend to like their tattoo.

Maybe he is inspired by her superb artistic music career and groundbreaking acting portrayals. Or he is bat sh~t loony.

"His name is John, and he has his own shop." SIGN ME UP! Once a week apprenticeship sounds pretty simple. I wonder if this kid applied to Tattoo School (2 weeks and you're set) style program.

Hello and Welcome!

I live in the Santa Monica / Venice area and was recently tattooed for the first time. I guess I never noticed beforehand, but now that I have done research on a fraction of the knowledge that many of you already have, I find myself evaluating everyone's tattoos I see. For the most part, I'd say 8 out of 10 hipsters I have seen around have absolutely garbage work on them, with bad line work, shading, etc. with 10-20 tiny tattoos spread all around their arms with very little flow to it. I kind of want to ask them if they really thought having a bag of skittles, a pipe, a mustache, a PBR can, a clothes hanger, a calculator, pocket protector, and 5hour energy tattooed on their arm was a good tattoo theme, but then I realize everytime that I would have to actually talk to a hipster, and then I'd be in jail for my actions after.

This Steelers tattoo might be brilliant, but probably is not | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports if you go to the link of the artist's page, there are even worse than the steeler's tattoo. Honestly it is ridiculous how bad these are.

That looks like a rough spot for a tattoo right on the hip. Props for sitting.

I am 28 and just got my first tattoo this past weekend. I always knew I wanted tattoos, but didn't want to run out and slap just anything on me. I've naturally matured since being a fresh face teenager and the tattoo bug had still been nagging me. Some events in my life to this point made for an easy choice for a tattoo. I figured I'd let my life develop a bit and experience the harshness of life prior to getting tattoos that way they are in a greater perspective for me.

Welcome fellow newbie!

I chose my first tattoo based on conversations I had with some uncles who are in their late 60's. We decided on a phoenix together as a family. They explained that I needed to research designs, shops, artists, and when I had a list of a minimum of 5-10 shops as well as a few ideas, to hit the pavement. I spent a Saturday 2 months ago driving from shop to shop in my area (southern California) discussing items that I found on this LST forums. I asked how long the shop has been in operation, viewed at least 75 portfolios (a good 60+ were kind of laughable considering they should try to sell me not horrify me), I asked about their sterilization process, cross contamination preventative methods, how long they've been tattooing, if they liked what they did, if they ever had an apprenticeship (which 5 said man, I taught myself so I know things they can't even think about teaching me) you get the idea that I was thorough. I decided on Justin Jakus from Black Diamond Tattoo in Venice, CA. He is in his early 30's with an outstanding portfolio which seemed very art driven. We hit it off as far as sense of humor and vision for the phoenix as far as the shading, coloring, and what the phoenix was going to project. We kicked ideas back and forth for a few weeks and after saving up enough money, $150 per hour / 5 hour session, I got the work done. My uncles told me that tattoos felt like a small blowtorch to your soul so naturally I had a thought that tattoos were going to break my pain tolerance. When I got the first line, I chuckled. The tattoo artist asked, "Friends lied to you didn't they, it's not that bad right?" I confirmed that I was had and that I was good to go. 5 hours later I was done with the outline with all the black shading and am looking forward to finishing it up with colors in 2 weeks. The artist and I agreed it was probably best to start with the meaty spot on me for ease in first tattoo and allow for a larger piece for details to show. I am very happy with the tattoo and can guarantee a future tattoo. (maybe my next will be by a Mr. Tim Hendricks?) A guy can dream right? :)

I got the first part of my phoenix rising tattoo this past weekend. It was my first tattoo. We sat for 5 hours and it's safe to say I have the bug and can't wait for more big pieces. I will be going to finish up with the coloring (red, yellow , orange) for the flames with blue/purple clouds beyond for some dimension. Artist: Justin Jakus - Black Diamond Tattoo (Venice, CA) - He had a very light hand and all in all great experience for my first time. I will be getting it colored September 1st so I hope I can show you all the finished product.

Hey Guys, My name is Pat. I am 28, born in NY and moved out to Los Angeles 4 years ago. Been a tattoo fan all my life. I have known I've wanted to be tattooed but had no direction as to what I wanted. Through my research on this forum prior to signing up, I have found many of your threads invaluable to me. I got my first tattoo this past weekend and it's safe to say I have the bug. I want to research the finest artists around the world and treat myself to sharing their artwork. Not sure what else to say except, I do not tattoo and am simply a fan. All the men in my family are completely covered so I have a great appreciation for the industry and what you all sacrifice to provide such amazing artwork. Thanks guys, Pat