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Not about my first tattoo, but rather all of my most recent. A little back story: I was somewhat eager to show my parents my first couple of tattoos, but once I really got the bug I was somewhat embarrassed to bring it up. So I just didn't. Fast forward through 7 tattoos, and I just decided enough was enough - I was tired of keeping something that I cared about a secret! Because I could just never bring myself to start the conversation on the phone, I drafted an email and sent it off one night about a week ago. Like so many of you have realized, it takes more than just some ink under the skin to really disappoint your parents. While not thrilled, they seemed receptive to the idea (and I made it clear that I would be getting more tattoos in the future), expressed their concern for any neck/throat/face tattoos, and then basically dropped the subject. It feels pretty damn good getting that off my conscience, and I'm glad they (somewhat) approve (not that it would have made a big difference!).

Been on a bit of an LST hiatus, but this thread reminded me of this guy: Trippy drippy wolf by R.H. Wells, blood by me.

Jeez, Koeplinger, Jondix, Hooper, and Lehi...what a month!

Man, this is the absolute right response. Good on ya.

@Hogrider Holy shit, the way the tiger's chest is matched up with the folds of your knee...

Well, I reached out to the artist who did the tattoo in question and he suggested Benadryl cream. Been applying it a couple times a day for a few weeks now and the red spots are looking much better. Still a bit raised, but I was told it might take a while before they fully settle down. So moral of the story: ask your artist! I think I've even given that advice to others on here, but hey...

Hey, another bump! Can't believe I hadn't seen this thread earlier, but it made for a great read on a winter evening. I actually had the same experience as @polliwog while visiting the Portland Art Museum last month. I went for the Warhol exhibit (which was phenomenal, btw), but while everyone else was waiting in line for the restroom I headed to the ancient Chinese sculpture exhibit. It was right by the main entrance, but in a way that made it incredibly easy to walk past. Ancient artifacts and images I only recognize from following tattoo history! What a cool experience. I'm still not sure how best to answer the OP, but I'm glad that tattoos have shown me more than just pictures on skin.

Super cool tattoo! Welcome to LST, looking forward to watching that sleeve progress!

I like music tattoos, but like others on here I'm not as into text as I used to be. Finding an image that somehow represents a band/album/lyric will go much further in the long run. That being said, good looking script or traditional text can look real nice and complement an already awesome image...

Welcome to LST, hope you find it useful and engaging and you stick around. May we see a photo of your new tattoo? As others have already posted, this feeling is not uncommon - you've had 24 years of looking (more or less) the same, and now there's a picture on you! You'll get over it, and heck you may even end up with a lot more.

Hi Miranda, welcome to the site. I wouldn't worry about those scabs. A week is not enough time for a tattoo to properly heal, just resist the temptation to scratch/pick at those and I bet the tattoo underneath will be fine. Who's doing your sleeve? One artist, or many?

Appreciate all the response, folks. It looks like the color is really in there, so I'm not too worried about it falling out, just surprised to see it still so dry and raised. Guess I just have to be patient...

Have any of you experienced raised skin/ink up to 6 weeks after getting tattooed? I've heard that red ink in particular often takes longer to heal, but the rest of this tattoo wept, peeled, and healed in about 2 weeks while a few patches of solid red are still raised, itchy, and peeling now (almost 7 weeks after getting tattooed). I've had similar heals with other red inks, but none that have lasted this long. Any tips on how to deal with this? Tattoo is on my lower leg, just above the ankle. I know that everyone heals differently, just wondering if anyone has experienced something similar and can share their experiences. Thanks.

Man, the chest is no joke! There were spots near the collarbone where I could've sworn my throat was getting tattooed... Arm's looking great! Happy to watch all of this progress.

Looks totally normal to me (not a professional). It's only going to get worse before it gets better, too... If she's concerned, the artist who did the tattoo will be her best resource.

I think the first step is 'get tattooed'...

Corey Crowley and Cheyenne Sawyer do phenomenal blackwork tattoos at Atlas in Portland. Joe Larralde at Art Work Rebels does some cool stuff too, and Gordon Combs (same shop) does great black and grey traditional-ish work.

Got tattooed last night at Art Work Rebels (see lowdown thread), what a treat! Had a great time talking travel etc. with Chad, I didn't realize that no other tattooer has tattooed in all 50 states. He says it was one of the best trips of his life, I'm so glad I was able to make it. He's putting a book together with photos of every tattoo done this trip, should be a pretty cool project. @Rob I I almost got that same image! That book was just full of great choices.

By Chad Koeplinger while visiting Art Work Rebels here in Portland. This is the last stop on his 50 States trip, so stoked to be a part of it!

After a few scheduling issues, I'm getting tattooed by Chad Koeplinger next week! Still have no idea what I'm getting, looking forward to flipping through his book before the appointment.

Love that rooster - who did it? Do you plan to have him/her do these other two? I think it'd look cool to have all three by the same artist on the same arm, but then again I'm just some guy on the internet...

Welcome! We love pictures here, could you post some of the tattoos you've done?

Welcome to LST. Above all else, YOU should be the one who likes your tattoo. That being said, some very valid points have been made. Consider finding an image that resonates with you, with our without the text. I bet your artist could integrate that quote into a nice traditional piece that will not only look great, but still hold the personal meaning you're looking for. Tattoos don't need to have a reality TV style "deep meaning," but that doesn't mean that sharing your feelings in a tattoo is necessarily bad. I'd also reconsider placement in case of future tattoos...

Ron is such a solid dude, and a real perfectionist. Two of the better traits of a good tattooer, if you ask me.

Fuck yeah!!