Chris3000

Wow, I can see why Kore is your artist. You have a lot to look forward to with this new tiger. It looks like he's pretty proud of your dragon too. Thanks for sharing that.

I think we are all excited to see the tiger after that amazing dragon. Do you know how many sessions you will do for the tiger? Just curious.

OMG, That was you, I voted for you in the March contest and agreed with the other comments about how do you stop looking in the mirror. That is one amazing tattoo, your artist definitly has some mad skills. I absolutely LOVE it.

Hi Joanna, I am brand new here too. Boy have you come to the right place to find some great examples of tattoos, drawings, advice, artists, and so on. I love your idea of a sugar skull I think they are amazing. Best of luck, and enjoy your time here. Chris

I am in the same boat you are in regards to work and tattoos. I also love the idea of having a tattoo and it being my secret because everyone would guess I would be the last person on earth to have one. I would love to see pics of your tattoos now and in the future. They sound amazing. Have you posted pics anywhere?

Thanks Reverend1, That means a lot. Honestly I would expect that anywhere in or around the armpit would hurt like a SOB. You might be a lot more tolerant regarding pain than you think. SO, don't avoid the ditch. My artist has a beautiful yellow dragon on his arm and it goes right through the ditch, it's amazing to look at. Just don't let the thought of pain stop you, I promise it's temporary.

Hi TrixieFaux, It's good to know I am not the only middle aged gal here. I didn't think about the spacing out part and that makes more sense than doing it all at once with the big price that comes with it. The hinge tattoo was a one session two hour project and the money was given right up front. Thanks for giving me a better outlook on bigger tattoos and commenting on my post.

This is my first tattoo. It was done this February and is in honor of my Grandfather. It is an olive hinge in the ditch of my arm and instead of metal plates you will see scroll work. Respect the Ditch!!

Thanks everyone, I didn't want to walk around thinking I had a good tattoo if I didn't. Don't get me wrong, I would still be proud but I would also understand the comments that people might make. I won't lie the ditch hurts, but not where you might think. The most painful part for me was the outside of the tattoo to the middle right and middle left, the inner ditch itself was not that bad. I think with all tattoos it's really worth it in the end. It's healing really well and has gone through it's ugly stages. I learned that the only thing temporary about a tattoo is the pain. Thanks again, Chris

Okay, I have been looking at other posts in regards to tattoos being good or bad. I think mine is good. The lines are straight and not wobbly and the scroll is filled in well. I love the olive hinge in the middle and I think it is shaded well. I'm sure some people would say "Well if you like it that's all that counts." That's great but I want to know from the people that know what they're are talking about is this a "well done" tattoo? - - - Updated - - - Another question, sorry, I get carried away but oh well. People keep mentioning the ditch and I don't get it. Can someone explain the facsination with the ditch? Is it because of the painful part? Don't get me wrong I love the comments, I just want to make sure I understand them.

Hi Steve, I am also a first time tattoo'er and wanted a tattoo similar to my grandfathers hinge tattoos. He died when I was 13, I'm 45 now. I took a pitiful drawing to the tattoo artist and explained to him, just like you explained to us, what I wanted. The artist will bring your idea to life and you will be amazed just as I was. So don't worry to much about the design that is what the artist is for. It sounds like you are in great hands so enjoy the ride. Oh, and please share your pics! Chris

I looked up Sick of it All dragon, that is very cool and yes they are similar, I guess I do need some time to think about it. Thanks for your kind words. Chris

Thanks Mark, I am really proud of it. Chris

Hi David, Never thought about giving it three heads. That is a great idea. I hear what you are saying about compromising the look. For this exact reason I love my tattoo artist Sam because if you saw what I brought him, in regards to the hinge tattoo, compared to what he actually did you would see why I respect and value his opinion. The dragon is just a direction, a sounding board so to speak, and I know it will be different once my artist brings it to life. Again, thanks for the 3 headed idea, and your opinion, it means a lot. - - - Updated - - - Honeslty, I would love to do a full chinese dragon, but, I'm not rich. Also, being in my forties and want to keep it simple so I don't feel like I'm trying to look like someone I'm not. I do respect your opinion and totally see where you are coming from. Because of what you said I am going to be thinking about it for awhile, thanks.

Funny that you asked about a back piece. I am seriously thinking about a dragon for my 3 boys. Nothing to big and mostly black scroll work for the dragon so that the tattoos have the same features, somewhat anyway. Thanks for the kind words, Chris - - - Updated - - - A dragon that looks something like this (see attachment) with a roman numeral three integrated somewhere. The placement will be in the middle of my back.

Yeah, I was pretty terrified about that area being painful. It was warranted I can tell you that!! A girls gotta do.... you know the rest. Thanks for the post. :D

I just got a tattoo in the ditch of my arm and I am concerned about how it will hold up too. My artist told me to be careful with it, which I am, but it's a an area that has so much movement. Best of luck.

I just recently got a tattoo in honor of my grandfather. He was in the Navy and had brilliant Navy tattoos. Out of all of his tattoos I love his hinges the most and that's what a wanted but I'm a gal and I didn't want big metal plates in the ditch of my arm. So, I switched it up a bit and did an olive hinge with scroll work for the metal plates to keep it from being to masculine. I really look forward to hearing (reading) what you think, good, bad, or otherwise. Chris