Gnawa

I'm on my way to Rising Dragon, NYC to add some much-needed shading to my geisha back piece, and maybe add a little color, depending on my pain threshold. I'll post pics later on. It's been six months since I had work done on that one, so I'm really excited to continue the process.

Mina Aoki gave me this gorgeous Asian-themed/geisha lady head today at Fun City Tattoo, NYC. This is the second of a projected three lovelies she is doing on my upper right arm (my southwestern/Mexican lady has already been posted here). I feel incredibly lucky to be able to wear her work and I cannot recommend her highly enough. A phenomenal artist and a lovely woman. Looking forward to next time!

Ashley Love at New York Adorned gave me this badass mermaid and anchor this afternoon at New York Adorned. I would see her again in a second for any traditional work I was looking for. Love her line work and her tattoo demeanor. Seek her out if you're in NYC and want quality traditional work, or phenomenal chubby girls - her chubby girls rock the house!! - - - Updated - - - Ashley Love at New York Adorned gave me this badass mermaid and anchor this afternoon at New York Adorned. I would see her again in a second for any traditional work I was looking for. Love her line work and her tattoo demeanor. Seek her out if you're in NYC and want quality traditional work, or phenomenal chubby girls - her chubby girls rock the house!!

D'oh!! Postponed again!! Gotta wait til Saturday!! That itch is gonna irritate for a few more days!

Finally, after two postponements in the last couple of months, I'm getting a mermaid from Ashley Love at New York Adorned tonight. I haven't been tattooed since mid-August, and I've been getting that itch recently. This is coming at just the right time! Posted pics forthcoming...

My punk rock pin-up and geisha girl can torture me any day; I'd avoid the cobra & dagger and Edgar Allan Poe, though (who knows what horrors Poe could come up with?!)

I found this sign hanging on a telephone pole in the Bronx, around the corner from the high school where I teach. I figured it'd make the average LSTer laugh or cry.

My advice re: sun protection is long sleeves/pants. You can't be a show off, but at least your tattoos won't age too rapidly (tho they will, of course, age). And I agree with @Killercook76 about Henning, though I realize I often agree with the Killercook on many of these forums. I have a good friend with a piece of Henning's and it is killer, and though it is mainly black & grey, he added some vibrant red and yellow that help set the black apart from standard b&g and it is gorgeous. However, if Denmark isn't easy for you, if American traditional/old school is your goal, and the UK is in your ambit, then please check Frith Street.

Thanks a lot. I appreciate the kind words.

@CercleRouge, that Hooper piece is amazing. Love the others as well, but that's just a badass rib piece. Be proud. Be very, very proud!! - - - Updated - - - @Dog Soldier, awesome first-n-only!

I'm with @deadsp0t on this one, but am likewise no expert. Altering color shouldn't be too big an issue. If the piece is fairly recent, then maybe wait until fully healed to see how the colors settle on your skin, but if it's been there a while and you're not happy with the result, then the artist should hopefully be willing to work with you to (a) satisfy you as a customer and (b) get repeat business from a satisfied customer. But, again, I'm just a tattooed guy, not an expert of any stripe. Hope you do get what you're looking for!

There are a handful of films & TV shows that deserve permanent memorials on skin, and Breaking Bad may well be one. But regardless of what I (or any other LSTer) believe, do what makes you happy. I've long considered a text tattoo from my all time favorite show (The Wire), but can't decide on just one line. I've also considered a Wild Bunch tribute of some sort, but can't nail,that one down either. As the saying (kinda) goes, If you love something, set it free or get it inked on yourself permanently. Incidentally, what are you thinking of?