Gnawa

Chris Garver did this punk rock girl on my calf today. He's a seriously nice guy and a total pleasure to be tattooed by. I'm absolutely thrilled with the result. Loving the Docs!

Definitely another Wish List artist! Sounds like a deign he'd do beautifully. Can't wait to see pics. Have a great trip!!!

It's going to be a healin' kinda late summer and on into an itchy early fall. Tomorrow I have a long-awaited appointment with Chris Garver for a punk rock pinup. At the end of August, Ashley Love at New York Adorned is giving me a mermaid and anchor. On an as-yet undetermined day in September I will be getting a dagger from Steve Bolt at Smith Street. October 5, my back is finally getting shaded by Darren Rosa of Rising Dragon. One month later, I return to Mina Aoki at Fun City for the second of three ladies she is doing on my right bicep & shoulder. Hopefully she'll be able to do the third and complete the half sleeve by the new year. I need to buy some stock in Eucerin.

@tacitapproval both great additions! Congratulations!

http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-advice/2173-colour-ink-dark-skin.html This thread might help

...every itch gets slapped, 'cause there just might be fresh ink there. ...there's nothing dirty about the phrase "lady head." ...your first thought when you see "Only God Can Judge Me" is "I'm not judging you, just your shitty tattoo." ...the words "tat" and "tattoo gun" are fingernails on a chalkboard. ...your students want to know the next time you're getting your back worked on, but that one might be exclusive to my fellow educators on LST.

Tenderly & passionately. Tell it that you love it and nibble gently on its ears. No, seriously, I suggest a tshirt for at least the first night or so, something soft that can serve as a bandage but still allow it to breathe. Some folks will probably say go sleeveless to prevent chafing, but I've never had a problem. I've had both of my inner biceps done recently and there is nothing you can do to prevent incidental rubbing, but you can prevent any actual detrimental effects with common sense and generally being careful.

Word.

Just to follow up, Mina's going to be at the London Convention September 27, 28 & 29. You can set up an appointment with her via email [email protected] Hope you're able to get some work done.

I would echo what Graeme said, as, I'm sure, 99.9% of other LSTers would as well. But apart from that, if you do decide tattoos are for you and you can handle the permanence, then research shops in your area (wherever that may be). This is crucial. Once you find a shop you like and an artist who works in the style you like, bring him or her your references and have them design the piece that they can best put on you. Give them the freedom to create the design they will be tattooing on you. Not to take money from the hands of the artists here on this site, but there's no reason to pay for a service that's completely integral to the overall tattooing experience: consultation for and drawing of an original design. You know what you want; let your tattooer bring your vision to reality.

This.

This isn't so much about healing; more of a tale of common sense taking a short vacation. I made the mistake of returning to the gym after a long (looooooong) absence the day before I was having my left calf tattooed. I didn't consider that I'd be spending much of the day on my right side, putting my weight heavily on my arm. Needless to say, 24 hours after my first workout, my arms were immovable lumps of cramped jello. And after a 2+ hour tattoo session, spent mainly leaning on my elbow, and despite occasional breaks in the action, my arm had basically frozen like rigor mortis into an L, T-Rex style. It took all my will and the help of the shop assistant to get it moving again. I kept muttering "Oil can" like the Tin Man as shoulder, elbow and wrist slowly, agonizingly, creekingly reengaged. The next two days were spent recovering from my right arm cramps, which served to keep my mind off any dull throb that may have been emanating from my newly tattooed calf. Compared to that pain, bring on the healing.

http://tattooforrest.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/20130714-162850.jpg I don't know if this is going to work (never posted a link like this before) but I just got this from Forrest Cavacco's blog and thought I'd post for the LST community. I'll be in Brooklyn, NY that weekend, but for folks who'll be in Dallas, have a great Friday the 13th weekend!

I think that pretty much sums up my feelings as well. Nicely put.

I hope you get the chance (to get tattooed, not move mountains). Mina's work is phenomenal. She was telling me that she had recently returned from one of her first guest spots on the West Coast, so hopefully a trip across the Atlantic isn't so far off.

After admiring her work on a friend (@tacitapproval), I really wanted a piece by Mina Aoki at Fun City, NYC. She did this Lady Head for me yesterday, and I'm very happy with it; it's my first full-color tattoo, my first piece of American traditional work, and my first time at Fun City. I'm sure I'll be back for more. I'll post healed pics in a few weeks.

Update: As of today, I also have an appointment with Ashley Love at New York Adorned for a mermaid & anchor design in late August.

I haven't seen many (any?) portraits win this, so either this will buck the trend or become one of many.

I have an appointment with Mina Aoki at Fun City, NYC on the 10th for a lady head. This will actually be my first full-color piece and first American traditional tattoo. I've been admiring her work on a colleague and decided I want her art as part of my collection. Then, on August 1 Chris Garver is doing a pin-up for me, posed and colored like one of Gil Elvgren's girls, but dressed as a punk rock goddess with flaming red Mohawk, rock t, trad tattoos, combat boots & torn fishnets. I'm seriously amped for this one.

Portrait of Edgar Allen Poe by Vinny Romanelli at Red Rocket NYC (a Poe-rtrait?), done this afternoon.

I appreciate your posting this. She's a wonderful subject, and it would be nice to see an extended piece on this woman and her community. Her arms are spectacular.