Cathrine Inked

With a fresh tattoo I always try to keep it covered, which isn't much of an issue living in winter wonderland. But I avoid the gym at all costs, so exercise hasn't been an issue, but if you work out with a lot of people, come in touch with anything other sweaty people touch, I'd suggest covering up that fresh tattoo alright :p If it's just your own sweat you should be fine. I used to work with some chemicals and once in a while some would splash on to my skin, and once it did leave a mark of lighter skin for a while on part of my sleeve. (ironically, due to sterilizing tattoo equipment..) Disappeared after a few months, so wasn't too deep, but it freaked me out for a while! :p

It's also something to think about that quite often you can have a virus in your body, without getting sick. This is how people have come to associate getting cold with getting a cold, i.e It can trigger the virus in your body. Equally, with a tattoo. A tattoo is a strain on your body, and it can lead you to get sick easier because you're more vulnerable. I can't imagine it causing serious damage to your immune system, but temporarily, yes. So if you're having a lot of sessions back to back without ever allowing your body to heal properly, you shouldn't be too surprised if you end up sick! :) (not a medical professional!)

I used to be a shop manager in a shop, and I kept one. A lot of people would mention when they booked their appointment, that they had a lot of time off and would love to get in earlier, so I'd write them up. But yeah, quite often people couldn't make it because of a variety of reasons. We had a blacklist as well, no-shows ended up there pretty quickly if we didn't hear from them etc. We had a no-tolerance policy, any sign of being under the influence and you were out. I ended up being 30mins late for an appointment once, being on the other side of the globe, my phone didn't work, I had no idea where I was going and ended up in the wrong city... Haha, I've never been so scared to walk into a shop before. Thank god the artists understood that little blonde girls on the wrong side of the globe get lost... Where I worked, if a client didn't show up on time, they lost their appointment within 15mins if they didn't call.

New here, but I'll throw in my new skool piece just for fun :) Some amazing ink on this one! Done by Ryan Eternal at Into The Woods Gallery in Dania Beach, Florida.

Most of my tattoos are made by different artists, and in their different styles. I have a full sleeve from wrist to shoulder in all color, and after getting that done I completely fell in love with color! So all my work is color right now, mainly new school but also a realistic piece and some traditional, but I'm planning a mandala and some other b&g work later on. All my work now tends to be rather impulsive, and sometimes I get tattoos based on drawings that artists has posted that they want to do, and I just let them pick a spot on my body where it fits. I think my left arm might turn into a bit of a clash, with some dot work/mandala at the bottom, b&g further up, and b&g with mainly one or two colors on top. (just got that idea and now I'm obsessed... yep - that needs to happen) Should contrast well with my new school sleeve, and maybe I'll get a design that combines the two in a chest piece. I'm impressed with full body suits, I could never commit to just one style like that, but it looks badass. I'd love to see more mix'n match of different styles... Make a realistic tattoo out of a traditional design, that sounds like it could be fun :p

I've worked with a girl with autism for years now, and hers isn't all that prominent, but in my experience, most people catch on quite quickly. Especially those in service industries etc, who deal with different kinds of people a lot. They don't necessarily know what makes her act differently, but they can tell that it's something, and usually treat her with much respect and patience. Point being; Most tattoo artists have dealt with a loooooot of different kinds of people over the years, and, unless it's a complete douche, will probably have a lot of understanding for your situation and not be scared off at all! :) Let them know that you do obsess over details, so setting off some more time to go over the design might be a good idea, and if you think your ticks could be an issue, talk to them about what ticks you have and how they work, so the artist is aware of it and can work with you on it! :) If you have a hard time explaining it, write them an email in advance and send your reference pictures, and I'm positive you'll find a way of making it all work out! :) Best advice I got. Hope it turns out good :)

I used to work as a shop manager, and quite a lot of people overestimate their pain tolerance... Like a guy who wanted a full-day session for a full sleeve, but passed out and threw up after 10mins. They managed to get linework on his(skinny) upper arm done.. Or a girl who cried the entire time, needed breaks every 5-10 mins (as long breaks!), and some who are completely unable to sit still and just scream. Tough guys almost always pass out. It happens. Especially with first tattoos, I never set up long sessions(more than 3hrs), because we never knew what to expect! I've gotten to the point where I don't bother acting tough anymore. I'll sit through 8hrs and sit still, but I will bitch and call him an ass when it hurts bad the entire time :P To be noted; I mainly get tattooed by artists I know well, so they know it's coming and have fun with it. One of 'em calls it flirting. When I get inked by people I don't know, I try to be more pleasant. Try. I told off Ryan Eternal too after 5hours. Pretty sure I said I hated him and hoped he stepped on a lego by then... Luckily he just laughed! :P But I have never seen anything quite as bad as that video... But I believe it could be true!! The right kind of person... That could probably happen!!

I actually experience extremely little negative remarks to being a women with tattoos! I get soo much positivism and love for them! Haha, I think it's amazing. Same thing wherever I go; Scandinavia, Sicily, Milan, Rome, Paris, London, Budapest, Prague, Miami, New York, all over. Old people love me. They stop me on the street and go on about which artists they love (fine arts), and how they think its amazing. I used to work as a bartender too, and my boss was convinced it attracted more business, because it made it seem like a less stuck-up bar and we got tattooed customers who drank a lot. So I was told to show 'em! The every other rude comment from young guys who prefer bombshell blondes, but that's alright. 20-25year old men are idiots anyways. (most of them. Not all. but the majority! ) Other than that; I'm not sure I'm going for full body coverage yet, but pretty close to it. I've always been a freak, with pink colored hair and piercings since I was like 14, so I guess it's just natural by now. I don't really consider my tattoos when choosing outfits etc, I'm filled with all the colors of the rainbow, so everything works now. As for flattering... I chose more based on a general outlook on design; No small designs in the middle of a large surface, making the tattoo work with my body(like, not tattooing a dagger pointing upwards on my inner thigh...), but not much more than that. I recently got a dagger on my outer thigh, and it would look better if I got to the gym more often. But I'd rather just add to it, so no one notices ;) Sorry about the long post!

Not work related, but study related :) I've studied anthropology for 4 years now, and I have a voodoo doll tattooed on me. No job related to it yet, but I do love anthropology and have a huge fascination for culture, society and religion and their impact on the individual, so it's pretty suiting. If I do end up working with it, I guess it'll be a job related tattoo :p

I really regret now that I've spent years trying to become a good artist and consider going to study fine arts for a couple years before even looking into an apprenticeship. Man, I could have started tattooing BEFORE I learned how to draw! Who knew? Next stop, ebay! I seriously don't understand how people can be such idiots. I know the part of your brain which makes you aware of the consequences of your actions isn't fully developed as a kid, but these people are adults! Come on. Get tested! For.. Everything.

Thanks :D Letting my geek flag fly Takk! :)

Well, getting my parents to accept it has been a long road! I came home with a nose piercing when I was 12 years old. My mom freaked and didn't talk to me for three days. Funny thing; It was fake. I did it to see how she would react, and I thought she didn't mind so I went ahead and got a real one.. Still haven't told her that part! ;D I kept getting more piercings, and when I was 15 I started nagging my parents and a local artist for a tattoo. None of them would agree to it, but after 6 months of coming by the shop at least once a week, and nagging my parents constantly, they signed off on it a few days before I turned 16. Just a tiny one on the top of my back. After that... I stopped asking. Wasn't a big issue until I came home with a half sleeve when I was 18, and my mom for some reason had convinced herself I was getting something small. My dad never minded so much, he just wanted me to let him know before I got more done :p My mom never accepted it, she would always have some comment on why it was a bad idea, claiming I was being impulsive etc. (I've been modified for 10 years now, worked in a tattoo parlor for a year and worked as a piercer before that!) But about 6months ago, I had a serious talk with her. I told her how much this means to me, why its important to me, and that I wished I could share my excitement and joy about it with her. She finally got it. Earlier this year we traveled to the states, and I got a new tattoo there. They were both able to share in on my excitement :) Oh, and they both thought it was amazing that a ton of people stopped me wherever we went to comment on my tattoos. My dad is super proud now and tells all his friends about how his baby girl has beautiful tattoos :P And my mom has set it up for me to talk to her friends daughter who wants a tattoo, because now I'm apparently a role model for young rebellious girls to make wise decisions.... Now that, is a strange turn of events! :)

Wow, wish I had seen this a month and a half ago when I was freaking out! I got a piece on my calf/shin, and the day after it was done I had this weird red, swollen rash that went all the way around my ankle. The tattoo itself looked fine, but it freaked me out. I was in Miami at the time, and had no idea what to do. (I'm from Norway) I ended up getting this cortisone, cooling ointment that was supposed to help against all kinds of skin irritations. Took a shower and put it on the rash(but not the tattoo) and it started to disappear within an hour. Next morning it was all gone :) I was travelling at the time, so resting and keeping still wasn't much of an option..! Probably not the best solution, but in desperate times!

I once had a little girl of maybe 5-6 years old comment on my tattoo in the grocery store, she loved the colors. Then she followed it up with "My mommy has a snake on her boob!" She didn't exactly whisper it - but said it really loud and pointed at her mom! I get the usual questions; Are they real, does it hurt, WHY, you're not getting anymore are you??! and in general a lot of people who want to talk to me about their ideas, as if I'm some walking tattoo expert who knows exactly what would suit this random stranger I've exchanged about four words with.

Hi! So, new to LTS, but not to tattoos or tattoo forums in general :) 22 years old from Norway, been getting tattooed for longer than I should have.. I've got a couple tattoos; Full sleeve on my right arm that is currently being touched up massively. Originally done 4-3 years ago, but my artists has gotten so much better with color since then, so he decided to have a proper go at fixing it up a bit! Also have my left upper arm done, a piece on my back, stomach/hips, back of both legs, shin/side of one leg, some small ones on the inside of my calves, a piece on my thigh.. Some large pieces, some small and silly pieces! All in color, but a few different styles. Put up some pics in my gallery, feel free to check it out :) I've worked as a shop manager in a tattoo shop for a bit over a year as well, and love it! Other than that, I'm a loud, foul mouthed freak at times, but I'll try to be on my best behavior! ;) So.. yeah. Hi! :)