Fala

What does the tattoo look like now? Is it hard or tough under the areas that are really itchy comparative to nearby non-tattooed areas? Do you scar easily or have an overly reactive immune system?

My point exactly @Nest!!!

@BrookR70 - I understand ;)

Nice @redoid!!!!!

wow @polliwog! That looks like our cat who got into some valerian root one time, except our cat is grey. Dang!!!

Take out "tattoo artist" and replace it with "artist" and it is still the same exact meaning and intention.

Well, if you can handle menstrual cramps for 2 days, you can handle a couple of hours of tattooing... It's just an excuse, if you really love tattoos and tattooing, you'll deal with it. Otherwise, the whole kinda sorta not really watching from the sidelines thing comes back at you.

Because you are paying a tattoo artist (an artist!) to copy another person's work. There is no soul, no heart, in it when you are paying a tattoo artist to basically be a copier. That is a travesty and degrades the whole profession and craft of tattooing as an artform.

I'm trying to come up with something witty to say, but I think @Graeme and @BrianH have covered it... Being a highly respected/regarded tattooer/tattoo artist who creates sheets of flash that folks can choose from, then have individualized from there, that are based in sound tattooing practices and aesthetics, is simply wonderful and part of a long-standing tradition. I see no value in pre-made designs such as these. They are generic at best and cost the consumer more in the long run for something that a basic relationship with a quality tattoo artist should be able to accomplish. If folks think that this is the way to go, then IMO they should not be getting tattooed. And... fellow needle-phobe here - tattooing is totally not the same as getting a shot or blood drawn, and the "pain" is super temporary and no worse than menstrual cramps.

Heyhey everybody! Yoni Zilber has art in a show in Bushwick, the opening is tomorrow night. Here are the details: The Active Space, 566 Johnson Avenue, Bushwick. Opening is at 7pm. I know there are a couple of folks on LST who have work from him, figured I'd spread the word.

Totally @OutOfIdeas!!!

Bart Bingham and Brian Kaneko do nice birds!!!

Glad to hear it @HaydenRose!!! Been wondering how you've been :)

To go from that IG to another's, like State of Grace's, is mind boggling.

I kind of love the @shitsluts IG. Bad tattoos are so sad.

Wait a few months to see how it heals and before doing anything especially if you scar easily.

Welcome!

I STILL have raised areas from high humidity days and from sweating - with a 2+ year old tattoo and a more recent 8 month old one. It's only in the denser areas - is that where your rash-like stuff is happening? If so, try to let it breathe, keep it out of the sun, keep it cool and dry. See how that goes with the antihistamine. I agree with @SeeSea - if that doesn't work, go see a dermatologist/doc!

I never sleep well the night before starting a tattoo!

@Graeme - is that the painting with the new white layer? Nice!!!

I hear you @polliwog, just mentioning that dude changed his review, probably in the hopes that his lady-friend could get her tattoo finished...

If you go to the shop's yelp page, dude changed his tune from the original Instagrammed post to this revised one! Wonder what the result was?

Hi! Welcome!

Blerg. This is utter nonsense. Not everyone who "wants" to tattoo "should" tattoo, nor would I ever "want" to get a tattoo from someone who went through a two week "school". I'd never go to an acupuncturist who wanted to become an acupuncturist but didn't go through the proper channels within that community (acupuncture school) and get the thumbs up to start needling people because it was "too hard" to get into. Same same different. The artist's portfolios are umm... not what I'd want to see from a someone teaching others how to tattoo. Where are the mods to remove this thread?

I have a (short) session scheduled with Yoni for this fall! We're going to do a mandala coming out of the water, above the fishies and next to the lotus - on my right hip proper. I left it up to him to do what he wanted, couldn't be more thrilled with the suggestion. Too bad I have to wait until the fall!!!