Fala

Instagram Instagram Haven't seen pictures of the front of it though...

I have the same thing happen to me, still, with a 2+ year old tattoo. Changes in weather (specifically increased humidity), sweating/heat, all that good stuff. Usually goes away. I've asked others about this too - they have similar things happen. If it doesn't bother you (hurt, etc) then I wouldn't worry about it too much.

I can't tell you what kind of coverup to get, coverups are hard to do and I know nothing about you, and I'm not a tattoo artist. Go talk to a different tattoo artist, find out what they think is reasonable, and go from there. That's my advice, oh, and don't go back to the tattoo artist that mucked up the star.

You just had David Flores and Stewart Robson (tattooers) and several folks who have varying amounts of coverage and tattoo-getting (that's a word, right?) experience give you great advice. I get your frustration, I'm a perfectionist too, but such is life - nothing is perfect, we can take the experience we've had, learn from it and move on with the lessons learned such that the same mistakes do not happen again. Go get another tattoo, take your mind/focus off of this one for a bit.

I'm going to have nightmares about that last one for weeks now. Shudder.

Yay!!!!! Thank you @cibo and @cvportagee! Now I'm hungry!

Did you eat anywhere near State of Grace? I'm getting tattooed there in May, would like some recommendations since there are a lot of restaurants nearby and I've only been to one! September isn't toooo far away! What a great start! Can't wait to see it finished!

I've been thinking about this question/thread - if you are serious about learning how long the two pieces took, how about you try to track down who did the tattoos, and get in touch either with the artist or the owner? There are also some blogs out there for full bodysuits, backpieces, etc that give information about how many hours and sittings the work took, the progression, etc.

Anyone have recommendations for places near State of Grace in San Jose? Breakfast and dinner? I've been to Izakaya in SJ, was pretty happy with it.

Welcome! Yes, show us your tattoos!

My first response was, "as long as it took to get the job done." I don't understand the underlying point of the question, as @Graeme said.

Will do @gougetheeyes!

Going to check out the shop is super important. I visited quite a few shops before I even thought about booking a consultation for my first tattoo even though I knew which artist I wanted to tattoo me. It helped to cement my decision and allowed me to dive into the experience knowing without a doubt that I was working with the right artist and shop for me. I waited months for a consultation, then months again for my first appointment. Waiting wasn't a problem because I had more than enough time to save up what I needed to for the tattoo I really wanted, from a great artist, got the tattoo I wanted (and feel like I am not quite good enough to deserve.) It was a great learning experience, that I'm still thankful for - especially since I had absolutely no idea what I was doing! I didn't find out what my artist's hourly rate was until after our consultation was finished - while cost is certainly a factor, it isn't everything and shouldn't be the primary factor in your decision making. Nor should the wait list, you'll have the tattoo on you for the rest of your life, what is four months compared to forty years or more? With choosing an artist, I looked at countless portfolios until I found the artist whose portfolio I kept returning to, because it had that "special something" that I was looking for.

I'll hook you up for your back @gougetheeyes! No problem :) The shitty sleep is the worst!

Looks great @Graeme!!!

Slightly off-topic, but have you seen Yobi the Five Tailed Fox?

No. Most definitely, no.

That newbie thread is amazing @BrianH.

It's not even the goofiness of the snake that I have the problem with, because I don't think it is goofy*. I get the feeling/idea/intention of the story behind the print without knowing exactly what it is about - that makes it successful on a certain level. What I do not like about it is the slightly funky color registration (each color gets a different block/carving, so it is a lot of blocks - except the blends those are on one block like in the second print with the yellow/gray sleeve) and the sloppy carving of the lines that bothers me - especially in the water. I like to see nice clean printing, colors/registration that don't seem rushed, cleanly carved lines that are clear to read. Others may disagree, and I'm okay with that. I have to remember that these were cranked out like posters during this time period, and there are different schools/styles within ukiyo-e - so I'm not going to like everything that everyone does because of the style differences. Also, with the influence of the West, the styles changed to accommodate the desires of Western buyers (if I'm remembering correctly.) @TaeTae - thank you! I love the negative space between the wings and the rest of the landscape, and the simplicity of the colors. *Edit: that first sentence should say, "I don't think it is all that goofy."

Along the bird theme (I adore birds) http://metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/55733?rpp=60&pg=1&ao=on&ft=ukiyo&pos=27 The image won't load. Harumph.

I wanted to thank everyone who has participated in my research project thus far! I'm compiling everyone's responses, and will be in touch in the coming months with some possibilities for folks!

I can officially add "appointment with Horitomo" in my upcoming tattoos list! Scheduled for end of April/beginning of May. Very excited! So much for my "I'm done until I have enough money for my back" and "have to let husband get tattoos too" statements!

I got all of my work (and a very lengthy final exam) turned in for my herbal program as of Monday. So... I'm done! Now to work on getting folks' tattoos healed better ;)

Wowowow @ironchef! What a beauty!

@Graeme YES! Wish I had the funds for my back (reserved for Yoni) now, alas I do not! Upcoming for me: on Horitomo's list for my CA trip in April/May. We'll see if I get in, I really, really, really want a Monmon cat. Don't know where I'll put it if I do get in, maybe on my thigh.