9Years

@Lance Thanks for posting that. Really cool stuff! Now that there's a bit of time passed since the convention I feel like I've processed it enough to have an opinion. This was the first convention that I've attended and I've gotta say, I'm not sure it's my thing. Don't get me wrong, I had a great time, spent too much money on prints/art etc (including a relatively spontaneous tattoo with Greg Christian that is totally awesome), watched my wife get two excellent tattoos from Stewart Robson, was totally blown away by a lot of the tattooing I saw happening, met some of you guys, etc etc etc. But the whole thing was pretty overwhelming for me. I guess it really solidified a few things about what I enjoy about tattoo experience: going to a shop, seeing the culture that has been cultivated and created there, talking with the tattooers, making bad jokes...soaking it all up, y'know? As inspiring as the whole thing was, I think I can only handle small doses of the convention environment!

What the hell, I'll throw my hat into the ring. By El Monga guesting at Spider Murphy's in August. Healed shot.

Pumped! My wife has an appt with Mr. Stewart Robson of Frith St. today at opening, so I'll be hanging around there if anyone wants to come say hello. Me: Long hair/Acid King T-shirt.

That's Heavy.

@Graeme Ha! I totally agree.... I think 18 is fine. I don't see the need or benefit to restricting things further. Unless it's something totally insane like a vagina on your face, a tattoo that you come to regard as "bad" later on down the line isn't really that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. On a personal level, I'm reeeallly glad I only got a few smallish tattoos when I was younger (Skull N Bones with my roommates when I was 19, kinda crappy GG Bridge when I moved to SF etc). They've got character, I can file them under "learning experiences" and they still make me smile. But, thinking today about the things I would've got tattooed if I wasn't a broke-ass kid at the time makes me throw up in my mouth a bit...I simply had no respect for, or understanding of, tattoos. No policy will ever account for bad-taste. Regardless of age.

I'm a big fan of the ol' "I don't really like tattoos, but yours are so____" (insert your choice of favorable adjective) People are funny.

It's kinda freaky how much your post reflects my thoughts/experiences...ever since he put a monster of a tattoo on my left calf in August, all I can think about is more Monga! He is the man; so much good Ju-Ju in his work and person. Dig that last statement too...

It's just The Tattoo Fever...

Maybe not what you were thinking, but this moon is pretty cool. It's on a buddy of mine and done by Aaron Mason at Soul Expressions Tattoo in Temecula, CA.

@smiling.politely Thanks for sharing! Some really cool stuff in there. I totally agree with @hogg...those chest sharks are totally killer! Love seeing stuff like that!

This is a great idea...make sure to get that beefy arm just right.

First, I'd just like to say that this thread is hugely inspiring! The commitment, the imagery....man, it's all just so awesome! All being well, I would like to get cracking on a backpiece of my own in the next year or so. I'm really curious about what the process was like for some of you that have pulled the trigger already. Did you always have a firm idea of what you wanted? Did you juggle a few ideas back and forth? Go to your favorite artist and say "gimme all of it"? An analyzed decision or a gut feeling? Did you start with an artist or a design in mind? I realize that there are probably as many different answers as there are backpieces, but this sort of thing really fascinates me. Anyway, please continue sharing badass backpieces! When the time comes, I'll contribute my own!

I'm down!

Thanks for sharing!

I'm getting really pumped for this. It'll be my first year attending. My wife's got some appointments lined up with a few of the Frith Street crew and I'll be fighting the urge to get a walk-up from about 20 different people...

Great tattoo!

Heading back to Berlin the first week of Oct. to (hopefully) finish off my rib-piece with Uncle Allan. Super stoked to see this thing come together! I was planning on taking a little hiatus for a few months, but my loving wife got me a b-day present in the form of an appointment with Herb Auerbach which is coming up in a couple of weeks. Haven't made my mind up design-wise; I'm thinking moth or lady head.

Longest so far is 7.5hrs on the ribs/side. It wasn't as bad as I had built it up to be in my mind, but the last 30mins or so was pretty unpleasant...

Awesome find! Thanks for sharing!

Zerchers for the win! @Cork that is awesome!

Thanks for the compliment! Your El Monga is totally righteous! What's he adding to it? I'm already *this* close to saving my other calf for another 'Monga...just not sure when I'll make it back to Barcelona. @Wedge El Monga's instagram handle is elmongasasturain

Yesterday by El Monga at Spider Murphy's....There's a better shot on his instagram, but you get the idea.

Finally got around to uploading a few pics in the ol' gallery. Going in to see El Monga at Spider Murphy's tomorrow. Got a quick walk-in from him in Barcelona...I am super pumped for a longer session this time around. Like Christmas-eve-as-a-kid-pumped. Thanks again to all the regulars around here who helped set me on a really positive tattoo path. Back to lurkin'!