9Years

Good idea.

Dude. That wrathful offering is killer. So is the Jondix work too, but you knew that already. Very cool stuff. - - - Updated - - - Got this super-cool little moth from @cltattooing . It was a nice change of pace from the large-work I've got going on right now. Pumped on this little guy! https://www.instagram.com/p/BEC8O07DEkE/?taken-by=handoftheforge

Ha, a most excellent idea. However, I don't know if I'm TUFF-E-NUFF for a gigantic knee web. - - - Updated - - - Ha, a most excellent idea. However, I don't know if I'm TUFF-E-NUFF for a gigantic knee web.

In short, these rule. I've got issue #2 and just received #6. Got #5 coming in the mail. Realizing now I shouldn't have slept on the others. Anyone got Issues #1, 3 or 4 and willing to part with them (I'll pay)? Or have any info on where I can find them? My google-fu has not been strong enough... Thanks! EDIT: I think this might be a better fit in the "marketplace" subforum? Mods, please feel free to move it if needed. Thanks!

Man, I hear you on this one. I have the most abrupt gap between an El Monga lower-leg-total-domination and a Tim Lehi big-ass-tiger with full background...Monga comes up high and Lehi comes down low. Not sure what I'm gonna do to fill it up but it's driving me nuts! I was thinking a panther or monster etc head-on but with no bottom jaw. - - - Updated - - - Man, I hear you on this one. I have the most abrupt gap between an El Monga lower-leg-total-domination and a Tim Lehi big-ass-tiger with full background...Monga comes up high and Lehi comes down low. Not sure what I'm gonna do to fill it up but it's driving me nuts! I was thinking a panther or monster etc head-on but with no bottom jaw.

@JBluewind -1. Is there anything I can do (or not do) before the appointment to help with the healing? As with any healing process, the healthier you are going in, the easier/faster you will heal. 1. Can I use white Dove bar soap to clean it? Yes 2. I don't want to use an after care product as they sound like a nightmare for a girl with lots of allergies. It there any normal first aid treatment I can use to help? You won't need any aftercare product or first aid treatment. It's just a tattoo. Reading your other threads about the tattoo you are getting, it looks like it's going to be pretty quick. Keep it clean and you'll be fine. There are lots of people out there trying to make a buck off of convincing those getting tattooed that they need some particular brand of snake-oil for things to heal well. This simply isn't true. 3. Which lotion (or at least what to look for in a lotion) and how often? The typical recommendation is something non-scented. Since you have a lot of allergies you probably already have a moisturizer that fits your needs. Use that. Use a small amount if you feel the tattoo start to dry out. Some people prefer nothing at all. 4. Does Bert's Bees make any products I can use? I don't know 5. How do I keep from having a nightmare situation when I wake up? (upper ankle piece) Do I wrap with sterile gauze and ointment or something? Not sure what this means? If I'm reading the situation correctly you are getting a relatively small, quick tattoo. I think you are making a mountain out of a mole-hill. You are going to undergo some minor skin-trauma. That's it. I understand that you want to do it right since it's your first, but don't overthink it...the most tried and true method of healing tattoos since forever is keep it clean and wait.

That is killer. Aaron rules. Spider Murphy's rules. Great life decision! - - - Updated - - - That is killer. Aaron rules. Spider Murphy's rules. Great life decision!

Very cool story! Thanks for sharing.

Dude. That is a killer list! I'm assuming you're gonna go to Aloha in Barcelona? That shop is so cool...enjoy! - - - Updated - - - Dude. That is a killer list! I'm assuming you're gonna go to Aloha in Barcelona? That shop is so cool...enjoy!

I've only had one short lining session on my back, but I've had a few other gnarly-sits (a few 7+ hour sessions on ribs/full shin in one sitting etc). When I know I've got a big-sit coming up I try to "stack the deck" in my favor with a 2 week anti ritual of: no caffeine, no sugar, no booze (in fact I'm in one of these phases now for a back session). All in my head? Probably. But I like the discipline leading up. Small snacks (during) with some protein and fat make a difference for me too. And, most importantly, THE STOKE WILL PULL YOU THROUGH (someone on here said that about sitting multiple sessions/days in a row...can't remember who or the context or I'd give credit. Its one of my favorite quotes). It's been my experience that the day after a big session is worse than getting the tattoo. Your mileage may vary ;) Good luck!

@MrToby killer! Love the Tibetan-skull on the hammy. - - - Updated - - - @MrToby killer! Love the Tibetan-skull on the hammy.

Uh, actually that's pretty gnarly! - - - Updated - - - Uh, actually that's pretty gnarly! - - - Updated - - - Uh, actually that's pretty gnarly!

Just confirmed session #2 of my back-piece. Less than two weeks away. Also more work coming up with Theo Mindell Apr 1. Working thru some bigger pieces so not many pics yet but I'll post em up as we finish up.

I was getting tattooed on Friday and my tattooer was laying down some truths. He said: "most tattoos have about 3 seconds to say what they are going to say". Think about that. Unless you have a significant other or some friends who are really into getting up close and personal, most people will only glance at your work as you move through life. I took his point to mean that overall impact and visceral response is more important than every detail being flawless. So that said, looking at the whole tattoo and not myopically at this one detail, do you like the effect of your tattoo or not? - - - Updated - - - Oh, and, most tattoos are a series of individual dots. You will see those dots if you get up close enough, especially on newer work.

If it were my back I would wait until you can see the artist you wanted originally. Enjoy your trip to Bali, save up and go back another time. Odds are you wouldn't be finished a serious back tattoo in one trip anyway. You only get one...

Ha, you can't mess with the classics! Clearly only those with distinguished taste would choose such a subject... There will likely be some cool surprises in the background of the butt, but I'll wait until we're a little further along to post them.

First session Wednesday with Tim Lehi at Temple in Oakland. He lined the main image and some background. Pumped to get started, pumped for the long road ahead, pumped to finally be able to contribute to this thread after ogling it for years...

Herb and Stefan are great guys. My wife and I both have work from them. Totally recommended.

Paul Dobleman

More work from: Tim Lehi early feb Theo Mindell late feb Pretty pumped about these!

If you really dig his stuff, save up and take the trip! But check out Austin Maples at idle hand in San Francisco.

Im in total agreement that pretty pictures on a screen can't compare to the real thing (although I sure love to look at those too). Here's my biggest jaw-meet-floor experience so far: My wife and I had the opportunity to go to the opening of the Perserverance show in LA (she requested to go for her birthday. The things I have to put up with...). That was heavy. At the reception before opening day there were a ton of people with insane suits and back pieces just mingling. I saw a few of Chris Brand's 108 Heros of Los Angeles backs and some suits from Shige up-close-and-personal. Holy shit: their work is on a different level!! The next day in the auditorium they presented a seemingly endless parade of people with pieces that were featured in the exhibit. It was nuts. Total sensory overload. Pretty sure I needed a bib. I can say very confidently the experience changed me. Powerful stuff! On the off chance that anyone involved with that production is reading this, THANK YOU!!!

Everyone already knows this but Marius Meyer seems to melt brains on the daily ( well, mine at least… ):

I love this idea. I've been bugging out on that tattoo since it was posted! Insane! I've been in the mood to plan most of my work with a few local artists (spoiled in Oakland), but tattoos like that make me seriously reconsider!

Maybe not yet. But then why are you here to "gather valuable information"? Surely it's just so you can better heal your own tattoos or make recommendations for your friends and family, right? That's why you took the time to read and comment on the numerous after-care threads already here, right? If being skeptical of some random user's veiled probes into a subculture is "bullying" then I'm glad this forum has some big ol meanies.