SeeSea

Welcome - http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/gallery/12-death-tattoos.html

Understatement of the freaking year.

Welcome! When you talk to artists about the angel/cross idea, also ask them about future ideas for a full sleeve. I hate to say Google or Pinterest, but that could give you some ideas. Perhaps you should get the tattoo, and then think about it for a while before jumping in to add something else for the sake of filler or to complete a sleeve. You don't need to have the entire sleeve concept worked out to just get the part you want now. If something isn't crying out to be added, don't force it.

I agree that it could be the inspiration, but not a copy, and I think you're right to feel it doesn't bother you. Yours is really great!

Welcome!

Welcome. You are interested in different ideas about the Baltimore idea? Why do you want it on fire? I guess that's what it comes down to - if you like the idea, it shouldn't matter what anyone else thinks. On the other hand, if there is something that you want to represent, and you wonder if a burning skyline would represent it, you could ask for feedback on if there are other ways to represent what you are thinking. So what are you thinking of representing? :-)

@ironchef - EXACTLY!!! Great shots!

@sophistre - as long as the commentary is related to tattoos, it's all good! So @Mick Weder makes the shark talk all completely acceptable at least for the next couple days :-)

Welcome! Someone will be along with recommendations. Regarding realism - not every tattoo artist specializes in every style, so you need to find someone who does what you want. Doesn't mean they aren't good at what they do. Look at some of the threads here about cover-ups and lasering. if you get a tattoo like the one you posted, and you don't like it, you're looking at some serious laser removal first. Here's one to get you started - http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-removal-coverup/22-cover-up-removal.html

Sorry to hear that @Mark Bee. 2008 whacked me along with so many others. It can be so demoralizing - keep your head up.

@Mick Weder - excellent! I love the flames - the background really makes the shark jump. Nice topping to an awesome back piece. Enjoy the cider - I might raise a few later myself.

Welcome - looking forward to seeing some of your tattoos. @Mick Weder speaks true - enjoy it slowly. Not like I'm heavily covered, but I hear the regret of folks having no more real estate to tattoo when life is still in full gear.

@sophistre - awesome! I've been to Cozumel many times - we honeymooned there. It's not the same anymore since they blew out San Fransisco reef (I think that's the one) for the international cruise ship pier and the town started taking US dollars. We did an insanely awesome bull shark dive in Fiji. 7 species of sharks on one dive. I'd love to see huge octopuses! If you have a certification, you can still dive. However, you should probably do a Scuba Tuneup. Get Dad to do it. Or come to NJ and I'll do it for you! You can dive locally - very cool - that makes it pretty inexpensive.

Thank you - I love my guy - smiling with teeth. Swoons! So, you DO know you can rent some of that stale canned air and get the fins wet...although it's a tad cold up your way! Where did you dive? Thanks. This one put my head in a good place. I'm gonna knock out another 2 sessions in the next 3 weeks. I *really* want this done by early next year.

Looks like you'll be packing those stubbies soon. Make sure those after-care ciders are in the fridge before you leave the house. Have a good one!

Runner's World, a very general audience running magazine, has been publishing readers' running-inspired tattoos. Now they're going even further with a story about Micah Risk, showing her full sleeve on page 23, and a hint of it on the front cover. I'm pleasantly surprised - this is a very mainstream magazine.

@HaydenRose - those peonies feel so soft and delicate - amazing. Can't wait to see yours!

Thanks, @misterJ - it turned out only to be 6 1/2. He finished up before I had to tap out, which I consider a major victory. Yeah, some days you're just not mentally ready for a session and it's a chore, but ya gotta make the trip worthwhile.

Finished up detail on the sea snake, squirrel fish and eel, and the corals in the background.

Well, getting kinda zoned here. 6 hours in and trying to take my own advice to @misterJ and suck it up. Changed it up a little and going heavy on the caffeine from the start - seems to be helping. When I first researched, I read to stay away from caffeine but maybe that's a myth. Aiming for another hour or so.

Welcome - you said you have works to share?

We have a thread called http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/2746-upcoming-tattoos.html where we dream in anticipation, and a thread called http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/15-latest-tattoo-lowdown.html to show off and drool. We even have http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-after-care/2961-thread-we-commiserate-about-healing-our-fresh-tattoos.html to bitch and whine post grind. But we don't have a thread for that vital slice of time between the dreaming and the bragging and bitching. Getting the actual tattoo. I'm getting into the chair, wondering how long this evening's session will be and how much I can stand. Let the drilling begin!

Bob Tyrell put this hand flash on his Instagram. He's selling it at the London Convention.