pidjones

I received my tourist visa for India today, so I can visit friends in Chennai, Ammambakkum, and Tirupati next January. Already have the tickets!

Yes, it looks unfinished instead of faded. Maybe a better artist could make it look faded, but it really should be given a few months to settle in. Find an artist you really like that does this style and ask their opinion. I'm sure good artists get asked to correct/fix/repair/etc. other artist's work quite often.

I pass out with low blood pressure brought on by dehydration, vomiting, etc. not the other way around. I also pass out from intense pain (like a cortisone shot in my heal that hit a nerve), but didn't during tattoos or nipple piercing. I didn't consider either an intense pain. Hydrate, fuel up, and don't panic, plus warn the artist - you'll be fine.

Well, it's an ancient post but still.... seems the appropriate way to get rid of those kitchen tattoos you got while stoned. Two wrongs making a right? At least he cautioned to wear eye protection (although it looks as if he just used sunglasses). - - - Updated - - - Well, it's an ancient post but still.... seems the appropriate way to get rid of those kitchen tattoos you got while stoned. Two wrongs making a right? At least he cautioned to wear eye protection (although it looks as if he just used sunglasses).

Hi Hannah. We like pictures. Pictures of your existing art would give the folks on here a basis for suggestions.

Around here, all of the artists that I know of get their power from TVA.

SStu has a great idea. Right now, there is one nipple in each bag. An alternative would be to make the cloth texture look like a bunch of nipples.

It is on you. Do you think it looks weird? Or, if so - do you want it to? It really is all up to you.

The usual advice is to discuss this with your artist. I think it applies here, too.

Finally finished my 2/3rd sleeve by Sarah Hurst @ Vivid Tattoo Knoxville. If you have me on Instagram, there is a crappy phone photo there. I don't know if my tablet can post them in the browser, and Tapatalk is still broke for posting here.

I grew up in a restaurant and was taught by the owners (my parents) that tips were a thanks for service over the norm. I enjoyed busing tables and giving the tips to the waitresses that served those customers. I observed that tips were generally better for our better waitresses (all were good, but some were better). I have always let that guide my personal tipping of servers. When we helped vacationers launch their boats at the local lake (Cumberland), we didn't care what or if they tipped us. Usually it was $1 - $5, and (to give reference) back then $5 bought a couple six-packs or half a tank of gas. A tattoo artist is different. There are so many things that are done when you are not there - autoclave operation, sketching, research, health inspections. I appreciate the extra work and particularly putting up with having to be around me for that long. It is deserving of a nice tip and gift (usually small but with some thought). BTW, the default tip was 10% for quite a long time. 15% and higher was promoted and spread from the large Northeastern cities. Even in the 70's, 10% was common in the rural South.

Talk to your artist. He may just blow you away with his ideas!

Will they be overpriced, too?

Sorry, man. Looks like our company will make good on their threat to lay off about 57 next month that would not take the offer to move from our location in mid-South with low cost of living, low crime, beautiful mountains to Chicago West side. Other jobs (programming) being sent to Bangalore (half are ex-pat Indian now). Hoping my job holds out 1.5 more years until Medicare kicks in, and I retire! Hang in, Tig! Talent and work ethic combined are always in demand.

A guy I worked with had a saying that I'll just leave here. "Ya'll take this stuff way too seriously."

Gee, tape, drape, nipple petals, pasties? So many options for this. Lots more than the healing, I'd think.

Have any of you felt the need for periodic touch-ups? Say, every five years or so? I really have no plans for more work after my 2/3 sleeve is finished. Will kind of miss the visits, though.

I've only been to the Knoxville convention (twice) - and we are deep in the Bible belt. Even the shows (well, maybe not the suspension) would be Ok here. Enigma's show had several young kids up front watching, and they were enthralled. The art exhibition of three artists doing ten minutes each on three canvases was great. The first convention I went to had a local model agency doing sugar skull face painting. I saw a couple kids with that, and I'm sure they loved it. As far as around the active tattooing I would check down each isle first to make sure it is appropriate. To give the kids a "project", have them collect business cards from each artist. Then have them decide which cards they like best. BTW, be ready to take them to a quiet area if they begin throwing a tantrum, or folks will think I'm there getting a tattoo!

My personal ethics would say that you have had no hand in the artists leaving the shop, so it is up to you.

I've seen some beautiful work from Australia. Please share yours!

Wow. I guess that is an indicator of the times we are in. We search for months and months to fill positions as service engineers on our machines. No degree actually required, but good abilities in mechanical and electrical engineering and maintenance are musts. Not the pay of lawyers, but not the stress or preparation either. We get some real loosers that managers hire and I have to try to train them to not destroy the machines. I wish we had about six good candidates per year. We don't care if you have ink or not. One of our main tech support guys has some great art. We are not seen by the public, however. We tend to make things radioactive.

My forearm healed great and survived one summer so far of full sun with no damage at all. Damn it.

Interviews go both ways. Maybe she was testing your worth as an employer.

Looking pretty. Glad I got over that while still young. Mine is motorcycles, but I've tempered even that. I have a '78 GL1000 frame with a '75 engine in the garage (frame hanging from the ceiling, engine on a furniture dolly). Finally got the tractor out of the garage to give some room to work, but now there is an emergency generator project that has to be completed. Sure glad there is no rush on it, and I have the GL1800 to ride.

Made appointment Feb 20th for what will hopefully complete my 2/3rd sleeve with Sarah Hurst at Vivid Tattoo in Knoxville. Kind of a jumble of three largish cameos of my girls with little bangers for each one (completed a week ago) and Sarah will tie them all together with a vine & leaf background. Green bean vines. My girls love them and we raise a good quantity each summer, the wife canning them like crazy. Seems to be something that ties us together.