pidjones

Why not a portrait of her?

Well, maybe a full backpiece.

Wow, that's deep.

I have passed out several times in the doctor's office from pain. That said, I have had piercing (nipple) and tattoos and find neither to be a problem. Yes, the piercing hurt (VERY briefly) and the tattoos were annoying, but so far that's all I've experienced. I've had much more, and longer lasting pain from sunburns.

Rrrrrr. Rrrrrr. Brrrm. Trying to restart this cool thread. A week or two ago I sat with about a dozen motorcyclists (not 'bikers" - most of us were on GoldWings) at our end-of-weekend-gathering BBQ. I sat next to one that I had ridden in group with for two days, known him for about six years. We mainly know each other through internet forums (gee, what a novel idea!) I had on a sleeveless shirt, and he stared most of the evening at the tattoo on my right shoulder. I wish that I had asked him if he wanted to ask any questions about it? It is the one with world map outline and population in red dots.

@Synesthesia, the underboob idea sounds great! I like the idea of it being something other than a symmetrical flower/geometrical design (although I like them too)! I have been given the go-ahead to turn the cameo of my wife on my left shoulder into a half sleeve with cameos of the two daughters, plus something to represent each of them (gardening for the wife, fishing for the oldest daughter, and probably paw print of her dog for the youngest). Vines/leaves to tie it together. Not the typical masculine design, but the dragons/animals/skulls etc. are just not me. This will probably be it for me. I actually enjoy the process, but many factors will probably limit it there. I do intend for it to extend down all the way to the bend of my elbow.

So far, I've had no real problems, but I'm 62 and have only had tattoos (now at 4 - will turning one on my left shoulder into a half-sleeve count as only one more?) I'm really not worried about it, and tend not to take myself too seriously. Been on the beach this week. No stares, comments, etc.

Thought it reads "I don't know this language, but don't I LOOK cool?"

I'd only suggest letting the artist make the text and stem a bit better. I like it, overall. Color or B&G?

Four days into our beach vacation. SPF 50 (Coppertone Sensitive Skin - very much zinc oxide based). Using it on my tattoos, ears, nose, and forehead. SPF 16 spray on the rest. Mild pink turning tan on shoulders, back, and belly (SPF 16 areas) and still florescent white around the tattoos. My forehead is a bit tanned because it is so oily (don't tell the Arabs) that the sunscreen literally runs off of it. So, the zinc oxide appears to work well. I don't swim in the ocean, but really enjoy walking the beach and being on it with the family. Was going to wear a shirt over the tattoos, but the sunscreen seems to work great, and it is pretty easy to see where it is applied.

On the beach on vacation this week (SPF 50 on my ink is leaving white spots on me). Thought of this thread today and this evening asked the wife if she was beginning to think of the tattoos as more of "me". She said Yes, and we discussed making the cameo of her on my left shoulder into a half-sleeve with cameos of the two daughters, some vines, leaves, and something representing each of their interests. She even suggested things to represent each. She's not happy with my forearm tattoo (says it's too dark, and it is), but accepts it as ME. Happy man today!

I always say up-front is the best way. Don't make it a challenge, but firmly press on.

And it translates to skin so well!

If you had the pump jack done in Texas, they can probably do it from memory! I've worked with my artist closely on three of my tattoos (via email after initial consult), and am very pleased with her improvements to my ideas (given on sketches, photos, and modified images from the internet for my population map). On my other tattoo I sent photo references and a description(different artist). The artist did not want a consultation, and I only saw his sketch right before he made the stencil. I wish I had thanked him, told him to keep the deposit, and walked.

Tegaderm instructions from 3M: http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/201265O/framed-dressing-application-and-removal-instructions.pdf Saniderm:http://www.saniderm.com/how-to-use/ Tatu derm: http://www.tatuderm.com/help.asp These are all from the manufacture/vendor's sites. They may know their product better than us. (Although we should know our own skin.)

Many, many years from now you will still remember this day warmly.

Wow. Scary stuff, Syn. There are companies that specialize in getting the smoke smell out. Fabreeze works on some fabrics - best to use it on the ceiling, too. There are ozone generators that they leave in the closed area for a day or so to kill it deep in the walls. My youngest had a fire and once it was cleaned you couldn't smell a thing from it. If he doesn't move, I would, though! He should be responsible for any debts you incur from it.

Thanks, everyone. Jerry was.... unique. Lost an arm as a young man, but never let it slow him down. He treated the daughter well even though she has her own demons. His family (and the daughter's friends) though! Just hope she makes it through this on an even keel. Will be hard with some of the crowd she hangs with, though. She's been through rehab and I'm firmly convinced half of the people there were looking to increase their client base. Her younger sister is scared and pissed at the same time.

Hope it works out Ok for him and you both! Kids with injuries hurts much more than our own.

Thanks, mm. Dealing with the family was the worst part. What a circus! Sophistre, it's bound to be a major bummer, but look at it as an opportunity to be twice as prepared. And any surgery scar is a good excuse to get a tattoo for covering it!

Sorry, but the only thing you prove by paying way too much is your gullibility. There is lots of other art to fall in love with.

Do you wory about messing up the tattoo? That would keep me awake. I tried to sleep on the other side when I got my left shoulder done, but ended up on it (the side I sleep on the most) by morning. I wore a tee shirt, and just wore it into the shower to soak the stuck cloth loose. No harm on foul. Slept very well. Or, are you in pain? Funny, but I've never had real pain during or after a tattoo. The last one was a bit like a sunburn - don't want to rub it, but laying on it was fine.

"I have XXXX to spend on this, can it be done fully and correctly for it? If not, could you give me a percentage of it that could be completed for that?" - should be acceptable. Actually, my favorite artist has an hourly rate, doesn't charge extra for design, and emails me her rough sketches. Maybe she is just super-nice, but this kind of customer service just won her best tattoo artist in our city. It is a business. If they treat customers poorly (and price-jacking is as bad as customer price-shopping) they had better be GREAT. And even at that, there are many great tattoo artists around you.

Get that back on the mend fast and get back in there and do more great art!