pidjones

I believe he covered that very point in the second sentence of his article.

@soraya, so glad you are "coming out of your shell". I word a prayer for our congregation in Sunday morning worship about 50% of the time. I'm usually the oldest male present. I have worn short sleeves exposing my forearm tattoo since the weather became warm enough for them. Doesn't bother me at all. What is the difference between makeup, clothing with designs, and tattoos? Just because the first two can be removed or changed they are approved? Tattoos (at least for me) represent much more thought. But then, most of our praise team have tattoos, some more than me. The preacher has none but his wife has told me that she has one on her hip that she would like to have enlarged down her thigh. I guess we aren't very traditional, but in today's church we are fairly main stream. I try to live by my tag line (Love 'em all.... Let God sort 'em out.), and don't assume that others are judging me, either.

There are very light-weight nylon pants made for hikers that have zip-off legs so they can turn into shorts. Plenty of pockets and they will rinse out in a hotel sink or a stream and be dry by morning. I have about a half-dozen pair that I wear under my armored mesh gear on the motorcycle in hot summer weather. Still good looking enough to wear while teaching. Best prices I've found is at Academy sporting goods, but Bass Pro has them on sale sometimes.

Honestly, the little pain involved in healing has been very minor compared to the actual tattooing. The worst for me is that when I brushed against a tender area, it brought back memories of the initial pain. Really, though - it is just bothersome for me (but I've never suffered swelling or bruising yet).

ALL of you with the FBPs just torture me. So awesome and clean. Each must have spent a lot of time researching just the right artist, because placement, size, arrangement, texture - all of it fits your individual physiques so perfectly! Or, as we say around here: Ya'll done good!

Ok, you guys are killing me. Just about an inch of that soft inner flesh was worked on me last week, and I still vividly remember the burn! Like she was working it over with a soldering iron (and she has a very light hand). I had one of the black lines scab and seems to have lost its ink (Oh joy! A touch-up there!) @xcom: Eight hours? Whoa! Saw it in the Latest thread - made my arm react to see it. Beautiful piece, though. Question - does it get worse getting closer to the pit?

cl, so perfect! One of the great things about this site is that we get to see all of the art, not just hints of the awesomeness!

Welcome. It's great when you find a good artist that you trust and enjoy their work.

Agreed.

That's big and bold!

That is a cool idea, but I'm not seeing how it could work unless taking up both legs. Bark would be very hard to read in a tattoo. So much ink with so little interest unless there are initials carved in and lots of knots (not like the ones my veins have already provided!) Maybe you can talk to an artist that comes up with an awesome idea and design.

It is a bit simple, and most anything else would overwhelm. Maybe framing or filling in a less abstract face in a pastel (but, pastels are not proven to last from what I read).

Many of us do not want "flash". Certainly reading and research helps, but the best advice is to find an artist with work you like and talk to them. They are your best asset, and will tell you their design process (if asked) so that you can plan accordingly. My favorite artist works very flexibly, and has used reference material that I email to her to incorporate in her design. She then emails me a rough draft a day or so before the appointment. Deposits vary widely. Your deposit should cover the sketch. I understand that many will not email the sketch, however. You must see one for careful review and approval before the tattoo. Still, if it is photographed beyond your control, you have no guarantee that someone has it copied by another artist.

Just a caveat that carrying large sums (probably more than tattoo money), particularly to other countries, may bring you under the scrutiny of non-criminal-types, too. Particularly when they notice several repeat trips for short duration. You may need to show what was purchased. We were once followed for an entire day by a government agent until satisfied with our intent.

With my previous employer, I got a Currier and Ives print with the company logo on the frame. My vacation bumped up a week then, too (to a total of 5 weeks per year!). Trouble was, the next year our budget (US DOE contractor) ran dry and with 21.5 years I had to leave for another company. Been with that one for over fifteen years now, plan to retire in two more. I don't expect anything but a bu-bye from this company. They won't even let me keep my cell phone number.

I think you should go back to your artist and ask them. That is a very long time to heal. Is it still weeping? scaling/flaking? What causes you to say it is not healed?

When traveling to India with $5-6k, we bought $500 traveler's checks (free at my bank, but I have to give advance notice that I need them that big). Can be cashed most anywhere for the usual exchange gouge.

Yes, her aftercare is a bit thick, so to keep from rubbing off too much of the peel I put it on thicker and blot. Now that the first peel is over (yeah!) It goes on much smoother and easier to control.

Ignore him and let your work speak for itself, or hire a lawyer and make more lawyers rich.

Company is sending me to Overland Park Kansas in a couple weeks. Afraid I might gain back the 20 pounds I've lost this last year in just one week.

May I ask you a few questions? Where are you in India? What (if any) are the social stigmas associated with tattoos there? I have traveled to Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh many times from 1993 to 2008, but did not have any tattoos then. I would like to visit again, but do not wish to cause my hosts any concern. Most of my visit would be in farming areas near the border between the two states, with a bit of time in Chennai.

Mine hit that stage yesterday, and is almost all flaked off today. I use the artist's own concoction that seems to work real well for me. The secret, I do believe - is using the minimal for coverage, and then blotting any excess off with a tissue.

Actually, I've seen these reported a lot and I had a couple yesterday myself, but they went away. I wasn't worried. Unless you have smelly, infected-looking places, your body will heal at it's rate. Keep it clean. Easy with the potions. Relax and enjoy (don't scratch!)

Hope to see your new tattoo soon on here. I just got one (my first, last year - at 62). That's all that I wanted. Well, maybe one more. And I've always wanted this. I can quit anytime I want, really!

Noticed at lunchtime that the new one is getting ready to peel. Gonna look like a snake by this time tomorrow. Still touchy, but no itch.