Swifty

I sat for 9 hours for my first tattoo and I didn't think it was that hard... until he started some fine line work in the ditch in the last hour, I honestly considered strangling him. I imagine ribs are just as awful, not gonna lie, anything to take the edge off must be nice.

For the top half of the arm, there's going to be an african sunset behind the lion(red/orange sky with clouds) and a bright yellow sun, it'll wrap around to the back of my arm where he has a black outline of a tree, similar to these kinds of pictures: http://tiny.cc/04wrnx. The way he has it designed, the contrast of the deep reds, oranges and clouds/shadows really makes the lion pop even more than it currently does without any kind of background work done. For the bottom half, there's a lioness walking across the forearm and 2 cubs playing in brush. I've always wanted lions(I'm a leo) and wanted the whole arm done in warm colors to counteract the right arm which will end up being sleeved in cool/dark colors. I wanted each sleeve to balance one another in the end. (Blue vs Orange) Honestly the entire design he put together is incredible and like I said, if he can keep this level of detail for the rest of the lions and everything, it's going to be mind blowing. So damn excited to go back in and keep working. 4 appointments booked in total, going out to the end of January, hopefully he can knock out the whole thing by then... especially if I can keep sitting 9 hours at a time :D - - - Updated - - - That's too funny, I keep getting the same feedback from everyone IRL. The nose and everything just pops, it really looks like it's coming off the arm haha, so awesome

Wife said go with a backwards hoodie, keeps you warm & keeps the girls tucked away.

Thank you, that was my reaction as well... if he keeps this level of detail for the entire sleeve(and I have no reason to doubt that), it's going to be such an amazing piece... god I can't wait to go back in. Thanks for all the compliments guys, I'll make sure to pass the feedback on to Jesse!

Well, I'm officially inked. :o This thing took 9 hours to bang out, I couldn't be happier. Jesse is so damn talented. Already got the next 3 appointments booked, going back in on November 7th to hopefully finish the top half of this sleeve so we can start working on the bottom half in December.

Thanks, the artist is Jesse Rix, in Keene, NH. Relatively close but he makes amazing realistic & color work. This tiger is probably my favorite of his work, I tried searching for him on the forums and it doesn't look like anyone really knows him aside from maybe around here... but he's really good and he's booked solid. I guess tattooing in the boonies in New Hampshire doesn't exactly lend itself to tons of publicity haha.

Hey everyone, Obviously a newbie, figured I'd finally introduce myself. I'm originally from Quebec, Canada. Met my American wife back in 08, got married in 09 and have been in New Hampshire since 2010. She's always had tattoos and I always thought she looked amazing with them and finally decided to take the plunge about a year and a half ago when I began doing research for shops, artists that fit what I wanted to do. Been lurking on this forum and absorbing as much information as possible since then... Found the perfect artist a year ago and got on his waiting list, been sketching and saving reference pictures and ideas ever since... finally received the call a few weeks back and I'm finally booked for October 10th for the first session and a 2nd session on November 7th. I'm going all out, starting out as a 30 year old fresh canvas, I'm getting my entire left arm sleeved. The plan is to get the 2nd arm done pretty much as soon as the 1st one is all finished and healed up. Money's already saved up and ready to go, I don't think I've ever been this excited to hurt for anything else in my life. :D

It really did hold very well... this thread makes me a bit concerned as I'm booked to get a realistic color sleeve done in October(lions). Assuming that my artist is as skilled as he seems to be, how long can I expect the sleeves to keep vibrant colors if properly taken care of? My father in law had a chest piece done nearly 20 years ago and it looks like it was done yesterday, is that because it very rarely sees the sun? My wife had a gecko done on her feet years ago as well(by the same artist) and the colors still pop...

First post here, I'm on the other end of the relationship... I don't have any tattoos and when I met my wife, she was already pretty covered up(thumb, wrist, arm, foot, multiple pieces on her back, ribs). I always thought it enhanced her features and was part of her and her personality. I don't know that it necessarily impacted my decision going one way or the other(I think her trunk had a much bigger impact :p) but I definitely always thought tattooed ladies were more intriguing than non-tattooed. My opinion on this has only gotten better the longer I'm with her, we've been together nearly 7 years now and married for 5 years (anniversary in 2 days) and I couldn't imagine being with anyone else, she's my best friend and if for any reason I'd ever end up being single again, I think I'd certainly add a checkbox on my list of criteria to include tattoos moving forward. I was one of those guys who always said I'm never going to get a tattooed unless I go all out and get sleeves done... I've always had designs and thoughts about what to do and what to get, but it was always just a thought. I was that guy you guys meet and can't stand who love to talk about tats but doesn't have any. Sorry! :confused: Well, she's been pushing for it long enough now that I was on a waiting list for nearly a year and am now booked for 2 sessions to get my 1st sleeve done in October. I'm so excited, I can't wait...