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have been away for a bit, just realized i didn't post up the finished work from Scott Sylvia...the guy who bailed on this drawing totally lost out! :)

So, I recall being asked if I was going to do the other side after I posted my left side's tattoo here some months ago... yes, yes yes, fine, you win; you were right. I couldn't leave it unbalanced. Discussed it with Horifuji after my last appointment for the left side and I asked him what he would suggest. He suggested Sojobo on the right shoulder to keep the theme consistent. The karasu tengu on the left shoulder would need to be supervised, anyway. Horifuji at State of Grace in San Jose USA. Outline and details machine, almost all colour tebori. Great shop, great people, great experience, great artist. Links to his Instagram posts as the photos are much clearer than what I can do. And both sides from the front...

Here is what we got done this weekend. Here is what we had before.

My ocelot was finished this afternoon. I absolutely love it! It's the last animal on my left arm sleeve. Al that remains now is some leaves and vines to connect the animals.

I think I might be done, at least with big stuff, for a bit. I've got a few little ideas in my head that I might do but that might be it for a while. The amount of free skin I have left has really shrunk over the last couple years and I really should think out what, and who, for the rest of it. And then @suburbanxcore mentions Pagoda, which seems to be the place fir me to cross paths with Marina, so perhaps it is just a pause until Pagoda. For fun here is a pic of what Chad did to my arm a couple weeks ago, I've tried to post it a couple times but it was giving me trouble.

Yep. Now you just need to continue on down the torso . . . both sides! ;)

When you're getting tattooed and while getting tattooed, you're thinking of stuff to fill in new gaps formed by the tattoo you're currently getting.

When holiday planning involves researching artists in each potential destination.

LOL yep ! I am perpetually planning my next tattoo !

One day, one step, one breath at a time. First, everyone has something...not to minimize your situation but rather to say that you are not alone. Get the breakouts under control then go forth! Another idea is look for a shop that has private rooms instead of a big open floor. Also, most shops have privacy screens. For me, I have really bad cellulite. It's really embarrassing for me anytime I get my lower body worked on. Tell my that I wasn't mortified when an artist tagged me in a photo on IG that showed all of my cellulite and saggy butt for the world to see. I know that the world judges...however, there isn't a damn thing that I can do about my aging body. This is the real world, screw the photoshop version of the world!

Pretty good day for my wife and I at Smith Street. Angel Fish for her by Frank William and a koi for me by Eli Quinters.

I would suggest doing a lot of research on how tattooing works and the healing process and blow outs. First, I haven't seen a lot of tattoos that didn't heal 'right.' It might take longer if you screw up the aftercare, but it's really tough to screw one up permanently. Second, after care does not effect a blow-out. Third, there is no such thing as peeling 'prematurely' there is no set schedule. Also, I don't see how you can 'edit' the size of a text tattoo. Do your homework so that you have realistic expectations regarding what can and can't be done. Tattoo shows have done a huge disservice in setting unrealistic expectations about the tattoo process. You're putting ink under your skin. Even with the best tattooers, shit happens. With bad tattooers bad shit happens.

Called an artist who had been on my bucket list for a while and left multiple voicemails to no reply, so putting a pin in that one for a while. Shot an email to Scott hoping to get my stomach started/done at Pagoda City now that I was able to free that weekend up. Didn't realize the BlackHeart crew was in Hawaii until after I sent it though, so waiting on a reply. Fingers crossed. Been too long since he's tattooed me!

From what I've seen, more people cause problems by too much care than by too little care.

time for the backpiece....

There are not a lot of tattooists who can pull off tiny tattoos with that kind of intricate detail, so you're either going to be lucky and located in just the right area or be willing to travel. Tiny, fine-line tattoos haven't been around long enough for any 10-20 year "before and after" comparisons, but it doesn't seem realistic that their clarity would last for a long time. On the other hand, they'll be easy to cover with something bold.

That's what a tattoo with no outline looks like.

I don't have a good pic at the moment but go look at Chad's story to see what he did on the inside of my bicep today. https://www.instagram.com/chadkoeplingertattoo/

it looks normal,but it does have blowout,there is nothing you can do about that. blowout is going to happen a lot on that part of your finger.

Oh, my. I would be asking questions, too. While it is too soon to tell the final outcome, I don't think it will ever look like the photo from day one (just my opinion and I could be wrong).

Way overthinking it. You have a good tattoo; enjoy it.

I think it looks fine ! really ,looks good, maybe down the road you can have it added to, for now, enjoy it, love it, show it off, and start planning your next tattoo.

<10 days until I finally get back to Horitomo! Happy but nervous about pain tolerance, hopefully we'll make some good progress!

Getting started on a fun piece before my back project. Artist changed the classic photo to match the color of my dog. So this is tattoo number five and I am still learning. Yes your biceps are free. Back is not too bad. Thigh is a little more sensitive until you start rounding the corners. Got the line work this session. Going to be a fun summer

... when you watch cooking shows on TV and pay more attention to the participants' tattoos than the food.