Leaderboard

took this picture yesterday 4th day of healing already peeled Scott sylvia blackheart tattoo SF SF trip was better than i could have ever expected or deserved. found LST(pic 1) got great advice (pic 2) listened to said advice !(pic 3)

Got this outlined Sunday. It's off a Dan Higgs original painting that hangs in the shop. Healing this has been such a pain in the ass for me. It's only been a couple of days and I've probably lost 4+ hours a sleep a night. Does anybody else get that weird goosebump/chills/itch combination thing, or is that just me? It's very strange. Aaron Francione, Rumi Tattoo.

Just got back from a day trip to Amsterdam. Got my inner bicep tattooed by Guen Douglas at Salon Serpent. It hit parts of the armpit and ditch and it hurt like hell. And now my arm is massive. But so worth it! Probably a little girly for some of y'all's taste.

stuart cripwell spider murphys sfo

That Tattoo Artist United, looks like amateur hour. Nobody likes a scratcher, but usually the people who form groups like this, do about the same quality of work and are competing for business with scratchers. Obviously most tattooers wouldn't recommend get tattooed out of someone's house, but most are too busy making a living to worry about what the kid tattooing out of his house is doing. Not to mention they understand it's not a problem that can be solved. It would be like a Michelin star restaurant starting a campaign against McDonalds. I am not saying that it's not a good idea to educate people about good tattoos, but I think forums like the one we are on do a much better job because they focus on good tattooing and try to minimize bad tattooing. It's really all about distancing yourself. Posting pictures of shitty work on facebook doesn't make the health department do their job any better What kind of group about quality tattooing can't even come up with a decent logo. This leads me to believe the group isn't even run by tattooers.

Look forward to FIVE DeVita episodes then. They're going long for Thom.

If you have favourite artist then you will like there work, hence that's why they are your favourite artist. I'm no artist but i am a draughtsman so i know how to draw, you can put the best artist's tattoo in front of me and if the lines are shakey and its not technically perfect then i wont like it, its all about personal taste. Anyway this monthly vote is just a bit of light hearted fun. - - - Updated - - - Well done Dumpleton looks like you pipped me at the post, last time i looked a week ago we was both the same. Nice front piece and a deserved winner.

To be honest, for me personally, if someone cares enough to pick me out a nice single malt whiskey or small batch bourbon then it's going to be exciting to try it no matter what. Any of the internationally-distributed distilleries should be a good bet if you aim to spend $40-50 plus. I don't think you'd need to go as far as spending anything like $100 to get a top-notch bottle of something. For some people, the peaty Islay whiskeys are 'too much'. And yet, Islay whiskeys are probably still the biggest phenomenon in attracting new single malt whiskey drinkers in the U.K and Ireland. I think it's precisely the strong and clear flavours associated (peatiness, iodine-like notes, oil, saltwater) that appeal. In this vein I would echo Dan's recommendation of Laphroaig (10 year old would be fine) and add to that almost anything from Lagavulin (the 16 year old is a classic choice for a prestige Islay single malt), Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Caol Ila, Ardbeg... To be honest I've never had a 'dud' from these distilleries. If you do go the route of buying an Islay, then I'd suggest that you make sure he takes a good nose at it to enjoy the peatiness before he drinks it- that's half the pleasure of an Islay, IMO. Because Islay whiskey can be very robust (particularly some of the cask strength offerings) it is an idea to cut it with a little water. And please, no ice...! Beyond that I guess something like Talisker probably bridges the gap between Islay and mainland whiskeys- some of the peatiness but a little smoother than your average Ardbeg or Laphroaig for sure. I'm not a big highlands or lowlands whiskey drinker, but I know my girlfriend, who tends to like the more easy-going whiskeys, likes stuff like Balvenie and Glenmorangie. Some of the Glenmorangies that are finished in stuff like port, sherry or sauternes casks can be a treat from time to time. As regards Bourbon: I think if you're looking to get 'something nice' then I wouldn't buy a run-of-the-mill Maker's Mark, Woodford Reserve or similar. They're great, but if you want to buy something that's a bit special you should probably look for something small batch: Bookers, Van Winkle, Elijah Craig etc. ( The Kings Of Bourbon - Forbes.com ) Anyway, nice idea- I'm sure he'll be delighted whatever you choose.

Thom deVita trailer is up! I can't believe I met this guy at the SFO convention. That was crazy. Tattoo Age | VICE

Great work this month! On a side note, this has been on my mind since joining, by the way. I might be completely out of line here, but I gotten the impression that some people, and I am not gonna name names, nor can I think of a specific example, vote solely for the Name of the artist rather than the art itself. I will just add that some one might post a tattoo of some "no name" artist that is better than one of our favorites. Sadly, I think the votes would go to the tattooer that LSTers are familiar with. Again, just a thought from the "Community Prick" aka me! lol

Got my 1st tattoo a year and a half ago when I was 50. Just got my 2nd at 52. I just love hearing the "mid life crisis" crap :)

valerie vargas frith st SFO

Well here is my first tattoo. Done by Kore Flatmo at Plurabella Studio in Cincinnati. WE got around four hours done yesterday. I will be back right around thanksgiving to finish it. It was a great experience KOre was great to work with, he is a true gentleman, and a credit to his profession.

well shit i already posted this but hell ill share it here, Eric Inksmith tattooed me at the Wilmington North Carolina Tattoo expo a couple months back

Andrea Furci at The Family Business, London.

might as well have another crack, Tattoo around the clouds and Kraken is fresh/swollen in this pic. Tristan bentley, Ocean ink Sydney Australia

i hate tattoo activism

this month tristen bentley beat out Valerie Vargas so I dont think LST discriminates

All I use is Canson or cheaper paper- never used Arches. I don't think my stuff looks incredible or anything, but I make it work for me.

I hear that too... I'll show those fkucers a mid-life crisis.... You are really better off getting your ink after 50, so whan you're 70 it will still look pretty good. I took a long break and got back into it when I was 50, have added a lot of ink and got some old stuff freshened up and I'm 57... ain't stoppin' now. Rob

Maybe a skull and snake?

pumpkins...carved!

Not to sure if I have won this month or not it is very close, If in fact I have been lucky enough to win the shirt is there anyway I could donate it to a LST member that might need it more than I do. What is happening in NYC is terrible and if I can help by passing on a fresh new T shirt I would like to do that

I agree, I have never not seen a "best" tattoo not win yet. I hit like on every tattoo I actually like, which usually mimics my behaviour on Instagram (like, like, like like) Sadly I have another 6 months before my tattoo is near finished so no posting for me!

I'll forever hate that sound.

What do you think about this guy's work...Travis Hulshizer in Fayetteville, Arkansas? Someone on LST recommended him, and I think his work is pretty outstanding...especially for a small market like Arkansas.

Like I said in the OV writeup- at LEAST the Inked shows- scripted reality or not- feature mostly decent (not stellar. decent) tattooers doing ok tattoos. Ink Master gets people who they think will be dynamic on a game show. No one is looking at Al Fliction or Kay Kutta to do good TATTOOS- they're looking for a good reality show villain. And people are walking away with bad tattoos because of it. I don't care how nice Navarro is (my NYC friends who interact with him defend him nonstop- I think it's starfuckery... "he's so nice to us!") they're ALLOWING BAD TATTOOING TO HAPPEN FOR RATINGS.

is it safe to assume everyone is fucking pumped for deVita's segment?

Valerie Vargas frith st tattoo done at SFO super happy!

3rd session on my back,6 hours of background.

best costume ever!

Need a t-shirt..haha. This is by Morten Transeth at Blue Arms Tattoo, Oslo - Norway.

I figure enough people liked this in the Latest Tattoo Lowdown thread to warrant an entry here. Done by Johnny Bones at Full Circle Tattoo in San Diego, CA. Johnny be good!

Finally uploaded a few of my tattoos to my gallery so here's my favourite, my foxy lady head by the very talented Valerie Vargas.

I'm 54 and just got my first tattoo - a sleeve and chest panel. We'll show those snot-nosed punks!!

Got a lamb and cider stew on the go... Lamb, cider, mustard, rosemary, carrot, thyme, salt, pepper, celery, carrot, onion and water... Brought to a simmer, just about covered with water and put in the oven for 2 hours @ 130 degrees. Pic later maybe. If its edible.

US flags have to be dead-on, no room for creative interpretation there. And they all blew it to varying extents. Rob

I would have to agree here. I am someone who can appreciate all styles and I for sure find people that I really want to get tattooed by...but, for me, the need to have a *Complete* bodysuit that has cohesiveness outweighs the want to get awesome work from a bunch of people. For me, it's an acheivement, kind of a goal to finally be finished. When I no longer have space besides my head, I will look back and take in the time, pain, and effort it took to get to being finished. Those are moments and memories that are every bit as important as meeting new people and forming friendships through being tattooed by other people. For me, completing my body is a challenge to myself. I hope to continue to have access to other tattooers and awesome people. As long as I can continue to be involved with different artists, I will be completely satisfied with my own personal journy of completing my body. Then, once everything is covered, it will be deciding if I want armpits/head/facial work. :(

I'm so glad I found out about this through the forum, I wasn't even aware of Vice before joining here. I have just finished working my way through season 1 and it's some inspirational stuff!

I have seen examples of what you are saying, some tattoos get a few more votes than they should but I think for the most part the best tattoos are winning. I have received just as many votes a few months ago with the panther a guy at my shop did, as the stuff I got at Blackheart and Spider Murphy's. Last month I preferred the Danny Reed tattoo, but the Mike Rubendall tattoo was amazing and deserved to win. Last month was crazy with submissions, and i have a feeling next month will be too, as most people understand that it's better to submit entries at the beginning of the month.

will load a pic soon, rocked the lst shirt saturday, I must have missed you friday. Scott gave me ride out there and i made a quick round and then went and ate.

Hearing this makes me even more excited for my appointment with him in February!

Shawn Porter posted this on his blog, and I hope he doesn't mind me reposting it here, but here's a video of Krystel Oreto talking about her tattoos being ripped off on the show and she talks a little bit about how that Jeremy Miller tattoo was also ripped off. She says she's talking with an attorney about taking legal action against the show. http://youtu.be/056kXT1JJis

@Valerie Vargas thank you so much

got this one from mark cross last weekend

From when I talked to people who scratch or have some scratcher stuff on them, they seem to be the type that wouldn't have gotten a tattoo from a good artist anyway. Price is almost 100% of the reason for getting it anyway. It's like me and home décor, I could give a shit for the most part as long as it works and is cheap, but the big difference is I don't have to wear my shitty couch on my body forever.

@Graeme way to remind me about this infernal lockout...

@Pugilist Thanks so much - - - Updated - - - Here is the tattoo my wife had done at the same time I was getting mine. By Brenda Flatmo Plurabella Studio Cincinnati, Ohio

Yea like someone stated earlier blacked out limbs look like either first a cover-up, or second some I know have done it as a straight out tattoo. While I definitely like some super-heavy blackwork stuff, straight out entire limb blackout it s a bit intense. Coming from someone who is freaking out on trying to jam a ton of awesome artists onto my very bare skin right now, I could never think about a big black arm/leg/etc. Bare skin is too precious to myself. That being said you might like it. Other than the sake of this thread, I might spin up a designs thread on heavy blackwork (not really blacked out limbs) and see what turns up, as I've seen some interesting stuff. Judging by the types of tattoos on LST, I dont think there will be much chatter related to it. Here are some examples of close-to-blackout and complete blackout work to show you what you'd be looking at. all in all I stand by my opinion that if this is for a coverup, you might be better off just waiting to laser and just work on other tattoos.

by Johannes from Black Stallion Tattoo / Good Faith Tattoo in Boston/Brookline, MA