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The man got a tattoo he likes, so let's rip on him because we don't like the tattooer. Class. Fuck this.

My wife and I got tattooed by Matt Arriola yesterday. The tiger was three sittings, but only took about three and a half hours.

I don't think you're entirely right. You don't know me yet you judge me about rushing into a tattoo because I want to be part of the community. I don't know where you are pulling that from. There are other things to factor in that you have conveniently left out due to your own perspective. It's cool you saved up for a year to get a couple roses from an artist you think is the best. I personally plan big pieces, the last tattoo I got was a half sleeve that took 13 hours, two and a half years ago in the UK. Since then I have also been saving. I fully intend to to travel to get work from artists I like, like later on in the year when I travel to the uk, so I think it's unfair of you to make these assumptions about me. Also if you think every tattoo on your body is completely unique and the tattoo artists that did them never referenced another tattooer in his or her career, I think you must be kidding yourself just a bit. Convenience also seems to factor into your decision making since you 'waited' for Scott Sylvia to come to your town. There really is no need to be so high and mighty. I think I shall go back to just lurking from now on. So long folks.

And just so you know, @Genie of the West, @Deb Yarian is coming up on 35 years of professional tattooing experience, with much of that in the south (i.e. not just in Alaska). In other words, you're getting golden advice here.

slightly intimidated by the talent in this thread but none the less here are a few of my more recent ones

TAT PICS TAT PICS TAT PICS SIQ INK BROSSSSSSS. Let's keep it at that.

I take your point too. On second thought I should have been more sincere towards @thecatatafish about his tattoo, although I am sure he knows what Gen is about otherwise he wouldn't have made the comment about some people on here not digging him. Im going to end this now because its not what im about and I respect this forum and the majority of the people that contribute.

Dennis at Providence Tattoo

Alright thanks that makes me feel a bit better :)

I popped into the Pearl Harbor Gift Shop today to get a couple little ones done. (And by popped in I mean I got to the shop an hour and a half before opening to ensure I got a sitting - sigh.) Here are my two latest, both by Dan Innes. Nothing too fancy or complicated, but both are images I've admired for quite a while. By the way, The Pearl has just hired Nathan Draper ( http://www.nathandrapertattooer.com/ ) Great tattooer and from what I've heard, a really awesome guy as well. I'm looking forward to getting something done by Nathan.

Dont leave! i think you're tattoo is fucking sick dude and i honestly don't see how it's a shige rip off. so congratulations to you!

if you have instagram check @sethwoodtattoo. i'll figure a way out to post some shots on here at some point........it is SO mint

I know right!?!? I've got something lined up in May (but may have to cancel it depending on my current contract :( ) and I'm working on something in June... new tattoos on the horizon!! :D

Look at guys like Chad Koeplinger. He does fairly simple designs that are super powerful and really amazing without having a lot of detail.

Not inebriated but thinking that I will still probably be hung over somewhat in the morning. Who would ever think that cocktails, wine, and beer in an evening is a bad idea?

That fucking tiger! Ack. Matt, Lehi, and Bryan Burk are my three favorite artists for tigers. She got a good one, for sure. And that girl head's on you? We gotta catch up soon. I didn't know you were going back in the chair. It looks great, but you knew that.

I take your point there, and get why you would be especially pissed seeing that this guy ripped off one of your tattoos, but unless a) this particular tattoo was directly lifted from Shige or any other artist, and b) that the client asked for a copy of somebody else's work, disparaging comments about people's tattoos bum me out because these tattoos are on people, they have to live with them, and often they don't even know that they're getting straight copies of other peoples' tattoos. If it means that I have no morals because I'd rather not make somebody feel shitty about a tattoo that they're stoked on, then so be it. For what it's worth, my "dickheads" comment was mostly about people complaining about the cost of good tattoos. There's no place for that here.

Hey ... Miguel Olascuaga, Live Free Tattoo in ATL

More pictures of tattoos, less being dickheads. Please and thank you.

Why is it a shame that his tattooer copied someone else's style? Anymore, almost all tattooing is evocative of some other persons work.

Searched, and didn't find a thread on wolf tattoos, so I decided to make one. Daryl Rodriguez, Hold It Down Tattoo: John Reardon: Chad Koeplinger: Jelle: Daniel Trocchio: Kim-Anh Nguyen-Dinh: Stefano Cera: Clay McCay: Erick Lynch: Ron Henry Wells: Steve Byrne: Jef Whitehead:

@sboyer and his partner are about to drop another book via their Yellow Beak Press label- Born Weird. I figure he's been so damned busy working on it that he's forgotten to start a thread. Since I'm super excited about it, I'll jump in and start one up- hope you don't mind, Scott? I've been pretty vocal about my love for Higgs, Dave Lum and Scott Harrison's work in the 1990s- that "American Weirdo" style that Hardy talked about in Tattoo Time V. It really influenced how I got tattooed more than just about any other 'school' of tattooing save esoteric/occult stuff. I think it's fair to say that Weirdo stuff led me to where I am now. I just put a few teaser images up from the book on Occult Vibrations, and... it's just weird. So weird. Almost (blissfully) untattooably weird. It's going to be like the Zeis book- first 200 (of 2000) copies gets a watercolor print. I'm really geeked about this one. Were you BORN WEIRD? « Occult Vibrations

Hey what do you guys feel about lady heads like this? Couldnt find a source for this one, if you guys know it, let me know so that I can fix it!: Chris Marchetto, via Our Endless Days: Steve Byrne, Rock of Ages Tattoo: Basically, loving the blue cheeked look.

I'd say where my arm tat starts to go inside the armpit kinda, that hurt like a mofo.

Hey Shaun - I know, I'm a bit of a regular. I'm in the Market almost every day of the week, so I end up walking by The Pearl all the time. How can I resist? Today there were 5 of us lined up. Many weekends there are 10-12 waiting when the door opens. Its best to go an hour to an hour and a half early to make sure you get in. Or, if you can, go on a weekday as the lines are usually smaller. Usually several more people show up at 11 (opening) too. Glennie usually works Sundays but there was a note on the door saying she was not in today, so Tim came in early. I'm not sure about Dan's usual Sunday routine, but yes, he does do Mondays and he starts earlier. I think the shop opens at 9am on Mondays, but don't quote me on that. Always good to call ahead to find out exactly what the scoop is.

@youthcrewalex, incredible stuff!

@youthcrewalex, your Art is awesome! I really like the DBZ ones!

It has been my go-to bar since it opened. Hell when you stop in you might even see me there!

Dan had a band before "Reptile House" called "Red Guard Youth." I went to school with he and his brother, he helped me open my eyes to the whole world of punk rock. He and his brother are Great artists. Thanks for posting the photos.

Yea I figured that it would just be extra research time, I'm halfway through the water margin atm. As to the bodysuit I've been involved in eastern martial arts since about six and 'Japanese style' tattoos (think bright blue waves and slightly naff samurai) were very popular among a lot of the guys I knew. Then at about 13 my uncle bought me a book on tattoos for Christmas with a bunch of bodysuits in it. I always thought it's better not to do things by half and end up with a half arsed end result so that's why I want it.

This thread is starting to veer from what it should be, but I want to address a few things: 1. If you can't afford Shige or good artists not copying a style, then don't get a tattoo by a second rate tattooer. Save your money. Wait. And travel if need be. I would be covered by now if I didn't do this. My next appt isn't until July so I have time to save for a quality tattoo from one of the best. Another example: I always wanted roses on my shoulder, so I waited until one of the top rose tattooers came to town (Scott Sylvia). I spent almost a year saving money so I could proudly wear "the best roses". 2. If you don't live near top artists, then you need to travel for tattoos if its something you're serious about. There are way too many young people settling for what's convenient because they want to be a part of the community. 3. All artists paint and draw and do creative things in between tattoos. I agree it shows integrity and hard work, but it doesn't mean they're developing their own style or pushing the boundaries of tattooing. There is taking idea from masters, but having a unique style is different (and possible) than staying true to one artist's style. This guy is obviously a decent artist, but its clear he's copying Shige. Just like so many artist are copying Hooper and Jondix right now. If I'm right, then lets be done with this and get back to getting and sharing awesome tattoos!

I like that this thread was bummed. It made me think about how awesome Adam Hathorn's aka "Honkey Kong" tattoos are. A nice mixture of traditional and new skool. But, I suppose he probably doesn't need any "recognition."

^^^^^^^ had to "like" for excellent use of language!! :D

So when are you starting your backpiece?! Kidding, welcome!

Yesterday the rain in Philly was crazy and my jeans got soaked commuting in. So I spent three hours at work in my underwear. Dealing with vendors. USPS. Staff. I was going to put a tie on, but that would have been weird. Random musings.

One sec.... - - - Updated - - - Fixed. I keep coming back to this image again and again. This is spectacular work. I'd be sticking my leg in everyone's face saying, "Have you seen this?!?!" Strangers in subways, at the grocery, at work...everyone. Such a great tattoo.

@thecatatafish welcome back, great stuff! @Pacem not bad pictures at all!

The day a cream gets invented that can knock any tattoo out in a few months will change tattoos and tattooing forever. Laser has the right balance of pain, time, cost with no guarantee of total removal to still keep tattoos the (almost) permanent body modification they should be.

Cool I'm not the only one familiar with Mike Adams. I plan on flying out to the east coast and having him do my 2nd sleeve in all black/gray traditional style.

Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten.

Got this one from Mr Desa at frith street yesterday. Hope he doesn't mind my lazy ass borrowing the pic from his instagram

Got a Smashing Pumpkins heart with my wife for our birthdays last year, though we'd been talking about it forever. @Perez did a surprise lil' snake tattoo on me in Philly last time (not a Lee Roy stencil, turned out to be a _____ stencil.. help me out here, Perez, blanking) right after I popped up from a brutal rib session. Best surprise/spur of the moment one! After the ribs, I didn't feel it at all.. 2b09b310550711e19896123138142014 7 Tattoo Picture | Last Sparrow Tattoo

Valerie Vargas at Frith St Tattoo on my calf.

So I wasn't sure if I was going to post any of my new tattoos but decided in the end to just go for it. I moved to France four months ago and have been sat in a lab isolated from the world pretty much ever since. I went to the Mondial du Tatouage show in Paris for three days as a birthday present to myself. I booked in with Stewart Robson and Valerie Vargas from Frith Street and also Greg Christian. I ended up getting tattooed six times in three days. It was also my first convention and I'm going to make sure I go to a few more :D I stole all the pictures from the respective artist's instagrams apart from one which I took with my phone. Demon head on knee - Stewart Robson (Frith Street Tattoo) Geisha Girl Head - Cody Miller (Blackheart Tattoo) Flaming Torch - Greg Christian Castle - Cody Miller (Blackheart Tattoo) Medusa Head - Valerie Vargas (Frith Street Tattoo) Devil Head - Nick Roddin (Blackheart Tattoo) I can't wait for the convention next year

@Graeme Lets convince your friend. I struggled with wanting a negative space design when I was trying to pick for myself this week. SERIOUSLY RON, stop being so good. Its stressing me out. I love the hand with negative space snake Ive seen & that forest skull is one of my favorites too! overwhelmed with awesome.

This is really awesome, I saw this reposted somewhere but the idiot did not credit the artist, I am so glad I know who painted this now, I just emailed him inquiring about a possible print. FYI, Freddy Corbin has been drawing black pin-ups for years, another reason to love Freddy.

I have been doing this thing lately where I have been doing paintings for friends' kids for their first birthdays. It's fun because it gives me motivation to actually finish paintings because lord knows I love to start them and then give up on them once I realise that I have no idea at all what I'm doing, and I just like spending my free time painting. Anyway, here's a bad photo of a cat portrait I just finished, of our friends' cat Dali:

Supply and demand! It is fuckin Chris Conn and he will have no problem getting business, and considering there are mediocre tattooers charging $200 an hour it seems like a bargain to me, but heck I got 3 tattoos from him back when the hourly rate would get you one piece. But lets face it getting tattooed by the likes of Deutsche, Sylvia, Lehi, Wilson etc they get twice or more done in an hour than most would do in 2 so it halves the hourly rate anyway, Chris is not fast but is he is super efficient!

The price is the price. His work is amazing so if you want it.... go and get it!!!! If it doesn't work in your budget or mind so-be-it.... There are many other fish in this sea.

I know the price seems a kinda steep, but I am sure he has his reasons. I bet it is more about keeping pieces relatively small. He has nothing to prove, and I doubt that he wants to be working on great big elaborate pieces. $500 an hour should keep that to a minimum. My understanding is that his health was not that great for the last little bit.