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Yesterday, after two years in progress, Marius Meyer finally finished my back piece. It was 6 painful well worth hours. Going back for a touch-up in the belly plates and white in eyes/claws/teeth. @Iwar has some cool footage from the session that he maybe will post, I think?

I have no respect for anyone that likes apples. Those are snacks that second graders eat. I mean, you don't even have to peel an apple. Where's the skill in that? Seriously, explain to me why I should like apples!

Finally my tattooer put something up on his instagram so I can add an in-progress here! We are in the middle of a grind tonight. Adding tube sponges and corals along the bottom and up the right side. And standard disclaimer - nothing is done except the snake, which is under my top.

I like apples AND oranges. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

"Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw

From the Needles and Sins blog, a short video from TED. Really neat! Needles and Sins Tattoo Blog | Tattoo 101: What makes tattoos permanent?

It's like comparing Chopin and Black Flag. One is well constructed, technically "perfect" (whatever that means to the viewer), and is intended to come across that way. I find it well made, but kinda boring to my taste. The other, for lack of a better or less uncouth term, has balls. Strength. It punches you in the gut and gets your attention. As much as perfection is impressive, I like balls.

Dude comes on here, introduces himself as a scratcher, and we argue art with him? We can do a lot better than this, folks.

Browsing LST while getting tattooed, a good way to pass the time. Looks good!

To me its like, I really enjoy many types of photography, and I can get a huge kick out of graffiti if it's done to my liking. I also like reading books and a few pop cultural phenomenas are wonderful to me. But I don't care at all for tattoos that look like photos, graffiti on someones body, text-tattoos or pop culture references in tattoos. And even though I've been skateboarding for close to 12 years I have never seen a skateboard tattoo that I liked. If you ask me, tattooing is a quite specific thing and it should stay that way. Just because you like chocolate cake AND chorizo hot dogs doesn't mean a combination of the too will be better.

I just want to say that I read this thread now and then and my heart just sinks. I appreciate that this is a place where many of you feel comfortable sharing some of what you're going through, and I only hope that it offers you some measure of relief and comfort to know that many of us are thinking of you, and all of us are pulling for you

I'm calling to set up an appointement tomorrow. I can't decide who to set up an appointement with. Real first world problems. Maybe I'll just book two appointements.

Well, that sucks- but, everyone is different, and some people appreciate the support. No one is compelled to post their problems here. It sounds like you did and then regretted it, but that's hardly a reason to be disrespectful to the people that find it therapeutic.

Dude... That sucks. My sister has a whole bunch of the cafe au lait spots and we've always wondered if that's what she has. So far so good for her though. I have my own incurable thing... I've posted about it some, and it's actually what led me here in the first place. The way I look at it is this - there are no guarantees at all. I could step off the curb and get hit by a bus tomorrow. "now" is all you can count on. I try my best to fully inhabit "now". The future is fuck scary. The past, it's gone. I want every moment I have to be as happy and good as possible, so I focus on the good, attend to the things that make me happy, and try to let all the rest of it go.

Carlos torres work does look very impressive but i still prefer tradional and japanese for my collection. Are those pieces on you?

Someone's new signature, surely.

The grossest thing I ever ate on fries was chili cheese fries from The Hat in LA. Tastes OK, looks like diarrhea. There's a place in Boston that does foie gras poutine.

You can like one thing without disrespecting everthing else.

well. i did not get my touchups. but i did get a new tattoo which did involve a tear-out: My pug. Winston. Riding the red rocket. Which was really hilarious. Until I got a call 3/4 of the way through the tattoo that my mother passed away. Shout out to my pal Ollie for working like lightning to finish the tattoo before my ride showed up to go see my family. So some more to add to the arguement that a tattoo is more than just a silly picture on your skin. It's not just about "what" the tattoo is of or the "why"...but the "where" and "when" and "who" of the experience is of equal importance. A colourful timestamp for this lifetime. And now I'm left with a lot of sorrow to deal with, a good laugh and a great tattoo. Laughter is the best medicine. And my Mom really loved my idiot pug. But I think my next tattoo will be little more serious and carry a lot more weight. Peace.

Not to belabor the issue, but: I haven't met anyone from this forum, but I do care (or if "care" is too loaded a word, give a shit) about the people on here. If you've hung around for longer than a few weeks, why wouldn't you? Having met a handful of people who I'd previously only talked to online, I'm no longer so sure that the internet is less "real" than other ways of communicating. But it does suck to feel like you've been at the receiving end of some false or patronizing sympathy. @Gloomy Inks, I am so sorry to hear this.

The other day my girlfriend got is it real? what kind of a question is that like no she wakes up every morning and draws a Russian doll on her thigh before she leaves the house

I really enjoyed "where the fuck is my happy place?" My first session on my chest I really psyched myself out and I remember thinking things very similar to this. So now that I can't feel that pain anymore, this is kind of funny

I forgot how much I love the TED videos, thanks for reminding me. I just discovered that listening to these a great way to keep my mind entertained while I drive. This particular one was pretty cool

Re: cost. Almost everyone has asked me this question and very few people know I am working on a full back. It makes me uncomfortable, even from friends, and I don't have a pat answer yet. But the other day, without even thinking, I replied, "Yeah, it's more expensive than going to the movies." For some reason, that shut down the question with a little laugh from both of us, but in a way that it was clear I wasn't going to share, conversation was over, without being rude or making them feel like a jerk for asking (my friends, after all). Not sure I can explain that, but it was a positive thing and I think I'll try that one again.

It's been true summer for a week now in Stockholm and I've been in t-shirt and shorts most of the time. I am starting to grow tired of talking about tattoos with people with no tattoos/really bad tattoos. I think during this time I have talked about tattoos with most people that I work with, many of my friends (that I do really love by the way) and a few random folks. And I don't see the point… or rather, it gets very tiring. Maybe because many people don't know jack about tattooing, only from what they have seen on tv and they ask you the most rude and stupid questions. And then proceed to show you some horrible work on "a buddy" by making you browse this persons instagram feed. Normally I am a very polite and patient guy but after a week of this.. I don't really think I care about talking tattoos with people who are not deeply into it. I feel like an elitist for saying this but, I guess right now, that's me. I think one of the problems has to do with how tattooing became a mainstream and "cool" thing. Much like skateboarding right about that time when Adidas and Nike decided there was money to be made. Skateboarders used to be the weird smelly kids, the outcasts of the school. It used to be something the general public had no understanding for. I wrote this to a friend recently who thought that my skateboarding hobby was cool "I don't think skateboarding is so cool, obectivly speaking. Same with tattoos. Or, I don't want it to be cool and hyped and a lot of attention and money into it. I prefer when things are underground, wierd/repulsive to the general public and only cool to the people involved and active. Outsiders and tourists destroy everything genuine (especially as soon as money is involved) It's cultural gentrification." /End of angry rant. Back to trying to be a nice person and talk reasonable and in a friendly tone to people who wants to talk tattoos with me. Shit, I did not get these to be a conversation piece. One of the rudest things that I've had to respond to in a number of occasions is about the cost of tattoos.. like "Woow, dude that's a lot of money on your legs right there!". Few people would talk about the cost of the paintings on the walls of a friends place the first time they get invited over for dinner, am I right? ps. I am a really nice guy in real life

@SeeSea looks fantastic so far!

@SeeSea Ooh it's coming along so nicely!!

Honestly, when I see black and grey pieces, whether it be portraits, or representations of statuary, I do respect the application, but usually just think "Oh, it looks like that photo." Never have I been moved in some astronomical way by a photorealistic tattoo. I do respect the craft aspect of it, but it has always boiled down more to craft than creativity to me, in most cases. Still impressive, but never spoke a single word to me. That being said, the first time I saw the INTO THE BIG NOTHING clouds/eye tattoo by Steve Byrne, I was blown away. It spoke far more than the four words in the banner ever could. After all, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Never been a big fan of opera. Yet I know some people are pretty passionate about it. And of course I acknowledge its rich history and understand it takes talent and dedication to succeed as an opera singer. What I don't do is go on opera forums and yell out, "OPERA SUCKS! TELL ME I'M WRONG!!!" Because that would be stupid and a waste of time.

Or keep feeding until it explodes.

Nope, you're ignorant because you're saying traditional takes no talent to create, and you're stupid because you're trashing a vast array of incredibly talented artists. Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it's shit. Trashing an entire style, and talking shit on work that artists have put their heart and souls into developing, for generations, is downright insulting to the art and culture of tattooing.

@Steele so what is your favorite tattoo style then?

Haha you went there So aside from the fact that you just insulted about 80% of LST's membership with that post, you should probably learn a little about the style you're bashing before you make such sweeping generalizations. It's fine if you don't like traditional tattooing and it's fine to feel like every tattoo needs to be a custom masterpiece, but I cannot emphasize how dumb it makes you look when you come to a forum with no sense of who it is you're interacting with and why people here like what they like. There are hundreds of pages describing the history and innovation behind traditional tattooing, it might have been a good idea to read through the forum a bit before posting. Also, just fyi, there are handfuls of traditional tattooers who can draw circles around portrait artists and vice versa. Style and skill have little to do with each other.

I'm putting this in because I've had good feedback :) Rose morph done by Nick Agnew at Kingsland Ink, Auckland, NZ

Got my rose morph today... am super happy with it

I'm so happy to have found this blog, I don't have many friends with tattoos so I'm kind of left to my own devices when it comes to after care. But that's what the internet and talking to the artist is for right? Anyway, like I said I'm a 19yr old girl from ca. slowly turning my body into a canvas I can be proud of. IVE only ever wanted to be some what heavily tattooed, although my family has reservations about me doing it. What else is there.... Oh I currently work retail, I enjoy it very much. But it's not what I want to do with my life. I've done a little "modeling" for my friend who wants to be a photographer, but nothing professional. That's honestly all I can think of at this moment, so I'll let it be. Can't wait to talk to you guys! So thankful I found this blog

Dropping your pants to display squidpants is the LST secret hand shake.

Thank you, again! Yeah I know, especially the ROA could be more dramatic in color. Also done by Peter Lagergren and his ways with doing color tattoos is just beyond. I've seen some quite complicated healed ones by him and they look truly amazing. If you don't know him I highly suggest you check out his stuff. I don't know about how popular it is to get only b&g and only/mainly traditional but to me, judging by "the internet" it seems that quite a few people are doing it. I think it's a great strong look, a bit more primitive and raw looking than having a lot of color and fine lines. Actually I'm trying to get some prettier pieces as not to look too grim

Thank you! Yeah I really like color tattoos, I'm not particular in that way. But I think when you start to get many not too large tattoos and they're all in different color schemes you end up looking like a explosion in a paint factory. Not that there is anything wrong with that, some people pull it off , but being of my particular kind I would find it impossible to dress and end up only dressing in black clothes. Also I would probably be like "man.. I really wish this blue was a little bit more teal" after like 10 years. I don't know, I can only speculate on what it would be like. Black and gray on skin looks so nice. To each it's own I guess.

Couple more. Inside thigh. Front knees.

I realized that besides for instagram photos in the Latest Tattoo Lowdown-thread, I haven't uploaded any proper hi-res healed pictures of any one the tattoos I've gotten since I first registered here 3 years ago. I'll make sure to get to that. Anyway, here's my twiggy pale legs at their current state: Left leg, top to bottom: Rose - Eli Quinters Judas wearing devil mask - Iain Mullen Heart factory-thing - Rudy Fritsch Dietzel masked girl - Joel Albertsson ACE-script - design by my friend, tattoo by Iain Mullen Swampy horned skull - my friend Isabel Crocodile bird - Joel Madberg SOOS Man with birdcage head - my friend Isabel Ancient aliens UFO with wings and bird claw - Iain Mullen Gorilla in tower holding skull - Deno Crossed bones RMA - my friend Isabel Återkomst - some scratcher named Jens (traded for a small photo) Badly healed heel tattoo - Iain Mullen Upside down skull - my design, tattoo by Iain Mullen Right leg, top to bottom: Shaman and hyena - James McKenna Rock of ages, upside down cross - Peter Lagergren Girl sleeping in moon - Jaclyn Réhe Human cuddled in egg shape - my friend Isabel Whispering devil + indian symbol and three moons - Iain Mullen Baboon head - Matty D'Arienzo Saraswati/indian looking head - Adde Ramstedt Behive - Knibbe Pallius Upside down eye of providence and snake - Ville Prinsen Big angry snake head - Deno Cat reaper - Joel Madberg SOOS Funky tiger coming out of flower - Cezilia Hjelt Equaly badly healed heel tattoo - Iain Mullen (both to be redone in a few months) Bum dreaming "C.R.E.A.M." - Frej Lind Hårda Tider-band logo on toe - my friend Isabel Edit: Oh wow, long post. Thought they were thin enough to go side by side in pairs. Well.. enjoy

Sheesh... Incredible collection @rozone!! I have already posted a picture of myself in fundoshi's here, so this ain't so bad :cool: Here's my pale and hairy stilts. Left leg: Chris Garver - Harpy Tim Lehi - Tiger Morten Transeth - Butterfly Jonas Nyberg - Black rose Horimasa Tosoui - Hannya Chad Koeplinger - Kali Civ - Girlhead (barely visible) Scott Sylvia - Dagger & LST ban hammer (barely visible, but my avatar makes up for it) Morten Marbel - Weird insect thingie (not visible) Christoffer Wøien - Cat head (Krak flash) (not visible) Tony Nilsson - Anchor/shaking hands (Dietzel) Nico Henriksen - Samurai with a headache Marius Meyer - Shishi Cris Cleen - Weird heart shaped thingie (not visible) Grime - Samurai skull (barely visible) A friend that will remain unnamed - Rose & diamond (I had Marius re-shade & colour it. Still looks kinda crap though) Unknown Danish artist - Guitar headstock with snakes (and also my first tattoo!) (not visible) Right leg: Chris Conn - Girl in uniform Timothy Hoyer - Panther Bob Roberts - Dragon Chad Koeplinger - Geisha (Hardy flash) Marius Meyer - Dragon lady & Baku

Did battling ropes recently at a strongman conditioning session for the first time... Quite devilish.

My tattoo artist had a moment of inspiration and made one of my moles my buddha's bindi - which I thought was awesome.

I don't really have anything to compare to them to but I feel like the coaches are great. The focus is form/technique first. Last night I DLed 195lb x5, this is PR for most weight moved with any lift and very close to my body weight.

@eisen777 Sounds like good progress. You'll probably see a lot more if you stick with it. The upside of making strength gains is that when you start doing conditioning workouts for the fat loss (barbell complexes for example) you'll be able to use challenging weights. Agreed, good time of year for sports, walking and no-frills park workouts. Yeah, 3 sets of 10 would probably be 'good' going at the moment. Be interesting to see whether after this GTG my max has moved up... I think it probably already has. I think I'm going to aim for 50-60 a day for now. Switched from regular push-ups to diamond push-ups, looking for 60-80 a day. I'll stop this when my elbows complain! DeFranco is, for me, one of the best "one stop shop" guys for programming and sensible advice on training. I think I saw an older incarnation of that mobility set from him but not this version.

The final result of my chest piece. Done by Robert Aalbers of Clean Solid Tattoos in Waalwijk, The Netherlands.

Work in progress on my own chest: Done in 3-3,5 hours. In 3 weeks, some colors will be added and then it is finished.

I know Bart Bingham posted his in progress backpiece by Jason Phillips (Oakland) in the Panther Tattoo Designs thread but I had to put it here as well. So fuc'n sick! Hope you don't mind Bart?

Heres Josh Arments backpiece referred to by Scott elsewhere on here and rendered by Bob Roberts -crazy cool!!