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Got back on Saturday from my latest session with Kore Flatmo. We added all that color to the dagger, snake, and flames. These pictures do not do those blue jewels justice. Next time we're adding black and grey work to the bottom shin area, the knee, and back of thigh. Had a great time up there as usual.

I never understand why people go for something generic and impersonal for something as close as a parent/child bond... or for that matter, getting cancer/whatever ribbons to symbolize someone... What do your wife and son have as a common interest? Did he play some instrument in school that she's supportive of? If he enjoys painting or drawing, a tattoo of a paintbrush/palette or a few pencils with his name? Or if he's still too young for all of that, how about something based on his favorite toy... Tonka truck, a GI Joe, teddy bear, etc. etc. etc. As for memorial ribbons, I get it... but why always only be reminded that Grandpa died from cancer, not that he absolutely loved fly fishing? Or Chicago sports teams? Or whatever he happened to enjoy most? Something I always try to suggest to someone getting a memorial, and they always just get the name/date/ribbon/cross... which is perfectly fine. But, is the same memorial that everyone gets. Get a tattoo of Grandpa's favorite lure WITH the cancer ribbon. At least balance the negativity and sad memories with positivity and good memories. With design in mind, Google/Pinterest/etc. are highly, highly impersonal and breed only generic ideas that occasionally start from something great, but in the end never give you something that actually means anything. I have put that mother/daughter idea (or a slight variation thereof) on around 15 or 20 people, and I've only been tattooing just over 2 years. I can't remember a time I did something based on what their kid has actually done in their life...

Interesting research you get yourself in to SeeSea. That thing looks like any other Gillette razor I've ever seen. What a gimmick. More dragons. Andre Malcolm

Your tattooer will have infinitely better font references than the internet. Or at least, he should... If he reaches for the computer instead of one of the many lettering books out there, BJ Betts will appear like a genie and smack him in the face.

I have an ass/back of thighs lining session tomorrow. I'm going to try to keep this "magic" and "mystical bond" in mind while I'm getting tattooed to try to convince myself that I'm not the stupidest person in the world.

I sat for Dennis at Providence Tattoo for about 4.5 hours on Saturday afternoon. It was a bit shorter of a sitting than I thought it might be, and thank god. I was still miserable the last hour, and I'm pretty sure Dennis wanted to kill me, haha. But I LOVE the result, and of course it was worth it! I have been waiting for this tattoo since January, and really for even longer than that. There are two shops, and we were at the one on Atwells Ave, which is just a beautiful shop -- I love it. Dennis was fantastic to work with and so kind. We had a really fun chat, and he even drove me back to my AirBnB when we were done! (I was visiting Providence to get the tattoo.) I posted a photo from my phone as well as the shot Dennis posted on Instagram. It's swelling a lot more than any of my other tattoos ever have, but I'm thinking that's because it's on my thigh. Otherwise, it seems to be healing fine. I'm so stoked on it!

I decided I wanted another Tattoo. Went over to see Luke Wessman and got this done yesterday.

Sorry to hijack a little, but this thread has just given me a rad idea for a foot tattoo. A panthers head, in a Nazi SS helmet smoking a fat as fuck half smoked cigar. Ok, continue...thanks.

i came across this amazing video today, unlike anything i've ever seen. it led me to this thread and i found that the video documents some of what was described in the link from the initial post. i can't imagine many of us had the slightest clue that this is how it goes down... vice does it again! enjoy!

Ooh, I have an idea! Richard Stell.

You'll find you will be judged on your professionalism @TrixieFaux rather than your tattoos. I completely understand the testing of waters though. I had a Nurse Unit Manager say to me the other day....the staff love it when you come on to the Wards Mick. Now they know you and have attended your training, they're no longer scared, they think it's cool when you bounce the Wards, talk and laugh with them and just be yourself. On the flip but, I pick my kids up from the extra curricular activities from school rockin jeans and singlets, all the parents avoid me like I'm the plague. Until recently, a couple of them started striking conversations and shit. One mother asked me last week...so Mick, what is it you do for work. I said...oh, I work for the Qld Govt, look after mandatory compliance to assist in National accreditation reviews for 5 major Metro Hospitals. The look on their dials were like pure shock. I love that shit. Yeah, not just some no hoping, tattooed Harley riding thug you envisioned hey. I love educating the straights that we might have a brain too.

steve bryne ROA real cool guy awesome shop atmosphere

I saw this today and didn't see a previous posting of it. Pretty interesting images. Cedric Arnold:

Reading this thread makes me miss the whole back piece experience. We all understand the magic behind envisioning, planning and executing a full back tattoo, unlike any other piece anywhere. Reading everyone's experiences, watching the progress is a great reminder how involved this process is, and how we all share the same mystical bond from all over the world that the full back tattoo beholds. Awesome!

I feel like this is something you need to discuss with Chad or with the staff of Rock of Ages. Anything is possible, but everyone works differently and sometimes situations will dictate how things go as well. I would shoot them an email and explain the whole situation, it's much easier than trying to have this conversation on the phone while customers around. As far as on your end of being able to take it, you probably know your body better than anyone. I also feel like when people have to get this stuff done they find a way to work through the pain. Me personally would probably shoot for like 2 4-5 hour sessions on the day after I got there and the day before I left type of thing, but like i said it all depends on the design and what the tattooer says.

Going to see Earth this weekend down in Raleigh.

Oh, it would just bum me out that anyone could print out posters and shirts of my tattoo as inspiration for their event and/or business. It's like the Stay Calm stuff...to me. I've also worked in a corporate environment for nearly 20 years now and the inspirational posters that hang in the break areas are anything but... just my opinion from my personal experiences with inspirational quotes. I would get a big ass eagle across my chest or a panther with a kettle bell (nod to the crossfit stuff) hanging from its mouth. Good luck with the weight loss man...

This worked pretty well for a take on a 'for the kid(s)' tattoo, I thought: Instagram - - - Updated - - - WRT the usual (wise, sensible) LST badgering to get more tattooed panthers into the world - might she be be more easily persuaded by tigers? Possibly?

Panther wearing boxing gloves.

@Mick Weder - out of Boston, MA USA. Several flavors, but Crisp Apple takes the cake. Also recently discovered to be a delightful Post Scrub Recovery Drink. And of course, a gratuitous M̶o̶r̶m̶o̶n̶ MONMON cat :)

it might be fun to have a who has the best tattoo by X contest.

with a smaller panther.

Top 5 picks in Oklahoma. Richard Stell Richard Stell Richard Stell Richard Stell Richard Stell Pair-O-Dice Tattoo

panther?

a rose and a rose bud. or a peony and a peony bud. or a butterfly and a smaller butterfly or a thing and another similar but smaller thing

The office manager at my school is an older Russian lady--super nice, motherly woman with a thick accent. I feel really comfortable with her so told her I wear long sleeves every day because I have tattoos. She didn't blink an eye and just said, "Why cover them? What is this the 1940s?" I love her. One of these days I'll tell my principal too and see if his reaction is anywhere close to that...

Background complete. Did arm pit, lower back, butt, and touch ups on random spots. I prefer working one area after this session lol. Next session is stripes then color starts. It's so far from done but I couldn't be happier with the way it's coming out.

I also saw Steve Byrne for the first time last week at Rock of Ages in Austin, TX and I doubt it'll be the last. Rose #2.

Never posted on this before but here is my barbershop quartet done by Steve Bryne at rock of ages Austin last July, it's not going to win but thought I'd share it with people

Here is my submission for this months contest. My whole backpiece has been done in a 6-month period (just 31 hours in total) by Bonel from Corazon Santo, Arnhem, The Netherlands. I also have a full size picture available HERE

Good luck @Graeme ! I can't say that I'm jealous of your day tomorrow :) Try yoga breathing!!!!!!

Water color / trash polka tattoos likely won't stand the test of time - the tattoo will be less recognizable if there isn't enough black. At least that's what LST has beaten into me :-) But solid outlines make sense. The tattoo you posted is kind of interesting but it's not easily recognizable as koi IMO. Haha I searched LST for Koi upstream/downstrean/color meaning and it turns out I did this once before. http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/15-latest-tattoo-lowdown-page609.html#post95503 I like that this tattoo is signed because it keeps with the culture/language. Perhaps add the quote in Japanese script? Crazy thought. I think script in English would look bizarre around a koi. You could do a Japanese-inspired sleeve with the koi swimming up/down and add a band at the bottom/wrist area and incorporate lettering in there. It would be in the tattoo but not as in-your-face. I can't find a picture of what I'm talking about but I'm sure someone here can chime in.

Started walking a lot more again, close to 3 miles a day, not counting what I do all day at work. Granted, this is because of car troubles, but I hope I can keep it up, maybe a couple days a week, after my car is back.

@PackMan What does your wife like about the original design?

I've got a heart with an arrow through it that says "mom." I do love it, even if many think its a bit of a cliche. I'm a momma's boy at heart I guess.

No matter whom you go to, don't go to them based on reviews on Google. Pick them based on seeing their portfolio and liking their work.

The only thing that springs to mind. Panther.

That Higgs club fits so good back there.

I've never described someone's legs as "inspiring" before but yours are. Nice moggy too.

That's a diptych. A triptych would involve three backs.

This thread rules! Makes me want to get tattooed every time I look through it.

Me mate just returned from 12 months in Canada. Home for a week, back on a Road King, today was catch up belting through the hills, across to the Coast, smashing fuck out of gears, riding hard,tight side by side. Yeah, still buzzing.

You'll end up getting Jackson Pollock rainbow Brite bukake back piece @BrianH. Forcing you to get a backectomy

You GUYS: watch to the end. :o:o:o

Mow your own lawn. No one likes seeing a person's yard go to shit ;-)

From Master Nervio of Roses and Panthers. Just done today!

You'll have to excuse the quality of the image here as a combination of operator error and poor equipment. Couldn't be happier with how this turned out, done by @cltattooing at FTW Tattoo Edit: sorry if the images are huge, I have no idea what I'm doing!