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I love this contest. Have been to busy looking at amazing stuff, but now i figured it´s time to show something off. This is my backpiece by my favourite Norwegian tattooer, Marius Meyer.

@pidjones i'm not sure how well being DEMANDING in the tattoo shop will go over. Actually I do know, it won't get a very positive response. Being caught up in your own tattoo-euphoria and not checking the stencil thoroughly enough, well, you get to shoulder that responsibility. My unsolicited advice is to relax and discuss it in a calm and reasonable manner and you will be more likely to find a solution with the tattooer. There is no such thing as a perfect tattoo, it is very common that we get fixated on the new tattoo and can see every imperfection. However we're hoping your tattooer can make things right for you. What is the tattoo that you are referring to? I've only had a sketch emailed to me once in the last 12 years. It hit my inbox 2 days beforehand. It looked great and got the just of what bud was going to tattoo, but it was just that. A sketch. And the end-product goes way beyond what the sketch could convey. Most tattooers I know don't sketch it up until the night before (keep the drawing fresh on the mind) and only make the stencil when you show up and are ready to rock n roll. I've got some cranes on my arm. The crane had 2 legs on the sketch. 2 legs on the stencil. But only 1 leg at the end of the line session. I freaked a bit. My tattooer just said relax, the missing leg is just behind some clouds. Things fit flow and look a different way when they finally go in the skin. And I love this tattoo even more for that mild imperfection. /offtopic...back to text tattoos. Here's some more unsolicited advice for everyone. A picture is worth a thousand words. But if you really need words to get your meaning across...keep it simple and choose your words wisely. You can say A LOT with only a few words...and it will reduce the probability of a spelling or grammatical error ;) - - - Updated - - - edit/ for spelling and grammar haha

I don't understand people who make sweeping generalizations?? Sometimes we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the shop and little things slip your attention. Misspelling a tattoo isn't a justifiable error, however we are human and we make mistakes and what with most tattooers having decade-long careers, the probability that something like this will happen is high. This thread feels very bitchy and ranty overall. Everyone needs to accept responsibility on both sides.

Go see Dan Sinnes in Luxembourg. He's in your part of the world and he does some of the nicest script anywhere.

Cross posting from the back piece thread, this is after session 2 with Marius Meyer yesterday. Yesterdays session was all the scales, all the shading in the skull and all the yellow. Looking to get the next session booked in for around the beginning of April, hopefully.

This reminds me of the time I ordered some chicken from a takeout place down the street. I called ahead with specific directions about how it should be seasoned (no sauce) and cooked (fried). When I got there to pick it up I was so hungry that I ignored the fact that it was covered in BBQ sauce and grilled. It tasted really good and I ate it all as soon as I got home but it wasn't what I specified so I returned a few days later to demand a refund.

Emphasis mine. This is exactly why there is a process problem. Not blaming anyone - stuff happens from both the service provider end and the consumer end - not just in tattooing. Distraction, differing expectations, differences in comprehension levels, etc. This is why things like check lists get created, signatures required, etc., to catch dopey little things before they become big things. Look at the process for making sure all the sponges are removed after a surgery - why? Because everyone's mind is on something else. Look at the form you have to sign for a surgical procedure outlining the risks - that form is used to make sure they remember to tell you the risks, and that you are forced to think about them. Ok, most people just sign away, but that form was created as a check-point (and also a huge CYA for the medical community) and part of the risk management process. Ugh, yeah, this isn't suppose to be a bitch-fest, but if clients have to sign the form to get tattooed, why not make a form for tattoos that include spelling? Perhaps overkill, but that would go a long way to preventing distraction errors made by both providers and consumers. This might sound like I am blaming tattoo artists - I am not. It's just that tattoo artists are in the position to introduce the process and use it for consumers who may arrive clueless to what the expectations are for them, and as a checkpoint and CYA for themselves. $0.02.

Glad you mentioned this. After my first session i used cream for maybe 2 days but i hated the feeling so stopped using it. So far i've not used any cream and i'm doing ok (relatively), but i think i'll probably have the same experience as you now that i've got big chunks of shading to heal.

The best part of getting a tattoo is taking your rough, non-artist idea in, and watching it made into a piece of art. That's pretty much exactly how it happens. You speak with the artist, she draws a picture, you speak again and make changes, then she applies a stencil, you can make more changes, then you get a tattoo.

Healing the outline on my back has so far been pretty easy and comfortable. Looking forward to those huge patches of dry flakey shading.

Kick a man when he's down, why don't you! Hahah

Managed to snag an appointment with Chris O'Donnell when he guests at Sang Blue this year. Not sure what the dates are yet but the tattoo itself is gonna be a big ass Fudo Myo-o on my right thigh. 2015 is going to be a terrible year for my wallet, but fuck it.

Session 2 done yesterday, plenty left to do but its crazy how different it looks from the end of the 1st session. Borrowed this pic from Marius' instagram page. Started with the fine line scales on the snake, then the black in the skull and finally some colour on the snake. All told it was probably 5 - 5.5 hours this time around.

Participated in the Chinese New Year celebrations this past weekend in Edmonton. My buddy and I did a quick feature and demo on the local breakfast news TV broadcast. And then our school did a demo at the big ol West Edmonton Mall. Here are some action shots, En joy! Gung hay fat choy Our Shaolin kung fu demo team Here's an action shot of me doing a flying jump kick and shooting out a chain whip: The pride of our school, the kung fu DRAGON ! with a sneak peak of my backpiece progress thanks for looking, hope the lunar new year is good and full of colour for all the tattooed pals out there :cool:

I don't blame tattooers here. When I've been getting tattooed and have seen people in the shop getting text tattoos, the client usually has to write down the text they want and that's what they get. In any case, the client always approves the drawing and the stencil before the needle hits. People get the tattoos they deserve.

My latest and greatest tattoo on my left knee, Had a very personal battle getting this one almost tapped a couple of times. Artist is WT Norbert so stoked to have him working just down the road from my place

Browsing around the board just now, I was struck by how often folks asking questions about tattoos they want to get or tattoos they have gotten end up getting similar responses, as their issues often correspond to a fairly narrow set that come up again and again. I thought it could be cool to have a thread where we list our generally accepted "tattoo advice" and wisdom in one centralized location. We could point people to it when appropriate. For example: 1. Thou shalt never haggle in a tattoo shop. 2. Thou shalt not try to force a tattooer to tattoo an exact replica of an image you've brought in. If you are going to a skilled tattooer, you will always be better off letting them turn your idea into an actual tattoo design that will work for this medium. 3. Thou shalt consult with your tattooer for questions re: design, sizing, placement, ideas, aftercare instructions and any touch-ups. 4. Thou shalt not stress about how your new tattoo looks until it is fully healed. 5. Thou shalt accept that flaking, scabbing, swelling, itching, and a whole bunch of other uncomfortable stuff is all totally normal when healing a tattoo. Thou shalt only be concerned if it doesn't get better after weeks, or if it smells or looks infected. Next?

Haha, I have no authority in any way to close a thread. Just my way of saying that what @cltattooing said was accurate and (in my opinion) should close the matter. Haha. No need for apologies.

I saw the review. He give them 2 stars but misspelled chikin.

Tattoos are a permanent thing, I worked in a chicano style shop where we would do a lot of script and actually got very good at. Its always important to think why you're getting that persons name but usually if you are committed to the idea there is very little chance that you'll change your mind. I have countless stories of people getting there boyfriend/girlfriends name and it almost always turned sour, but heck I was all about hearing that story. Another thing to keep in mind, Go big or Go home. if you get a tattoo, get it a descent size, it just looks better and it helps the tattoo do better over time

Good ol Feiyue's ! Air Jordans for the kung fu world haha

I have both my calves done and had the same thing with red dots and puss. I did dry healing and epsom salts baths ( as bongsau mentioned) and they cleared up quickly.

@Hands On Thanks for posting this I had no idea that there was a video of it. Scott Harrison is the smartest and funniest person I have met in tattooing. Dan Gilsdorf runs a very close second. I don't know for sure, but I have heard that Ed was pretty upset with Scott after the roast.

Agreed. Thread closed.

Lookin' good @bongsau! Love those sneakers - so comfy!

Just got back on here after a long absence I've been getting tattooed for the last ten years or so although I got my first one 20 years ago.So far I've gotten work from some very talented and respected artists which include..Chris Garver,Tim Hendricks,Luke Wessman,Chris Stuart,Brad Stevens and Adam Kaplan. I'm hoping to add more names to that list this year.

Laughing ... I just end up trying stuff because it sounds fun. I only rode a couple years, but had a blast with a cool instructor friend of mine. I really liked barrel racing but only did it in the ring messing around but I did eat dirt a couple times - can't really be a real rider unless you eat dirt, right? Sometimes I think my family must think I am a little crazy, but really, if you saw me, I look completely boring. :-) - - - Updated - - - So after much searching, here's what I'm gonna wear for the backpiece contest at the Philly Convention on Sunday. I couldn't find a true halter top that completely shows the back with only a little string tie across the center of the back and I'm not doing a bikini or <shudder> pasties. This is actually quite classy looking. I can pull it down around my hips so the whole tattoo shows, and I'll wear black leggings. I wanted to do something like this rather than just turning a shirt around backwards because I wanted to show the tattoo walking around the show a bit. My only concern is being cold so I am wearing a neck scarf and we'll see how that goes. Deep Open Back Halter Top by VENUS BTW - Venus makes amazing bikinis. many have tops like bras for good support and padding. I could never wear a string bikini or many other styles, but these are very flattering. I love this one. It comes with a little insert padding but you really don't need it unless you want to vavavoom. Enhancer top, low rise bottom, scoop bottom, wrap skirt Swimsuit

I think if my first session was just lines it wouldn't have been so bad but because I got hit a bunch with the shader filling in the tiger stripes it was especially uncomfortable because unlike subsequent shading sessions that have focused on one area of my back, I had dried out and itchy patches of skin from my upper back down to my ass. That was the session that I stopped dry healing my tattoos.

The day after a 5 1/2 hour backpiece session of mostly shading. Fuck my life right now.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

I don't have any pictures right now so I won't clog up the lowdown thread, but on Friday the lady and I drove down to Denver and got ourselves a couple walk ins at Lifetime. We've been to each others appointments before but never got tattooed together, so this was really fun. I got a rad little scorpion from Jason, and she got a crawling panther from Matt because she's way tougher than me. Pics next week sometime when we aren't so scabby

Lol, you will be fine. Don't put too much ointment on it. Drier is better in my experience.

yes, obviously ;)

Good God Do not get the back of your knee tattooed! The tattoo stings...but just awful the day after. Also got tattooed on the armpit border. So I've got a hunched shoulder and a zombie leg for a few days until this skin loosens up YEEOUCH ! - - - Updated - - - Looking forward to next week where I can actually take a care-free shower. Oh wait I'm getting tattooed again next week.

Yeah, seems like quite the project. Was neat to see Brian Henry on there, he's right down the road from me and I see rad tattoos from him often.

Just came back to this thread so many nice legs. think we should have all have a update soon

@SeeSea definitely knows a thing or two about the back as prime real estate...

The client will blame the artist every time, but that doesn't mean that the client is right. If anybody has experienced any differently I'd like to hear it, but for every tattoo I have, every tattoo my wife has, and every tattoo I've ever seen happen, it's always been the customer who has to give that final okay before the tattooing starts. If a stencil goes on that has spelling or grammatical errors, it is ultimately up to the client to catch that. I'd really like to hear, for once, a client taking some responsibility for getting a bad tattoo.

A couple of recent ones of our dog and cat.

This is awesome. Enjoy.

ok ok - now I know this is the heavyweight division - the best of the best - major league back pieces - epic sleeves from legendary artists from around the globe - tattooing black belts - you get the picture - but I figure - you only live once - so here is my first ever entry into one of my favorite monthly threads.... Whatever...by Jamie Sawyer outta Immortal Ink in Clinton, NJ

Yeah, definatley! That'd be great!

Here's it is fresh. I'll post more after it heals up. I had a great time and came away with a bunch of new music to check out too. Can't imagine having a better first experience.

About a month ago, I went to the Portland Tattoo Expo where I got two large tattoos in one day. I don't know what I was thinking when I scheduled this, but it was BRUTAL. First one - was about 5 hours of work on my upper back, then the second was 3.5 hours of work, an hour (and a lot of hamburgers and french-fries) later. 5 days later, I sat for another five hours for a session on my leg... It was a terrible week and a really fuckin stupid idea. But I now have a LOT of awesome tattoos! No regrets.

Welcome! The length of your session depends on several factors. Others around here can add more. - The size of the tattoo. If it's small, couple hours, it's easy to sit through in one session. If you don't, you will be mocked and ridiculed. Maybe even to your face. If it's larger and your tattooer has the expectation you'll sit for the whole thing in one sitting, you do it or try your damnedest. - Your tattoo artist's scheduling methods. Some only schedule in well defined time slices, for example, 3 hours. If the tattoo takes longer than that, you sit multiple sessions. If your tattoo artist schedules open-ended sessions, then you'll go until he finishes whatever goal he set for the session. This could be time or a particular part of the tattoo. Or, he'll keep going until you absolutely can't take another second and you have to tap out. No one likes to tap out. It's a sign of moral weakness, contributes to global warming, and will cast poorly upon your family and children. Even after many hours, it's so psychologically awesome to hear, "Ok, we've reached a good stopping point" instead of crying silently into your hand and whimpering that you're sorry you just can't take it any more. The silence that follows such an abject admission is enough to curdle milk and paralyze small dogs. - The body part. This thread can shed some light: http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/206-most-painful-spot-get-tattooed.html. Personally, I can't speak to many body parts because I'm only working on a back piece, but yes, location can play a role. (Although your back, in terms of pain, is it's own set of differing body parts.) My one and only tap out was after 5 hours on the top/middle of my back that included spine down to the bottom of my ribs and the bones of one shoulder blade. I've had many sessions longer than this. Apparently, many think the shoulder blade isn't bad. My next session is to do the second coat in that whole area. I'm queasy just thinking about it. - Your own preparation. How you prepare for your session has a big effect - some may argue that good preparation plays as big a role as where on the body you plan to get tattooed. If you go in tired, hung over, or on an empty stomach, body part may matter very little. Anything else to add, anyone?

I'm posting my updated legs today. I've added a few since my last post in this thread. Visible tattoos: Cat, hot air balloon, hand of glory = Chad Koeplinger Skull with flowers = Bastien Jean Higgs flash, boxer, RCAF skull, Grimm reaper = Tim Pausinger Cowgirl, Higgs flash = Glennie Whittall Panther w/ dagger, bulldog, pineapple, Scorpion = Franz Stefanik Ankle band, Hot Stuff = Nathan Draper Dollar bill, fly = Kyle Hollingdrake Space torch = Mario Desa I think that's all of them. I've got a few more lined up that should appear in the next few weeks and months.

The first shop I worked at was huge with 10 artists, it was 90% flash. A little black girl came in on her 18th birthday wanting her name as a tramp stamp huge across her hips. The artist and her go through fonts, print it out, run the stencil. The artist okays it with her through every step to make sure everything as right. She gets her name done, pays, walks out happy as a clam. An hour later she rolls up with her two irate large brothers, and she's crying her head off. The brothers are pissed demanding to talk to the artist. None of us can figure out what the problem is until she pulls up her shirt and shows the tattoo. Her name was Whitney. They left out the N. Yeah. So then the artist was stuck doing a HUGE cover-up, giant purple roses covering the entire bottom half of her back. Suddenly the $80 tattoo that took half an hour to finish is a 3 hour cover-up for free on a Friday night.