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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.

Nope, I've watched every episode. It's like a train wreck. I can't stop watching. That being said I haven't liked a single tattoo on the show. I feel really bad for the "canvases."

@Lance so many good prints, I dont have any but found myself wanting to by a lot.

Thanks for doing these. Though I don't tattoo, I do work a physical job that isn't very good for my body and while the physical stresses of my job are different than those involved in tattooing, I feel like the observations here about general physical fitness and diet have given me a lot to consider so that I can adapt my work and routine to do less damage to my body.

^It's another good'un, thanks!

well actually I got a back piece done aswell

I love a bodysuit. I also am very much into cohesiveness, flow and balance and have been working with one artist for the past year with more work planned in the future (sleeve starting in January). I'm pretty focused at this point with what I want aesthetically/style/theme wise and have found someone who I trust and have a great rapport with to carry it out. So while I can oogle all the eye candy out there, I'm very much looking forward to what I have planned.

Health Issues With Tattooing (Mike Rubendall) « TAM Blog Not soooon, but it did come out :)

I'm SOOO GLAD I DIDN'T HAVE TO TYPE THE ABOVE. Wanted to... I mean it's caused a couple of marital spats to put it lightly... Yeah we're a passionate couple, we throw down about tattooing, and taste... Thank you, it was really hard to deal with, the last day, kinda like watching someone get raped (for lack of a better), I didn't go to the set the final day... it was a rough weekend, and that convention was one of the hardest I think I ever worked, and I have even had a miscarriage at a convention before during a pageant I was throwing... We are both going to actively try to do more good to help offset the bad, tattooing takes care of us, we need to take better care of it... More now then ever. AS FAR AS THE TATTOO COPY RIGHT THING..... Don't take this the wrong way, but fucking get over it. SERIOUSLY it's all copying. EVERYONE STEALS: It's a matter of who you're stealing from if you have taste and you're stealing from Hardy, Roberts, Jerry, Malone, ETC... You're following tradition. I haven't even seen the episode, don't care, I'm so sick of all the under twenties, and tens and five year old tattooers acting like they were the first person to come up with a design, it's all been done before. I have seen close friends and artist straight rip off Richards original paintings tattoos I have posted up online, here, instagram, twitter, tumbler, and then no reference credit, or original design cred was given... then seeing all the killer remarks, etc... And each time I get all pissy about it Richard says... Can't get mad, if you put it out there someone is going to use it. , seen people rip off blackhearts shit, seen em rip off Major TM Logos, I have even ripped on Stella Artois Logo. Mike Roper is the only artist I know that is like a mystery. You know his work is amazing. Don't see a lot of it... Because he doesn't make that stuff easily available. ShawnPorter, I haven't been able to check the video out you posted, I will when I get a good inet connection. BTW, you coming to Richmond? New School is bullshit. I'm sorry, it is. until I start seeing new school water color flash sheets rolling around all over, not oils or acrylics, then I will acknowledge it as a "dance" until then, all I see is some idiot that doesn't want to learn the footwork to even two step...Lazy.

My back piece experience so far. Hmmm, where to begin... Both empowering and humbling is my best description. Empowering, because despite after always admiring the full back pieces I'd see in tattoo magazines in the 80's and 90's, then, especially here on LST, I never in a million years thought I'd ever be able to do it. But, this year, at age 46 I started mine on June 30th. I had it built up in my head that it would be the most painful experience of my life, and was so worried that I'd have to quit halfway through, but then I saw the stencil on my back and I was like "It's so awesome. Cool, so what if it wraps around my ribs and goes collar to waist, I can do this." Well, I did do it. It wasn't easy, but I made it through the outline (Shit tons of lines, but he got it on me in 3hrs 40mins.) Yeah, it was painful as Hell. I knew going in what I was about to put myself through, and went in with my head in the game. All of the shading and coloring has been painful as hell as well, but I always see progress, and it keeps me stoked for the next time. I'm about halfway done now at the 17.5 hour mark, taking it in 3 hour or so chunks, plus random tattoo of opportunity times. Humbling, because all the other tattooers and clientele at the tattoo shop doing my back, and other people that have seen my back piece are now like so reverential of it (think "Whoa, Dude, how the Hell did you do that?") I feel like all I did was just lay there and take it because I REALLY, REALLY wanted a ROA back piece. Once it's finished I'll get get to wear this motherfucker till they put me in the ground and I'm worm dirt.

bongsau is the hunter s thompson of tattoo clients haha

Anyone living in or coming to Melbourne, Australia should really get amongst Fergus Simms tattoos. He has dozens of amazing tattoos from the guys at Smith St. and you can really see their influence in his tattoos.

@ian Awesome. Just saw on Frith Sts twitter that Chad Koeplinger is there from Feb 18 to March 15th... Great chance for some of you... Must... Resist...

..for a nervous and bizarre dude.

I'd say it's a great idea, but I love huge blackwork pieces and japanese. I personally don't have any blackwork, but I really appreciate it when it's well done! I don't know your current tattoo collection on your arm, but even doing blackwork with some negative space patterns in it would be awesome too. Marc at Little Swastika does that kind of thing really well

Busy month for me ahead with 3 appointments. Chad Keoplinger, Matt Beckerich and Grant Cobb coming to Ireland and am booked in with em all!! Chad- Big Ed Hardy style panther head stabbed by daggers with couple roses thrown in on my thigh, that'll be big piece! Matt - Either a dagger or a skull. Grant- Not sure,possibly hands, but obviously putting lot of thought into it.

I think this is going to turn out like that movie "Catfish."