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Figure as it's up on Xam's Instagram I'd throw this progress shot here too. Colour in a couple of weeks, got all the black done in basically a couple of hours earlier today at The Family Business in London. Man has that shop changed since I was last in a couple of years ago, it's at least doubled in size with a new brighter, modern feeling area built out into the next door shop. Tons of artists there as well now. Photo by xamthespaniard • Instagram

At last my koi with Japanese maple sleeve is finished and pretty much fully heeled. The work was done by Mo Coppoletta from the Family Business in London, done in seven sessions between December and May. Pictures also posted on the May tattoo contest thread elsewhere on this forum.

signed a lease and am moving in with my girlfriend on July 1st. excited about having a "nice" place for the first time in my life. it is a 1 bed 1 bath with a small kitchen but a huge room that will be used as a combined living/dinning area and a little nook that will be set up as a office area. also really high ceilings (10 or 12 feet) so plenty of room for my growing print/flash collection, just need to convince my girlfriend that some of the dragon prints aren't as scary looking as she thinks they are.

Yesterday 15-05-2013 I got my right fore-arm inked, with the classic Death Before Dishonor. By Robert Aalbers' @ Clean Solid Tattoo, Waalwijk, The Netherlands.

Awesome, @BrianH! We are moving July 1st too. We just visited our new place this evening to take measurements and get a sense of what we can fit in there and what we want to do to it, and we're psyched! It's almost double the space we have now. Although I am a bit freaked, because I think it's going to take a LOT to set it up nicely - the whooooooole thing needs to be painted, among other things, and it's a pretty generous 3 bedroom!

Hipsters pay my rent haha. Over the last couple of years I guess I've unintentionally started to specialise in animal tattoos. A lot of which have clothes, monocles etc.. Gotta give people what they want :) I just count myself lucky I'm not doing infinity symbols and stuff turning into birds all day.

Just made an appointment with Mitch Love - getting a butterfly. Then a fortnight after that I see Fergus Simms for my eagle vs snake. Everything's coming up Milhouse

Thanks for the educational post!

Ok, short story background 1st. I got my 1st tattoo (the "traditional" snake on the left) in 1974. Between then and the early '90s I kept adding on, making the mistakes of a/trying to get the tattooist to replicate my artwork, b/thinking my designs and attempts to tie it all together would work + c/trusting that the last artist could "refresh" the look by re-inking everything. Result = helter/skelter, muddy jumble on prime real estate (all you youngsters - I hope you truly realize what a wonderfull educational tool the internet has become). The artist I now want to do a nice back piece thinks he could cover it without laser, but I want to give him more freedom/options. Here's how it looked last fall: I'm going to New Look in Houston. They offered/used Dr.Numb for the 1st 2 treatments, both of which lasted about 45 minutes - and this is the result 8 weeks after the 2nd session: I'm real happy with the progress so far. That's the good news. Here's where I'm starting to squirm. Had my 3rd session 2 weeks ago tomorrow only to learn that the entire staff had been replaced by management (??!!), they no longer use/provide numbing cream and the tech who I got passed to did an exceptionally painfull session in about 15-20 minutes. I'm going to wait 8 weeks and see how the results are before I buy my own Dr.Numb and book my next appointment.

We can show before and after photos, talk about how it's done but I think for anyone who's considering getting a tattoo removed via laser should also probably watch a properly done treatment. YouTube is full of blisters, scabs, scars, bloody messes and all kinds of gross things. It's a shame Google Image Search is also full of the nasty tidbits. I'm sharing this video (and more in the future) not as a promotion of my business but as an informal education to the process, to help answer questions and to be the one who can answer them with my first hand experience both receiving treatments and doing them for clients. This client has several tattoos he wants lightened, all to be covered later. The white frosting you see is water in the skin being vaporized from the heat of the laser (condensed beam of light), it typically will fade within 5-10 minutes post treatment and the tattoo may even look darker for up to two days following treatment. He's agreed to let me record a bunch of his treatments so as he comes in I hope to expand both my creativeness with editing but also loop together one larger, longer video.

It sounds like you guys are in a similar place to us - we need to get the place in shape after FOUR students lived there for several years. We literally had to like, climb over stuff just to take basic measurements yesterday! Yikes. Good luck - moving in with your partner is the best!

That back piece is INSANE! I love how O'Donnell describes on certain pieces it can stand alone or background can be added. I can't wait to get my calf started with him. Such a cool dude!

I am in an awesome relationship right now, my girl has a few tattoos and she's really been good for me compared to some others I've been with in the past. I was a plainskin but she always saw me on instagram checking out tattoos and browsing this great website we've got here. About a month ago she asked what I wanted for my birthday, I couldn't really think of anything so I said nothing, and she brought up a tattoo! That's too much, I said, we'll split it. Anyways I ended up with pretty much the best present ever and I'm super stoked to have an awesome girlfriend and a sick tattoo. </end sappy story>

Yeah, that tiger and snake backpiece belongs to me. I have another session coming up this Monday.

the children of super cool parents

Ok, I'll play, though it is a tough month on this thread once again with lots of superb entries already. My sleeve has recently been finished and has nearly healed, the work was done by Mo Copoletta at The Family Business in London, it took seven three hour sessions which between December and May. I have already posted a few in progress shots but this is the finished product.

Just celebrated a wonderful mother's day, cooked and cleaned for my mom all day, and I'm happy to say she told me she's had a great mother's day.

Attending all the events associated with my baby sister's graduation this weekend!! She's now a Master in Speech-Language Pathology (just like me!!!! :D) I'm so unbelievably proud of her!!!!

..and some more progress on the background.

I don't claim to know him Richard and @Jennifer Stell well, but I first met Richard in 1991 at Scorpion Studios in Houston. Our paths crossed again in 2010 when he tattooed me at the SFO Convention. Ask anyone in the industry or who has ever been tattooed by him: Richard is a badass with a sharp wit, endless jokes, and a wry smile that'll win you over ever time. And it doesn't hurt that his art is legendary; he has truly developed a style all his own. As many of you know have no doubt heard by now, Richard Stell suffered a heart attack a few days ago. He now needs open heart surgery, which is not a cheap procedure. If you're able to help out, even a little, I'm sure he'd appreciate it. To do so, you can PayPal [email protected]. Thanks in advance.

well with the tattoo you have I can only see your parents high fiving you and saying "FUCK YEAH"

@Tim Burke - already ogled that on IG! You must be so stoked! It's fantastic.

The whole lineup at Dedication Tattoo in Denver should be up there, some killer work coming out of that shop. Marie Sena Andy Canino Brian Thurow Sam Yamini Jason Boatman Dedication Tattoo

It's odd that you mentioned that, because I came across this video on youtube a couple hours ago :)

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

My recent pair of tattoos are the first ones I've been able to heal without having to keep them covered for the first week or so because of clothing complications (ribcage - bra strap, and hip - underwear/waistband). That alone has made this a better healing experience, haha. I kept the bandages on overnight, and since then have washed and lotioned up twice a day (Aquaphor a couple of times, Aveeno mostly). Mine never swell, get red, or feel too sore, but they flake like mad and itch fairly badly. I'm at the itchy part now. :( This post brought to you by the need to do something else with my hands other than be tempted to scratch.

Someone stab this thread repeatedly so it dies a slow death.

Flux Capacitor? Deception? Cojones? Also, to everyone who said OCD is a benefit: That's one of the stupidest things I hear about getting work in tattooing and tattoo shops. Since when did being obsessively compelled to do something, (without logical reason) benefit any profession, employment or craft? OCD doesn't mean being dedicated or diligent. It doesn't mean that you care about getting something right or keeping things clean. It stands for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. "Can I have a job in your tattoo shop? I have a mental disorder that makes me ignore reason and prevents me making sensible decisions based on facts. I won't seek help for this because popular misconception paints me as a hygiene savant or Rain Man with disinfectant." "No, I'll give it to this rational, dedicated, hard working, person who I tattooed a body suit on."

for the first time since October I have no future appointments booked... i think i need to go make an appointment to get my koi half sleeve polished up (now that i figured out a healing method that works perfectly for me) and extended to 3/4 so it matches my other arm...

I have probably said this before, and I may say it again, but thanks to you all for getting such rad tattoos. It's great checking on this thread and seeing so many tattoos that I would be super stoked to have on myself.

During my last few sessions with Mike Rubendall, I had the great pleasure of chatting up Chris O'Donnell. O'Donnell is like a repository for NYC tattoo history and knowledge and just a really nice guy to chat with. Chris and I are currently discussing sleeving my calf with a snake (I think his snakes set the bar for snake tattoos). I was looking over his Instagram and Blog and O'Donnell has some KILLER back pieces up. Here are some examples of images off his website: This last one is a collaboration between O'Donnell and Thomas Hooper! INSANE!!!

Dusty Neal

LIfe goes on and we just got an mri on a healthy baby! Due in September sorry for big size I am not internet savvy BOY!

@Slaytanic213

I saw this one in Brian Bruno's book over the weekend. Picture stolen from his instagram. Unreal, I am jealous of whoever has this.

I hadn't posted the two most recent tattoos i'd gotten here until now. Tattoos and photographs by Chad Koeplinger, done at Frith Street. Rose of no mans land - September 2012, dragon - March 2013. (original instagram link to the rose of no mans land tattoo - Photo by chadkoeplinger_tattooer • Instagram)

You don't want to be branded like a cow?????

It is, and it would be a frosty day in hell before I ever tattooed my employer's logo on my body.

Me and Dennis Cockell a year ago me recently with my buddy Chris

I got concerned for a quick minute that I was getting too many animal tattoos on one arm. I decided on getting a dagger where I wanted a wolf. I love the dagger, it is totally rad but at the end of the day I would have rather gotten a wolf. Stick with your gut and get what you want. If you start to question the things that you want you are more likely to end up with tattoos you are not completely stoked on.

I grew up lower middle class listening to metal and punk in a major urban area. I don't think either of my parents were surprised. My dad didn't like them, but he knew he couldn't do anything to stop me once I was old enough. I think that's important. Everyone I know or have heard stories from, even if the parent is doing something like paying for college or rent and they threaten to cut that if you get a tattoo, all it does is promote lying. The person still gets their tattoo. They just lie and hide it. I'm glad my parents have always had that mindset. They knew they couldn't stop me. As long as it was my money, it was my choice. Every time I got a new one my dad kinda just made a face. My mom even got one at one point. I have a daughter and get asked by people who, you can tell, don't like tattoos "what are you gonna do if she wants one?" Um....really? Like you think I'd be against it? I have 15 and counting. What the hell do you think? I'd rather her consult me and go somewhere good than to some crap hole and not tell me. I don't know if they're implying that as a parent my mind would change or since because she's female I'd be against it? I dunno. Weird assholes who think they can control people. They weird me out sometimes.

@Mike Panic You are an upstanding gentlemen in a sea of folks who don't give a shit about helping people. I appreciate your attitude. If there is any way I can help with your charitable goals, please PM me. I would like to think that people who care can help others.

Thanks @Brock Varty & @YOMONEY - I probably said this elsewhere on LST but when we started, we made it clear in our plan that we don't want to shame people about having tattoos, for any reason. I also am not offended when someone only wants a few treatments because they want a cover up. At the end of the day, we (business partner & I) want to make people happy. Tattoo removal is very different compared to being tattooed. I build relationships with my clients, I see them every 4-6 weeks for months on end, in some cases a year or more. They need to be as comfortable coming into me as possible, because they obviously don't like what they have on them, so why make the environment one of regret and shame? Seems like bad business. We offer a standing discount to enlisted members of the military and first responders, but like I said, are trying to work with recruiters about those wishing to enlist and trying to find government money to help even partially fund removal of tattoos for those who are re-entering the working world after being incarcerated, no longer in a gang or former member of a hate group. Also looking to partner up with local job fairs to help those who tattoos in visible locations (knucks & necks) who are now having issues pursuing more "conservative" jobs where such tattoos are frowned upon. We're all tattooed, we all know that there shouldn't be prejudice but there is, and sometimes you just have to bend a little "for the man" as they say. Having worked in NYC, it's perfectly acceptable to be tattooed up and down, left and right, in most industries. Go to small town USA, totally different story. I also agree with the pricing. We're not undercutting our local competition, we're competitively priced, but due to promos, sales and specials you can probably get a slightly better deal through us. That said, I have a few clients who come in from a neighboring state and would rather drive 2 and a half to three hours to me because their local options cost THREE TIMES what we charge!

wait it out until you've gotten all of the bigger tattoos that you want out of the way.

Just like when I first heard Joy Division and thought it was a joke. Sorry if anyone is into them, but I still kind of think nobody actually likes that band.. (IanCurtisRIP)