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got this from Todd Noble in Montreal yesterday:

I've just returned from a brilliant weekend at the Montreal Tattoo Convention where I had the pleasure of seeing many amazing things. I watched as the Leu Family double-teamed a guy on Saturday. I am still a bit shaken from imagining doing that myself. I met a ton of cool people, including at least 3 folks from LST. I had the chance to talk to Ron Henry Wells, which was a particular pleasure. Not only a brilliant artist, but a hell of a nice guy. Sadly, I didn't have an appointment with him though. Next time! I also had a good sitting with Chad Koeplinger, and he put two new tattoos on my leg. I'll post one now, and the other once its healed and I can get a better pic. As usual he was a lot of fun to talk to and I ended up with a couple of pieces that I am thrilled with. - - - Updated - - -

Cool thread! I've been tattooed by Mike Malone (RIP), Bill Salmon, Bob Roberts, and Horiyoshi 3. I think Freddy Corbin started tattooing just after 1985. Man, @Bunny Switchblade is gonna crush this thread!

Nobody is gonna top Bunny in this thread As far as myself; deVita Tux Higgs Sonny Tufts

Ha ha ha.......well this is truly what I have focused my "collecting" on! Can I ask why pick the year 1985? I am just curious...... - - - Updated - - - Here are a few off the top of my head..... There are probably several more but I am not sure they have made it to the 28-30 year mark just yet so i didn't include them...... Debra Yarian Debbie Lenz Gale Watkins (my mentor) Tony Polito Mike Perfetto Steve Delgatto Jerry "Reds" Donohoe Ronnie Dell'Aquila Richard Stell John Black Tom Beasley Ritchie Montgomery Dana Brunson Jennie Peace LeDan Peace Stan Moskowitz Marvin Moskowitz Ernie Carafa Jerry Swallow Juli Moon George Benjamin Mike Skiver

I got this gorilla & rose situation from Chad Koeplinger last Friday at the Montreal Art Tattoo convention. Believe it or not this was done in an hour and a half of tattooing! He actually broke a mag shading needle partway through. I've never heard of this happening before, but seemed routine for to him. Chad's a super nice guy, and made this a fun experience. He'll finish it up early next year, when he comes back to town. I'm super stoked!

Got this done by Matt Houston at Gastown Tattoo Parlour in Vancouver. Very happy how it turned out. Matt is pretty cool guy too. I'll be getting another soon enough, im sure.

I'm really enjoying seeing the results of the Montreal convention. So happy for all of you. I got a really incredible tattoo from El Monga on Friday. The magic is strong with this one. I didn't get any pictures of it when it was fresh, so I'm waiting to see if he posts one to his IG so I can pilfer it. Otherwise I'll wait 'til it's healed to get a picture. I know, I know, I hate to keep you all in suspense.

I guess you could say I'm interested in old time tattoos done by old time tattooers. What old tattooer have you been tattooed by? Any that you would like to get tattooed by in the future? I've been tattooed by Bob Roberts, Bowery Stan, Tony Polito, Eric Inksmith and Sailor Eddie Jr. I'd love to add something by many different tattooers of the "old guard" but particularly Zeke Owen.

@Graeme's parents are staying with us right now and kind of freaked when they saw his fresh tattoo yesterday. His mom asked "what will your children think???" and Graeme said that he was actually doing his parents a service, since us having all these tattoos means our kids will for sure think they're lame and they won't want any. I am not sure this won her over.

It hasn't even been a year yet for me here on LST and low and behold I'm being nostalgic and waxing poetic already, hahaha. Needless to say it has been an amazing experience getting tattooed and sharing with kindred spirits here on LST and Instagram. All of this would not be possible if it not for some really awesome people here on LST. So without further delay, here's my way of giving back to LST and paying it forward. Some of you may know that a couple of months back I won a contest on Instagram via the killer staff at Tattoo Culture Magazine and Tattoo Artist Magazine. Received three fantastic prints from three stellar artists. I was super stoked when I got them but then realized with the limited space I have in my place (small NYC apartment and my lady just moved in with me too!) that I would not be able to enjoy these as much as someone else. I want these to go to someone who truly appreciates tattoos and are amazingly cool people. @hogg @slayer9019 @gougetheeyes @Iwar As mods, you have made everyone on LST feel so welcomed and it is a thankless job that all of you have for making LST such a cool spot to chill and share our experiences. I want to send each of you a print of my choice (yes I won three, but I have a fourth sitting around). A small token to say "thank you". Please PM me your shipping info (promise this isn't a scam, hahaha). @slayer9019 and @gougetheeyes since you two are local to NYC, happy to meet up and pass you the print. Cheers to the LST crew!

That's cool.....I just wondered if for some people they saw 1985 as some pivotal time in tattooing or something and my first professional tattoo was done in 1984 by Juli Moon..... - - - Updated - - - I don't really know why or what got into my head one evening BUT.....I just decided that I wanted to seek out some of the people who had been tattooing 30-40 years and begin to add their work to my body! At the time I was not even thinking I would ever pick up a machine and tattoo but to me it truly was my way of being able to honor those people who had put their time in to the craft and community I loved since I did not tattoo! It really hit home to me that this is what I felt I should do once I was tattooed by Dennis Watkins....the hubby of my now mentor Gale Watkins! Dennis apparently was dying at the time unknown to anyone but himself and had really stopped tattooing totally. I asked a friend to see if he could convince him to do something small on me....and he agreed to do something! That one tattoo turned into three.....Myself...my hubby....and my son have his last three tattoos! After his death I asked a few well known tattoo artists who I was fortunate to be friends with who were others who had this kind of time in and got back a wonderful list I have been chipping away at for some time now! I try not to really draw a lot of attention to myself because I am really no one special.....I have just taken the time to have been tattooed by a lot of really wonderful people who love/loved what they do..... I really would urge others to do this as well if you are just going for smaller pieces here and there on your body rather than larger mural style pieces!

In the vast ocean of shit online, I think it's safe to say that Last Sparrow is one of, if not the friendliest place on the internet. At least from what I've encountered. The level of civility here is second to none, and our strong community is build up by members who are truly passionate about keeping LST what it was meant to be from launch. A friendly place for enthusiasts to talk about, share, educate and promote good tattoos. Our community is in fact so strong that the site in most cases moderate itself before any of us has to step in. We're all pretty much on the same page here, and that's rare by internet standards. Sentimental shit aside, I think I'm just trying to say that having this place online to hang out with likeminded people is a reward within itself. I will however say that @steve1461686340 is much more deserving of this than I am. He has kept this site running and improving since the beginning, but since he's kind of a "behind the curtains guy" he rarely gets any credit for it. The hours he's put into building this awesome place deserves to be recognized, so if it's cool with you @ironchef I'd like him to receive the print you're giving away instead of me. Donations to Last Sparrow is also a really nice way to give something back. That way Steve won't have to dig into his own pockets when the server needs replacing or the domain bill shows up in his mailbox. Thanks for being a part of our community @ironchef! It's contributions from members like yourself that makes this site great!

2013 is Henning Jorgensen's 30 Anniversary for his shop Royal Tattoo in Denmark. That places him starting at 1983, does that count? ;)

@steve1461686340 @gougetheeyes Thunder Dome ! "two men enter one man leaves"

Thanks! I had a blast chatting with @Graeme and yourself about dicks! Hahah Spent the whole day at the convention again, scored some awesome goodies in the last two days as well! They'll make their way onto Instagram eventually!

I too want to weigh in on this. I had the great pleasure of meeting @Graeme , @Pugilist , @Mushu @BrianH and his wonderful partner, at Poutineville in Montreal last night after a busy day at the convention. Internet meet-ups can definitely be awkward, but these folks were amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of you and hope we will meet again in the future. You couldn't ask for a more friendly, more interesting, and pleasant group of people. My only regret is that I have poor hearing and I was having a very hard time hearing parts of the conversation. I had to constantly ask people to repeat themselves. I'm sorry about that. It occurs to me now that we should have taken a group picture to post here! Anyway, this was my first convention and I am now certain there will be many more to come. Montreal for certain - it's one of the loveliest cities in the world, and the convention was top-notch. *fixed.

@hogg Ha! Could be. I just want a wide variety of tattoos and tattoo experiences :cool: Here is a pic of it going down. There were disposable needles and gloves involved and I didn't get the Stoney rat there.

I like all of y'all. When I joined up here, I had no idea what to expect. It's weird, from here and Instagram, I've been able to see into the lives of people I have never met, but I honestly think the world of.

It was seriously great meeting you all! It's really nice putting faces to names and finding out that you're all super cool, friendly, easy-going folk in real life as well. I hope that we will all meet up again...perhaps next year again at the Montreal convention? I'd also really like to thank Val and Pierre at Tattoomania for putting on this convention year after year. They always get great tattooers, it's super fun in a gorgeous setting, and it's really a pretty incredible event. Like getting the chance to see Filip Leu and Kurt Wiscombe knocking out one-session backpieces? That is the stuff of legend happening literally right there, and we are so fortunate that there are people like Val and Pierre who love tattooing so much that they're putting that incredible amount of work into making it happen.

A friend of mine got in touch and said he's considering being on the show. He knows how much I hate it, so he thought I'd be the perfect person to talk to about doing it. We talked for a few hours via text and I couldn't, at the end, tell him NOT to do it. I was going to go with 'no one will take you seriously if you go on it' then I realized the we as a community/industry/whatever seem to make exception for the the judges, Shane O'neill, Jime Litwalk and whoever else we decide is 'ok' but the rest of them are a joke. I was going to go with 'they're going to make you look like a jerk' because it's easy for me to say that, since my livelihood doesn't depend on tattooing. Lalo said that after being on S2 he had a significant increase in interest for appointments, which Im sure is true for even the worst of the bunch. So internet commentators (like me. Just like me) can comment on you looking silly, but you're going to be too busy tattooing and making a little bit of coin while it's there to be made. I dunno. I think the show is a joke and I hate it, but I couldn't think of a reason for a young tattooer who wants a little adventure and some extra coin NOT to be on it other than for selfish, shallow reasons. So when someone who hates it says 'why not'... I'm curious to what he'll do.

"I'm going to tell her to ignore judgmental ass holes."

Where: FTW Tattoo Who: Jay Watkins Wanted a tattoo to show my love for the city that I love. Oakland is an amazingly misunderstood place. FTW was an amazing shop. Jason, Sean, Alex Matus, Jay Watkins...All were so cool and fun to be around. Can't speak highly enough. Came here after Temple had no way to get my friend in for an appointment in the next two weekends. Glad I did! Thanks to cltattooing for referencing them on here!

@ironchef way too nice of you! Like @Iwar said, @steve1461686340 deserves so much credit for making this all happen in the first place. I'm happy to give up my slot so that there doesn't need to be a Norwegian/NorCal Indian Wrestling Death Match (though I hope this happens on the 19th). It's extraordinarily thoughtful of you to think of us @ironchef and I'm only happy I can also be a part of the same board that's been so great for myself. I forgot you were in NY so we should get up to drink a beer or other beverage soon regardless! Cheers, dude!!

Wow, you guys are awesome. When we started LST we had no idea it would evolve into such a great community so quickly. I'm just grateful that the mission of the site has already succeeded, and I know @Scott Sylvia is too. I honestly don't know what we'd do without the moderation team we have, and it's true that they are volunteers who mostly go un-thanked sans a free t-shirt or dinner here or there. @Iwar, how about we arm wrestle for for the print at the LST anniversary dinner on the 19th in SF? We both have guitar player arms so it should be an even match. Thanks for all the kind words and support everyone - here's to many more years!

"Perfectly Aged" from Bodies of Subversion via Sang Bleu for when people ask how your tattoos will look when you are 50/70/90... Not that it really matters or is anyone's business, if they fade and get old along with us, so be it, but these are holding up quite well! http://sangbleu.com/2013/09/06/perfectly-aged/screen-shot-2013-07-08-at-8-14-15-pm/

Yep, Bunny crushed it. She also reminded me that I've been tattooed by Richard Stell (knew I was forgetting someone!).

My girlfriend and I enjoyed meeting everyone and am looking forward to going to the convention again next year! It was fun talking tattoos with real live people. Also the poutine was outstanding. And I highly recommend visiting Montreal, it is a great weekend trip if you are within 5-6 hours by car/bus.

Old tattoos are way cooler than liver spots and varicose veins is my usual response to that question.

I've always found really inconsiderate when people ask this question. Assuming the recipient of the question hasn't thought of it yet, and the above-mentioned response isn't known, then all it really accomplishes is ruining someone's day. People are so thoughtless. Alternatively, a friend of mine was carrying his daughter in Best Buy when someone pointed to his arms and said "What are you going to do when SHE'S old enough and SHE wants tattoos??" To which he responded, "Well, obviously I hate them." and walked away.

Most of you have seen this already, but stolen from Mike Rubendall's instagram: Awesome dude, awesome tattoo, super stoked, I think 8-9 hours of tattooing in one week (finishing my back and then this) is enough!

My ass is already spoken for. Naked lady reclining on a hotdog is still going to happen though.

I also want to mention the new rule for LST meet-ups which is that if you go to the bathroom, the rest of the group is allowed to collectively decide on a new tattoo for you. If we come to a consensus before your return, you must accept your fate or be BANNED. All of that to say, @Graeme, we are all waiting for that naked lady reclining on a hotdog to appear on your butt.

@ironchef @steve1461686340 @gougetheeyes @hogg @slayer9019 @Iwar I have a print from tattoo elite international that I would be happy to send to the 5th guy so no one gets left out.

I love her work, definitely has a defined style. Met her at the Montreal show a few years ago, really fun person. Super talented. - - - Updated - - - Zack makes some amazing tattoos; super smooth. Works at Anonymous Tattoo in Savannah. Super nice guy too. He has a lot of stuff on his IG, follow him at zackspurlock some stuff here too: Zack Spurlock | tattoos

The tattoos that I have seen from Montreal has been nothing short of amazing! It makes me sad that I couldn't of made the trip out.

When you're from the States, you take it where you can get it, my friend!

Oh man, I didn't know you had hearing trouble, @Mark Bee - next time we will pick a quieter place to hang out! It was also great to meet @Mushu, who joined us for poutine, @mtlsam, who joined us for beer, and @Dennis and his totally charming girlfriend, who surpassed us all in enthusiasm and stamina by spending seemingly every waking hour at the convention. It was way more fun to navigate the chaos of a tattoo convention feeling like we knew people!

I just wanted to say that meeting up with everyone was super nice last night! I often find internet meet-ups kind of awkward, but not with this bunch. Very friendly, personable folks, plus with tattoos as a common area of interest, lots to talk about. Hope you all have a good last day at the convention and a chill trip home!

That's Elizabeth Weinzirl and unless I'm mistaken most of her tattoos were done by Bert Grimm. @ShawnPorter posted a video interview with her on Occult Vibrations, which is super cool for many reasons including that you can see how good those tattoos look:

You need to mention that his ability to scrounge up a massage table was crucial because you BROKE the table you were on. When they say they want you to sit like a rock, they don't mean that literally, sweetheart.

I got this today from Chad Koeplinger at the Montreal convention. Ed Hardy-inspired hybrid rose right over the shin. I am super stoked on it and all of you should get tattooed by Chad not only because his tattoos are fucking amazing, but because he is a rad dude and getting tattooed by him is super fun.

I read an article in I cant remember what magazine many years ago that pointed out that almost every question we get asked about our tattoos can also be directed towards a new teen mother example: "did that hurt?" "what do your parents think about that?" " you know you're stuck with that for ever, right?" "i cant believe you'd do that to your body?" "why would you do something so irresponsible?" etc., etc.

It was really nice seeing you all! Good meal with awesome people ! I'm still sorry for leaving early, had to go take my stuff where I stayed the night before and go see some of my cousins, can't see them often so... yeah :/ Sorry about your hearing Mark :( I couldn't really hear everything everyone said either to be honest, it was kind of crowdy and the noise level wasn't the best for me who can have a hard time with english XD I'll definitly be there again next year! (Oh yes, totally gonna get my right butt cheek tattooed with a hungry hamster. I bet that sounds crazy. Does it sounds crazy? ahah )

Yea, she'd be hot except for the tattoos!!! :-)

seth wood will be starting at temple (oakland) beginning of october...his work is pretty badass and worth considering along with all the other artists named in this thread (many of whom i've been fortunate enough to get tattooed by!). my friends are still jealous i managed to get a couple pieces from chris conn before he disappeared, then reappeared with a $300/hour-three hour minimum rate down in LA...

@ironchef, Dude, that's so nice of you! Totally unnecessary, but also appreciated. I think I speak for all the mods when I say that banning fools is payment enough for us. PM coming shortly. :)

Hahaha we were saying to each other last night that this message board thinks we are much cooler than we actually are.

@Graeme and @Pugilist win the award for LST Power Couple.

Yeah, this reminded me of a time I had a conversation with a friend's friend. I think she asked me about my tattoos initially and it somehow segued to Hardy. At that point she spewed some trash about Ed Hardy thinking of the clothing. I responded by trying to inform her that he's actually a great artist, a legend in the tattoo world, and a great influence on people despite what feelings there are towards the clothing design. Also that it was Audigier who she should probably be disgusted with. In her elitist arrogance, her look at me turned to disgust and saw me as a huge douche for even trying to say anything positive about the name "Ed Hardy". That pretty much ended the conversation and we happily went our separate ways. I might not necessarily be a fan of the stereotypes wearing the clothes but I'm far less interested in the people too elitist to have an open mind and who trash others they know nothing about.