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I'm still young and have only been a member of the 9-5 workforce for 7-8 years, but the one thing I've learned is work is not the time or place for any type of self expression. You get paid to perform your specific job, not to express/advertise all your hobbies and beliefs. I do not want to be "the guy in finance with the tattoos". I want to be "that guy in finance who knows his shit and can help solve this problem." Also when muscular guys wear tight polo shirts in an office environment they look like are personal trainers, or depending on the color work at Target, Best Buy, Walmart, etc.

@growltiger - my rudimentary understanding of pregnancy rules is that 90% of them come from "we don't really know what this would do, so don't do it just in case". My impression is that the ban on tattooing and piercing is the same. It's something that takes a toll on one's body, and the logic is to just not risk it. I think this logic can be used as an excuse to treat pregnant women like delicate porcelain dolls, which is annoying and controlling, but in the case of something so totally optional, like tattoos, I get it. @TrixieFaux - great response! While I know both men and women get flack and idiotic assumptions put on them for being tattooed, I truly believe that when it comes to this kind of garbage, it is just one iteration of the larger desire to control and judge women's bodies (clearly my theme for this post!), that comes from a misogynistic ethic wherein we are public property and should not have the autonomy to make decisions for ourselves. One of the things I LOVE about being a tattooed woman is the extent to which it is a rejection of that control; I get to do what I want with my goddamn body, you fucking assholes!

Tattooed ladies being put down again...very trendy. I just couldn't stay out of this one... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Its been a busy month for me, got my 3/4 sleeve finished and was incredibly lucky to get a cancellation eagle with Valerie Vargas. So here is the first one... Valerie Vargas, Frith Street Tattoo, London.

That segment on Sunrise disappointed me on a number of levels. Not only do we live in a patriarchal society and have to field comments like that from men, we still have a number of woman who sprout off the same ignorant remarks which only serves to re-inforce these archaic views of how woman should look and live in society. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but she could've worded her response in such a better way. No one would begrudge her for saying that tattoos weren't her cup of tea and leaving it at that, but she had to take it further with her message that woman with tattoos aren't attractive and that men don't find us attractive either. Because we all live our lives just to make ourselves more attractive to men, right? I also find it amusing that someone with no tattoos can make such a blanket statement that everyone will regret their tattoos at some stage in their life. If people do regret their tattoos, how in any way is that affecting her? What ever happened to live and let live? Why wasn't there a woman on that panel with a sleeve or a gorgeous chest piece? I hope that Anna Musson doesn't have a daughter, as we don't need any more woman growing up hearing and believing that self expression is viewed negatively and is ugly.

And in an instant this becomes the advice column.

Some more on my back by Marius Meyer. It starts looking like a backpiece I think Next session is the 10th of May:

Chuuuuck!

Here is our puppy Penny. This was taken about a month ago; she would have been about 7 weeks or so at that point.

Determined to turn this month into a ridiculous rib piece battle.... Uncle Allan. Conspiracy Inc, Berlin. All healed up.

This is a healed shot of my somewhat Ed Hardy inspired gorilla rose situation, tattooed by Chad Koeplinger. An hour and a half to outline and do most of the black. Three hours to finish. Two fun sessions!

I was really pleased to see a comment at the top refuting the "but you invited me to stare" argument. Because it IS like saying "look at how she's dressed, she's asking for it" or staring at amputees when a stump or fake arm is visible. I keep covered because if the inevitable stares, but honestly already had that practice in place pre-tattoo because there are a lot of creepy starers out there, and I don't want to attract attention. But it kind of sucks that I have to cover my tattoos and womanliness because some people are creeps and stare and comment regularly, a la "ooh, look at those hips! I bet you've had a lot of children", and "are you a slut or are you expensive?" FYI those happened in the last three months with all tattoos covered and just jeans and a hoodie on. Soooo...did I invite that by walking around? Because that's all I was doing, going from point a to b. During the day! I should also state that sometimes I dress to show off my tattoos and also to be purposefully attractive...and even then while I do it on purpose with the intention of being appreciated, getting called names and getting leered at are still not okay and a really violating experience. So where's the balance? Because sometimes I want to look good. But I NEVER want the names or comments. "What do I have to do to see all of your tattoos" shudder. I do keep covered in professional situations, much like I wouldn't wear club wear to a meeting, because it's just not the right time for it. Maybe after the meeting we compare tattoos, but biz is biz until it's done! I wouldn't wear a suit to a club, either. (Who am I kidding? I don't go to clubs!!! Ahahaha) Buuuut also I mostly work for myself, by myself, and in a non traditional environment, so a lot of the "rules" are of my own devising. Anyway. Barf for the morning.

Got this one Saturday at the Rochester convention from Frank William. Instagram

@cltattooing 's work on the back of my thigh. Done last week at Clubhouse Tattoo in Oakland.

I am new to tattoos, started 6 months ago. So far I have single tattoos on each calf and each shoulder/upper arm. One more single tattoo going on my thigh next month. My body and wallet need a break. I can see possibly adding more single tattoos and linking them or adding background/filler, down the road. Currently my "look" is single tattoos as decoration. I don't plan on any sleeves or extended coverage, but I imagine many people say that at the beginning.

Needs moar blakk, bro.

I realize this is a day late, and for that I apologize, but I felt some of you would appreciate it.

If it looks like piss....

Last Sparrow Tattoo - Forum Rules

Seven Doors also springs to mind...

Saw that. And it goes back to what we always say...the original had all the soul. Whoever has the imitation is walking around with just that.

I can safely say that my RHW wolf was sorta inspired by "...And Out Come The Wolves." Also, I have friends that do an OPIV cover band called Too Hectic. Guys from Paint it Black and others around here. May have been the most fun punk set I saw last year. Haha.

Henry Lewis just called out some dude on Instagram over this today.

I was 17 when I got my first real crush on an unobtainable woman, her name was Alex Herman and she was the hottest punk rock girl/woman I had ever seen. She was also the first really heavily tattooed woman I had seen with amazing work, way cooler than the less than mediocre black and grey punk tattoos I had seen on friends and at shows. She had a cheetah print forearm and for some reason is still ingrained in my mind. Therefor I have a slight bias and don't mind cheetah print all that much.

I wish. Stupid saving money for tattoos getting in the way of travelling for tattoos.

I'm pretty sure that would make you incredibly recognizable.

My Kim Saigh arm is healed. Why is it so hard to get good pics? There are 5 shots here and still no full view of the inner bicep rose. Oh well. Good enough!

actually, Grime posted this to Instagram so I figured I'd share it over here...

So I now own a company (yea!) and this topic creeps into my head every once in awhile, but now from a slightly different perspective. I'm moving toward the slightly heavier tattooed situation week by week and personally keep by my motto "when in doubt cover it up". Then again i generally am wearing a suit, so moot point as I don't have anything below the wrist or above the collar. I did just recently run into I guess an issue...I have an employee who is getting tattoos, which is all cool by me. Hell show em off when you get em and if you want to burn a PTO to get one, all cool by me. The problem is the same guy has mentioned he wants to get some more visible tattoos, and generally the themes are a bit, eh, black metal. It's a no-go by me just because customer relations standpoint but man is it hard to push that when your employees know I am covered in skulls, demons, snakes and daggers. On a more refreshing note, it was wicked awesome to walk into a clients office and see people with tattoos galore! I was like YES! Can't wait to be able to wear a polo again to work on casual events. The industry I moved to seems to have a much more relaxed set of people in it, as far as tattoos go. Even met a guy with his hands/neck done. Not the usual but nobody seemed to care all too much.

I had some crazy girl flip out on one of my Pinterest tattoo pins (yes, I know how much this forum hates Pinterest, but whatever, I guess---I always credit the source, and post the artist and the shop when I can find them) and go off about how tattoos are stupid, tattoos are trendy, her husband, who is a 300lb former NFL linebacker (because apparently I care) hates his tattoos and wishes he had never gotten them, blah blah blah. This was completely out of the blue, and not someone I know. Even after being gently reminded that just because she doesn't like them, it does't mean others don't, she wouldn't shut up, or stop posting random things about how much tattoos suck. I finally gave up, called her a bitch (not proud of that, but I was pretty hot at that point) reported her, and blocked her from my page. Checked the next day, and her account was completely deleted, so I'm guessing I'm not the only one she went after. I don't get it---if it doesn't affect you, SHUT UP ABOUT IT. @growltiger I'm guessing the whole getting tattooed during pregnancy is like the recommendations about sushi and pregnancy. All the numbered reasons you posted are valid, but probably very, very unlikely. Chances are very, very slim it could cause an issue, but no professional is going to take the chance and tell you it's okay (or agree to tattoo you).

Tommorow i am having my second session of outlines, last time i got so damn sick. I had the flu bu pushed trough anyway. But after 6 hours i was done. I am going some painkillers And just let it come over me, i never used painkillers For anything. Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met behulp van Tapatalk

Polish Prison Tattoos Look what I found! These tattoos outlasted their owners. There's a cool skull and snake, a random guy on a bike (no mustache), some very interesting couplings...pretty cool tattoos. :)

I've always found this to be a very interesting viewpoint on biting. Steven Powers has been out of the graff scene for a while (so have I) but still inspires the new generations. This was originally printed in an old magazine called On The Go, and later reprinted in one of his own books 'The Art of Getting Over'. A side by side comparison doesn't exactly line up 100%, but in idea it's not real far off in some ways. - - - Updated - - - I have to to type this whole thing and I am a pointing finger Plunker so you damn well better appreciate it. Filip Leu said this in his TAM interview; TAM comments on his style growing, and his reply is

Thanks guys, yeah, as I got to looking at his stuff on a larger screen I got more and more excited about his work. I think this is going to turn out very well. I will post some shots once it is done and then after it has healed up.

Daniel Albrigo, three kings in NYC. Still kind of freaking out

This one is about 13 years old. It was done by Milford Barnes in San Diego. Although I like the more detailed ones, there is just something about a nice bold traditional girl head.

jallentattooer, not lots there yet. Finally a new phone after moving back to the south land. So I'm in the new millennium. Ha Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

I've recently fallen in love with this piece: Absolutely love the abundance of finger waves and the classic simple but powerful koi imagery. Adding this to my folder of ideas...

Right then... First three appointments booked in for a dragon back piece with Ian Flower. Only got to wait under two months to start... Let the excitement start to build...

Can you put up a better angle of this please so i can get my tattoo artist to copy it,thanks.

@Cork amazing progress...just the blue & red already looks sick! @ian as you know...tough as hell brother. Thanks as always for the invite over here on LST. Mike

@slayer9019 that is a crazy ass field, many props! For some reason I feel like being heavily tattooed is a totally acceptable thing to be in the security field.

I wrote in this thread not too long ago about how balance in which parts of my body were tattooed was important to me. Now I've had one of my feet tattooed and one side of my ribs tattooed, as well as half my knee tattooed, for quite some month without feeling the need to "even out" the balance by getting the respective side tattooed. I kind of like it, looks spontaneous and organic. But I am still planning to get the whole body (almost) done.

I feel like this is saying something akin to, "I know I'd be the most awesome chef in the world, better than Ferran Adria, if only someone would let me into 3 Michelin Star kitchen and teach me how to use the tools. I know how to boil water and make toast, so I know I'll be awesome."

I just like getting tattooed.

Great post Stewart. Someone in one of the interviews on this site (Freddie maybe?) mentioned how he'd love it if tattooing returned to being illegal because then you'd only have people getting/giving tattoos who really love it. I think this falls into that category. I'd get tattooed in a house by someone using pigments they illegally and lovingly made themselves before going to a studio that uses watered down government sanctioned "safe" tattoo ink that inevitably will look like garbage.

This is sadly very true. The day we are forced to use pigments that have passed a safety test is the same day we tattoo with food dye. Six months later, your tattoo will look like shit. Maybe it will seem to someone that this is a good idea - just pay for regular touch-ups, but it isn't. keep tattooing the same patch regularly and it will be an inflexible scar in a couple of years or so. It hurt enough the first time too, thanks. The reason tattoos are permanent is because the ink is NOT safe for the body. The skin protects the body (organs, muscles etc) by holding the ink/pigment where it entered. Yeah, we don't want to use pigment that corrodes the skin and we don't want to use ink that's contaminated. But I like my tattoos to look good. I know they are not 'safe', I paid someone to break my skin and draw skulls, tits, devils, dragons an' shit. Sadly, in mainland Europe Shawn's scenario has began to be real. Certain brands of ink are blacklisted and approved brand's bottles must have batch numbers and expiry dates etc. An un-announced visit by the health board that discovers blacklisted ink can result in your shop being shut down. The brands are not blacklisted because they make shitty tattoos, nor because they are dangerous. Almost anyone reading this will have some of that ink in their skin. Personally, as a tattooer, I like the idea of a craftsman using tools and materials that are the result of another craftsman's passion, experience and expertise. Some of the highest quality materials in tattooing (ink, machines, grips, pens, power supplies etc.) are made by individuals or at least 'cottage industries'. I love being able to speak to the guy who made my equipment and buy it directly from him. Giving him/her feedback about it improves the product too. Demanding that your tattooer use government approved equipment will harm the end result. Not to mention inflate the price drastically. Lets not even get into the discussion of working across different states, countries or continents with 'approved' equipment. Jeez. I need to lighten up and post more one-liners.