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Speaking of cultural misunderstandings, joining this board and insulting a longtime contributor isn't the done thing around here. - - - Updated - - - Ashley Love's chubby pinups with tattoos are one of my favorite things.

As someone trying to prove the importance of spelling and culture, you'd think a country name wouldn't be botched so hard.

Wil Murray banged out a filler on my arm this past Saturday.:cool:

if you aint got time to ask - how you gonna find time to actually get the tatt - c'mon now i'm surprised you were able to clear your schedule to be able to post your question ;)

Hmm, while I've never been accused of being 'cultured' I have had the good fortune of traveling a LOT over the years. This isn't really even worth responding to, but it chaps me when people just toss out mis-information disguised as a truism. Unless you're going somewhere really heavy, you won't be discriminated against simply for having an english word tattooed on you no matter how it is "spelt". And if you're going somewhere that heavy it's likely you'll draw some heat, tattoos or not. In my non-cultured opinion if you're looking for in-depth discussion your approach might be a bit off. And for the record, I don't tattoo. Not sure where you got that.

Got this lil lady from Shawn VanOven! Thanks for lookinh

I stumbled across this article this morning, about a photojournalist documenting a dying tattoo tradition in Syria. The photos are beautiful and I love learning about traditional tattoo practices in different cultures (I had no idea that there was a Kurdish tattoo culture!). I thought some of you nerds might find it interesting too! The Last Tattooed Women of Kobane | PROOF

wait longer, save up the adequate funding. You'll be MUCH happier 10-20-30 years from now.

@KBeee Once upon a time, many moons ago, I decided I wanted a back piece in the Japanese style. I found an artist who I thought I wanted to work with here in Seattle - he drew some beautiful stuff for me, but (in my opinion) dicked me around quite a bit, and I eventually felt so uncomfortable with this guy that I forfeited my considerable deposit and decided to start from scratch. One thing he said that stuck with me was that Japanese tattoos could be layered on piece by piece, and that I could start with just my arm and not a full body outline. I didn't understand how things were put together then - not that I claim to understand it now, but I have a better idea of what I'm looking at. I knew I wanted an orange peony on one of my flanks no matter what though. (why that was so clear i will never know lol) I was regularly visiting a friend in Oakland at the time, so I figured I'd just make my trips that much more fun by getting tattooed! And then I started learning about San Francisco tattoo culture and whoa. WHOA. All the reading and researching I'd done over the years sorta clicked and I recognized names and work and styles and it was awesome. Through all that, Diamond Club Tattoo kept showing up. Purely because the name kept blinking in my memory lights and showing up in my reading material, I decided to look at Diamond Club a little more closely. I liked what I was reading, and then I somehow found an article - I mean, I was digging DEEP through the internet, all sorts of sideways searches and whatnot, so I really am not sure how I got there - but I found an article in galley pages on the author's personal tumblr page about Diamond Club, and the content of the article basically sealed the deal. (It was for the Nov 2012 Skin and Ink mag I believe). (This was Sept! The mag wasn't even out yet!) In the article, Bill and Junii discuss their passion for the craft, how they are just beginning to build their legacy, how they like to stick to positive images and motifs, and how their shop is like a family. I really like this vibe, so this stuck out in particular to me. They discuss their history and how they met, and I was struck by this woman who had a full fucking bodysuit in Japan in the 80s!!! Who was brave enough to move to a new country! Who had so much passion for tattooing that she kept trying even after she was repeatedly told that women do not tattoo! I wanted to be tattooed by this badass. And THEN - in the years I had spent researching back pieces and saving images to an inspiration file, one in particular kept coming up. And in this article, there was the same picture! IT WAS JUNII!! When I found out that the image I had so long admired actually belonged on a living BADASS who could, in fact, also tattoo me, I sort of lost it. I called the next day and made an appointment to get a peony on my left flank. I hadn't been tattooed in too long, and I just wanted to get started, and this crazy thing had just happened (crazy for me anyway - it was like years of pieces of a puzzle finally falling into a sudden, jarring, crystal clear place) and so that's how I found Diamond Club. (IT JUST FELT RIGHT ;P.) I kept going back, and we kept adding pieces, and that's pretty much it! I found LST right after that, actually. So it sort of worked out in ALL ways for me :)))). Like you said, the more time spent seeing everyone's work and how lovely they are eventually sucks you in and ruins you for most anyone else! (MOST anyone, but certainly not everyone!). DC was just a super good fit for me. Right place, right time!

Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World | Japanese American National Museum Store

Back to why bad tattoos are so popular, the same reason terrible music is it's what is thrown at the general public, they don't see a ROA back piece they see feathers turning into birds. Same way they hear David Guetta rather than some techno or hardcore

I traveled to SF for my first significant work. I did 5 1/2 hours one day and 4 more the next. My artist was guesting at the opening of Analog in the tenderloin district. We were in a loft overlooking the street. Observing street life of the Tenderloin kept me entertained for 90% of the time. Drug deals,hookers, homeless, insane. Even two women beating up some guy. IDK if it was me reaching the end of my rope but the last hour of each day was pretty tough. Seemed like my guy just had to edge into the armpit area from the front one day and from the backside the next. Both times right at the end of the session. I was pretty tense. All I could do then was tell myself "get through to the next time he goes to the ink".

This was really interesting! I didn't know facial tattoos were a tradition in Syria. But I am familiar with the facial tattoos of North Africa and they look very similar. So I figured there had to be a connection. I found this article about how North African facial tattooing might have originated in Iraq. It's a really interesting read. It's amazing that two regions separated by about 3000 miles share a tradition that was probably spread by gypsy nomads. Algeria: Tattoos Provide L(ink) to Iraq*|*Yasmin Bendaas

I've been doing a little bit better now that the putrid holidays are done with. I have a couple of tattoo appointments coming up, working on my 1959 Ford, hanging out with our cat Chloe more and taking better care of myself. My BP is down to acceptable levels, just saw my lung doctor and got all my asthma stuff squared away. Drinking waaaayyy less as well and back in the gym 3X a week.

It's not all about the hourly rate. Some artist tattoo faster than others. So while 200/hour seems cheaper it may be the same or even more if the tattooer is on the slow side. Btw Justin is a great choice. Also Rose Hardy would kill that tattoo. You can't go wrong with anyone in KA. Totally recommend that shop!!! Awesome artist and extremely well run. I hear you about not rolling in the dough but... it's not like you'll have to pay everything upfront and probably that tattoo will take several sessions. Plus you will be totally happy with what you get..

Aww, this got me right in the heart. So sweet. Great read, @Pugilist.

@ShyGypsy I'm still not sure how the language used in the text would clue someone in to where you're from unless the tattoo says so explicitly. Let's say youre standing in line with an American, Canadian, Australian, Brit, New Zealander, South African etc etc etc and they all have tattoos with text (in English). Without talking to them can you tell where each is from? Pretty sure this is a non-issue.

One of the more pleasant surprises was how gentle Josh Arment is. I think I finally know what you all mean when you say someone's got a light hand...before I'd just assumed everyone on here was crazy.

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.

My strategy is to play dead, like I'm being mauled by a tiny bear. So far it's working.

Finally started my left arm with Grez at King's Avenue NYC yesterday. We got most of the outline done, but there are still some spots to finish lining next month. I'm doing at least one sitting a month, unless they can squeeze me in elsewhere. We'll see. I'll probably post little detail shots along the way, but not really the whole thing until it's done (or close to it).

I don't have any tattoos with tattoos but I have a couple of tattoos with some very small, very detailed bits. On the book I have on my arm, Seth Wood tattooed in a tiny little Baphomet on one of the pages. You can cover it with a quarter. It's super crisp a couple of years in, and I'll let you know how it ages. I'm sure it'll get all blown out eventually, like all tattoos will. As I see it, the really tiny stuff I have is all a bonus to enjoy for however many years it'll last, but the overall strength of the tattoo wouldn't be compromised by losing that detail.

'sick day' tattoo session today - does it get more awesome ;)

I'd really like to come to this but there's not much chance since I'm headed to Texas in March. Poor planning on my part to some extent - especially if the poutine is really better. I thought the Montreal poutine was quite delicious, actually! I will definitely try to get out to this next year though. I haven't been to Quebec City since our Grade 7 class trip.

OMFG!!!! Dude Brett did some work for me like 10yrs ago!!!! My ribs, arm, and leg where done by him... Thanks for finding him. I sent him an email to see if he has any slots avail. Thanks again!

This dude does some bio mech work.. Instagram Dan can probably do a nice space scene@ Dan Martin, Scorpion Studios

Caffeine is bad before tattoos?!?! That explains why I died yesterday. - - - Updated - - - The minute I read this, I was in the middle of asking for my first tattoo break ever. I then proceeded to grab headphones for the first time ever (thank god for bad rap music, OT Genesis saves the day). I felt like such a traitor to my own beliefs! Ribs are no fucking joke.

@Pugilist Ohhh that is a grand idea! On it!

@Mark Bee - this is a real niche market suggestion, but I will point out that this is happening right before Congress, so if either of you are planning on going to that, you could combine a QC/Ottawa road trip and live the dream, so to speak. :)

Nothing against either of them, but Chris Trevino is the man in Austin for Japanese.

I feel like getting one of those life rings tattooed with the phrase 'refuse to sink' just to amuse myself.

@sweetling kind of strange for someone with a wrist-text tattoo to be admonishing another person for a wrist-text tattoo, no? I'm sure many of those people with (admittedly cheesy) text tattoos feel the same way about words as you do. They likely also had a "very personal" reason for getting the tattoo... @ShyGypsy what do you mean about not getting a text tattoo to prevent racial discrimination while traveling? This is a very weird statement to me.

The real trick is to just get tattooed a lot. You'll figure out eventually what works for you.

I just try to talk to my tattooer. Or tattooers that are working next to my tattooer. Or that tattooer's customers. If not, I just keep to my self and look tough. Keyword: look. Still have not gone the route of headphones, and I don't think I will. No painkillers, au natural!

This is a Video we took of the arm before starting the last Session... Video before the Last Session... https://flic.kr/p/pT29Ft It was a great experience overall... :) Photo from Sessions 1 to 3 Dragon Tattoo In Progress with Tony Hu @ Chronic Ink - Toronto Ontario Canada by davidcwong888, on Flickr

cat and monmon hat...in french chat chapeau..

I think @AverageJer posted a picture of a Sailor Jerry fish he got a couple days ago? I hadn't been on here recently and wound up getting a similar tattoo on Saturday. It's from Rollo flash tweaked by Josh Arment at the Aloha Monkey. You guys, I can't begin to do justice to how cool everyone at this shop is. After some very, very embarrassing last-minute indecision I went back to the first thing that had caught my eye on the wall (and learned a lesson about not overthinking things). Sorry about the picture quality.

Society lacks the esoteric connections with totems. Its out of a nacissitic desire to feel like they are some how expressing real thoughts or ideas by putting it on their body. Seldom have I done lettering of large quantity on someone who was say..a person who was really into books and felt a connection to the dialog of a novel or the linguistic appeal of ones writing style. Its usually just a clever quote they saw on social media or a song lyric that they want to mean something but have never even purchased an album by the person/band. Looking for logic in mainstream culture is an exercise in futility. It is however easier to recognize those who know what's cool and those who are just riding the current trend.