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more work done tonight. next appt is the end of June. The frog is getting redone in this go 'round-he's kinda old (15 years or so I think) so he would look out of place I thought.

Tattoo by Eckel - - - Updated - - - Tattoo by Chris ODonnell

Most of the random conversations I've struck are with ex-military types who have tattoos themselves. The last was a vietnam vet at costco who rolled up in his wheel chair and hollered a comment about my work. We ended up having a brief pow-wow in the middle of the store. Me checking out his rad, aged work, and him talking up my variety of visible tattoos. I cherish that shit, and it makes the very few negative reactions all the more insignificant. That brief moment to have common ground with a total stranger and share in their experiences.

Yeah the first one who tries to pull up my dress to see my other leg tattoos, will get politely told to fuck off and, a swift left hook (if they're lucky). Have had men joke asking if going all the way up, when say already have gone there, look on faces so funny. But that is not on, people lifting your sleeve. Tell them to fuck off and ask them what the fuck are they doing? Have done that in past, when a top shows some peeking underneath. Yeah, they pull their hand away quite quickly *smiles sweetly* One comment I got last year made me laugh. This woman in fave pub, as was paying tab, commented on my tattoos. Other regulars (men) where there and, they asked to see what had got done. She said to me "You just get tattooed so men look at you. It's in fashion now and, you only do it to be cool." I burst out laughing and replied "Fuck off! Been getting tattooed for 16 years and, besides you know fuck all about me, so please, kindly fuck off!" That made me laugh... *shakes head* Also heard of heavily tattooed people moaning at people looking at them and, coming up to them asking questions. Well simple solution, don't walk around with your tattoos on show! I've had loads come up to me to talk about them, if I have time, I'll talk to them. If not, I just say something like "Sorry, can't talk now but can answer quick question if you want." Manners cost fuck all and that goes same for tattooed people as well. Have heard of some tattooed being rude to people who just asked where they got their work done. We get prejudiced enough, without doing ourselves no favours. Didn't mean this to be a rant! Will stop now.

Anyone who follows me on Instagram has seen this, but here's a little teaser shot of my arm from Grez. I said from the beginning that I wasn't going to post progress shots much because I love that feeling of just seeing the whole completed piece, and I'm amazed I mostly stuck to that. Haha. Now that next month is likely the last sitting, I can see end in sight and can't wait to share it.

Heading to Oakland, California to see Freddy Corbin at Temple tattoo to get inked for our 25th wedding anniversary. Appointment is noon, Tuesday. Daniel Higgs did the original wedding tattoos at Realistic Studio in San Francisco and Freddy was in the shop watching and making comments while he was doing us. Daniel doesn't do tattoos any more. So our first choice is Freddy to keep spiritual continuity. The wife and me are getting a "25-XXV added somewhere . I am also getting a "Dragon" mixed into it... I'll keep you up to date. :cool:

@jnin really? I've had opposite reaction when my legs are on show. I've had parents stop me and, say stuff like "do you mind stopping and showing my daughter/son your tattoos?" Or sometimes esp in places like shopping centres (you call them malls I believe in the states), where children are running around they stop and talk to me or just stare fascinated. Then parents come up and apologise, I just laugh and, say it's cool. Maybe it's because Belfast (where I get tattooed), really doesn't give a fuck about whether your tattooed or not? I've never had a parent move their child like that. Have this lovely sweet story, when was on way to get the Giger portrait done, walked through shopping centre. And this 4yr old was running from parents and just stopped dead in front of me. Started at the Oni Mask, he was properly transfixed. His mother asked if I could follow them around all day, because it was the quietest he's ever been :D That made me smile.

i think 4hours is optimal for a session length - you're at the point where you leave still wanting more - 9 must be brutal - no matter where the placement - i would be tired of being tattooed long before that my longest was 6 on the ribs no breaks and it pretty much sucked haha

interesting one today - took an old friend paddleboarding who i hadnt seen in a long while he was quick to inform me that he had become pretty conservative and felt strongly and negatively about tattoos and people getting tattoos - we've known each other over 20 years so it was just a conversational blip in a great day of SUP and catching up but...it was a bummer in a way - a reminder i guess of how judgemental folks - even good folks - can be - meh

By Mike Moses: Not on me I might add; just snagged from his Instagram because I thought it was cool.

I hope this is okay to post here but here is a pic of my first tattoo that I got yesterday! I am beyond happy about it and thought that the process of getting it was not bad at all. Here is a link to the guy who tattooed me because I feel he needs to be recognized for his work! https://nicholasrobertmoore.wordpress.com/ Let me know what you guys think of my tattoo everyone.

@AverageJer, and @Dan This is why I enjoy been at the studios/shops because you can strike conversations with other people and artists about tattoos, I dont hang around those areas (I avoid loitering) but I do go in a few min early to shoot the shit around with the guys... You are not strange I like the attention and reaction as well. This is why is funny to me :) I never once gave a bad attitude to those people asking me question and when I have it handy I pass business cards around to people who ask me about my specific work. Some like to conversate about it some just want to ask a question and keep going. I just don't like the stereotyping and shit.... But I guess it comes with been Latino... :confused:

I have a lot of tattoos,both full sleeves on my arms,a neck piece,and most of my legs are tattooed,and I wear shorts and t-shirts 99% of the year. I have seen a nice trend here for a while now,and that is I have received a lot of positive comments and compliments from non tattooed people of all types,both strangers and my work clients,pretty cool IMO.But then maybe I'm strange but I like the attention & reactions I get and see from people about my tattoos anyway ! and to AverageJer ,I agree,I like to talk to other tattooed people too,I feel like us tattooed people have a camaraderie of sorts IMO,some people are open to that and some apparently don't like it.

I live in Minneapolis and to honest no one ever notices or comments one way or another on my tattoos. I have very visible leg tattoos and it's a complete non issue. I sometimes will tell people I like their tattoos or ask them where they got them and generally people are polite but nobody every seems to want to talk about it which is weird to me because I mostly want to spend all of my time talking about tattoos, music, or NBA basketball.

Haha I completely agree , When they yank up my sleeve I just turn at them with a "you stepped in the lions den" face LOL. I cannot fucking stand it when people invade my person space like that , but exactly if they have questions or just interested in what I have by all means ask away! dont just yank and act like you're entitled to view something that's partially in sight. I've brought that up to someone before like , Sir could you please not just come up and yank up my sleeve I have no idea who you are, His response; Oh no its ok man I have tattoos too." like huh? did I ask, does having tattoos give you a permission slip to caress strangers LOL Omg they'd be lucky to get off with a hook if they went up my leg LOL mate be eating through a straw, and yea I've noticed a certain "better then you -esque " with some tattooed folks but it's rare for me , Idk if they've just gotten fed up with a million questions which idk how you could I love talking about tattoos and my reasons behind my sleeve ,etc. Or some just have a plain 'ol rotten attitude XD

Well now that I've made a deposit, I can post about this...getting a panther head coming out of a rose by Chad Koeplinger when he comes to DC at the end of July. He's one of my very favorite tattooers so I am so thrilled.

part 2 of of my Marvel Avengers themed tattoos by Clint Cummings. Still a bit swollen, but decent quality pic

The backpiece is done (for now at least) and i couldn't be more happy with it. Unfortunately i managed to pick up a chest infection which put a bit of a dampener on my trip to Oslo but there's no taking the smile off my face right now. Pretty much all the colour is fresh as well as a couple of the darker parts of the skull so it'll look a lot different once everything has settled down i'm sure. I don't mind admitting i barely made it through this session, definitely the hardest one i've had (certainly not helped by illness) but i'm so fucking glad we got to the end. By the legendary Marius Meyer. Now we await the healing process.... Also that left arm is looking pretty damn bare isn't it... fuck.

That is shite :( sorry to hear that. Especially when it's an old friend, but at same time a friend should accept you for who you are. Even though if they don't fully understand why or even what, you get tattooed. And at the end of the day, your body, you're not hurting anyone (well maybe yourself :p lol) but hopefully you get my meaning. Just my 2d's worth. My co-workers (including bosses and big boss of dept), don't understand why am so heavily tattooed, or why I keep going. Same with my friends. But, they all accept me for me. Maybe it's 'cause I really don't give a flying fuck what any of them think about my tattoos, means I get that reaction? *Shrugs* Don't let them drag you down.

no problem. that thread started with stares but jumps around to a bunch of different topics, of course going back to stares often since that's the thread title. heavily tattooed folks know that stares are a part of the everyday experience, but there are also some great non-stare everyday experiences in that thread as well... for instance, @Jack wrote "I met a chick once who asked if she could lick my tattoos. After brief consideration I obviously consented." if this doesn't make you want to skim thru an old thread, i don't know what will. ;)

Thanks for the share. This thread is more of your everyday experience. Not just a "stare". Thanks again.

here's a related thread with a bunch of experiences and advice... http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-advice/2564-how-do-you-react-stares.html

Congrats on your silver wedding anniversary :) What about adding Ag into the tattoo? (Ag being Silver on the periodic table). It's just a thought. Look forward to seeing the finished piece :)

@xcom ah, a kindred spirit :) no problem, you're more than welcome x I laughed all the way through getting both tops of my feet done, had to actually hold the foot down, 'cause it was shaking when I laughed. It was really ticklish to me. But, we all know am a freak :)

That's fantastic. Congratulations!

I agree :) the area is fairly conservative. . .

That's awesome. I actually live in Oakdale and just use Modesto as a general idea for LST members. I think it's tolerated a lot more today, but Oakdale still isn't the most liberal of places I think.

I got my leg tattoo a week ago and have only received one comment from a guy in a bicycle shop asking me where I got it done. He was very friendly and down to earth. I did receive a strange look from a 4 year old today, but I'm not sure if it was related to my tattoo or not. It's a neighbor and I was taking my 2 year old on a walk.

I've been lucky that most of my reactions are either ones of fascination, or confusion, or some mixture thereof. :rolleyes: I've only gotten a couple negative (mostly religiously motivated or gender based) comments, which is pretty impressive considering I live in bumfuck PA. For the most part, people either say nothing or have only positive things to say. Granted, I'm not as covered as some of you guys are (yet!), but it seems to some people one tattoo on a girl is equal to 5 on a guy. Generally my tattoos don't affect my day to day life. I work in a pretty accepting environment, social work...tattoos are either welcomed or shunned depending on how far in the government you are and who your clients are. I work with the mentally ill and in these kinds of places, all they care about is you're willing to show up and deal with the punishment. ;) The clients actually like my tattoos and I think it makes me a little more of the "cool" girl in their eyes, which helps a lot with rapport. So far I have some illustrative work (which everyone seems to approve of) and some traditional work, which is more dividing. People either love how classic and old school traditional tattoos are, or they have these reactions like "Those look like what my grandpa had...why would you want THAT?"

I would agree with what has been said and, don't get something that cements your fears. But instead, rather something that will help you overcome them. If you're going for a nautical theme (which seems to be that way going by suggestions), how about a nautical star or an anchor? Or thundercloud with lightening? Or a lone dragon near the clipper ship?

@purplelace is there a more gratuitous poster of profanity lol

@xcom I used nappy cream for both my feet. And no problems with it, only thing is that walk or rest as much as possible without shoes or socks on. It will hurt like a fucking bastard afterwards and, walking is awkward as fuck. Avoid steps if at all possible! I found that a rolled up towel under the ankle helped ease it a bit when it was elevated. If standing while talking, avoid having weight on the tattooed foot. It will swell, esp if you have to walk after getting tattooed, so wear shoes that are loose or can be loosened. Also socks that are a size bigger, well for foot getting tattooed at least. Have been told it hurts, so be prepared for that. Think that's it x

@xcom, your body dude! You're the one that has to cope with the aftermath of it :p

yeah i get comments now and again - i think though that people that hate on tattoos or tattooed people are typically haters in general and thus...not worth my time

This will be my view of the Monaco Grand Prix tomorrow:

I don't think I posted the lithograph I bought from Trevor/Ed at last year's London convention. But here it is - Nurse Mercy.

Hard to get a good picture of the elbow. Done by Chad Koeplinger last night!

I am from Holland. You know how we are with money ;). Personally, I just ask. I dont give a crap. You dont go to the baker either with no prices on the pieces of loaf and you just hope you brought enough money for it. Just say you are serious and want to bring enough money with you. Artist should meet the client I believe. Just say how much you cost. People who say you cost to much propably didnt want a tattoo from you in the first place. You only make it awkward if you feel its awkward.

Got this done by Steve Byrne at Rock of Ages the other night.

I picked this one up today from a relatively new artist...Dakota Parker from American Classic Tattoo. I couldn't be happier with my experience or how it turned out. The lining was done with an electric and the fill was done with a rotary.

More badassery for you. Starting to see the finish line on this one. By Dave C., PSC Tattoo.

Just got this beauty from Josh Peters at High Tides in Saint John, New Brunswick. So stoked! Im a little paranoid about the healing atm, like I am with every tattoo I get, but We'll see when its healed haha

Surfing Mahakala (WIP–lines and shading done) on rib by the inimitable Eddy Deutsche

@SeeSea @Fala +1 on loving my hips and thighs because of tattoos! so much! and I can't really speak to "aging" at this point in my life, but I know when my mom's friends saw my tattoos they were like "oohhh, I can see how that covers cellulite right up". (and in my personal experience, tattoos sure as hell do!) (also I find myself favoring my more heavily tattooed side in the mirror anyway...it's pretttttty awesome ;))

I've been experimenting with making hot sauce. Here's the first batch.... hoping for a bumper crop of habanero's this summer in my garden so I can produce enough to give to friends! @CultExciter @gougetheeyes @polliwog this stuff is a sizzling alternative to drinking :)

I actually simplified my wardrobe completely after starting to get more coverage. Mostly black, and all basics. Letting my tattoos shine haha. Also started dressing more comfortable as I am healing most of the time anyway. It is interesting how this happens. I am always on the lookout for soft flowy pants and long sleeve anythings now that its getting warmer.

So I finally got my chest piece. So happy with how it came out. By Valerie Vargas of course.

I was playing semi-drunk putt putt a few weeks back, and a dude stopped me to ask where I got my tattoos done. He was home on leave from the military, and had been into a few different shops and was put off by how cheaply all these dudes were telling him that they'd do the tattoo he wanted for. He ended up not getting tattooed at any of them because he had heard the old "Cheap tattoos aren't good..." line, and didn't want to settle for a cheap, shitty tattoo. I recommended the one great shop in our town (Front Street Tattoo), showed him the stuff I had gotten there, and mentioned that they had military Mondays where they did 10% off for servicemen. I was stoked on that interaction for the rest of the day because it was so different than the usual "My dude will do that for 40 bucks" shit that I hear from 95% of people. I'm really hoping he went in and got something awesome.

Just wanted to throw a recent experience in there to throw some perspective from a non-tattooed person (not me). I was at the doctor since I just totalled my car late last week. The nurse doing my normal blood pressure, height, etc, kept staring at my tattoos. It was not subtle at all. After awhile I made a joke along the lines of "my face is up here", and she got embarrassed. This broke the ice, so she asked me where I got them and that she was actually looking to get something soon but she always see stuff that looks terrible on her friends. She pointed to the lady on my arm and said "How do they make the colors look so amazing". I just told her go to a good shop, after which I told her where I go and would go. I then understood she was just amazed after seeing her first well done tattoo up close. She actually wrote down all the information I told her on a Rx notepad!