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Holy shit. That looks so good. And so fast, well it seemed fast, ha. - - - Updated - - - I'm a shitty forum user. I find I only lurk the backpiece thread(s) with any kind of regularity. I should work on that. Anyways, latest sit after 2 months off for traveling and enjoying summer adventures. Started colour! Super pumped about that. Also, any sit above the waist is a good one. Have an appointment every month from now until December. Hoping to have it done then which would mean it took a year for everything shoulders to knees. Fingers crossed. Sorta off topic, but a guy was at the shop near the end of my sit. Heavily covered (only a patch bare on torso) and kinda shooting the shit. He asked if I was going to do my front. I replied with a fuck no (keep in mind, this is at the end of my sit, ha). He said finishing your back is kind of bittersweet and said he'd put money on it I do my front, ha. We shall see. I can't imagine being sad to be done. But I do plan to finish off my arms, legs, and front of thighs eventually.

Alright folks, here ya go

Final healed pics. Amazed and still hard to believe that I get to wear this art. I now travel with over a dozen of my underwater photographs designed into this awesome scene by Sean Zee Instagram

Here's mine! One more session to go. By Freddy "Mr. Nice Guy" Corbin.

Got my wife this tattoo from Thad Ritchey @ California Electric. We just had a baby a month ago and she really wanted this tattoo to symbolize that. Really happy with how it came out.

"I've been kind of interested in a foo dog.". Stewart Robson. Done! "Maybe a really excellent lady head?". Valerie Vargas. Done! the one-two punch! Aside from the convention they've both guested at Blackheart while in town the last couple years. You never know, you could win the golden ticket. Ha ha! But yes, you're right there's always an amazing roster of artists at this convention @sophistre. And any number of these people can and would do an excellent job. I am always happy to play the devil on someone's shoulder if they're debating a tattoo, so please don't mind me. Then, with this list of attendees I don't really need too. You'll just find yourself in a chair in a happy tattoo overloaded daze.Ha!

@idyllsend WOW! that is really beautiful. I can't wait to see that finished. Here are a few pics from my last session with Chad K. We are essentially finished but he does want to do one more session in November for some touch ups and stuff. For all intensive purposes though, here is my finished back! I am so stoked!!! It is so vibrant and bold and I think you can read the image from a few miles away :) Chad put in some really neat little details in this last session. Not sure they will be visible in these "just finished" pics, but I will try to remember to post a healed pic. He did some really cool things with the tongue and the teeth that I am pretty pumped with.. LOVE the eyes as well. I am super grateful. rob attaching pics from gallery as that seems to be the only way for me to edit them from being sideways. If they look sideways at first, just click the pic and it should right itself.

@Cork I will once I figure out how to upload a photo! http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/gallery/uncategorized/18703-almost-finished-back.html - - - Updated - - -

@hellamuch Yeah, keep it to yourself. I think it's clear that no one would be interested in an freaking back piece by Freddy Corbin are you crazy post pictures now!

I guess I'll join in on the sharing fun (even though most of you have already seen this on Mike's instagram). Progress from my session at Pagoda City Tattoo Fest: About 31 hours total so far. So maybe we are about 1/2 done?

So here is the remainder. Kongo Yasha Myo-o in his full glory from Dana Helmuth. This was pretty much the home stretch at this point. Once all the shading was done, the color was only about 1/3 of the remaining time I spent with Dana. I love Dana's snakes. Once mine got colored in, I couldn't stop staring at it, I still can't. Also everyone loves the blue, and so do I. It's bold, and it'll be awesome for a long time. I spent a lot of time at Read Street Tattoo in Baltimore and it was a great shop. The final session was in Dana's tattoo lair at his home in Maryland and it's a true honor to be a member of his back piece club. And the final obligatory baby picture, because I want to be as cool as @hogg.

Sorry - I gotta double post - this is over in http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/15-latest-tattoo-lowdown-page810.html#post119681 Final healed pics! Finished a photo shoot last month so I FINALLY have great shots. Ready to enter the contest! Many of my underwater photographs designed into this awesome scene by Sean Zee Instagram

Maybe not *cooler* buuuuut ya gotta admit, definitely more bad ass. Dr. Seuss was a genius.

I am giggling a little at this post because this forum has done anything but help me narrow down the list of people I would get tattoos from, haha! I know what you meant, though. Truth is, I don't actually have any specific tattoo ideas, and I'd probably change what I wanted depending on who it was, so that makes it hard for well-meaning internet friends to help me choose! I've been kind of interested in a foo dog, lately. Maybe a really excellent lady head? ...or anything. That's always the hardest part for me -- not that there's nothing I want or only something very specific, but that there's SO MUCH I would get, it's hard to narrow it down!

Long shot but I want to see if Rubendall will do a small filler on my foot. He was really impressed with my collection so fingers crossed he will consider it, especially since I don't have any appointments this year... :(

Awesome thread! I would post mine but it's unfinished ....done (almost) by Freddy Corbin.

Just got this badboy on my shin from Daryl Hart. Super stoked on it! https://instagram.com/dhart_fbc/

Pretty sure the correct answer is HAIL SATAN - - - Updated - - - Finished up a leg with Lehi. First two sessions at Blackheart, final session at Temple. Last year I got tattooed by Stewart Robson at Blackheart and I was saying I wanted to get some big work from Tim. Stewart told me flatly that I had to get a tiger. Turned out Ok I guess, if you're into that sorta thing... This is about 3 weeks healed (photo taken today). From his IG

That's fucking stunning @SeeSea

Not everything needs to be an original idea. There's nothing at all wrong with getting a Hardy panther, or a girl face, or a rose and dagger just because it's less "original" than a completely custom design. Done well, there are many classic designs that make awesome tattoos, as good as (if not better than) many fully custom "original idea" tattoos. And there's a certain sameness to a lot of those anyway. But I'm getting off topic here.

As above: if you're worried about getting something because you think it's trendy, it's probably trendy. But if you really like it, just get it.

@DeathB4Decaf Thanks! Mine has seemed fast in some respects, but not in others. Prior to this the largest tattoo I had was my arm which was done in a swift 20-ish hours, and 20 hours on my back wasn't even close. It's such a huge space. I love how yours is looking, the concept and the execution are both so great. You mentioned before that you were going to get some work done on it at the Montreal convention, are you still planning on that?

Ha, I have more lightning and snakes than anything else. And skulls. Lightning rules. Get some!

Thank you!! @Piha. Your back piece is looking sick!!!!

Hey guys, third session down, now sitting at 11 hours...second pics a bit blurry sorry...

Hi Cork No body suit, I started with a traditionnal sleeve ('till the middle of the forearm), with half chest panel ("Kantobori") style. I'll do the other sleeve after that, and if possible, a full back piece ("Kame-no-koh") later, hopfully from Horitoshi's hand, maybe from one of his disciples. I started on arms because, unless you live in Japan, a full back is a looong way to go. A friend of mine had one, lasted 8 years and so to complete, he travelled from France twice a year for two weeks each time... Gives you an idea. That's tebori. If you check Horitoshi 1 instagram, you will see a pic (4th right now) of a sitting guy, with a Brown-orange dragoon back piece, this is him. The two first pics are my arm, getting background completed these days.

@soraya, so glad you are "coming out of your shell". I word a prayer for our congregation in Sunday morning worship about 50% of the time. I'm usually the oldest male present. I have worn short sleeves exposing my forearm tattoo since the weather became warm enough for them. Doesn't bother me at all. What is the difference between makeup, clothing with designs, and tattoos? Just because the first two can be removed or changed they are approved? Tattoos (at least for me) represent much more thought. But then, most of our praise team have tattoos, some more than me. The preacher has none but his wife has told me that she has one on her hip that she would like to have enlarged down her thigh. I guess we aren't very traditional, but in today's church we are fairly main stream. I try to live by my tag line (Love 'em all.... Let God sort 'em out.), and don't assume that others are judging me, either.

(incoherent shrieks of amazement)

Pictures from my second and third sittings. My tattooist thinks we'll have it done in 7. Thank dog. The itchiness is killing me! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

was supposed to have 2 days with Carlos Torres but he isn't coming up because it lands on Halloween weekend, bummed. Shige won't be there this year to finish my stomach, bummed. only bright note is that Gogue said he might be down for a second pass, stoked. maybe Adrian Lee can start on me there. and i really want to try that yakitori place! i heard much about it.

First Session 8hrs. All done. Tony Wayne from Imperial Tattoo Company.

@beez, thanks,'bout time this conversation gets started. It'd be great to get a meet up going. I'll definitely be up again this year. Initial plan, as usual, is to be there every day and I'm hoping to get a session in to start on my torso the day before or day it starts. Hopefully it won't knock me out. Aaand maybe I'll try again to get a walk up w/ Miyazo

I've never asked a man for ass pics before, but you know what they say.... ya never know till ya try it :D

I went around between Instagram, my phone, and the back piece thread and pulled together as many shots of my back progress as I could. Anyone interested in seeing the process? The only reason I ask is it is a lot of gratuitous ass. Like, a lot. Obviously it's all already on the internet, but just seeing it one folder on my hard drive seems excessive as it is so I figure I'd gauge interest here before posting.

Hello all! Not been on for a little while so thought I better jump on and give a bit of an update. Firstly @Graeme your back is looking great. I'll be that far along soon. Ian reckon's we could be done in 3 or 4 more sessions. In the mean time this is the progress from the last couple of sessions. Reposted from Ian's instsgram.

When removing any of the -derms, pull it in line with the skin, not away from the skin, kind of like when you remove those 3M "Command" hooks adhesive from the wall. If you pull it straight in line down with the wall it pulls off without damage, but if you try to pull it AWAY from the wall you'll damage the drywall. The -derm film is similar to that, and if possible grasp both sides of the film and pull apart, like stretching a rubber band, and it will lift off the skin, just like the wall hook adhesive. My problem this time was that it was on my arm, so I needed someone to do it for me in the parts that weren't already starting to peel. Where it wanted to stick I used coconut oil and worked it into the skin and it slid off. I use this stuff at work so that's how I know a few tricks!

I just look for the closest bank to the shop I'm going to. I make that my absolute last stop before getting tattooed. I try not to travel with the actual tattoo cash in hand. Also, you could PayPal the tattooer as much you can before hand. Wiring money can be expensive. As of right now PayPal is a cheaper option if your tattooer accepts it. Healing with Tegaderm while traveling is the best! Note to self: Mug Graeme before his tattoo appointment(s). =) Note to self: Mug Lance before his tattoo appointment(s). =)

Okay, fine. Here's the latest progress.

Not the latest, but I finally got some decent pictures of my wings and eyes from Erik Von Bartholomaus. Wraps almost all the way around, making it pretty tough to take pictures of. Sorry the first picture is sideways.

Just got this from Daniel Albrigo at Port City Tattoo in the LBC. https://instagram.com/p/6BfO5NH513/?taken-by=danielalbrigo

In the process of booking with Chris O'Donnell for 2016...can't wait!

Pin up & black rose last week by Tim Hendricks, photo from his Instagram :D

This was the most painful by far (inside of upper arm in that nice, soft, tender white meat). But, I found my "happy place" and made it through with only interruptions for potty breaks (for both of us) and once for me to work out a bad leg/foot cramp that I was afraid was going to make me move under her. In the long run, it only took about 2.5 hours under the machine. This is the first I have had to lay down for, and that was different. She was able to get a cameo of the youngest daughter added, and will add one of the oldest when I get a better photo for her. I'll post a pic when its healed better. Right now, it's still very touchy when the shirt brushes it but still good enough that I could ride the motorcycle to work today. The most important thing - the youngest daughter saw it when I got home, and even with it still bloody she liked it!

Got this from Chad Koeplinger last night in DC. Sorry the pics are shitty, it's still really swollen and bruised.

Thanks @suburbanxcore, @ItsNewport, @polliwog, and @CABS. I had a lot of fun doing that, even though it was kinda weird to just blast two dozen photos of myself all day. It was really nice to revisit all the times I got tattooed and the stories and experiences that went with each piece. And the kind comments from people like you all (and others who I don't even know through LST) really had an impact on me. @Iwar has started something great, and I already have several ideas for people I want him to feature in future takeovers. :) - - - Updated - - - You saw my bedroom tribal post, right? ;) And I didn't show all my tattoos in the takeover, so you can just assume the ones I didn't show are terrible.

here is a better pic - one that Sheila took - along with some others she did yesterday

Pharaoh's Horses by Sheila Marcello @ Electric Tattoo in Asbury Park they had a traditional flash weekend event @ the shop as I was getting tattooed by Sheila I was a few feet away from Bert Krak and Robert Ryan doing pieces there was many other big names there as well - place was packed seeing Bert up close I couldnt believe how big the guy is - he looks like he could suit up for the NY Giants if he wanted very cool vibe at this shop though I would say I prefer less of a crowd pic is shiny - meh

By Franz Stefanik, Okey Doke Tattoo, Toronto.