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Scott Sylvia, Elm Street Tattoo Fest, Dallas, 2015

My sneaky panther concealing a mini dagger with his tail made by Shawn O'Connor

@HonestBridge Young grasshopper, you have much to learn.

I'm a middle aged man but I like more feminine designs. I like nature designs also. So I'm well into a colourful critters and flowers full sleeve. I love to admire it looking in the mirror. Now that there is a lot of excellent black and grey work being done right now I'm sure I'm not following any trend. But it doesn't matter I love my ink!

Incoming eagle above, something horned below.

Hi, Everyone! I’m 23 years old and I’m currently living in Pittsburgh (originally from the Philadelphia area). I don’t have any tattoos, but after sitting on the idea of getting Japanese work for several years, I’ve decided to go for it. A recent trip to Japan where I got to see some nice irezumi in person cemented my decision. I would like to be tattooed in Japan by tebori, mostly for the experience, but also to give me an excuse to go back a few times! My initial thought was 2 half-sleeves with a chest panel on each. The more I’m thinking about it, the more I’m considering extending it to 7/10. My arms are very long, so even if I stopped just before my elbow, you’d still be able to see half of the tattoo in short sleeves. It wouldn’t be a problem professionally either way and I’m in no rush. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated! I’m also undecided on the motifs. I’m drawn to several, but I want the sleeves to complement each other roughly within the rules of tradition (seasons, imagery, etc.). I also want to make it easier to have a complimentary back piece down the line; I doubt I will ever commit to that, but you never know! Some of the pairings I’ve been considering: -Kara-jishi Botan: I love this combination. If I go for the 7/10, I would consider pairing the shishi on one sleeve. Anybody have any ideas on what might go on the other side? -Ryu with a tiger or ho-o: I like the balance in these. I feel I haven’t seen many phoenix pieces, but I like how they turn out. -Baku and ??: I also haven’t seen too many baku either, but I like the story behind them and think they look killer. Also another image where I have no idea what could go on the other side. In my research here, I saw someone mention kirin, but I haven’t been able to track down any concrete info. Any ideas? I’m also open to any other pairings you guys suggest! I’m still new to all of this and I’m eager to learn from everyone. The 2 artists I’m looking at are: -Bunshin Horitoshi (https://www.instagram.com/bunshinhoritoshi/): I like the boldness and simplicity of his work. -Shunho (https://www.instagram.com/shunhotattoo/): I love the black and peonies of the Horitoshi family. The posts here have been very helpful in my research so far and I look forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts. Thanks!

...18 hrs ?

Well, Session 2 went better: As @Matej Haviar said, I kept reminding myself that the stoke will pull you through. ha! That and I started an antidepressant/antianxiety that has the benefit of also being used to treat general pain.... so, I sat much better this time. Looking forward to the ass/thighs in March! @Matej Haviar thanks man! your's looks amazing; nice to see the lightening! and thanks for the advice/sharing the experience. I plan to go to the knees, especially because this Buddhist deity is always pictured standing on the heads of demons (apparently held over from the Indian idea of dancing on the heads of your enemies). But I am absolutely stoked to continue!

LOL stop looking at it with a microscope ! it's a tattoo on your skin,it's not a perfect art. as tiny as that tattoo is,it looks fine for what it is. let it heal,enjoy it and move on. is that your first tattoo ? remember it takes 6 months to fully heal.

WIP, can't wait to finish it next week :3 Dallas: Mother's interrupted the course of our journey. She's programmed to do that should certain conditions arise. They have. It seems that she has... intercepted a transmission of unknown origin. She got us up to check it out.

Oliver is on my list! One day... @Dan I have stuff booked for Feb (finish my tiger w/ O'Donnell), March (Dobleman), April (Grez and Garver), May (Henning) and July (Rubendall). I need to stop.

3.5 hours put in today by Tim and I. We covered a lot of ground, outlining my entire arm. the ditch of my arm wasn't awesome. Unfortunately for me theres an oni head right there so its going to seeing a lot more abuse. The atmosphere at atlas is rad, theres absolutely zero ego floating around. Everyones interested in what their peers are doing. Stoked to head back next week.

I'll throw mine in the ring. Scott Sylvia, done at the Richmond Convention a few years back.

Missed skulls, so I'll enter this month for fun (not a chance of winning with @Gingerninja's back in the competition!). It's by Joshua Henderson, Brainstorm Tattoos, 2014.

Okay, I'm in. Dagger by Grez (Kings Avenue) done at Pagoda 2015.

Well, I just got back from the shop a few hours ago to finish coloring/shading my moth tattoo. I was told the blue and dark brown in the head would lighten up a bit making the contrast/shading more visible. Will post a healed pic in a few weeks. P.S. If it looks slightly crooked, it's just stretched due to my arm taking the picture.

Every style has a cycle and eventually pops up again as popular. Look at the old Sailor Jerry artwork, it was hot at the time and has made a good resurgence. Old school tattoos are now popular. I just saw a book my artist has at her shop. Traditional American eagles, old designs but crisp new artwork... now I want something out of the book.

Just get more tattoos. They all look good together. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So on Friday I went down to Denver to see my man Walter McDonald at Lifetime tattoo, got a pretty good start on my back. We left some details out of the initial outline (tiger stripes, radiating beams of light..) and plan to add some background and extend downward in future sessions. Super excited to finally start this and see where we go from here, also my back feels like I've been utilizing less than proper lifting techniques.

Colin Baker. Working next the the likes of Horitomo I can understand living in the shadow. That being said I think he is killing it right now.

@scottyg Looks rad man! Lining is pretty awful, feels a bit like being cut in half haha. But as said before earlier in this thread, the stoke will pull you through! How far down are you taking it? To the ass or to the knees? On Saturday, I just tipped over 20 hours in on my back and very satisfyingly started colour. The black is completely done and it now looks like a proper backpiece. Three and half hours to finish up blocking out the thighs, and a quick sit on some red before calling it quits. Going from the last couple of sessions on soft, squishy areas back to over spine and shoulder blades was quite a shock. Definitely not looking forward to the massive block of colour over the middle of my back.

When I began looking for my first - have had it about 4 months now - I searched for images that appealed to me and reflected my personality. As it turned out, the one I chose had some tribal lines along with the wolf head. I had not idea that tribal was "out" and, honestly, even when someone commented on it when I first posted a picture in a tattoo forum, I don't care if others find it outdated. I'm not trying to please anyone else - I selected it and got it for me. So, from my perspective, what is trendy or fashionable is unimportant to me. If you like it - go for it.

Just thought I'd put a post here to have everyone check out my Etsy. I try to paint pictures when I'm not tattooing, so please visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/briankellyarmy and see what I've done!

I got this Baphomet head from Tim Lehi last month. Why? Easily my favorite tattooist, and I think he understands what I am going for. He has tattooed me a few times and always gives me suitable tattoos for me, like he knows me, ha.

Second Roper. I have also heard that Lars Uwe is damn near impossible to get an appointment with. Guessing Filip Leu, Shige, Horiyoshi III and Mike Rubendall has quite the waitlist too.