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The back is a lot of real estate to waste. I would recommend stopping until you figure out what you want to do. What's the hurry?

Here's my healed mini-eagle from Grez... His name is Greagle. :) Coverup of a really, really bad tattoo...

Rei at Inkrat Tokyo finished up my old school Japanese-American-Japanese backpiece last week. It took around eight sessions - roughly one a month - and I couldn't be happier. In a weird way, I'm going to miss my montly sessions under the needle. It was prickly at times but it taught me a lot about myself... j

Haven't gotten tattooed in awhile but here's my project from last summer, something like 30 hours and my artist would like to do another session. Sorry for the shitty picture, I'm hairy as hell and it's tough to take a selfie of your own stomach hahahaaa

@Hands On tmrw is the my first appointment for my back! ill be sure to share a photo asap. very nervous but excited.

very cool.

Well, own up to it then! lol

As a tattoo artist, I can say that when someone closes their books, there could be a lot of reasons- we are people, too, and sometimes we need a break. Sometimes we have a personal reason. Sometimes we are booked out too far in advance and the idea of tattooing beyond a set point is too much stress to manage. Closing books to be able to focus on the clients already in progress isn’t laughable, it’s a responsible thing to do to ensure the Clients you have get the attention they need from you. Tattooing isn’t easy- it’s physically and psychically demanding, though it is enjoyable. that being said, there is nothing wrong with getting tattooed by multiple artists and any artist that tries to lay a claim on your body is someone you should run away from, and quickly. Whether someone decides to take on a piece will depend on how much freedom the artist has to design and how interested they are in the style and project. If they aren’t interested, keep looking. Or ask what the artist is excited to do. This and some solid time spent looking at portfolios should give you an idea of if they are passionate about doing the thing you want. As for not seeing the sketch until the day of, this is totally normal. If you need more time to consider, ask if you can schedule a second consultation to review the drawing before the day of your appointment. I hope that helps. If you come at us with the understanding that we are people, too, and not machines put on earth to do whatever you say, things will go well.

I like all your thoughts, but this one sentence is perfect, I couldn't agree more.

1. "Books closed" always makes me laugh. The best tattooists I have encountered don't advertise their books are closed, they will tattoo anything anytime (if they choose to). If the schedule is full, they will just tell you to wait or ignore you. My $0.02 "books closed" is my red flag. 2. No problemo. Some people like the consistency and stick to 1 trusted artist. But I think it's great to get tattooed by lots of different people, they all tattoo a little different and you get a variety of different experiences. I have 20 tattooists who have worked on me to date. 3. Not seeing the sketch until the day of is part the game. It gives the work that proper tattoo magic. Very rarely have I seen my tattoo sketches in advance. It's normal to be freaked out about this but after a few tattoos you come to love the anticipation and excitement. It's like Christmas morning. Most tattooists sketch out your tattoo the night before or the morning of. Keeps the tattoo idea fresh and focused. 4. Question marks mean you haven't thought enough. WHAT DO YOU WANT. You should be able to answer that question in as few words as possible. Keep it simple. And be open to the tattooist expanding on your idea. 5. If your nervous about 'outing' your tattoos a) don't get a tattoo, they are not for everyone b) pick a spot easier to hide. I had this same feeling and I got a bunch of body work before I dropped my tattoos down to the wrist. And before I had my sleeves, I made myself wear long sleeves to work for 3 solid years (winter and summer) to prove to myself that I could do it. You will eventually get to a point where you don't care, the tattoo is for you. I am at the point where if people have a problem with my tattoos - who I am - then I have no time or room from them in my life. The commitment, permanence and standing by your principles is something I have learned from getting tattoos over the years and really helped me find who I truly am and be comfortable in my own skin. Good luck with your next one, sounds like a good choice for keeping some symmetry. Enjoy the ride ! Also, you are in Alberta - we have lots of excellent tattooists that are accessible (without closed books) scattered throughout Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and some of the small towns in between. There is a lot of tattoo history in Western Canada.

going forward. the eyes of the tiger will be colored the same color as the owl. under the blue eye on my inner forearm will be trees and woods, similiar to what is under the owl. so what do you guys think so far? how is the work? good job so far? suggestions? tips on what to do next?

This is what I came to say. No. Way. Jo. Se.

Got my first one at 52. I started with a sleeve and I've been working pretty steady for the last 7 years. Now have two sleeves, two chest panels, full back and working up the right leg to tie it in with the chest and back. May wind up with a body suit. All by the same tattooer, Japanese theme. Go big or go home.

Keep in mind that photo of the owl is highly photoshopped to be saturated so the eyes pop out more and the blacks contrast. I like your lion. It's bad.

as for what to add to it: the lion is *the* most powerful image, the rose is subsidiary. anything you add below the rose is going to have to compliment them, not compete with them. I think the owl isn't that strong as compared with the lion. but I'm 2 beers deep here, and no artist!

@Flied they're probably just clogged pores from over moisturizing. lotion should be the thinnest layer. the skin needs to breathe.