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Brain tumor follow-up yesterday. The net is that it’s bigger which could either mean the radiation is working (yea) or that it’s still growing (boo). I’m doing the PMA thing and going with the radiation is working. The concern is around my facial nerve and balance issues. I’m already walking like a drunk sometimes but the facial paralysis shit freaks me out. The funny part of today went like this: Dr. Neurosurgeon: How’s your hearing in your left ear? Me: It’s shot. Dr. Neurosurgeon: How’s your balance? Me: F*cked. Dr. Neurosurgeon smiles at me, looks at my leg and says: Is that a ray gun tattoo? Me: Yes, Dr. it is indeed a ray gun to commemorate my radiation. Dr. Neurosurgeon: That is the most brilliant thing I’ve ever seen. (Note: the barrel isn't crooked...straight lines on curvy body parts, ya know) Grez at Pagoda

Also posted in the Pagoda City thread, but he's my one-shot Pharoah's Cats from Scott Sylvia.

Day 2 down, both lower legs colored. Next trip we color the upper legs finishing up the full backpiece and then it's on to the front.

The Dobleman enhancement. ❤️

Little outline Chad carved into me yesterday morning.

I’m incredibly bruised and tight but here is the progress!

I am low key obsessed with this traditional rose done for me by Tom Einheuser out of Union 3 Tattoo in Detroit over the weekend. I’m really pleased with the placement, and how my leg is finally starting to fill up! Here are links the artist and shop’s Instagram accounts: https://instagram.com/tattoos_by_tom_einheuser https://instagram.com/union_3_tattoo

Horitomo. Two sessions, all electric (rotary and coil). Photos do not do this justice! I will say that first four hours of outlining and shading was super hateful. Of course, I am already considering having him do my left shin. What is wrong with me? 😜

Walk-in with Ami last Thursday...

Here is an update on my Fudo and Dragon sleeve from Scott Sylvia.

latest jammer Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

have been away for a bit, just realized i didn't post up the finished work from Scott Sylvia...the guy who bailed on this drawing totally lost out! :)

My tiger half sleeve was finished on Tuesday. Super happy with it and how well it's healing. Work by Kevin Stress at Enso Tattoo in Columbus, OH. Great artist and shop, would recommend to anyone. Let me know what you think! An action shot with me on the near table. <<<Photos borrowed from the artist's IG>>>

Back from London. It was good. ❤️ Mike finished the background on my leg and Valerie did a rad geisha for me.

Just got this cobra/elephant by Squid Yu on the front of my left leg just under the knee. Pretty stoked. Sent from my MI 6 using Tapatalk

Pretty good day for my wife and I at Smith Street. Angel Fish for her by Frank William and a koi for me by Eli Quinters.

image from Steve's Instagram of my new baby. That man FLIES through tattoos and is the largest man I've met in my whole life. Sweet as a peach, warm, intelligent, socialite at the convention and artistic and brilliant (in my opinion)

Double tap, back-to-back, by Aaron Coleman, at Immaculate Tattoo in Mesa, AZ.

I am so over the moon with this tattoo 😍 Tomas Garcia Old Soul Cannonsburg PA

Done two days ago, very happy!

Finished up my sleeve this past weekend at Pagoda by Grez. Here's a little peek...

I got this Filipino tribal collar/chest from Melissa Manuel at Humble Beginnings in San Jose, CA. I feel so much more complete! This is how it was lookin' before, after the two chest pieces from Walter McDonald.

20 month after my first appointment, after 40h in 12 sessions, my back was finally finished a week ago. I'm so happy that I'm done for now but there are already some plans if and what possibly could be my next step towards an even more colorfull body....😋 Not sure if I'll first go for my right butt cheek and upper thights or if I'll start with my arms... But well, that's the future. Won't probably get anything new until end 2019 or even 2020. At least not until I was able to put some money aside to get it done in a foreseeable period of time.

Side profile Lord Ganesha, made to fit by Robert. Another awesome tattoo located in a place that I will never see it.... 🙂

Picked up this dog rose from Cassandra Frances when I was in London a little over a week ago: I was nervous about what the dry air on an eight hour flight back home the next day would do to it. I originally planned to re-wrap at my artist’s recommendation, but when our first flight got cancelled and I didn’t want to struggle to A) try to wash it in an airport bathroom or B) leave it wrapped for 24 hours, I just put a little Aquaphor on it as usual and this has been one of my easiest heals so far. No stinging when I wash, swelling was gone within a day, no scabs.

So, I recall being asked if I was going to do the other side after I posted my left side's tattoo here some months ago... yes, yes yes, fine, you win; you were right. I couldn't leave it unbalanced. Discussed it with Horifuji after my last appointment for the left side and I asked him what he would suggest. He suggested Sojobo on the right shoulder to keep the theme consistent. The karasu tengu on the left shoulder would need to be supervised, anyway. Horifuji at State of Grace in San Jose USA. Outline and details machine, almost all colour tebori. Great shop, great people, great experience, great artist. Links to his Instagram posts as the photos are much clearer than what I can do. And both sides from the front...

Here is my latest tattoo. Just finished it last Thursday. Four hour ribs session 😬

22 hours in! I’m in love. I know people think it’s weird a woman has a turkey vulture back piece but I’m stoked ❤️

Here's a small one I got yesterday. It's a snail warrior, a symbol of the band Heilung. They play music derived from pre-viking northern tribes. Very ancestral.

Try walking on your feet, not the tattoo! Seriously though, that's very common for lower leg tattoos, give it a week. Then give it 4-8 weeks to heal completely.

Not really a new tattoo but I got a call from the shop that did my tattoos. They are having a professional photographer come in to shoot some of the artists favorite pieces and the artist who did mine choose one of mine as one of his favorites that he wanted shot. Thought that was pretty sweet. I’m guessing it’s the clipper ship but I’m not sure.

Grez made some progress on my arm. I really do love his roses...

Today’s piece. On the back of the arm with the Ganesh from a month ago.

I am FINISHED yaaassss!!!!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Finally finished today, such a bittersweet feeling. Work by Guy Jones, Lucky Buddah tattoo Sacramento CA

The first part of my journey comes to an end after 3 years. Chris Crooks finished my entire back today. Time to start saving for the front!

done - at least for a while -

Here is a sneak peak of one side of my leg...

more tiger this week - nearly there!! Really scared as pretty much all ass left and based on how uncomfortable the top of my ass was I am not excited for my next session [emoji23][emoji51][emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Original was my first tattoo from 20 years ago. Met with my artist to see what would work. He took several photos, did an outline tracing and committed to drawing what might work. The old dragon was 20 years old and tired. Got it on a business trip in Chicago at the Jade Dragon Tattoo Parlor. At the time a group of young, enthusiastic managers went downtown to see the iconic tattoo shop. 6 of us left with new ink. Many years later, I wanted something new, fresh and keeping with the dragon theme. My artist carefully explained what colors would work, what design would work and the size of the new piece to effectively cover the old work. Little did I know this was going to be a journey, a process and commitment of many months. Once I saw the stencil and the pc screen illustrating the color choices. I decided to take the plunge. First session was about four-five hours for outline work. Second session was the beginning of shading. (4-5 hours) Third Session more color. ( five hours) Fourth Session-almost done ( Was coming down with the flu and getting cold chills and shaking thinking I was getting cold) close to 4 hours.. Have been back for two touch up sessions and have the last one scheduled this week. If you notice the yellow areas in the whiskers and scales between the horns, a little more color saturation is needed to prevent the old image from showing through. Comments-Cover work can be very complex. Its a blend of design, choosing the appropriate colors that will cover light and dark and going larger to find a design that will obscure the old work. It may never be completely invisible, however the focus of the new work will draw the eye away from the previous work. Detailed shading and design is never one and done. Plan on more than visit to get the deep color saturation you desire and to cover the old areas. I waited 30 days in between sessions to allow my skin to heal and allow my artist to see what really needed to be done next. Learned a lot about what after care products I prefer. When doing a lot of shading work, some products with lidocaine do make a difference. While you might not experience the same level of relief on line work. When shading and the pores get opened up..there is a difference. At my age-(56) five hours is longest I can sit. Four hours is much easier. Having a cool artist that understands you and the end goal are very important. I wont be doing any more cover work but I plan on lots more ink. Have had a couple more new pieces since this piece was almost done. Hope this helps those thinking about cover work. My artist explained he would much rather work on a 20 year old piece than one done six months ago. Just one old guys experience.

Here is what we got done this weekend. Here is what we had before.

My two days old tattoo, i'm really excited for it, love it! I did it on my "virgin" leg, as i want to dedicate this leg to this style of line work tattoo :) As a note, on my left leg i have colour neo traditional tattoos, on my left arm realism black&grey and on my right arm colour realism. I like a lot of styles apparently :) Done by Rares.

Progress pic on my arm black black and more black

Getting there on the color

We did finally finish the bat:

more pictures! I also got a traditional piece in May! I must say it's my favourite piece so far :) Enviado desde mi Redmi Note 8 Pro mediante Tapatalk

I got a little gap filler from Greg Christian today

Making progress on sleeve number two from Scott Ellis at Triple Crown in Austin, Texas. 5.5 hours of coloring yesterday. Next appointment: April 2020!

Got a new one from Ian Haight at Sideshow Alley Tattoo in Portland, OR. This was surprisingly more spicy than my bear knee tattoo. Who knew?