DeathB4Decaf

@Graeme Thanks, I love it. And your Dave Cummings work is incredible. He's on my short list to get work by.

Finally started my back piece after what feels like forever. Getting it done by Scott Duncan. He rules. Got the majority of the outline from shoulders to a bit into my ass done. Totally sucked, especially around the sides/love handles. Back in January to hopefully finished lining the ass and things.
The crew at the shop (sugar shack) are amazing so that helped.
Just had my first shower after a bit ago. My boyfriend had the unfortunate pleasure of hearing my complaining while he cleaned it. I owe him an extra gift under the tree.

Finally started my back piece after what feels like forever. Getting it done by Scott Duncan. He rules. Got the majority of the outline from shoulders to a bit into my ass done. Totally sucked, especially around the sides/love handles. Back in January to hopefully finished lining the ass and things.
The crew at the shop (sugar shack) are amazing so that helped.
Just had my first shower after a bit ago. My boyfriend had the unfortunate pleasure of hearing my complaining while he cleaned it. I owe him an extra gift under the tree.

Finally started my back piece after what feels like forever. Getting it done by Scott Duncan. He rules. Got the majority of the outline from shoulders to a bit into my ass done. Totally sucked, especially around the sides/love handles. Back in January to hopefully finished lining the ass and things.
The crew at the shop (sugar shack) are amazing so that helped.
Just had my first shower after a bit ago. My boyfriend had the unfortunate pleasure of hearing my complaining while he cleaned it. I owe him an extra gift under the tree.

Chipped away a few more hours on my back. I think we're pretty much done the black shading, I think there's some greys to do in the water still, we still have to figure out the scales or patterns on the snake, but we're making progress.
All work, as always, by Dave Cummings of PSC Tattoo.

Im guessing you stopped cause the artist ran out of black then?
Looks good!

Had a few hours on my back yesterday. Worked on background was a good session, everyone at Sugarahack is so friendly.
I had a chance to listen to the first couple episodes of the serial podcast too, I'll admit , I'm hooked. Listened to a few more on the drive home.
Back at it again end of January bring down the left side and hopefully move below the waist.
See how it goes. I'll say it every time, the love handle area is killer.

I got yesterday new tattoo on my "Prodigy leg"...
The incredible, famous and terrible song "Smack my Bitch Up" has now find a place on my body
For those who know the video clip, I assume I took care to carefully respect the atmosphere...

Finally started my back piece after what feels like forever. Getting it done by Scott Duncan. He rules. Got the majority of the outline from shoulders to a bit into my ass done. Totally sucked, especially around the sides/love handles. Back in January to hopefully finished lining the ass and things.
The crew at the shop (sugar shack) are amazing so that helped.
Just had my first shower after a bit ago. My boyfriend had the unfortunate pleasure of hearing my complaining while he cleaned it. I owe him an extra gift under the tree.

Finally started my back piece after what feels like forever. Getting it done by Scott Duncan. He rules. Got the majority of the outline from shoulders to a bit into my ass done. Totally sucked, especially around the sides/love handles. Back in January to hopefully finished lining the ass and things.
The crew at the shop (sugar shack) are amazing so that helped.
Just had my first shower after a bit ago. My boyfriend had the unfortunate pleasure of hearing my complaining while he cleaned it. I owe him an extra gift under the tree.

Congratulations, @Cork! Looks amazing!

Finished another session tonight. Just banged out the stripes. I am so psyched with how the face is coming out. Have black in the tail up top then color hallelujah !
Cork man you should be beyond proud of that thing it's awesome.
Edit: sorry about the sideways pics

Hello Everyone,
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Craig and I love high quality, professionally-done tattoos. I love Japanese tattoo styles, especially the new japanese styles as well as traditional japanese styles. I also like neo-traditional tattoos as well.:p I am amazed at how many great artists are out there now. I have a half sleeve by Ed Hardy in 02. Have too many artists I like now but I am hoping to get Inked by Shige, Gogue, and The Grime in the near future.

It's done. It's actually done. The last session was the worst one I've had to endure. Major touch ups to the wind bars/clouds, double lining, basically every soft spot got hit in one day. By the end I was definitely spent, but so stoked. Dana was very pleased with how this came out, and that makes me happy too. He wants me to show up to the Baltimore or Philly conventions and do the back piece contest.
This took a year and a half, and it was an amazing experience.

Not mine, but great to see Kore Flatmo posting again, it's been close to a year!

@blackdots I feel that the bars should be poorly done. I've wanted some on me forever, well before I started getting tattooed, and I'm wondering if I should handpoke them on myself because it seems kind of wrong to have them done well.

I'm sure her general reaction towards your tattoos comes from a place of love and her not quite being open to "getting it". Parents sure can be funny sometimes and it's interesting how much their approval means to their seemingly smart adult children.
I use to be jealous of my friends who's parents yelled at them for coming home with Black Flag bars or whatever tattooed on them. I think it just means they give a shit. Getting tattoos on your body just probably doesn't follow the bogus script they've had in their head for what you'd be like as an adult. Doesn't mean they are not proud of all your other accomplishments. Maybe have the talk to end all talks about them, an open and honest conversation from both ends. Then the topics off the table. Don't let your parents opinions on something so simple as tattooed skin cause strain on your relationship with your mom.
My parents were never surprised by my getting tattoos. I came home when I was 14 with a kitchen scratcher tattoo by my friends older brother. Who, not all that surprisingly, was not a tattooer. I showed my mom it with pride right away. Her response was along the lines of, "well that wasn't the smartest way to go about getting a tattoo". That was it. A few days later she pointed out that poor people, especially women, already have enough things stacked against them, no point in making myself look like a criminal and killing my potential. (Thankfully I moved far away from kitchen tattoos well over a decade ago.)
My mom may not win any mother of the year awards, but she has a good heart and I know now that she meant well with her bleak commentary. She's just always been blunt and said it how she saw it, no matter how misguided it may be. Parents have their faults. She had known since I was 10-11 that I loved tattoos. I'd always check out all the tattoos on the bikers and scumbags that hung around. I sat in awe across the kitchen table from my mom when she got one (a terrible blue rose on her chest) when I was 8 or 9. I'd get paid to babysit with tattoo magazines. We moved regularly and always being on the go meant I had few belongings, but my mom would occasionally find a new tattoo or music magazine in a gas station somewhere that would keep me distracted.
I can go home with a new tattoo and my mom will usually ask to take a peak. I'd say the real shocker and bone of contention was just my decision to grow up independent and sober, build some financial stability, and earning myself a comfortable middle class life. I'd say that causes more waves and tension. But, you know, different strokes.
TL;DR: Just hug your mom. Tell her how you feel, have an open conversation, and actually listen to her response. She'll get over it, they always do. Then hug her again.

my wife and i had an interesting convo from the potential future parent of a tattooed child perspective - huh?
basically my kids are 12,9,7 and my wife has no ink - i have tatts 10 and 11 upcoming in dec and jan
this morning we were discussing the idea of our kids wanting / getting tattoos as they got older
my wife was not thrilled with the idea at all - haha she only likes a few of mine
very honest up front lady i love her! :)
anyway - i of course would welcome the idea of the kids ultimately getting ink
my only wishes (of probable future advice) includes:
- be at least 18
- do your homework on the artist / art / etc.
- pick a spot that will be easily covered for those first few to see if indeed the whole deal is for you and to give consideration for occupational directions that might be on the table for your future

I love your post, @beez. BUT DAMN. She kept the skin for you?! Your mom wins everything ever.

I'm sure her general reaction towards your tattoos comes from a place of love and her not quite being open to "getting it". Parents sure can be funny sometimes and it's interesting how much their approval means to their seemingly smart adult children.
I use to be jealous of my friends who's parents yelled at them for coming home with Black Flag bars or whatever tattooed on them. I think it just means they give a shit. Getting tattoos on your body just probably doesn't follow the bogus script they've had in their head for what you'd be like as an adult. Doesn't mean they are not proud of all your other accomplishments. Maybe have the talk to end all talks about them, an open and honest conversation from both ends. Then the topics off the table. Don't let your parents opinions on something so simple as tattooed skin cause strain on your relationship with your mom.
My parents were never surprised by my getting tattoos. I came home when I was 14 with a kitchen scratcher tattoo by my friends older brother. Who, not all that surprisingly, was not a tattooer. I showed my mom it with pride right away. Her response was along the lines of, "well that wasn't the smartest way to go about getting a tattoo". That was it. A few days later she pointed out that poor people, especially women, already have enough things stacked against them, no point in making myself look like a criminal and killing my potential. (Thankfully I moved far away from kitchen tattoos well over a decade ago.)
My mom may not win any mother of the year awards, but she has a good heart and I know now that she meant well with her bleak commentary. She's just always been blunt and said it how she saw it, no matter how misguided it may be. Parents have their faults. She had known since I was 10-11 that I loved tattoos. I'd always check out all the tattoos on the bikers and scumbags that hung around. I sat in awe across the kitchen table from my mom when she got one (a terrible blue rose on her chest) when I was 8 or 9. I'd get paid to babysit with tattoo magazines. We moved regularly and always being on the go meant I had few belongings, but my mom would occasionally find a new tattoo or music magazine in a gas station somewhere that would keep me distracted.
I can go home with a new tattoo and my mom will usually ask to take a peak. I'd say the real shocker and bone of contention was just my decision to grow up independent and sober, build some financial stability, and earning myself a comfortable middle class life. I'd say that causes more waves and tension. But, you know, different strokes.
TL;DR: Just hug your mom. Tell her how you feel, have an open conversation, and actually listen to her response. She'll get over it, they always do. Then hug her again.

I love your post, @beez. BUT DAMN. She kept the skin for you?! Your mom wins everything ever.

Hi all, been slacking on my updating on here so heres some bits and pieces:
Most recent thing I've had done was continuing this, was cool to chat to Brad Fink briefly prior:

one session to go, hopefully soon although it will be hard not to get something else by Andre.
Also got this from O'Donnell back in July:

Both shameless instagram thefts....
As usual this thread has blown my mind with the awesomeness that LSTer's choose to get...

Nearly finished the anemone and shading and side corals, and shadows along the bottom. The red is the huge bruise already starting. The clownfish were already there, and the crab first pass was from the last session.
I am so amazed at how this is all turning out! Two more session until we're done!

Gah, @keepcalm and all others, I certainly feel you in regards to parental disapproval! (although my mom did get a tattoo on her hip in an ill-advised attempt to bond and understand me and recently got it removed...and it was waiting for me in a tupperware container full of salt when I got home. She had a tummy tuck but asked the surgeon to save the skin for her. Creepy? Yes. Sweet? Yes. Fucking weird as hell? Don't even get me started)(ah, family). (y'all want pics?) (also this is my least fav tattoo, i am soooo glad to get it covered now! never would have done it unless she had agreed to also do the same tho)
My parents have never liked tattoos. My dad didn't speak to me for months after he found out about the (little teeny tiny) flower on my back, and my mom just looked at me with sad, disappointed eyes. I really wanted more tattoos, and when I decided to go for a highly visible tattoo on my forearm at 23, I knew I was doing something that might cause my parents to literally never speak to me again. It was fucking tough!!! And then all the guilt for why I would do something that I knew would basically divorce me from my parents, what a bad kid, blah blah blah. Lots of guilt. But I still loved my tattoos.
At some point before I got that first, highly visible tattoo, I showed my mom a picture of some cherry blossoms that stretched across a woman's entire body. I thought they were beautiful and I was sure my mom would feel the same way, even though they were tattoos --- NOPE!! And it was at that point that I realized that just because my mom didn't like something didn't mean it was not cool/right/good-looking/whatever - and that I could like something independent of her and that my opinion is still a valid one.
As I collected more tattoos over the years, my parents began speaking more about what i would do at work, and what was I supposed to do at black tie events? At the time I was on the film festival circuit and attending opening galas pretty regularly, so it wasn't an out of nowhere question...but nowhere did I feel comfortable saying "I LIKE the way my tattoos look in dresses!". In fact I just felt humiliated and ashamed. Again, this feeling of guilt - how could I be so shortsighted and do this to myself? Do I not care about my future? Why would I have wasted all this education and this good job etc etc etc ad nauseam - it's really hard to get your parents' disapproving voices out of your head, even when you think they've been banished!
Anyway - guess what - they can be covered up if you really want them to be. I attended a black tie event two weeks ago with my What Tattoos? look in full force. Long sleeves. Long gown or pants. NOT HARD TO DO.
I did attend a few events this summer with tattoos out in full force. Surprisingly difficult for me to do because of those nasty voices in my head, but I got over it. (I'm 31 now) I personally gauge the event, the hosts, where I am (seattle is fine to show tattoos, oklahoma is decidedly UNWELCOMING). I make a point of looking spectacular to the normies so that not only are they embarrassed if they've trash talked tattooed people to me (more common than one might think) and later see my tattoos, but that maybe it gives 'em something to think about.
In Oklahoma, when I am home visiting family, I keep mostly covered up. This keeps me from dealing with the huffs and puffs, stupid thick tension, and any assaults on my character or future. I used to feel very comfortable with this, because I'm not rebelling or trying to piss my parents off with tattoos (though they have certainly leveled those accusations before), so why poke the bear if it's not necessary? But now I feel kinda bummed that I can't be myself around them. Or like walk downstairs in a tank top. And I was just in OK for thanksgiving and I felt totally trashy and hated myself for getting tattoos. ?!?!! I LOVE TATTOOS so that was a weird feeling for me - I was just basically sucking up the disapproval in the air, I think! bc i adore my tattoos.
I was just home recently and my mom had to use a fabric glue to stick the collar of my dress in a certain place - not to cover a tattoo, but so that the dress would fall right - and she moved the collar and saw some tattoo and made the worst noise...it made me feel bad, but whatever. It's okay if we all like different things! My mom gets hella plastic surgery, I'm not into that kind of body mod, so that's what I relate the tattoo thing to at the moment.
I stopped expecting my parents to treat me nicely many years ago, @keepcalm. Eventually I ported it all into a "them" problem and have minimized my contact with them. I keep my tattoos covered up, though they are aware of them, and I choose to interact with them about different topics, and I refuse to be baited into an argument regarding tattoos. I guess what I'm trying to say is what many have said before me in this thread - wishing/hoping/waiting for parental approval that's never gonna happen is a dumb game that will make you feel bad. It's okay if they don't like tattoos - they don't have to - but they don't have to be jerks about it. If they are gonna be jerks about it, minimize your exposure and choose only to interact with them in neutral territory. If you're comfortable with it, cover up and just show your tattoos off to your friends who think they're cool as hell!

I feel like this is an "US" problem. We KNOW we like our tattoos. We got them on purpose. PAID for someone to do it to us, in fact. So why let disapproval from flyover states or other-minded parents get to us so strongly?!
While I was dealing with the horrible "i'm so trashy and disgusting" feeling, I also recognized that I didn't feel like that all of the time, and knew that I wouldn't likely feel like that in a few days...so even though it sucked, that is what I held on to - the impermanence of the situation. You know how you feel, and you know that it isn't all the time. Remember that!
Best of luck! It sucks. But you're an adult and you like your tattoos - that is ALL THAT MATTERS!!!!