six times seven

I can't really handle how amazing this is.

meh ok here is a pic :)
from the amazing Steve Boltz
totally good time talking mostly golf
turns out Steve is an avid golfer and pretty good
I'm neither but I love stogies and beer with friends
and lets face it - thats more important than a decent backswing ;)
anyway - funky fish on my bicep...

When I tell people that 90% of my tattoos have no meaning, their brains explode.

I cannot stand when people ask me why. about every single tattoo I have. No there is no sob story behind the rose on my knee, roses just look cool on the knee. It is really the only question I just cant answer anymore. It bugs me.
I do try and explain that not everyone needs this contrived emotional meaning to get a tattoo, that getting the tattoo is the meaningful part. Getting a tattoo is the experience I wanted to capture. A good tattoo should be able to stand alone.
But of course if you don't have a love for tattoos and the process then you will never understand that.
Also I believe once you want more than one tattoo, these thought-up meanings behind them fade for you. The people that ask me "why", are the people with one tattoo for their kids, or no tattoos and have been trying so desperately to think of the perfect image or word to get done for the last 40 years. If I am going for full coverage, each one can mean less in a back story sense, and just be awesome.

My standard response to the "what do they all mean" question is....... "it means I REALLY LIKE TATTOOS!

hey! I have been a couch surfer for years now and have used it to travel extensively when I was an airline employee, and used to host many events. Hopefully I can do some more traveling, and not that all my travels will be tattoo related, this is a great idea.
im in school now so Im pretty stationary but I will be on the move again soon!

Here is a photo of the latest updates on my front. The owl/roses/skull have been healed are almost three years old. The goat on my stomach was lined about a year ago with the shading being freshly done (other parts in various stages of healing). The rose/flames/bones on my right side are fresh also in this photo.

I can't really handle how amazing this is.

D'aww. Come on over and get some tattoos! :)
Edit: Oh hey, @cltattooing put up a picture of what we got up to today.

I actually simplified my wardrobe completely after starting to get more coverage. Mostly black, and all basics. Letting my tattoos shine haha. Also started dressing more comfortable as I am healing most of the time anyway. It is interesting how this happens.
I am always on the lookout for soft flowy pants and long sleeve anythings now that its getting warmer.

yea man, if you want the nice detailed thin line artwork you've been posting, go for it, and dont worry if every line will be perfect? itll look cool if its what you and the artist want.
have faith in thee artiste.

This is why I love leaving deposits. Makes me feel like I'm paying less for my tattoo at the end of the day.

i feel the same way, but I realized I have to just be upfront about it now, because worrying if i took out enough cash at the atm beforehand is just unnecessary stress before a tattoo appointment, fucking with my head game.
I also only get tattooed by artists who are open to talking about every aspect of the tattoo process, including money. I ask them what range to expect for a first session, so I can bring the right amount of cash, (and then some) and they don't seem to mind. I wouldn't ever bug them about giving me a specific price for a session or a piece beforehand though.
I have also been asked for my budget, which again I give them a nice range of what I am comfortable spending at the time, and we go from there.
I do agree that I have been snubbed a few times before about the money thing when I was a bit newer to getting tattooed, artists almost giving me an attitude about asking their hourly rate blah blah, and it sucks. I am sure it comes from the masses trying to haggle prices with them, but I'm not cheap, I have the moolah, just wanna know how much I should carry in my pocket on my way to your shop dammit.... You are trying to come prepared, mentally, physically, and financially, and not being able to do so really gets you down.
Thanks for asking these questions. Stay open and casual about the conversations you have with the artists, make it clear you would just like to be prepared and pay them accordingly, and it really shouldn't be awkward. (even though it always is...haha)

so, try this. take a really thin pen or pencil and draw a perfectly straight line on a piece of paper free handed.
then, take a nice thick sharpie (marker) and do the same thing.
im not saying tattoo artists cant tattoo a straight line with a single needle, im just saying its harder and and harder to hide. especially when were talking about wrapping it, making it work with your body and skin/movement.
same thing for the longevity as the words though, the slightly thicker line will last longer, the thinner one might fade and blur out in spots destroying the look of the line, because there is not much to it.
this is my two cents from a visual artists standpoint though, not a tattooer or anything of the sort. you will probably find an artist that will do exactly want you want, but it will be good to go into it knowing how it may turn out.

youd be suprised how quickly small lettering becomes small unreadable scribbles. i speak from experience.

i feel the same way, but I realized I have to just be upfront about it now, because worrying if i took out enough cash at the atm beforehand is just unnecessary stress before a tattoo appointment, fucking with my head game.
I also only get tattooed by artists who are open to talking about every aspect of the tattoo process, including money. I ask them what range to expect for a first session, so I can bring the right amount of cash, (and then some) and they don't seem to mind. I wouldn't ever bug them about giving me a specific price for a session or a piece beforehand though.
I have also been asked for my budget, which again I give them a nice range of what I am comfortable spending at the time, and we go from there.
I do agree that I have been snubbed a few times before about the money thing when I was a bit newer to getting tattooed, artists almost giving me an attitude about asking their hourly rate blah blah, and it sucks. I am sure it comes from the masses trying to haggle prices with them, but I'm not cheap, I have the moolah, just wanna know how much I should carry in my pocket on my way to your shop dammit.... You are trying to come prepared, mentally, physically, and financially, and not being able to do so really gets you down.
Thanks for asking these questions. Stay open and casual about the conversations you have with the artists, make it clear you would just like to be prepared and pay them accordingly, and it really shouldn't be awkward. (even though it always is...haha)

My first tattoo, done on Wednesday! Very happy with it, and I'm getting a black widow done on the other arm in about a month!

I'll throw my hat in again this month with this piece, all healed and new :)

done by tony hundahl at the oklahoma tattoo convention one shot drawn on

Great Flying Spaghetti Monster, Jondix's stuff is out of control.

+1.
Exactly why I am looking for a dark owl.

realism while still using enough black = <3

I love tattoos. I love all styles. I'm almost finished with a full color "new school-ish" sleeve, and then moving on to a full traditional black and gray back piece, as well as many other traditional bold pieces. I may even go Japanese on my thigh/leg. You can have love for it all, if you do enough research.
I don't think I will keep on with too much newer solid color stuff, after learning more about longevity and realizing how much I too love the bold imagery. But I dig my sleeve and its definitely a huge part of my personality. I needed that damn sleeve. my childhood self needed that thing. The contrast I am starting is actually kind of neat.
I am new to these parts but it seems like as long as everyone keeps the respect up, we can all forum together. perhaps.

working in the sign business I just always want nice bold readable words everywhere. EVERYWHERE.
pictures too of course. but keep those words bold.

Steve Lanier from Classic summed it up for me emotionally with his recent hashtag, #yourgrandpahadtoughtattoos. Yup.