Gingerninja

Ha! That is a FANTASTIC tattoo!!! Welcome.

Put some roses around it...

Oh, shit! Are you okay??? @oboogie My day: getting a lawyer to obtain emergency guardianship of my mom and about to take my sweet boxer to the emergency vet. WTF.

I am at my current saturation point! I need to finish what I have planned and get what I have that's unfinished, finished. @Baboom

I am so excited for you!!!

Hey @Oiocha When is your appointment with Horitomo?

It will pass in a another couple of days. Keep it clean and lightly moisturize with a gentle, fragrance free lotion. You'll be good to soon. Note that it will take a solid 4-6 weeks to heal...don't shave it! @G_stef

Icing is okay in small amounts (like don't keep it iced all day...you need the blood flow). @G_stef How big is the area? Color or black and grey? If it gets crazy, you can take a Benadryl, just don't pick at it or scratch it!

@Boiled Dove This! I remember calling my husband as I left the shop after having my right ribs done (four hours). I told him to remind me of that moment if I EVER said that I was doing my left ribs. Well, that lasted about 48 hours until I was planning to get the left side done. :) Congrats! Enjoy your bender!

Hey! There are so many great artists in San Fran. Start checking out some of these shops...see what resonates with you. IMO, yes, it's not cool to work with a tattoo artist then not get something from them. Again, in my mind, you are pumping them for information, using their time and not paying for it. I suggest going to shops, looking at their books and flash and getting a general vibe from the shop. Look at the different styles, see what resonates with you. Instagram will be your friend in doing your research! These are four that popped into my head at 6:15 this morning. There are a bunch more shops.. Black Heart: https://www.instagram.com/blackhearttattoo/ (Scott Sylvia started this forum!) Tattoo City: https://www.instagram.com/tattoo_city/ Idle Hands: https://www.instagram.com/idlehandsf/ Spider Murphys: https://www.instagram.com/spidermurphystattoo/

@Baboom DUDE!

@Hands On Bahhaaa! Glad that I could provide today's earworm for you. Hilarious!

Since it's Tattoo Tuesday, here's a sneak peek at a WIP by Grez. The outline is done for the entire piece but only got to finish the dragon kite. In June, we'll finish the rabbit, her kimono, the moon and the background. I know that everyone thinks that their tattoos are cool but I really do think this is super amazing! Grez took my random concept and executed it to perfection. The kite is so freakin' awesome. Love this guy!

Mark, spot on... @Devious6 Bob, there are some very wise people here (like Mark). Take your time as you move through your process. You'll know when the time is right and the design is right. I echo the thought of finding a symbol instead of the signature but again, the decision is yours. Very sorry for your loss.

I had my spine done a few years ago. Four hour session. Very manageable. The only place that sucked was at the very top. Total average suck factor on a 1-5 scale was about a 2.75 with the top hitting a 3.5. :)

Hey there...why do you think that you need the lidocaine? Where are you getting tattooed and how long will you be sitting?

I don't even want to think about the inner thigh. Tender bits!

Yep, I still think the butt hurts. Mad, mad respect for folks that have their entire butt cheeks covered. Thinking about how much the butt/thigh intersection would hurt makes me wince.

Great tattoo! Enjoy the heal and let it settle in. You'll know what to do eventually. In a few months, hit up your artist to see if they have any suggestions.

Thanks, @Devious6. I feel extremely blessed. <3

Hey @dan... He did another piece for me a few years ago but I don't think that it had anything do to with getting in. I booked in with him last December when I dropped by for a consult. He offered to get me in earlier but I knew that I was already going to be in the city in April. Email [email protected]. Jess, his assistant, is good at responding. He basically books three months in advance when he opens his books. He normally only books for three hour sessions, so know that going in. He's truly amazing. He understands form, design, placement...everything. And he has a light touch. And he's fast. And he's super chill with a great sense of humor.

I have a new little friend! Snake and cherry blossoms by Chris Garver. My homage to spring. She fits the space so perfectly. He drew it on, made the stencil and we were tattooing in less than 40 minutes. Boom. (I'm swollen AF but whatever).

Bummer...It would have been a good hang but who can resist an Easter Egg hunt? The plan is what I'm calling "Hare in Kimono Flying a Dragon Kite" on my left upper arm. All loosely based on some research that I did on the Japanese folklore tale of the Rabbit in the Moon. We'll see what he comes up with! I'm concerned that there's not enough room for the kite but we have other options if needed. :)

You could always come see me at KA on Thursday. @suburbanxcore :)

I think Chris has a pretty light touch and he's fast! I'll be at KA on Thursday for Grez. @tacifone