knucklehead211

From my experience, if you go in with a less than well defined idea, a good artist can usually work with it. My artist is definitely familiar with me coming in with a vague idea, or a design that I haven't fully thought out, and he always comes up with something sick!

New as well, and I definitely second the notion to wait until after summer. Not only will you avoid sun while the ink is healing, but artists are less busy as well! For me it has always worked out well since my birthday is the same month as xmas, so I always had funds by jan/feb!

Thank you good sir!

When I met my significant other (and hopefully future wife) we were both growing into ourselves. At the time, I had no tattoos, though I never hid that I had always wanted them. Now, with a half sleeve and a calf sleeve coming up, she has told me a few times that she doesn't want me to be one of those people that are heavily tattooed. On the subject of my calf in particular, she has said she didn't think it would look very classy! But I'm not worried about it. We've been together for almost seven years, and I don't think my plans to get inked will come between us. I've always wanted her to get more tattoos (she only has one small discreet one) but she says it's not for her. Doesn't bother me either way, still love her more than life itself.

All of my tattoos have been stuff that my artist and I visualized differently. The awesome thing is, I have loved every single one of them. When I went in for my first tattoo, I wanted to get a skull (minus the jawbone) laying on top of a pile of bullets, photo realistic. I wasn't very good at conveying that though, so my artist drew up a skull that was a bit more cartoony with smoke coming out of spent shell casings and the skulls open jaws. It was the coolest thing I'd ever seen, and to this day I still love that it was my first ink. I've learned from experience that I get more fun out of giving him a general idea without any real structure, and letting him run with it. They always turn out awesome to me, anyways!

Oh man, all this reminds me of my first experience with tattoos and little ones. My neice had just turned one. She was really growing into her personality, so I felt more comfortable picking her up and playing games with her (no surprise her first word was uncle!). So I'm holding her, and she reaches down to try and peel the skull on my bicep off, and says "ouch!" (she always said that when she touched a booboo). I was laughing so hard! Out of her and her two brothers, she's been the only one to really notice. It'll be interesting to see whether I get any more silly reactions come summer time

All good points here. I've been getting inked on a yearly basis since I was legal and I can say that I don't regret any of my ink. However, there have been plenty of times where an idea bounced into my head, rattled around for a few months, and then suddenly I realized "man, that would look so dumb". I can say that the ones that I attach personal meaning to (like my modified irish family crest) are my favorites, simply because I can look at them and say yes, that is who I am, and I'm proud of it.

Hi guys! While researching for my next big tattoo, I came across this site a few days ago and started lurking. After reading so much good info, I figured I would join up myself! I am 22 years old and have been getting inked about once a year since I was 18. I don't have the impressive collection some of you guys do - I've only done a half sleeve on my left arm (not sure if able to post pics yet, at work anyway). That being said, I am going in with my first and only artist so far on the 28th to get started on my planned calf sleeves/squidpants, and I am so glad I read up on what to expect! I guess just thanks for all the info you gave before I even joined! I will be sure to post pics if anyone likes when I am able of my half sleeve, and definitely will be here complaining when I'm on bed rest after my calf work! Thanks guys! Edit to show my ink: All work done by Nathan Blankenship, formerly at Freaks on Broadway, who's now at Exile 2 in KCMO. Sorry for the quality/size of the pics!