justcallmematt

Arya is the biggest badass in the history of fantasy literature.

I usually tell people that I got mine so have something to look at if I forget a magazine when I go to the bathroom.

I usually tell people that I got mine so have something to look at if I forget a magazine when I go to the bathroom.

Now that the dust has settled and things are getting back to normalcy in mine and my family's life and the lives of the crew at Great Lakes Tattoo I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support of not only myself but the crew and ultimately Great Lakes Tattoo itself.
It has been an amazing last few months and the support and acknowledgment of the shop has been overwhelming and very humbling. The shop is something that is a part of all of us who walk through its door everyday. It's shows the dedication of not only myself and crew but the behind the scenes dedication of my wife and family.
We invite everyone to come through the shop either to get tattooed or just to see it. We are very proud of it.
Thank you.
Nick Colella
Great Lakes Tattoo

My point exactly.

I'll stroke your ego sweet pea.
Great Post Dave!
Love,
The Pumped Tattooer that couldn't convince....

I'll stroke your ego sweet pea.
Great Post Dave!
Love,
The Pumped Tattooer that couldn't convince....

Remember the saying " It's a black thing, you wouldn't understand"?
i think that may be part of the issue in a mixed forum.
So, i'm going to use that metaphorically.
in a mixed forum, people can talk about cultural and political issues,personal musical and literary tastes and all contribute and all gain from the experience--- but as soon as one person starts talking about bigotry that they, as a black person- have encountered, or have a question about hair relaxer, a division occurs.
I think many non-tattooers , certainly can empathize with tattooers about an issue specific to them--- just like many tattooers can still relate to non- tattooers in matters of , let's say design,artist shop choice etc. But when you get to a certain point that division can occur.
Just my thought on what may be going on.

That's where I've been:



Although, once again, I'm not a tattooer. But fishing has become my latest obsession in the last six months.

I just want you all to know that I love you very much.

I just want you all to know that I love you very much.

I just want you all to know that I love you very much.

I just want you all to know that I love you very much.

I just want you all to know that I love you very much.

I just want you all to know that I love you very much.

I just want you all to know that I love you very much.

I just want you all to know that I love you very much.

I just want you all to know that I love you very much.

I just want you all to know that I love you very much.

I just want you all to know that I love you very much.

I just want you all to know that I love you very much.

just be respectful. yes tips and cupcakes are awfully nice, but thats not what gets me to work on time everyday. just be nice. leave your tuff guy attitude at the door. dont try to impress us, just be nice. if you know some jokes, please share. if some crazy shit happened to you earlier in the week, tell us the story. if you are coming to us because you saw how awesome we did of a job on your friends japanese sleeve, dont be surprised when we are bummed that you want us to do your celtic armband. haha
come in clean and with a good attitude. thats all i can ask for. anything extra is frosting on the cake

All of the above!
ALso:
The healthier you are the more prepared your body is for what's about to happen to it. Try not to come in hungover, get a decent nights sleep, eat a good breakfast, and lunch, essentially come in on a full stomach, by hydrated, and be relaxed as much as you can.
I've been told that exfoliating the are you are going to get tattooed for about a week before hand helps greatly with the healing but that's more of a suggestion.
Try to keep an open mind. Tattooers are professionals(for the most part, but not always so do your homework!). We have a wealth of knowledge we can bring to bare at any time for you, so take advantage of that. You will get a great tattoo. A tattooer who cares won;t talk you out of your idea, but might help you do it in a way that transcends your personal whims and trends, and will age gracefully, and compliment you as a person. Though it may be somewhat different than what you initially had in your head. Try to be a little malleable, and trust your tattooer. Try not to be some emotionally attached to every single detail. Remember: you aren't thinking like a tattooer. You think like a person who likes certain images and is used to seeing things on t-shirts, computer screens, and prints. Sometimes things don;t work in skin and we try like hell to make things work the best for you.
Try to remember that as much as tattooing has become a main stream product for most clients, it's still a hand made craft to us. If you are expecting hospital levels of sterility, Professional attitudes and expert technique then see us, not just treat us, but SEE us as professional craftsmen/women. Most of us have your best interest at heart because we can and do see the big picture. We are looking at your tattoo in our heads 10 years into the future. At least. We just want to do a nice tattoo for you. So when a tattooer explains why an idea is too complicated at a certain size, or why there is too much clutter, or that outlining it pink may not be the best idea, pay heed to that. You are hearing the educated opinion of a craftsman.
If you want a tattoo, don;t let your significant other try to do all the talking. Be plain, and straightforward with the things you want out of your tattoo. The less we have to guess, the fast we can get on the same wave length and make you happy.
If you are on vacation and you plan on things like tanning, going to the beach, strenuous activities, swimming, hot tubs, etc. Plan to get your tattoo at the ass end of your vacation so there is less interference with healing(and we can't tattoo sun burned skin so take care of it!), but try to get to the shop at the beginning of your vacation to set the appointment up, or if possible call ahead. Many shops can accommodate walk in's at most times, but since you have a limited time, try your hardest to think ahead. Rush jobs at the last second may not be ideal especially if you want something more involved than a single sitting, quick tattoo.
Avoid food that makes you fart before the tattoo. No one wants be sniffing your pooh ghosts while they work.
Hope some of this helps.

I think urinating on myself and constantly moving is best behavior... Right?

A place where tattooers can discuss techniques and information in a private environment away from 'the public'? Sounds great...
Wait, I work in one every day. It's called a tattoo shop.
Also I travel hundreds, often thousands of miles to go to these places in the real world. They are called conventions.
By visiting the cream of the crop of both shops and/or conventions, we grow as tattooers and humans. There is no excuse not to visit if you care about tattoos, tattooing, learning and getting tattooed.
LST does something else and does a damn fine job at it.