Lance

Have an appointment today at the Museum to have pics taken of my Stewart Robson back-piece. Not exactly sure how it works regarding which pieces get displayed. I am honored to have such a beautiful piece from Mr. Robson and the chance to display it.

You too? I'll be there later today as well. Although I have no idea where at the museum I'm supposed to go to. Maybe I'll get a chance to say Hi and see that back of yours too.

Agreed, it's an honor to be able to be a part of this in any capacity and display my artist's work as well.

This teaser? Hopefully this works properly.

2 more straight days in December on my back and after reading a few posts above, this shit isn't going to be pretty. (But fucking worth it!) Horinao said it'd be about 20 hours to complete the main motif and I'm wondering if I should just try and push through and get 3 days to complete it...

2 full days? 8 hour full days? 16 hours? 57,600 minutes?

What's another day. DO IT!!! Ha ha!

That's a lot to sit through. Much respect, and we'll all pray for you here.

So there's this. I started off with a bird on my left arm. When that was finished, I wanted a koi. Had it placed on my right lower leg for balance on my body. But then summer ends and I stop wearing shorts and start wearing jeans and a tee. visually all of a sudden I lose the balance (covered legs) so I get my right arm tattooed with a dragon. But oh wait! Now I'm no longer balanced when wearing shorts again. Oh the angst! But I can't just get my other leg tattooed because that would be all too much like what some have called a "vans warped tour body suit". Hell no! So now to avoid that I must get my torso covered, then I can get my left leg tattooed. The things that happen to achieve balance ;-)

Actually the torso part hasn't happened yet, but it's a matter of time really.

The other thing that's interesting is some have said they can't or won't show their tattoos in public or at work so they started with their torso. I have no problems walking around with my arms or leg bare in personal life. Oddball me though, not known for thinking like a normal rational person opted instead with the decision to never wear short sleeves for the rest of my life when at work, near work, in a condition where I may run into anyone from work, etc. Never ever. Ha! And I always have a jacket close by just in case too. My friends think I'm weird. Especially when wearing a hoodie in 80 degree summertime LA ;-)

Well seeing how I've only been tattooed by one person so far, and I'm about 40-50% there, should I continue to get more, I might as well go all in. Jill Bonny. She's not as flashy as some but that's what I like about her work. It's solid and detailed just enough without going overboard with excess. It retains a bold look and has a style that I feel relates to the flatness of the old prints. I really like that about her work. And she's cool too.

Also once upon a time when you get briefly introduced to Tim Hendricks and he sees your tattoos (and finds out it's all been done by Jill), then tells you, " You're a tattoo artist's dream client.", well you should probably listen to those words and follow through.

If I cloned myself or had a twin. Horitomo.

Butt all the while still wearing socks (head shake).

25-30 hours @CultExciter?! And yes people, I am attempting to have more man ass posted.

Oh damn you!!! Ha ha!

I just lament that I can't post my backpiece here too (Cuz Mom would be so proud her baby's bum would be posted for the world to see, right?). They wanted to hold off on posting pictures because they might be able to include it into the Perseverance show next Spring. No guarantees of course but it would be cool and i'd be honored. But if SOG didn't post to IG/FB respectfully I'll avoid posting as well. Maybe I'll post it in 9 months after it opens. I am beyond happy with the results though. Words cannot rightfully express my gratitude.

Freshly finished on June 21st though. It was finished 1 month shy of 5 years since I started going to Jill for my first tattoo on my left arm. How my life has changed since then. Crazy.

Also while up in the Bay Area I had a chance to go to Diamond Club to pick up the Roberto Borsi "Horitoshi I" book. I recommend it. Nice (very) brief but informative intro. Very light on text throughout actually. The photos however make up for it. It's a good one if you're into collecting books. Beautiful tattoos. $80. I had the chance to meet Dr. Claw too. He was working on a sleeve sketch at the front when I got there and chatted with him for a bit. Really nice guy and nice work too!

'Scuse my ramblings and resume with the awesome photos. :-)

Winners all!!!

I wish I'd been lurking/paying attention earlier. My wife is pretty bummed she can't get her hands on those prints. Haha. Hopefully I'll be able to get one of the books for her!

I'm pretty sure you can still buy the top row at tattoo elite international or at the very least the first two in the row at SOG. Also, last I heard there may still be a few prints remaining from the second limited set (entire third row and center image in the fourth) that could be ordered from State of Grace too. Might be worth checking out their web page to see if it's still possible to purchase.

That looks great so far @Duffa Your backpiece has a backpiece!! Does it continue down your ass/back of thighs too?

Sh*t!!!! Well if it does, that's just another ass I'll be staring at. @Duffa, are you going to make me stare at yet another man ass?!?! This is starting to become quite disconcerting.

All jokes aside that is looking amazing. And as been said it's just the outline too. So all the questions asked previously and I'll raise you a, "will there be background?" And,"black & grey or color?".

- - - Updated - - -

Man, just have to say all these back pieces being posted in the last few weeks are outstanding! Thank you everyone for sharing.

Grey matter galore!

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Ha ha! Just noticed this. He's strong enough to tear open metal gates but he's not tough enough to get his kneecap worked on. Skipped right over it. ;-)

Yep. I think Chris's dream is to do cholo versions of all 108 heroes of the marsh. The ones I've seen are, like all his stuff, incredible.

^^^ That would be amazing! In regards to "rolling eyes", it helps to know the history and weight of the style, the stories of the suikoden, and parallels of those stories and what Brand is portraying. When that happens, minds are blown! Splatter and spray everywhere.

Seeing Ben Grillo's back was cool the first time. Seeing it after I realized it was based on one of the stories. My jaw de-hinged itself. And Drew's back is sick. The man should just tattoo half nekkid like Tomo of Yellowblaze, cuz no one will ever get tired of seeing that back.

Since my backpiece was posted on instagram I will re-post it here; although the background has not been started.

Done by Jill Bonny at State of Grace. The pics were taken from instagram. I may post better pics when healed. (Birds are old tattoos)

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Well done! It looks fantastic! Nice little elements in there. Can't wait to see it when the background and sleeves are added :-)

So today's Father's Day and my dad is celebrating the only way he knows best...by spending the day at the mah-jong parlor. My lady is working so that leaves me with a free day to my own devices to which I decided to mount and hang up the Horitomo cat prints I have accumulated. I love the entire series and the various ones that are not in print but posted on Horitomo's Instagram. Patiently waiting for more prints to come out and the much rumored book that collects all of the various tattoo cat incarnations. Hopefully one day I make it out to the west coast to get a tattoo cat from him...would be an awesome experience.

That sole empty spot must be killing you

;-)

Looks great! I've collected the same prints too and have been thinking how I can go about framing all my prints without making my place too cluttered up next to some existing ones.

Damn! I saw people posting to this thread again so my first reaction was that it was released. I was extremely excited for a brief moment. Thanks a lot ;-)

Well, here's hoping it is released sometime next week. That would be an awesome bookend to my back piece experiences. My last session is also next week on the 21st.

You and @Graeme ROCK!!!! Have either of you gotten tattoo appointments for one another as gifts or tokens of affection? I'm thinking about getting Henning or Rubendall to tattoo my lady as a gift one day.

Can I be your "other lady"!

Ha ha :-P

Ah, thanks for that @el twe

I just noticed this video with Horiyoshi III and haven't seen it posted yet. There are some really interesting ideas/philosophies in it regarding tattoos.

Click on the "closed caption" to activate the subtitles.

Oh yes! I mentioned this elsewhere but my artist ended up having to put her full weight down on my leg to keep my leg from jerking every time the needle hit skin. I felt really bad about not being able to stay still. Good to know though that this happens to others.

It could be worse...

...people could be called a "Canvas" ;-)

Somehow I knew you were going to post that, @WeRnDoG. I love it. I got tattooed by Horimasa about 7 years ago and he is an awesome guy.

Okay, okay, okay...who have you NOT been tattooed by??? My goodness you're a walking art gallery of some of the best! Beyond jealous.

...and that tiger head is crazy amazing.

I saw this today and didn't see a previous posting of it. Pretty interesting images.

Cedric Arnold:

I'm kind of relieved to read this. I just got almost the entire back of my calf tattooed a few days ago, and while most of it wasn't too horrible, the last 30 or 40 minutes (of a ~3 hour tattoo) were pretty brutal and left me completely worn out. I've never claimed to sit like a rock, but I was/am starting to feel like a wimp.

Ha ha! I'm not saying the calf was the worst for me but when I had a 5 hour outline session for my lower leg done, near the end of it, I remember the artist had to jump up on the table and put her full weight on my foot/ankle area to keep me pinned down to prevent me from twitching around too much.

Awesome @cvportagee! So I gather after your next one, everything is done then in regards to shading the character (kumonryu? I'm bad with remembering character names)? Can't wait to see it finished. That'll be fantastic to get those sleeves started too.

I'm nearly there. 1 more session late June then done. After that a bit of a break to figure what to do with the front. Chest piece or munewari style. I can't make up my mind which or with what subject. I'm trying to get on Horitomo's wait list for a couple of 1-offs so if it's possible I can get those while I decide.

My wife and I are attending again this year. We can't wait. A meetup would be fun. Put some more faces to names.

Yes to a gathering!

Btw, how's the backpiece coming along @cvportagee? And your sleeves?