mtlsam

I have been tattooed twice at the Montreal convention. I had no issues. I am fairly certain that the people you would allow to tattoo you in a shop will make sure to provide the same cleanliness in the key areas. You don't see a lot of non single use items at these events, so if it's clean and new for you there should be no problem. Just don't wash your new tattoo in the bathroom there.

So far I'm resisting the temptation, but there's still a couple weeks to go. Both of those guys are high on my list (and I didn't realize until just now that Robert Ryan was even at the convention!).

Either of you know if they're doing appointments only or taking walkups at all?

Greg is taking appointments, not sure about walkups, but he seemed pretty flexible time wise about a week ago. His email is on his instagram post.

Looks like I'm not going to be getting a walk up after all because I made an appointment today. I am super psyched, and it's going to be really nice getting a one session tattoo after spending over a year working on my back.

Who did you book with? I was trying to resist the temptation, but it was a futile effort. I'm in with Greg Christian first thing Friday.

Is that the Grey Britain tudor rose? You can't blast over that! haha

I guess it really depends on what you do in life and where you live. I don't think that I'll tattoo my neck or hands, but it didn't phase me in the least to get all my first tattoos on my forearms. Long sleeves are always an option, and I figured if I'm going to get art on my body why not share it.

I still think it's funny that it seems controvertial to get started in this way. I had no idea at the time.

Best of luck with your new visible art!

I don't really think that this is something most collectors think about. If you want a specific colour you bring a sample (like the drawing you have above) and then you trust your tattooer to get it done right. I don't think any non tattooers will have any worthwhile opinion on this one.

He said a couple of sessions ago that he didn't think it needed to be reoutlined, so here's hoping.

Your back is looking super sharp! My highly trained eye doesn't see any weak outline, haha. Here's to hoping for you as well.

By the way your back is making me highly tempted to get something huge from Dave!

I also had a hard time healing this area. Thin skin, so the tattooer is probably being delicate so the lines don't blow out. Sounds like your work healed as tattoos often do, like they were made on a living canvas.

I went in for touchups. The tattooer was happy to oblige, and a bit surprised that I tipped him again.

Know that you are likely the only person who will notice the imperfections, as nobody else stares or cares about your tattoos as much as you do. If they bug you wait out a full month, or preferably two and then go for a little fix up session.

Best of luck!

As long as the watch is a nice Rolex, you'll be fine. Anything else, beware!

Soooo, I had a thought recently that Hubbs should let ME chose his back piece tattooer and subject because I was the one who was going to see it ALLLL of the time and vice versa. He didn't go for it. But isn't that just the most practical and wonderful idea y'all have ever heard? I could wake up to a giant Horitomo Kanon EVERY morning! I'm certain it would make me a better spouse.

That actually makes a great deal of sense when viewed in a certain light;) Your life partner should definitely approve and appreciate the art you choose to get.

I hope you realize that neck tattoos can limit your employment options though....

I think you may be a bit late with this message.

Does that mean another rendering of the Ban Hammer tattoo is in the works?!?

Hi, if your skin is that delicate you may want to consider putting these symbols elsewhere on your body. Only your tattooer will be able to tell what sort of results you will get from getting tattooed. Go ask.

Okay, so what do you do when you realize several days after that you didn't tip *enough*? My tattoo cost a little more than I had in cash on me, so I paid the much-smaller balance via Paypal. I clicked the "add tip" button on the Paypal screen, but I was so busy talking with the artist that I didn't realize that I had clicked the automatic 20% tip button on just the card payment, which turned out to only be something like 3% of the total amount. Oops.

I won't be going in for another tattoo for another year at least (got some other things need doing around the house first) and this one doesn't need any immediate touchup work. Should I just go back in next payday with the rest of the tip amount and explain what happened?

That would seem reasonable to me. Mistakes happen, people usually understand.

@Graeme and @Pugilist We need to up the LST ante and make a west coast trip, get monmon cats from Horitomo and peonies from Kaneko! What say youz???

Can I come too?

I'm super impressed by this shot that Bert Krak "recently" put on instagram. All tattoos in this photo from Tony Polito, Mike Perfetto & Bert. This is what I would like to achieve at some point. Full coverage, but each tattoo being readable on its own.

What shop are you going to in Austin? Who's your tattooer?

yes you are a good person for not peer pressuring me into making questionable decisions. i think i can handle it. day 1 will be "easy" just finishing my thigh. day 2 will be the new experience of getting my torso brutalized. it will build character.

Don't forget to bring the extra "hush" money. I bet for the right price he will call you a champion on instagram.

Just keep breathing, you'll make it through.

Here is a pretty cool one I just had to add.

So, anyone who disagrees with you is a troll?

No, as the previous posts prove disagreeing doesn't make you a troll. It's making bold statements off the cuff with no justification that makes your post troll-like. Please explain yourself a little further and then we will better understand where your thoughts are coming from.

I'm digging this thread! Some of the most interesting and passionate replies I have seen in a while. Also a touch of controversy, oh my.

I think that this distinction being made between "clean" and "loose" tattoos is interesting as well. I for example have some of both styles side by side on my body. I find that both types are soulful. For me it's not a question of the precision of a line that dictates this factor. I believe in my case the way that the tattoos were done was quite deliberate. My chest of a panther vs. snake by Bailey Robinson is as clean as they come. Not a dot or squiggle out of place, but still powerful. My gorilla rose ribs by Chad Koeplinger is only as precise as a mega spread liner and serious whip shade action applied at warp speed allows. Not crisp, but bold for miles. I love and wouldn't change either. I think that many images can be successfully interpreted in many ways. The main importance being only for the wearer.

Please keep your thoughts coming.

I think that you bring up a few interesting points that can make a person think about their motivation in tattoo "collecting".

There are likely many reasons why certain tattooers become big names. Skill in their art and skill in their tattooing not being the sole factors.

Getting tattooed has always been a fun experience for me. Sharing stories, geeking out about technical things that fuel my curiosity, talking food, all are things that add to the experience. In the end I want to have an awesome tattoo, but I also would like for the process to have been a pleasant one.

A lot of what fuels my interest in certain artists is the opportunity to see their body of work. I get psyched on cool pictures. I'm certain that there are many great artists who I have never heard of, because they choose not to get their stuff out there. They too may offer a great experience, but perhaps I'll never know.

Finally, I think that being the inventor of a style or technique gives someone a certain cachet, but it doesn't mean that others who put in the time aren't working at or above the originators level. It might get difficult if people only got certain things from certain tattooers, more so than is already the case. Imagine the wait lists if you had to go to Todd Noble for all lady heads, or Stuart Cripwell for all moths!

There will be no witnesses and I will tip the artist extra to lie about how tough I am.

Sounds like you've got a winning plan!

I'll let you all know how my rib experience goes next month. Excited and nervous about it!

Also for the first time i have that "what the hell am I doing feeling"

You'll be fine. If possible bring someone chatty to distract you with a running conversation, at least this worked for me. Don't forget to breathe from time to time.

Go with the bare breasts, because if you decide you don't want them you can cover them up, but you can't go the other way.

Who are you planning on getting it from?

You make a good point. You can always get a "cover-up".

I am thinking of going to see Bailey Robinson. Something about the slightly muted colours he uses appeals to me for this type of design.