daveborjes

Thanks for sharing Ross. I credit you for putting me on to Matt. He's on my short list of tattooers I need to visit.

Check out this short video on one of my favorite tattooers (featuring another favorite, Bob Roberts):


I've said before that Matt has a bit of a Big Liebowski vibe, but now I realize that that comes across as a bit unkind (or at the very least, sells him short). He's both passionate and compassionate, and that comes through in this piece.

I felt the need for a solar plexus tattoo too, but I do hope to be skipping about naked at 80, well, if I fancy it. The standard underboob placement was never going to be optimal on me, I've never had the right sort of breasts. So, my tattoo comes up and onto to solar plexus, rather than being placed around it, if you see what I mean. It ends just, just under the band of my bra/bikini.
But, I'd say, with breasts like you describe @TrixieFaux, it's not boob saggage that's a potential issue with this placement, that's never going to mess things up too much. Rather, it's the way the underboob placement tends increases the visibility of the natural asymmetry of the breasts (that all women have). That asymmetry does become more apparent as the breast softens with age and reproduction even if there isn't significant sagging. Even on the very young, pert, instagram chests I've more than often seen the placement emphasise the asymmetry, making the tattoo look slightly wonky even though, technically speaking it is perfectly centered etc. which is a shame.
With mine being designed and placed as it is my breasts (when roaming free) actually look more symetrical than they did before, rather than less. Which is nice. I've posted it on latest tattoo lowdown already but here it is again.

- - - Updated - - -
With asymetry, I mean the often subtle differences in roots of the breasts, rather than the slight differences in size and shape between the breasts (which we are usually aware of). The differences in height of the base of the breast and the precise distance from the from the center of the breast bone to the root of the breast can be pretty much imperceptible on a lot of women, until you place something that is utterly symmetrical in between and under them...

Looks like a legit study on a legit website.

The real question should be "is it still a panther if it was made with vegan inks"?

Please do tell me more.

You need to diversify your bonds.

Tell me of this island called Staten :p

I too, would like someone to pay for my tattoos. Any takers?
Big fan of Workharder by the way. Kickstarter is internet hobo'ing at it's finest.

I would fund that over this.

Got a namakubi done at a local shop. Sovereign Arms Tattoo in GR, MI. Getting tattooed around the shin hurts a lot more than I thought it would. Got a little shaky..

This happened yesterday...

It wasn't until this morning I figured out I didn't have photo before tegaderm got put on. Outline/black shading done in April and the rest finished yesterday.
Artist: Tony Caporusso

I don't have an issue with passing down a craft or trade, I worked for my folks at that age but nothing too major.. That said, anyone who sits in the chair and knows a 7 year old is about to tattoo them gets what they deserve..
If there's no labor laws being broken and clients are cool with it, who gives a rats ass, lots of generational tradesman and craftsmen start this early..
I guess if you're a tattooer that had to work their ass of to get an apprenticeship it could/would be frustrating, but we're all dealt the hands we are dealt, this kids hand happens to be with a tattooer in the deck.
At the end of the day, it really doesn't affect anyone but the people who let a kid tattoo them. I find it ridiculous that we have let price and explanation of price become a taboo and dare not discuss it but we are all up in arms about someone teaching their child to tattoo..

Theres another one here in my town thats about 11. His dad is a mediocre tattooer that uses him as a gimmick. Its fucked up.

sigh.

I think the piece you're missing is that you don't need to find anyone that can draw. You need to find the tattoo artist/shop you want to have do the piece and work with that person to draw it for you and ultimately tattoo it for you. It's what they do... The "someone" you find who can draw, might be great at drawing but will have no clue how to draw it to be tattooed. They wont know how it needs to flow or lend itself to the particular spot you want it tattooed on your body. So first, find the tattoo artist/shop...then go talk to them in person and they'll work it out with you.
Do you already have a shop in mind? If not, I'm sure someone can give you a few suggestions if you tell us where you're located. Good luck.

Hello Paul and welcome to LST!
I recommend you to not make the design yourself or have anyone draw it for you. Instead, look at a lot of tattoos until you get a sense of what kind of styles you enjoy. I don't know where you are located but chances are there's at least a couple of tattoo shops close by. Go check those out, look at the artists portfolios and hopefully you'll find an artist that inspires you and who's work is good enough so that you will trust her/him to draw a tattoo based on your idea.
To get you started you can browse the blog where I post tattoos that inspires me:
UGLY FREEDOM
I also whole heartedly recommend you to read at leas part of this thread:
http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/2396-what-makes-good-tattoo.html
The info and opinions inside will help you while looking at tattoos, to determine the "quality" for lack of a better word.
I always suggest people who are new to tattooing to get their first tattoos on a part of their body that's often covered by clothes. So you can chose when you want to show your tattoo and slowly get used to the thought of permanently changing the look of your body. Also, speaking from personal experience, if you keep getting tattooed your taste and ideas about tattoos will evolve a lot. Even if your first tattoo turns out to be super good, chances are that in a few years you'll be happy that you saved the more visible body parts for better work.
Long winded message, anyhow.
I wish you good luck and have fun getting your first tattoo(s)!

Jeff Rassier flying Cobra. Done at Blackheart in January. Pics taken Yesterday. Tough to photo...wraps around the arm a lot.

This is my latest tattoo. Done by my girlfriend, on me, after I tattooed her. The technical application obviously needs some work, but I think she did ok for the first time running a machine. Haha.

Thanks a lot for linking this! I found it very interesting and well phrased. I hope people who are new to tattoo culture listens to this early on. Freddy clearly has a really good and humble attitude, and cares a lot about tattooing. Very inspirational, thanks!

It's true, I am the grumpiest person here. And of course we all have our favorites--you can tell who mine are because I've been tattooed by many of them--I just really don't like the idea of a top whatever list or ideas about "the best" because that kind of stuff belongs on reality TV or on know-nothing clickbait sites. The best tattoo is the tattoo that is made well, that you like, and that you had a good experience getting. If you like a tattooer, get tattooed by him or her. Everything else is silly.

My UK artist list:
Joe Ellis because I was tattooed by him and is a really nice guy.
Soap because he tattooed my friend and is a really nice guy.

You should probably go down to Olympia and see Marco Hernandez at Lit Fuse. He is mostly known for his Black and Grey work, but he can do pretty much anything. He has been tattooing for a long time, and he is really good at fixing up and adding on to tattoos that people are not happy with. He travels a lot so I recommend calling to see if he is around before you drive down, but he will be worth whatever time it takes to get tattooed by him.

The only one i know off the top of my head is Liberty Tattoo, which is very highly regarded. There are a few locals to that area on here though that can chime in maybe. @beez is from the PNW i think? (Might be totally wrong there.)
If you're willing to make the trip to Portland i know of some great shops personally, but i know you have some world class artists in your area!

Hi Wes...hate to give you the most obvious answer, but actually finishing the tattoo will make it look better/more finished. Right now it's just an outline. Good luck!