Hogrider

Correct. Wrong. Unfortunately when you have visible tattoos, you put yourself at the mercy of the person who's doing the hiring's prejudices. You may have the best qualifications of all the candidates, and still not get hired. It may not be fair, but that's how it is.

Bad news - I'm 54 and they still treat me like that. I love my mother and sister but when it comes to my tattoos then can A) like them or B) shut the fuck up about it. Unfortunately, they pick option C, which is to NOT like them and NOT shut the fuck up about it. :-)

I thought this was a link to some kind of "Worst Tattoos Ever" site where people put up really bad tattoos ... and then I realized it was :-)

I forget who said it but Christianity is the religion about Jesus, not the religion of Jesus. Most Christians that I've met don't know the difference. If you believe the bible, Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Often Christianity seems more like an expression of hate and punishment than of love. I don't see a whole lot of Christians acting like Christ.

Probably another good Christian spreading God's love.

Thanks, that's awesome. I was thinking about a wolf on one side of my leg and a panther on the other.

Is there any iconic wolf traditional tattoo design equivalent to the crawling panther (sorry if I'm not using the correct terminology). I will of course consult with my artist when the time comes, but I like to do my homework beforehand. Thanks!

Outstanding!! I wish I was in Oakland. :-(

There are always wannabes that don't wanna pay the price. They like playing dress-up. :-)

Good point. I've gone back and forth 20's - played in rock band, tattoos were no problem 30's - sold insurance to high-dollar clients, tattoos were a problem 40's - computer developer, tattoos were no problem 50's - technical manager meeting with clients, tattoos could be a problem I never got tattoos until I hit my 50's, but in my checkered career, sometimes it would have been an issue, sometimes not so much. I decided that I'll wear long sleeves when needed, but I'm at the end of my career. If I was 20 I don't know if I'd want to be in the position of potentially wearing long sleeves for the next 50 years. You just don't know. The only think I wouldn't do in my 20's (knowing what I know now) is get a tattoo that couldn't be covered up.

Jesse Tseronis at Sakura Tattoo in Winchester, VA.

I never do, or don't do, something based on a movie. Chances are in a few years no one will remember it anyway (unless it's star wars of course). So don't get a Wooki and you'll be OK.

Your fat. Don't wear makeup, don't dress nicely, don't have fun, don't leave the house ... period. Just stand in a corner and perform self flagellation. Or, you can just live your life.

Risk / Reward? How about a pinup of a smoking hot 15 year old :-)

Tattoos don't sit on top of the skin, so I'm not sure how a cream would work. Also, why would people endure the cost and pain of laser removal if they could just rub a little cream on their skin to remove a tattoo? There is no free lunch, if it sounds too good to be true it is, there is a sucker born every minute, etc., etc., etc.

Leviticus 19:28 You shall not make any gashes in your flesh for the dead or tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord. The pagans would mark themselves so that the newly dead would not recognize them. The Jews were not supposed to do this because it was a pagan practice. I guess if someone is following every other command in the bible, there is no reason not to follow this. Most Christians just follow the commands they want and then justify why they don't have to follow the others.

The Bible does say you should not mark your skin. Next time tell them it also says "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned," "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." and "Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?" These hypocrites only read the part of the bible that allows them to be judgmental blowhards. As to the stares, I'm 6'2" 195 with hair halfway down my back. I stare back :-)

Exactly. It's like these wannabe gang-bangers that run around with do rags, backwards hats, gold teeth, pants down below their asses with their underwear hanging out and then cry when someone crosses the street to avoid them. Duh! You want to look like a gansta wannabe, don't expect to get treated like Mr. Rogers.

I don't think there is anything wrong with using a publicist, but this approach is unprofessional and disrespectful to both you and their client. There is a lot of tradition behind the tattooing profession and even when you are trying new things, you have to respect that tradition. This is just amateur hour and the person doing it should be ashamed and embarrassed.

Sorry, not everybody is born knowing everything.

You don't think that Kat Von D got where she is just on the strength of her work, do you?

I decided to coordinate a chest piece Hannya mask to a japanese sleeve I'm working on. Jesse Tseronis at Sakura Tattoo in Winchester, va. After this he worked on shading on the sleeve for another hour or so. We start adding color next appointment.

Thanks for all the feedback.

I'm not a tattoo artist (and don't aspire to be one), but I've done enough reading to understand that there is an accepted way to become one and there is little love for those that don't follow the traditional path. I do not understand these types of threads started by scratchers who think they are going to get some sympathy or empathy on a forum like this. Sorry bud, but you know the right way to become a tattoo artist, don't expect people here to support short-cuts.

The fact that I'm obsessing over 1/2 inch or so should tell you I'm not completely in my right mind :-)