Hogrider

I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm getting a full sleeve as my first tattoo for several reasons, not necessarily, in this order; First I like the look of a sleeve, Second I found an artist who has done some killer sleeves, Third I'm 54 and want to get tattooed while I'm still in good health, financially able and have good skin. I'm doing the sleeve in sections and just had the outline of the first section done. Just thought of the forth reason - I'm an anal retentive who is obsessed with symmetry and thematic continuity. :-)

My wife calls him All Fiction

I would definitely ask. I can't imagine that many people would say no. I would get a release signed at the time, just in case. The idea of old pics of the tattoo and new pics sounds like a great idea for a book. How about getting the story of where, when and why they got the tattoo. I can't imagine you would have problems selling that book, although it may never make the New York Times best seller list.

I'm not a tattoo artist, but I do have a strong marketing background and you have to not only know who your market is, but who your market isn't. It is people who want a quality tattoo and it's not people who only care about price. You'll never really get that market because there is always someone who will do it cheaper. I think hgiles has a great idea. Why not put together a portfolio of really bad tattoo and mediocre tattoos and then when people try to haggle show them the portfolio and say something like, "This is what you can get for the price you are trying to pay. If you want quality work, this is what I charge." You'll lose some, but you'll keep others. I would also talk about the time, pain and expense of cover-ups. Good luck. It's too bad people don't appreciate art. I looked for over a year for my artist when I finally decided to get a tattoo and I never asked about price.

I know. When they are talking about the people on the show, they are canvases, every other time they are referred to as clients. I guess that's their "hook."

I'm sure Billy's constant arguing, eye rolling, head shaking, and excuses didn't help. He did get some sucky clients, I mean canvases, but you play the hand you're dealt.

I got my first tattoo yesterday. Sat from 11:00 to 3:00 (he drew it on freehand first) and we just did the outline. It's the first part of a Japanese themed sleeve. It's a Koi with a dragon head. I go back for color and the outline for the next piece the first of April. Unfortunately my artist is booked about 6-8 weeks in advance. I guess it just gives my old skin more time to heal between sittings.

Did they give a shout out for the guy who's tattoo idea Al Fuction stole?

+1 I was laughing when Heather kept saying she does killer tattoos - note to loser, when you're REALLY good, you don't have to tell anyone.

If what he is doing isn't illegal, it should be.

I did a little research and it looks like about 17% of Americans have tattoos, although the number for under 30 is significantly higher. My question - does a sleeve count as one tattoo!!! :-)

How would you like to be the poor slob sporting someone else's tattoo? He's probably on the phone to his lawyer the minute he sees this.

The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits - Mark Twain

Thank God, he gives ass-holes a bad name.

So much for land of the free and home of the brave. Now the government wets itself like a scared little girl over a couple of tweets.

Thanks. I must have missed that.

Is there any benefit to shaving the area you are going to have tattooed a few days ahead?

Interesting thread. So if you exercise in your home you should be OK?

Most reality shows are crap. Why should tattoo themed reality shows be any different.

Sometimes a confederate flag is just a flag. Far more racist things have been done under the Union flag, but no one bitches about that. The slaughter of Native Americans for one. Just the opinion of some guy on the internet.

I've done a lot of research on artists. I was referred to him by friends and had my wife, who is an artist, look at his work. I've visited the shop a couple of times and watched him work and had a chance to see a massive back piece in progress and one forearm finished. I'm looking at getting a Japanese themed sleeve with Koi, Dragon, Samurai mask.

I've decide to finally get my first tattoo at 50 something! I've been thinking about it since I was 18 and realized that I'm not getting any younger. At least this way I don't need to worry about what it will look like when I'm old :) I'm in the Winchester, VA area. I haven't decided on an artist yet, but will post in the main forum looking for recommendations.