oboogie

No offense, but I'd never get a tattoo without knowing what it meant.
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For the record, I don't think all tattoos have to be imbued with meaning. But I would want to know what it meant before I got it tattooed on me forever.

No offense, but I'd never get a tattoo without knowing what it meant.
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For the record, I don't think all tattoos have to be imbued with meaning. But I would want to know what it meant before I got it tattooed on me forever.

Richard Stell, this Friday at the Oklahoma Tattoo Convention.

As far as I know, facial moko is traditionally an identifier: the locations on the face that are tattooed as well as the different motifs in the tattoo tell about the wearer's social status and rank, family, where they come from, what they do, and so on. I don't know if yours is based on somebody's moko or whether it's cobbled together from different reference sources, or just elements that look typically Maori, but it's possible that you have essentially somebody's signature (an example of this can be found here) tattooed on your arm. Personally, I think that's pretty goofy.

Richard Stell, this Friday at the Oklahoma Tattoo Convention.

Good for you for doing something for yourself. I'm sorry you've had a difficult time recently. I look forward to seeing the tattoo when you take your bandage off.
I got my first tattoo when I was 25 or 26 after giving it zero thought. I covered it with something I did want just before I turned 40, and I haven't stopped getting tattoos since! :-)

Richard Stell, this Friday at the Oklahoma Tattoo Convention.

Just had Kim Saigh at Memoir in L.A. add on to my half sleeve to even it out with my other arm. I like symmetry. Will post pics when she does the color in June.
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I waited another 30 years to get my first, almost 31 since I turn 61 next Saturday. Over those years I learned time and again not to let others determine how I feel about myself. Enjoy that tattoo, enjoy life, love yourself for who you are..not what someone else thinks you should be.
And post pics after that patch comes off! I'll be in the chair Tuesday afternoon getting some shading done so I will post pics too.

@oboogie
I don't at all. I'm 30. This tattoo was part because I came out as an atheist and wanted to celebrate that, part because I felt ugly and old after my ex left me for a 21 year old right before my birthday and I wanted something beautiful, part because I finally realized that a switch didn't flip when I turned 30 that changed who I was or how my body worked, and part because I've wanted a tattoo since I was 13 and finally felt confident enough to to do it.
He's the owner of the shop and the only tattoo artist there. He also has a piercer who works there who's super nice. They are currently out at the Ink Masters expo (he has a purple beard) having fun and staying busy, but he still took the time to check up on me and answer a question I had.
@marley mission
No problem. I totally get where everyone was coming from and know it was just a simple misunderstanding caused by me not providing enough information. I can't wait to share pics of it once it heals!

Agree completely, marley mission.
I talk about music, films, politics (because we're of the same ilk politically), religion, books, whatever. But I don't ask a zillion questions. I find the whole experience pleasurable. I don't care what needle he's using. He knows what he's doing, and that's all that matters.

@JBluewind
hey it sounds like the whole thing worked out for you then
post some pics when. you heal. up
also. good for you not getting worked. up on some. of my feedback
wasnt trying to be harsh with ya
just feedback
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@JBluewind
hey it sounds like the whole thing worked out for you then
post some pics when. you heal. up
also. good for you not getting worked. up on some. of my feedback
wasnt trying to be harsh with ya
just feedback

planning for. a touch. up?
you havent even seen the tattoo yet

first time posting a picture on here... here is after today's session. we added more background around the elbow, and colored in the leaves.
edit: looks like i need to learn how to resize... right click and open in new tab works!

Yes, exactly. I spent ages talking to Richard Stell. So funny, so smart, so many great stories to share. He's a rock star. His wife Jennifer is, too. I feel privileged to sit and chat with them.

i zone out usually about an hour in
i dont. like. to talk alot while getting tattooed
whatever convo is natural really
if you are really lucky you might here some cool stories
but. hey
whats said. in a tattoo. session
should stay there imo

Agree completely, marley mission.
I talk about music, films, politics (because we're of the same ilk politically), religion, books, whatever. But I don't ask a zillion questions. I find the whole experience pleasurable. I don't care what needle he's using. He knows what he's doing, and that's all that matters.

not to pick on the OP. - take it as constructive...feedback
just one. mans opinion you see
but the amount of tattooing process info you. write about
leads. me to believe. you were asking alot of 'tattooer' questions
i see that as. a bit off-putting
but. maybe thats. just me
100 hours of. getting tattooed
i never have asked. about ink. or needles. or machine type
i just like to get tattooed
maybe. a little bullshit. about. life,, the weather, relevant things
anyway - some food for thought man

My tattoo guy gives me an estimate and always ends up charging me less. So he gets a bigger tip. :-) I just can't imagine trying to haggle him down.
My philosophy: If you can't afford to pay what he quotes, then you shouldn't be getting a tattoo. This is what they do for a living. I can't imagine someone trying to haggle down my price for my proofreading services.

That seems super slow for that simple design, but I'm so glad you're happy with it. And please don't haggle with your artist. Eeeeek.

My tattoo guy gives me an estimate and always ends up charging me less. So he gets a bigger tip. :-) I just can't imagine trying to haggle him down.
My philosophy: If you can't afford to pay what he quotes, then you shouldn't be getting a tattoo. This is what they do for a living. I can't imagine someone trying to haggle down my price for my proofreading services.

a SJ ALOHA monkey is on my list of classics i need on me
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a SJ ALOHA monkey is on my list of classics i need on me

Agree with that, try to not haggle again and go for tattoos just when you have plenty of money and you won't care about paying 50 more dollars or 50 less :/
Two days ago I had my cats tattoo touch up and I the artist told me it was 150 euros, but then after finishing it he told me that it was so much because it wasn't so much time doing it (it just took 1 hour and a half, as yours) and he just charged me 110 euros! (anyway, here in spain things are a little bit less expensive), and it was SO CHEAP I felt SUPER BAD and I told him that it was okay for me to pay 150 euros, but he insisted.
So, my advice for you is finding a nice and righteous shop where you will pay for what it really costs, so you won't need to haggle! :/ Tattoos are expensive, and I think 150 dollars is a nice price for what he did!
Also, this kind of tattoos need a lot of precission so the outlines can be perfect, every single mistake will be SUPER NOTICEABLE, so I think 90 minutes is not beign slow, I'm sure he/she tried so hard to make it perfect that he/she just took its time, hahaha

Got one from Adam Hathorn (aka Honkey Kong) yesterday at Guru Tattoo in San Diego. First time getting tattooed in my hometown, Adam made it a really memorable session. The dude is full of stories and a super interesting guy, I'd recommend anybody in So Cal to go check him out if they get the chance

My Dad saw it first, I think. He was not a fan. He told me he hoped it was fake. I told him it was and didn't say anything else about it. It was very, very small (and not very good). He really hates them still, but he's come to accept them. He jokes about them now.
My Mom wasn't thrilled, either, but she was more accepting. She now tells all of her friends about my tattoos and makes me show them when I'm with her. Hahaha. She still doesn't love them, but she is used to them now, and she appreciates that they are well done. She told my artist, when we ran into him one day, that his work was beautiful — she just wishes t wasn't all over her daughter. Hahaha.