a_beukeveld

Not entirely true. From my understanding, dragons are neutral, but the majority of the time tend to be good omen. There are many instances in which dragon fight humans. Tamatori the pearl diver running from Ryujin is a good example of a ryu/human conflict. Or Susanoo who slayed the dragon Orochi to save Kushinadahime. Or the dragon that was eating children that the goddess Benzaiten soothed with her beauty, and latter (in some stories) married the dragon. There are other instances in which a witch transforms herself into a dragon as well, and stories of multi-headed evil dragon. Although rare, there are certain instances in which ryu fight swordsman.
But as for your tattoo, less is more. If I were you Id just go with a dragon skeeve with nothing else, but thats just me.

Not entirely true. From my understanding, dragons are neutral, but the majority of the time tend to be good omen. There are many instances in which dragon fight humans. Tamatori the pearl diver running from Ryujin is a good example of a ryu/human conflict. Or Susanoo who slayed the dragon Orochi to save Kushinadahime. Or the dragon that was eating children that the goddess Benzaiten soothed with her beauty, and latter (in some stories) married the dragon. There are other instances in which a witch transforms herself into a dragon as well, and stories of multi-headed evil dragon. Although rare, there are certain instances in which ryu fight swordsman.
But as for your tattoo, less is more. If I were you Id just go with a dragon skeeve with nothing else, but thats just me.

"Starting my rib sleeve. #girlswithtattoos #inkedgirls #judgeme #suicidegirl #ink"

I just removed my second pieces if saniderm from my 4 new tattos today. The second piece has been left on for 4 days including the day I removed the first piece and applied the second.
Fairly painful removal, and some flakes came off premature, and you can see the areas that are "wet".  No bleeding, just "wet" areas. (pictured. You can see it in the black on my eyeball guy) Very tender. Does this mean I took it off too early, that I removed the derm to violently, or that I left it on too long? Whatis the goal with derms? Are they supposedto just negate scabbing and beremoved before it flakes up, or is it supposed to heal 100%, no flaking?
Also, especially on my arm, there are areas where the adhesive didnt come off, and a sticky film was left on, clinging to my sleeve. I hardly had this problem on my leg, but allot on my arm. (pictured. The black areas are where the adhesive stuck to my tshirt)
Also on my arm are places where the skin apears sunburnt. Not sure whats up with that.

"Starting my rib sleeve. #girlswithtattoos #inkedgirls #judgeme #suicidegirl #ink"

First tattoos were wild roses on each hand and a shrimp on my collar bone 3 years ago when I was 18. They were original drawings from the t-shirt artist Craig Robson, whom was my favorite artist at the time. I was entoxicated by art school culture and didnt really think ahead. I initially wanted the shrimp behind my ear but decided to not because I thought it would hurt too much.
I regret them because they were pulled off the internet and I enhibited the artist from doing a better job because I wanted them to be exactly like the picture. I also regret getting them on my hands, as they cant be covered. Getting anything on your hands/head is a bad idea in general, let along as your first tattoo. I also regret getting the shrimp on my chest as it enhibited me from getting a large chest piece latter on.  I told the artist to make it darker after my bad heal for a touch up and it's sort of just a dark mess now. I've seen worse out there but if I was to get laser surgery these 3 would be the ones Id get rid of. I should have gotten them on my leg or something. Much easier to hide and work around.
I dont have any good photos of the shrimp as its hard to photograph, but heres a voomed in crop of me while I was getting my chest tattooed.

Not entirely true. From my understanding, dragons are neutral, but the majority of the time tend to be good omen. There are many instances in which dragon fight humans. Tamatori the pearl diver running from Ryujin is a good example of a ryu/human conflict. Or Susanoo who slayed the dragon Orochi to save Kushinadahime. Or the dragon that was eating children that the goddess Benzaiten soothed with her beauty, and latter (in some stories) married the dragon. There are other instances in which a witch transforms herself into a dragon as well, and stories of multi-headed evil dragon. Although rare, there are certain instances in which ryu fight swordsman.
But as for your tattoo, less is more. If I were you Id just go with a dragon skeeve with nothing else, but thats just me.

Jon just knocked these out on my arms last night. Really stoked. I felt so sick that day, so Im glad I was able to power through it. Just chugged apple juice and soda to keep myself concious through it all. Thankfully arms are easy spots for tattoos, and my arm was asleep for the diamond lady because of the awkward position, so it didnt hurt that much.
Getting a Fudo Myo-o cat by Chris Anthon today. Will post photos latter.

"Starting my rib sleeve. #girlswithtattoos #inkedgirls #judgeme #suicidegirl #ink"

The koi and dragon is a great image. There is a Chinese legend of The Dragon Gate, where the koi that ascends the waterfall and reaches the peak is transformed into a dragon. In Japan, the koi repressents hard work, dedication, and confidence. The koi s a symbol used on Boys Day, in hopes that your sons would be like the koi. The koi swimming the waterfall and being transformed into a powerful beast repressents over coming obstacles in ones life and attaining greatness and success through hard work and dedication. The dragon ascending into the heavens repressents success in life.
I think you should have the koi on your forarm and dragon on you upper arm. Its a beautiful image, and great story. The hannya repressents anger, jealousy and sarrow, and can be used as a symbol of change, (usually paired with maple leaves for this reason) a repressentation of the full swing of human emotion, (sarrow and mourning to bitter hatred and jealousy) or the dark side to something that was once beautiful. As far as motifs go it doesnt really fit. Id leave it out of your sleeve and get a seperate one-point style hannya elsewhere on your body.
But this is just my western impression of the info I have. I encourage you to do your own research.
I can see the tattoo now, with the koi on the forarm paired with rocks, water and sea grass, transitioning to the dragon on your upper arm paired with clouds and whirlwind. Really beautiful.

The koi and dragon is a great image. There is a Chinese legend of The Dragon Gate, where the koi that ascends the waterfall and reaches the peak is transformed into a dragon. In Japan, the koi repressents hard work, dedication, and confidence. The koi s a symbol used on Boys Day, in hopes that your sons would be like the koi. The koi swimming the waterfall and being transformed into a powerful beast repressents over coming obstacles in ones life and attaining greatness and success through hard work and dedication. The dragon ascending into the heavens repressents success in life.
I think you should have the koi on your forarm and dragon on you upper arm. Its a beautiful image, and great story. The hannya repressents anger, jealousy and sarrow, and can be used as a symbol of change, (usually paired with maple leaves for this reason) a repressentation of the full swing of human emotion, (sarrow and mourning to bitter hatred and jealousy) or the dark side to something that was once beautiful. As far as motifs go it doesnt really fit. Id leave it out of your sleeve and get a seperate one-point style hannya elsewhere on your body.
But this is just my western impression of the info I have. I encourage you to do your own research.
I can see the tattoo now, with the koi on the forarm paired with rocks, water and sea grass, transitioning to the dragon on your upper arm paired with clouds and whirlwind. Really beautiful.

Not entirely true. From my understanding, dragons are neutral, but the majority of the time tend to be good omen. There are many instances in which dragon fight humans. Tamatori the pearl diver running from Ryujin is a good example of a ryu/human conflict. Or Susanoo who slayed the dragon Orochi to save Kushinadahime. Or the dragon that was eating children that the goddess Benzaiten soothed with her beauty, and latter (in some stories) married the dragon. There are other instances in which a witch transforms herself into a dragon as well, and stories of multi-headed evil dragon. Although rare, there are certain instances in which ryu fight swordsman.
But as for your tattoo, less is more. If I were you Id just go with a dragon skeeve with nothing else, but thats just me.

Starting my half wrist sleeve.

Starting my half wrist sleeve.

Planning on getting my back done by Dave Cummings in a year. Im going to discuss it with him while he tattoos my arm at the convention. Im not sure what I want yet. Im thinking either Benten, some sort of giesha imagery, or just a dragon. Ill probably go with the latter. I always lived dragon back pieces, and I LOVE the one he did on Halter.
Im grateful that he's fairly close to New Brunswick, its only a 1 hour plane ride, although it would be nicer if I lived in Montreal.
I am nervous about the pain. Im a pretty good sitter, but when I got my chest done, the pain and discomfort was unbearable. 4 hour sit. One shot. Might have to do with the fact I have almost no muscle on my chest, the tattooer who did it is slow and heavy handed, and it was right on my sternum. I dont know. I guess Ill have to just suck it up. Recently I found that not listening to music and not being on my phone makes the experience much better. You kinda go into a meditative state when you dont destract yourself. I fell asleep during my last leg tattoo.

Not really sure where to put this so Ill just put it here. Sorta related to my Fudo Meow tattoo. This is Chris Anthon tattooing me at the Hub City Expo 2 nights ago, taken by the local news paper.

Got this rad biker skull guy from @sour_jon Jon Gray at the Moncton Convention yesterday. Turns out its not a german SS skull with a stick grenade through the head, but a biker guy with a piston through the head. Shows what I know about bikes/cars!
Still love it. Going back today to knock out a few more.

Just got this hannya giesha from Jeremy Lamos on my thigh. So happy with it. The actual tattoo didnt take long but it was a long sit. Felt pretty sick by the end of it. Had allot of fun with the eyes.

Jon just knocked these out on my arms last night. Really stoked. I felt so sick that day, so Im glad I was able to power through it. Just chugged apple juice and soda to keep myself concious through it all. Thankfully arms are easy spots for tattoos, and my arm was asleep for the diamond lady because of the awkward position, so it didnt hurt that much.
Getting a Fudo Myo-o cat by Chris Anthon today. Will post photos latter.

Although sakura are my favorite, the peoney is a good choice. Horkin's wife's nipples are peoney, and there are allot of old bodysuits with peoney nipples. As you can see, larger slowers are much more typical as it hides more of the aeriola.
Awesome photoshoping by the way!

Just get a dragon.
 
 

I landed an apprenticeship! I will be working under Jeff Wilson and John Dohe at Infinite Expressions in Charlottetown PEI, Canada.
Realy stoked, but just trying to figure out money/moving stuff. Herecare a coupke pieces by them. Super low key, but awesome artists/tattooers. Im hoping to start practicing tebori early as well, as its something Ive always wanted to do. We'll see.

Hey Darren ... just leave it alone and let your body do its thang to heal. Hands are stressful to heal. When I got my hand done it looked like I had the flesh eating disease for a couple weeks and was really stressed out about the ink drop outs and scarring. And then once the rough healing period was over it was fine. So relax, baby your paws for a few weeks and let the tattoo be a tattoo. Cheers bud

I landed an apprenticeship! I will be working under Jeff Wilson and John Dohe at Infinite Expressions in Charlottetown PEI, Canada.
Realy stoked, but just trying to figure out money/moving stuff. Herecare a coupke pieces by them. Super low key, but awesome artists/tattooers. Im hoping to start practicing tebori early as well, as its something Ive always wanted to do. We'll see.

I landed an apprenticeship! I will be working under Jeff Wilson and John Dohe at Infinite Expressions in Charlottetown PEI, Canada.
Realy stoked, but just trying to figure out money/moving stuff. Herecare a coupke pieces by them. Super low key, but awesome artists/tattooers. Im hoping to start practicing tebori early as well, as its something Ive always wanted to do. We'll see.