JAC1961

Ya, most look alright, but many of the newer ones look wonky.  I don't think I'd be going to her either.  There's lots of artists that do better work than that.

It's your tattoo in the end, do what you need to to make yourself happy.  If everyone else in the world hates it and you love it, that's all that matters.

Firstly, listen to your artist.  They may have not done anything like this, but I assume that they've done plenty of other tattoos and know what will work.  I can see that not holding up well over time.  Also I doubt there would be much you could not later to touch it up or cover it.

If it were me, I'd consider doing the negative of what your pic shows... the lines being tattooed in black.  It would be just as recognizable and I'd think that the lines would be able to be darkened at a later day when they fade.  Just a thought.

Also, welcome.

I got my first one at 56 and have no plans of stopping.  When you're a little older you're less likely to be influenced by fads and other people and get things that really mean something to you.

Welcome.

It certainly wouldn't bother me enough to do anything about it.  Like @Dansaid, enjoy it and start planning your next.

5 hours ago, Acedia said:

 

Holy shit! Those are mind-blowingly beautiful!

7 hours ago, SStu said:

The utilization of blood instead of ink isn't so much of a stretch for me as me not understanding the motivation behind her need to replicate and wear some ancient person's unknown markings. I can't relate, but in any case - that's her choice, so I respect that. 

I can see it if you were really into archeology and it sounded like maybe she is, but the use of her blood didn't make sense to me.  It looked to me like any pigment in the blood had been mostly absorbed leaving scarification.  The iceman had black tattoos so if you wanted to be accurate... IDK.

9 hours ago, Gingerninja said:

Hummm….I am always wary of anything that says "click me". 

Changed... sorry about that.

Sorry @Gingerninja, that was probably a poor choice on my part. I'll try to change it later. The link should go the video on YouTube though.

This video just popped up in my Youtube feed.  Take a look and see what you think.

Link to Inked Youtube video

Why'd you give up on the black-out on your member?  I was really hoping to hear how that went. 

7 minutes ago, oboogie said:

I think you are a troll, but I answered you seriously. Because good lord, what if you are not?

Exactly!

I've got an idea... stab it a couple times with a sharp object and see if it's as great as you think it will be.  😵

Ya, it's fine.  We're always more critical that others.  No one else would ever see the things that you are.  Take a break and get used to it, it'll grow on you.

I can understand it not being exactly what you wanted/expected, but it's not bad at all.  Well done and fits with the other work on your arm.  I'd mark it up to life, enjoy it as is and if you still want one like your reference, find a different artist and have it put someplace else.  Nothing wrong with double dragons.

The price on the boots seems reasonable to me... the t-shirts seem pricey.  Just me.

I agree with everyone else, that's a wicked cool tattoo.  I can understand it taking awhile to get over that big of a change.  I'd be happy just to be that fit! lol

I watched it on Vice's website.  Very good, Chris Garver seems like a great guy and artist.  Hope the rest are that good.

To me this is the trickiest part of being a tattoo collector.  You need to express enough of your thoughts to the artist to convey what you're looking for without tying their hands or stepping on their toes.  Jeff Gogue has a very interesting video about his back piece and the need to surrender when getting a tattoo... as in trusting your artist and surrendering to their creativity.

Best of luck and show us what you get.

That would be a tough call. If it were me, since it is started, I'd stay with the artist and then re-evaluate after that one is finished.

9 hours ago, SStu said:

I don't understand it.

I doubt that anyone does.

Anthony Bourdain dead at 61

Don't know if anyone else watched and enjoyed Tony's work, but we've watched his shows for years and are saddened by his passing.  Not only was the food and places he visited interesting, but it was great when they showed him getting tattooed.

Sincere condolences to his family and friends.  Also,  if you know someone that suffers from depression and think something is troubling them, please do whatever you can to make sure they're OK.

Those pop up on my IG at times. Hard to believe that a human can do that.  Wonder how many "false starts" there are on average for each one completed.

8 hours ago, SStu said:

Any text tattoo has really got to be over-the-top special for me to appreciate it as art. If it were me, instead of names/dates I'd be looking for some personal image that reminded me of my (your) family dynamic, or the personalities involved. 

Thanks a lot for the input @SStuand I completely understand your point.  I just don't know how I could come up an image(s) that would represent all of us.  I was just hoping to hear that I'm not inviting a train wreck lol.

Thanks everyone.

Thanks for the thoughts.  I really like the general idea, but can't convince myself that it will really work.  I know the ultimate answer is go see an artist and get their input.

If anyone has a completely different idea(s) of how to accomplish the same thing, I'd really appreciate hearing it.