rob323

November 28 -- 2nd sleeve begins.
Once again, we returned to the studios of world traveling artist Scott Ellis. He's spent most of the last six months hopscotching Europe. I was happy to know ahead of time that he'd be back in Austin Texas for a few week -- plenty of time to start sleeve #2. 
Scott suggested we try a Phoenix for this sleeve. Seemed to fit well with the dragon. Here is his notebook prior to my arriving:

As before, Scott creates the design in freehand. Took him about 3.25 hours. And as before, he was ever the perfectionist -- at one point an hour in wiping off my arm and starting again because he felt the bird's head was an inch off from where he wanted it. 



As we progress, Scott goes through about four layers, increasing the detail with ever more fine brushes along the way.



Below are layer #3 and #4:


Taken in mirror:

And at least, we ink! 2.5 hours of linework. 

Unfortunately, Scott is back off to Europe... so no shading stage until April. That's okay, it is worth the wait to be worked on by a master. 

Not the greatest pics but here's the ship on the back. Color fresh, outline and shading 2 weeks healed. Dagger is about 3 months healed. 

Shrunken Head by Dillon Eaves at Charnel House Tattoo in Toluca Lake, CA done this morning  

Got a little tattoo a week ago.... I say little cause we cut like three elements out. 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqbvrWvlXem/

Outside of same leg... There's a tall ship on the back calf and a dagger rose down the shin. I'll try and see if I have good pics of those.. Jason did these too.  

Hello all! New member here, I recently moved to LA so I am debating whether to try out a new artist for my next tattoo or to just stick with my normal tattoo artist who is only about 2 hours away. I've attached my previous two from him for reference and I'm looking to get a shrunken head next. I've been pretty happy with both tattoos I've gotten from him but know there are tons of incredible artists nearby to choose from as well. Suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

Same! I like the Duraflame analogy. Seems accurate. I'm stealing that for future use!

I plan on going up flames like a Durafame log. Not opposed to if someone wants to preserve their skin (I think the concept is really cool).

I read this article yesterday as well.
I've thought about this tattoo preservation in the past ... my organ donor card has "skin" as the exception ... 
But now I'm feeling more like when my time comes to cross, i want my tattoos cremated with my body. I'm taking them with me to the other side.
Tattoos are my spirit armour. Without being "lived in", well, tattoos are just pictures on dead skin and lose the meaning if I am not alive. Just me personally. This belief is dynamic, just like the meaning behind all my tattoos. 
cheers

Awesome, finally some common sense. 

It will be interesting to see where this goes. It will also be interesting to see how Japan as a whole reacts to the huge numbers of tattooed people showing up for the Olympics!

Apparently, the largest such preservation ever done in North America. It wasn't cheap either.
 
https://nypost.com/2018/11/15/mans-dying-wish-was-to-be-skinned-have-tattoos-preserved/

Great news indeed, I remember reading about this case a while ago, glad sense has prevailed.

He has the means to run around tattooing in an RV, but he doesn't have the means to get to a shop? Run Forrest, Run!
Coming soon - is this a blowout, is this infected, can this be fixed?

This is great news! Although it still amazes me that while they have some of the most beautiful tattoo artwork they frown upon it's practice as a society.
https://kotaku.com/today-was-a-big-victory-for-japanese-tattooing-1830429896

LOL. Every tattooist should have that posted on their wall with a sliding scale below - starting at $150/hr on the left and going down to $20/hr on the right. 

One of the truest statements in life, "you get what you pay for"
 

Thanks everyone! Here are a few of the more recent tattoos I've gotten. 

People who get one or two tattoos can give you a story about what they mean.People with lots of tattoos just like cool tattoos.

Too much "meaning" for me, just get whatever you think looks cooler...

ok,if nobody else is going to say what we are all thinking,
@Aahzz   do yourself a favor and never go back to that tattooer  ever again.
 

here is my Halloween banger on my right knee ditch,  by Brandon @ sacred owl tattoo, Penryn,Ca

fun place to get tattooed ! LOL

done - at least for a while - 
 

Hey everyone, here's my most recent tattoo, done last weekend at the Bucharest tattoo convention by the awesome noayanni.
I'm extremely happy with how it turned out and how it ties to my other Ripley tattoo :)
Click for video