onlyme

@Stephanie I know in offices - particularly high end ones - being able to cover tattoos is sometimes regarded as de rigueur and a lot of co workers (you guys call them colleagues, right?) often don't know who is tattooed, yet I'm sure some people in offices would be surprised at how many of their women as well as men co workers who seem like quiet professionals are actually inked up. A design I got on my arm was not a success; soon faded; in any case over here the parlors are all shut down; every US state and Canadians province has its own rules, though.

@Stephanie Hi; so if you're a veteran yourself at this kind of piece, seems like you're impressed; you're in Yorkshire, England, right? so are big backpieces over there as popular as they are here in North America?

@s_y Suomi on kaunis! (eller talar ni svenska?) (Okay, everyone else, just asking about what languages are preferred in Finland... 🙂 ) I guess you guys get quite a bit of Russian input in tattoo parlors there in Finland?

@s_y I know what you mean about the restrictions; but on the subject of simple black line work, it can be very effective on its own, and indeed there is classic simplicity about it also, and is often used for tribal patterns and text designs, with quotes, ref.s from the Bible, etc. So I was wondering if in fact "as is" was what you were aiming at... Of course, shading and color does transform the design, naturally.

Hi, @s_y: so are you going to keep it as is, or planning to add color, maybe?

A case of, Wait and see, I guess...

@TsuruI read what you put here; so remarkably ambitious for first ink. Usually first ink (at 18, etc.,) is a lot less ambitious, to say the least.

@TsuruA very great deal of determination, there, then.

@TsuruOh okay; clearly what you have undertaken was not done in a faint hearted way; seems like you have a really strong affinity to Eastern-inspired, large scale artwork even as an initial undertaking. I know that simple black and white can be attractive for tribal-style patterns, often smaller; and also is regarded as particularly suitable for script designs incorporating Bible quotes, and refs., of which a number of examples have been uploaded on this site.

Hi @TsuruSo are you taking a break from inking, for a while now?

Hi Hygge; so how long did you have to serve in your apprenticeship? did you realize how long it would take?

Hi Maynard! Adjacent Tijuana had the reputation of being a place with lots of ink parlors also, right? I guess you guys down there now are spoiled for choice.

I see what you mean...

Oh he said he had no ink until after 50 but evidently now knows a lot...

PS: A big back piece must indeed involve a lot of determination, especially if a numbing agent is not used...

I've heard this said...

@hannahlsj So is your tattoo still uncomfortable? (...and did you know the meaning of Hannah, as mentioned?)

@FXRrich Thanks a lot for your thoughts! I guess age has a lot to do with it... But thanks!

@FXRrich Maybe this doesn't quite make a lot of sense though...

FXRrich: I guess it's easy to see how multiple feelings and outlooks can occur simultaneously. A design I got on my arm which faded wasn't a success. I think for young ppl opposite feelings about past and future ink can be strong at the same time. I do think, though, that when particularly older women finally get tattooed after a lot of planning - even if they never did it at all for decades of adult life - they are likely to do it with determination and with a clear sight of well planned ink goals. I saw a comment elsewhere about the sheer amount of women in their 60s getting inked.

@Queen RocksThanks; because @ezh above seems a bit concerned, anyway. I must say I am impressed by the idea of simple black with lettering.

FXRrich: Interesting; so did you ever - even temporarily - simultaneously experience both a renewed desire for tattooing and also some regret for ink gotten years previously? Anyway, one's outlook at 18 - when first ink often occurs - is rather different from when one is 30 or 40, etc.

@FXRrichSo 5-6 years ago did you at first think your ink up to then would be your last?

Hi @markdeerhunter So is this a Mexican pattern, or what? Looks distinctive...

Hi Queen Rocks; so would you use red again, or would you avoid it?