DJDeepFried

Check out this thread: http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/4006-any-collectors-south-bay-los-angeles-area.html

I dunno -- not crazy about his graffiti either. I see better tags every day by the train tracks near my house.

Ha-ha. I don't think he's trying to reinvent the wheel as much as he's saying, "Aw, man. It's too hard to learn how to carve this thing until it's round. Maybe I can just charge twice as much and say it's punk rock to have fucked-up, bumpy wheels that don't roil."

Congrats, @Graeme!

Of course art is subjective -- up to a point. But there's an objective aspect as well that has to do with technique and mastery of craft. General consensus has something to do with it, as does staying power -- works that stay relevant through the ages. Critics have their place in society too. The good ones can deepen our appreciation and understanding. They know their history, can provide context, etc. I think all that goes without saying, but here I am, saying it. Back to tattoos. I very much dislike this stuff: Tattoo - Fuzi UVTPK and here's a particularly bad example: Like, I "get" it. He's trying to be "naive" and outsider-y. This isn't just some scratcher I'm bashing; he's a well-known guy who commands a high price, is sought after by celebrities, etc. Now look at @embers gem from Bryan Burk: That is objectively better and you need not be a critic to see it, just a pair of functioning eyes. End rant.

I am stoked for this. In the meantime, any L.A. folks planning to go to this on Oct. 3? https://www.facebook.com/irezumiartshow

Here you go, ladies (and gents):

I second Chris Brand. Also: Small Paul at True Tattoo does nice traditional Japanese work. Bryan Burk has a little more Western influence, but his stuff is also killer. I also quite like Jojo Ackerman, and have heard good things about Unbreakable. Personally, @TrixieFaux & I get tattooed at Memoir. Kim Saigh did a beautiful koi on my arm though she's not strictly a Japanese-style artist.

@TrixieFaux -- you can have a push tattoo as long as it's an armpit shunga like the one @Stewart Robson gave to @jade1955.

Yah -- wicked pissah, mush.

You might be right. @TrixieFaux & I just watched the pilot -- and those "tattoos" look hella fake.

You got a baby -- what more do you want???

I vote dragon. In fact I would give that answer to any such question: dragon.

When you drive an hour and a half in the rain just to visit a shop (and buy a T-shirt) when you have no chance of getting tattooed there. As @TrixieFaux & I did when we drove out to Cobra Custom in Plymouth, MA from my parents' house in suburban Boston. Then the next day Forrest called me personally to say he put me on the list in case he had a cancellation (he didn't), and that he might be able to tattoo me on his next trip out to L.A. So I just might get that tattoo after all...

Yay, our TEI prints just got here, and they are sweet. Hey @ironchef -- where'd you get your frames or are those custom?

Thanks @ironchef & @Lance! I was super bummed I missed out on the first set of four -- mostly because I loved the tebori cat one -- but I wouldn't have thought to look on Tattoo Elite International. @TrixieFaux & I just picked up those top three -- and I think I like those the best! For sure we want to get them framed & matted all classy-like like how you have 'em.

It is unethical and perhaps immoral to "steal" someone else's tattoo design -- particularly if you are tracing it and/or passing it off as your own. Unless it is a piece of flash that you have purchased (or traded for or received as a gift). Certain designs are so old or common or general that they can reasonably be said to have fallen into the "public domain," e.g., Day of the Dead skull, Rock of Ages, etc. Of course, artists with their own personal style have put their "stamp" on things, but copying this can be said to be paying homage -- imitation being the sincerest form of flattery and all that. So far no one has been able to copyright a tattoo design and those who have tried -- like the Mike Tyson/Hangover case -- have settled out of court as far as I know. Whether this is a good or bad thing is open to debate. In short, no copyright -- and certainly no laws -- have been broken, and no one has filed a successful civil suit against anyone or proven monetary damages in a court of law. Theft, morally or ethically -- maybe. Legal, no. The rest is semantics.

I meant three. Clearly I cannot count.

Beautiful. But weren't there only two series of four? Where'd the other two come from?

In answer to your question, here's how it works: a) Find a tattoo artist you like. You may have to wait. Do not let this deter you. Don't go bargain shopping. Use the time to save your money. I cannon emphasize this last point enough. b) Go in for a consultation. This is where you show him/her your ideas, schedule your tattoo session(s), and probably put down a deposit (often equal to one hour of work). c) He she will draw it up for you. This part is "free" -- meaning most tattoo artists charge by the hour starting when needle hits flesh, but sometimes by the piece. It is not rude to ask an artist his/her rates. It is rude to haggle. d) On the day of your appointment (but sometimes before), he/she will show you the design he/she drew up. If you selected well, chances are you will be delighted. You can ask for a few tweaks -- placement, size, etc., but the rule of thumb is that your artist knows best. When everybody's happy, he/she makes the stencil, puts it on your body, and starts inkin'. Hope this helps. Update: Oh, yeah -- I forgot. e) Tip well. Basically, the answer to any other question you could possibly have is embedded somewhere in the wisdom of this board. Look around -- and welcome.

I was thinking the same thing. Just to see a tattoo "breathe" as opposed to a still photo gives you a totally different perspective. Wonder if tattoo artists will start using Vine as well as IG. It's the perfect app for it.

I'm getting all of these. And I don't even work for Rapid Realty. Permanent Discounts: Getting a Tattoo to Save Some Money

Generally positive but low information article. Only thing I object to is this notion that tattooing is somehow elevated because some fairly well-known artists are also making tattoos. Tattoo is its own medium -- and one that requires a good deal more technique and skill than picking up a paintbrush.

I think me and @TrixieFaux are gonna be there -- prob on the early side. (Our li'l one goes to bed early.)

Yep same thing happened to me. Tape must've rubbed up against my arm overnight. Took longer to heal than the actual tattoo itself. (Didn't put anything on it; healed up fine.)