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Shaun Nel also did one... Love it.

I always explain that the dragon means I think that dragons look badass. Ditto for pretty much every other tattoo I have.
Yes, a few of them mean something, but I'm not about to break it down for a stranger. And even the "meaningful" tattoos are on me because I think they look good.

"what does the heart with a knife tattoo on your ribs mean?"
It means I'm going to stab you. now please go away. I'm eating breakfast and what are you doing in my living room?

If you really don't want to talk to them, you could always respond to their questions with a series of clicks and chirps.

How about just say, "It's open to interpretation. It means whatever you want." I think I'll go with that next time and leave it at that. That's art. What they mean or don't mean to you can be personal--you don't have to explain yourself to anyone. The last person who asked me why I got a tiger I just said, "I liked it." There are things that I associate it with but I just didn't feel like saying any more. Isn't that enough? That we get images that we like. Yeah. I think so.

grow thick skin........figuratively.....

will upload my new tattoo once i take the bandage off... saran wrap rather. Im bleeding like a mother fucker though

will upload my new tattoo once i take the bandage off... saran wrap rather. Im bleeding like a mother fucker though

I'll tell ya, Daryl Rodriguez from Hold It Down just did an awesome Dumb and Dumber parakeet tattoo.. :D

will upload my new tattoo once i take the bandage off... saran wrap rather. Im bleeding like a mother fucker though

It could be because I'm a long-haired and bearded burly dude with skulls tattooed on my arms, living in a place where I feel I see more tattooed people than non-tattooed people, but I don't really experience people asking me about what my tattoos mean. I think that women on the whole get this a lot more than men. People mostly leave me alone. I was a little bit concerned about getting "what does it mean" questions about my (in-progress) sleeve because there's a specific visual reference there that I don't really want to explain, but thankfully the raven's head there is hidden by a t-shirt so hopefully I'll mostly avoid that question while I figure out a stock bullshit answer.
I have nothing against tattoos with meaning (for that matter, I have nothing against tattoos without meaning either) I just think that the way most people go about getting a "meaningful" tattoo is all wrong. From what I've seen on the internet, the "meaning" takes priority over the strength of the image, and that's all backwards. You're going to associate your tattoos with whatever meaning you choose to give them anyway, there's no need to have hidden initials or a representative number of flower petals or whatever there. I spend too much time looking at pictures of tattoos on the internet.

will upload my new tattoo once i take the bandage off... saran wrap rather. Im bleeding like a mother fucker though

Came to Chicago this weekend and got this one from Nick Colella.

will upload my new tattoo once i take the bandage off... saran wrap rather. Im bleeding like a mother fucker though

What an inspirational thread!
Picked this one up today.

Tony Nilsson
Blue Arms Tattoo
Oslo, Norway

Caught this one from Greg Christian while he was in NYC last weekend!

Dhfrjjfgj I wish I was that close to either spider Murphy or American graffiti. Wait. Wait..............wait.
Having to change your wants to match their talent seems odd. Sounds like convincing yourself otherwise for convenience.
Just reread that - if it's a different idea that's cool, but still.......imagine a Stuart cripwell or theo Mindell snake/dagger

don't settle. If you don't drive, give a friend some gas money or something.
You'll figure it out but until then, be patient :D

If you're in Stockton, make the drive down to Spider Murphys and get a lady head that is guaranteed to look great :D
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Or go see Mary Joy @ Tattoo City in SF...

It looks like a good shop to me. El Gerome does some very nice portrait work. Dennis seems to do good all around work. I would stick with the same artist for all the work and would probably use Dennis. 1/2 the thing is how happy you are with the artwork before you sit in the chair. If there is anything you don't like and want changed, have it done before he cuts a stencil.
Geo Rogers... his dragon head is superb, not your thing but I had to mention it.
Rob

Not sure if this is where I'm supposed to introduce myself or if I'm blind!
Anyway I'm Luke I'm from the UK, I'm 22 currently working on a full sleeve of traditional bits and bobs, here a couple of pieces I've had done for those interested.

possibly not to many people's taste round here but I'm a big fan of Davee Blows work....
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valerie vargas frith st SFO

Guess some of you will have seen this already, Valerie at Frith St on me this afternoon

Asked for a girl head, then today asked for freckles...

The contrast wasn't pumped up, it was just the lighting from the shop compared to my house was different. No problems healing except for a few pimple in some places... I still really like it but i guess I should get used to it not being exactly what it was