onaquesttoseeamoose

Yes, this is an original Aaron Cain/GRIME Big"G" #108, purchased from Grime personally just before the turn of the century, HaHa. I started to get my sleeve/chest plate from Grime when he was on a huge guest tour, and we discussed the purchase of the machine during my appointment. I ordered and paid, then agreed to meet up at a convention for me to receive said machine. Of course I ran the machine, but at the time, I was REALLY INTO the machines I was using, and I've always been that way, so I never made any tattoos with this machine. This has been one of my modest amount of collectibles, ranging from an original Japanese edition 5 Lion VOLTRON in the un-opened box, to an original **pristine** Vision GATOR complete..never even rolled on concrete. I only listed these other examples of my particular choice of collectibles as marks on the timeline of my life. So, while this must seem like blasphemy to some that I am selling this machine, I have my reasons, they are deeply significant to me, and it DOES HURT to be rid of this machine. For this reason, and MANY others, some very obvious, I would like to get the absolute top dollar that I can for the machine. I have been offered enormous amounts in person at conventions and from many local tattooists, and they showed the cash to back it up...but at those times, I had no intention of selling it. But a recent epiphany changed my perspective on "material possessions", and "tools of my trade" that made me really feel ready to part with it, albeit for the largest cash offer someone makes in a reasonable time. THE CONDITIONS.... I will make sure to the best of my ability that the buyer is an experienced tattooist, with an appreciation for exactly what he is purchasing here, and how special it really is to many...not just other tattooists, but those who collect, covet and or simply love and appreciate the body of work of the 2 great artisans responsible for its creation. I would like to correspond with the buyer at length,(in a friendly way, I'm an ethical tattooist, not a Tattoo machine "Nazi"). I'd just like to get acquainted with said buyer, and inquire respectfully about your desire to own this machine...and maybe your favorite color.??? As well, the buyer will assume any and all shipping costs including insurance which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND! If anyone has taken the time to completely read this post, you might understand how much this transfer of ownership means to me. That being said, I hope you will also understand my wanting TOP DOLLAR, HIGHEST OFFER for the machine, without judgement or prejudice. Thank you very much for your consideration. I also offer the option of more discreet, private communication via email after our first correspondence. Again, thank you, and God Bless.

It sounds like most of us have a common denominator....saran wrapping post tattooing, with the 1st variable being how long, and the second being what products to use once you take the 1st wrap off. I dont write this just from reading through the thread, but from many years in the business. So, with the respect I've built for my fellow artists over these years (20+), I now tell my clients this...,"While other artists might give you other aftercare advice, I would appreciate that you, the client, listen to my advice for healing my tattoo. My methods may work best for the way I apply a tattoo, as other artists instructions may work best for healing they work they do." And I may be opening myself up to a world of %$#@*, here are the care instructions I hand each and every client. These have been streamlined after so many years and trying so many aftercare methods....

I don't happen to know Nick personally, I was just entertained by this thread. But I"d like to point out how impressed I was by his commentary on Tattoo Reality Shows. Many tattooists have many things to say about the shows, but all these comments can be put into 2 very basic categories, POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE. Since tattoo reality shows debuted, most commentary Ive read by most artists has been overwhelmingly negative, to the point where I more often feel like shutting the critics down than the shows, because there have been many positive elements of tattooing brought to the public light by the shows as well as a lot of BS, and they have done a lot to increase foot traffic in shops all over the world, and that helps ke4ep the doors open and the lights on...but please take notice...Mr. Colella had NO negative things to say. He only had constructive commentary to give, and that little bit said showed me more class, confidence, and maturity than almost any other commentary I've heard from any other tattooist about the shows. Now please note, I haven't heard every commentary, by every artist, but I have heard A LOT. That says a lot for Nick Colella's character. BTW-the artist he mentioned that gave him his last tattoo...Eric Gillespie...of(at one point) Tomato Tattoo in Chicago...solid artist, and down to earth guy. Had to give that plug as well

Vargas

This is just the beginning... Of possibly my favorite back pieces ever completed. When this client came in asking for the design, i did have to ask if he was serious...for real, dead serious? Well, i drew the design seen here, and included those banners containing a quote from carlin when he addresses the city in the beginning of the movie. So this is my first picture posting, and again...just the beginning, and i will post more as the project does progress....

Yes, this is an original Aaron Cain/GRIME Big"G" #108, purchased from Grime personally just before the turn of the century, HaHa. I started to get my sleeve/chest plate from Grime when he was on a huge guest tour, and we discussed the purchase of the machine during my appointment. I ordered and paid, then agreed to meet up at a convention for me to receive said machine. Of course I ran the machine, but at the time, I was REALLY INTO the machines I was using, and I've always been that way, so I never made any tattoos with this machine. This has been one of my modest amount of collectibles, ranging from an original Japanese edition 5 Lion VOLTRON in the un-opened box, to an original **pristine** Vision GATOR complete..never even rolled on concrete. I only listed these other examples of my particular choice of collectibles as marks on the timeline of my life. So, while this must seem like blasphemy to some that I am selling this machine, I have my reasons, they are deeply significant to me, and it DOES HURT to be rid of this machine. For this reason, and MANY others, some very obvious, I would like to get the absolute top dollar that I can for the machine. I have been offered enormous amounts in person at conventions and from many local tattooists, and they showed the cash to back it up...but at those times, I had no intention of selling it. But a recent epiphany changed my perspective on "material possessions", and "tools of my trade" that made me really feel ready to part with it, albeit for the largest cash offer someone makes in a reasonable time. THE CONDITIONS.... I will make sure to the best of my ability that the buyer is an experienced tattooist, with an appreciation for exactly what he is purchasing here, and how special it really is to many...not just other tattooists, but those who collect, covet and or simply love and appreciate the body of work of the 2 great artisans responsible for its creation. I would like to correspond with the buyer at length,(in a friendly way, I'm an ethical tattooist, not a Tattoo machine "Nazi"). I'd just like to get acquainted with said buyer, and inquire respectfully about your desire to own this machine...and maybe your favorite color.??? As well, the buyer will assume any and all shipping costs including insurance which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND! If anyone has taken the time to completely read this post, you might understand how much this transfer of ownership means to me. That being said, I hope you will also understand my wanting TOP DOLLAR, HIGHEST OFFER for the machine, without judgement or prejudice. Thank you very much for your consideration. I also offer the option of more discreet, private communication via email after our first correspondence. Again, thank you, and God Bless.

This is just the beginning... Of possibly my favorite back pieces ever completed. When this client came in asking for the design, i did have to ask if he was serious...for real, dead serious? Well, i drew the design seen here, and included those banners containing a quote from carlin when he addresses the city in the beginning of the movie. So this is my first picture posting, and again...just the beginning, and i will post more as the project does progress....

This is just the beginning... Of possibly my favorite back pieces ever completed. When this client came in asking for the design, i did have to ask if he was serious...for real, dead serious? Well, i drew the design seen here, and included those banners containing a quote from carlin when he addresses the city in the beginning of the movie. So this is my first picture posting, and again...just the beginning, and i will post more as the project does progress....

This is just the beginning... Of possibly my favorite back pieces ever completed. When this client came in asking for the design, i did have to ask if he was serious...for real, dead serious? Well, i drew the design seen here, and included those banners containing a quote from carlin when he addresses the city in the beginning of the movie. So this is my first picture posting, and again...just the beginning, and i will post more as the project does progress....

Neato...someone quoted my first post here on LS; thank you very much. Well, as long as were on this subject, I'd like to share a couple of experiences that I feel are pretty interesting...they've become lore amongst the friends and artists I work around, so I hope you dig 'em too.
FIRST- During my apprenticeship, in 1992, my mentor, Mr. G at The Ink Zone Tattoo in Lodi N.J. taught me an important lesson in the things I may do to my clients as a professional tattooist, and how they may feel.....with the educational variable of how they were "supposed" to feel. Both Mr.G and I did small to moderate sized areas of "needle work", using a solution of distilled water and Green Soap so as not to make any permanent marks, since this was just an exercise, and "tattooed" almost every conceivable part of my body.....EVERY PART! Some of these sessions consisted of up to 3hrs. of work, punctuated by direction and Q&A. I've felt confident during the span of my career giving answers to the popular client question," where do you think it hurts the worst? " based on my personal experience. Now wait...I admit, I may not have full knowledge of what longer sessions feel like in many areas, or what it feels like to receive work in those same places by an artist with the determination to make solid and or bold lines, as well as solid color and or perfect blends. ( Man, please excuse my grammar today!) Since then, I have taught two "students" most of what I knew about the art of tattooing, who, with encouragement to also develop techniques on their own based on the unique strengths they possessed, but regretfully, did not put them through the same rigors of understanding the "feel" like my mentor had with me. I remembered that I had a tough time healing these areas, and while I didn't necessarily get infections, I did experience the "crash" of my immune system when I got a lot of this "green soap work" at once. To this day, longer amounts of needle time seem to make my ear, nose, and throat system act up. This is why i chose not to pass on the lesson, but nevertheless, both of my students became very talented, accomplished tattooists. Smiles.
Well, since that got rather wordy, I'll make the 2nd and 3rd stories quick.....I had Grime begin my sleeve/chest plate in 2 sessions, but 4 days apart. He was on a guest tour, and I reserved as much time as I could, and he informed me that by keeping the 1st days work wrapped until the next session, I'd be fine.
I also had 2 artist work on me at one time. They were guests at my shop during our local tattoo convention.
Both of these experiences were very educational, and I feel I can now give advice regarding them. Both hurt a lot, and the particularly "extreme" parts of both felt unlike any other tattoo I've ever received. Both sucked and I'll never do either again...I would advise the same, LOL. The end. I hope no one fell asleep....

Neato...someone quoted my first post here on LS; thank you very much. Well, as long as were on this subject, I'd like to share a couple of experiences that I feel are pretty interesting...they've become lore amongst the friends and artists I work around, so I hope you dig 'em too.
FIRST- During my apprenticeship, in 1992, my mentor, Mr. G at The Ink Zone Tattoo in Lodi N.J. taught me an important lesson in the things I may do to my clients as a professional tattooist, and how they may feel.....with the educational variable of how they were "supposed" to feel. Both Mr.G and I did small to moderate sized areas of "needle work", using a solution of distilled water and Green Soap so as not to make any permanent marks, since this was just an exercise, and "tattooed" almost every conceivable part of my body.....EVERY PART! Some of these sessions consisted of up to 3hrs. of work, punctuated by direction and Q&A. I've felt confident during the span of my career giving answers to the popular client question," where do you think it hurts the worst? " based on my personal experience. Now wait...I admit, I may not have full knowledge of what longer sessions feel like in many areas, or what it feels like to receive work in those same places by an artist with the determination to make solid and or bold lines, as well as solid color and or perfect blends. ( Man, please excuse my grammar today!) Since then, I have taught two "students" most of what I knew about the art of tattooing, who, with encouragement to also develop techniques on their own based on the unique strengths they possessed, but regretfully, did not put them through the same rigors of understanding the "feel" like my mentor had with me. I remembered that I had a tough time healing these areas, and while I didn't necessarily get infections, I did experience the "crash" of my immune system when I got a lot of this "green soap work" at once. To this day, longer amounts of needle time seem to make my ear, nose, and throat system act up. This is why i chose not to pass on the lesson, but nevertheless, both of my students became very talented, accomplished tattooists. Smiles.
Well, since that got rather wordy, I'll make the 2nd and 3rd stories quick.....I had Grime begin my sleeve/chest plate in 2 sessions, but 4 days apart. He was on a guest tour, and I reserved as much time as I could, and he informed me that by keeping the 1st days work wrapped until the next session, I'd be fine.
I also had 2 artist work on me at one time. They were guests at my shop during our local tattoo convention.
Both of these experiences were very educational, and I feel I can now give advice regarding them. Both hurt a lot, and the particularly "extreme" parts of both felt unlike any other tattoo I've ever received. Both sucked and I'll never do either again...I would advise the same, LOL. The end. I hope no one fell asleep....