SnowyPlover

PNE shot?

Wow, I just saw this. I'm in the process of a full jellyfish back piece. I'm going with an ocean theme and needed a free flowing shape because of a giant coverup involved. It's working out beautifully.

Chris Rigoni, apprentice tattooer at Holdfast Tattoo in Australia, since 2012

Instagram

I love flowers on the hands and I also really like this ...

Jondix

Gerhard Wiesbeck

I'm sorry, but by bringing up San Diego I have to add Full Circle Tattoo and Marcus Kuhn's (The Gypsy Gentleman) Just Good Tattoos!

My mom didn't like my tattoos at first. I know you said "serious negative reaction", but my mom isn't like that, she one of those "you're awesome - I love you!" moms when you cut your own bangs straight to the top of your forehead lol. Her discontentment was obvious though, she flat out told me she didn't like tattoos, but loved me. I am pretty sure what she thought of tattoos was based on my father, who had quite a few not so good tattoos and at the same time was a much less than a shining star example of humanity. I kept getting tattooed over the years and it didn't really change things. I went through a decade long break and then couple of years ago I started large scale work done from a particular artist. How my mom felt completely changed, much to my surprise - I think she could relate too/appreciate aesthetically the style I was getting and also she could see tattoo can be different from her reference points from so long ago. She also liked that I was getting big pieces (!), like both sleeves and now a full back piece. She actually follows my tattooer; it's been an interesting evolution over twenty years.

On the other hand my mom in law didn't like them (but can cope) back then and nothing has changed. Last year, she sent a painting she did of me and my arms were magically "naked", hahaha. You can't win them all.

John Sultana of Saved Tattoo - moon/dagger project

Genie of the West's comment makes me want to post a picture of what an over 35 year old tattooed woman looks like, complete with a huge back piece done in their mid 20's. Sigh. It's not as epic-ly crumbly as he might think.

Anyway, yes I care about my overall look as a tattooed person, I'm working on large scale/ cohesive.

Backhanded compliments are the worst. Heathenist, I'm glad you don't have to ever see that woman again.

I had the same issue with my visiting mil who said "I'm an artist so I can appreciate the art, it's beautiful. It's just too bad it's on you forever". I gave her a couple of gentle warnings, but the third time, I called her on it, saying it's not a compliment if it comes with a snide criticism and if she would like to continue to enjoy eating the dinners that the arms which are attached to the tattoos make then she should keep it to herself. It only half happened once more and all I said was "you're doing it" and it stopped and did not happen again.

I've also heard "At least you will be easily identifiable if something terrible happens to you".

Flora and fauna is my biggest inspiration, followed by textiles of Japan, India and Mexico.

I like to be balanced - also, the more tattooed I get, the more important it is. I have 3/4 sleeves and thigh piece that goes from knee to hip. My first sleeve crept a bit onto my chest (image in the negative), so when my tattooer did the second one, the image is in the positive. Starting in fall I'm getting my torso done (back & front), leaving my derriere and chest free, then move on to my other thigh. I like large scale pieces because I personally prefer how it can be fit to my body and that is part of the "balance" part for me.

It's always hard, especially when coming down to the line. I really like the "mother nature" lady head idea.

John Sultana is at Saved Tattoo now

John Sultana

I like the "settled in" look too, however, sometimes old tattoos need to be freshened. I just finished turning a decade old upper arm piece into a 3/4 sleeve. The old piece was reworked a tiny bit and freshened, then the rest of the sleeve was built around it. I am super happy how it turned out and brought back the stoke for my old tattoo. It didn't lose mojo, it gained it. Find the right artist and it can be done. And don't be afraid to expand on the old piece!

I had a larger dysplastic nevi (irregular shaped, flat mole) removed (basically carved out) years ago and - in fall I will be getting a tattoo where the scar is. The mole area has "repigmented", the scar is a depression and since I have to watch it for melanoma, the tattoo has to go around the scar anyway. On small mole/ freckle removal, you would have to look closely to see any scaring after two years.

Also check out Gerd, Time Traveling Tattoo, in Germany. Don't try to figure out how you will cover your marks yourself, that is why you are going to a professional - you'll have to "let go" a little for best results.

This is my Snake by Robert Aalbers, Clean Solid Tattoo, Waalwijk, The Netherlands

Excellent snake! I had a real diamondback pull into this exact position in front of me on the weekend; I'm not yet sure if this makes me more or less inclined for a snake tattoo.

Davelang, it's great to have you here - I'm a big admirer of PNW Native art. Your bear/salmon carving would be an incredible inspiration for a full back piece!

I saw this piece by Rory Keating earlier in the week, it's a large scale orca which I found interesting.

Haha...evidentally it wasn't that difficult. I have not been able to find any old folktales or storys about Joroguma. I just love the image and idea. I think it is going to make a really sweet pice. We are trying to get a large hairy ass spider on the stomach and show it turning into a woman on the chest. I kind of want to woman to be representative of a more ghostly yokai look.

I can't wait to see - love your concept!

I think its against my motto for getting tattooed and that would be "more black."

This!

I do research on the internet and books and keep "collages" of my ideas in a document, it kind of evolves, then I edit, edit, edit. I like having large scale work done and try to give my artist 3 ideas that I think go together....I'm completely open to my artists input (my idea is just a little nugget of a starting point) and she does all the art. Right now I'm "collecting" ideas for my thigh, although it might be arm pit to knee....

Plus one for Full Circle crew!

Also, Phil Hatchett Yau does some pretty amazing traditional.

Damn, Rev...you got hit three times?!?!?!?!?!?

It feels that way - the agony of a stingray sting is exquisite.

I've been tattooed by various artist in the past, however, currently I really like the work my artist does, so I have a sleeve and thigh piece and currently am working on the other sleeve. I prefer to have large scale pieces and love cohesiveness and balance (although, I don't think working with one artist is the only way to get it) but it works very well for me and I will continue to do so.

Healthy wishes to you Brock.

If we are going to qualify, I've been stung by a round stingray... I'd take an inner arm tattoo any day (although, maybe not a palm tattoo lol).