tatB

if you follow any of your favorite artists' blogs, twitters, facebooks, etc. they usually post about paintings/flash sets they've done and i bet more than a few would be willing to sell originals and or prints.

Might be easier to forget about tattooing the names. You both know why are you are getting the tattoos so no need to label it with its meaning.

why?

Thats what a koi fish means?! I hope my girl friend doesn't find out...

Thanks for sharing this. Added Johannes to my list of Boston artists to check out.

Yep, I've realized its better to have my appearance blend in with everyone else and have the quality of my work get me noticed.

I work in a finance/data analyst role at my current job and my in progress 1/2 sleeve is generally accepted. A few people expressed disapproval by saying they don't like tattoos and would never let their kids get any, but most of my coworkers were begging to see it once they found out I got it. I usually wear long sleeves in the office and occasionally wear t-shirts on Fridays but I am reconsidering wearing t-shirts anymore because I'm only in my mid 20s a feel like I still need to establish my professional image before becoming "the tattooed guy in the office". I'm also sick of hearing about my coworkers' plans to get text tattoos or being asked about the meaning of my work (there is no meaning, I just like it!).

i think flowers are a good choice.

I saw the article in the new england journal of medicine last night... Anyone know the name/brand of the ink that was contaminated?

I just got my 1st tattoo and I've spent hours thinking of ways to make it better and finally realized I was over analyzing every detail of a well done tattoo. Now I spend hours brainstorming and researching ideas for future tattoos because I still have lots of empty space to fill...

Nice! How long did it take?

After I finish my koi 1/2 sleeve next month I want to get some traditional flash pieces on my lower legs. The two pieces i have in mind right now are a dagger & rose and a sailor jerry demon/devil head. Thought it would be a good idea to get some classics while I brain storm ideas for a 1/2 sleeve on my other arm and then eventually a back piece....

i agree, the shop is filled with talent

I saw your tattoo on dermagraphique.tumblr.com love it!

Thanks! The artist is Chris Marchetto at Redemption Tattoo in Cambridge, MA. I pretty much just told him I want a Koi and some flowers and he took it from there. You might have noticed some ink loss in the healed photos and that was due to some extreme scabbing issues I had most likely caused by some sub par aftercare on my part.

Hi. Got my first tattoo this summer. It is a koi "half sleeve" (see the pics I posted) Had the outline and shading done in 1 ~4hr session and the color done a month later in another ~3.5hr session. Going back in September to do the inner bicep area and get some touch up. Excited about getting more work done in the future!