beez

Panthers! LST Panthers!!!!!

Realized I posted in the wrong thread, was aiming for this one haha...

Ok I'm just going to write something short about my back piece in progress since I am healing after the second session now and feel psyched about it.
Since I first started getting tattoos I knew that I would want to get a back piece. I figured I'd wait and let the idea evolve over time, save up enough money and start doing it on my 30:th year. Two years ago I got tattooed by Iain Mullen for the first time and since we've done something like 6-7 tattoos and they are among my favorites. We also became friends and I usually stop by the shop at least once a week to hang out and talk with him and the other guys. As time passed I decided to give him my back when the time was right. However last autumn I went down to Italy and got tattooed by Rudy Fritsch at his shop and felt like he'd make me an amazing back piece instead…
Eventually I told Iain that I wanted the two of them to collaborate. I was a bit uncertain if he would be up for it but the next day when I came in to pay for a tattoo he told me that it was on (!) About two months later it was time for the first session. Up until this date I had not seen the sketch or been allowed to make any wishes about what the tattoo was going to be. I put my trust in them and I am very happy that I did.
The first session was two hours with both of them working simultaneously on me. Rudy starting low on the left side and Iain up on my right shoulder. I found being laid face down on a massage bed, having only the floor to look at and no visual way of telling when or where the pain was going to hit… this was the most psychological challenging thing with the whole session. I've gotten some pretty rough spots done before but this was the worst two hours I've had to endure when it comes to tattoos. Two machines are not twice as bad but still a lot worse than one. I'm happy that they both work quick but it also meant a lot of brutality when it comes to long lines being nailed into my ribs in fast succession. I tried to zone out and focus on the breathing but that only made time slow down more, I could not think of anything else.
Second session was this thursday, I sat up on a gym bench and me and Iain were talking the whole time through and it was such a walk in the park compared to the first one. I feel good about having had that experience anyway, it was special.

Done yesterday by Mr. Chad Kopelinger at Rock of Ages... In 1.5 hours... Someone needs to do a study on how he can tattoo so god damn fast. Really awesome experience all around.
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Such a good tattoo. We both had a nice painful day yesterday.

Matt Arriola pantherized my last big spot yesterday at Spotlight. He couldn't quite get it to fit, so he decided to add flames. Always a good call.


I have some inner thigh/tenderloin spots and a few tiny spaces on my legs, but if I said "I'm done" now, I don't think anyone would fault me.
But we all know that I'm not done.

@dcostello I was the guy who came in around 2 and found out I got double booked. Your knee looked killer when it was finished, have fun healing that beast.
Here's what Chad put on me just a couple hours later:

Horitoshi family has you pull your knees up to your chest to really get that stretch and get in there when the time comes. Cannonball style!

I don't think it was you or the freedom you gave him. You went to the wrong dude.

it looks unfinished
thats not black and grey - thats an outline
and neo traditional is more than outlines
now if you like just getting outline work done then god bless
but i think you need to take a minute to consider what you you really want
if you really like negative space - then stop getting tattooed
sorry - not trying to be an ass - just think you need some honest feedback

I just woke up and saw an alert on my phone about the earthquake. My first thought was the Nepal Tattoo Convention, so I'm checking in here to see if anyone's heard anything? I hope everyone is okay. Everyone, not just the tattooers obviously.
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Via @briangeckleart instagram: "we are all okay! they claim the earthquake was a 7.9! many people were tattooing when it happened..myself included. we vacated the hotel safely, aside from a few injuries..but for the most part, everyone is fine. lots of devastation and not much information else wise. much love!"
The hotel the convention is at is apparently extremely well built. Glad to hear reports of people being okay. How scary! Can't imagine tattooing/being tattooed when something like that is happening. Also - earthquake bacteria. Yikes.

It always tickles me to see references to this app in the wild. I am actually a character in that series. (Season 1, anyway.) I am Runner Six. It uses my name and everything, heh. Crazy that I still haven't finished it, but I stress-fractured my tibia a while back and never went back to running. Nice work sticking with it! It's so rewarding to see actual progress. I'd love to do it again.
I signed up for a 'train to climb' thing for the coming year, though. I can't imagine climbing Mt. Rainier at this point, but that's exactly what I signed a program commitment to do come the end of August. The training program begins in March. I am starting my 'train to begin the train to climb training program' training early, just in case. :p

At the end of the day, all your tattoos will look like they belong there. It sort of takes care of itself, coverage wise!
Re back piece - really gonna depend on what kind you want (and you already know you wanna go to the thighs!) and the artist you work with. definitely don't stop considering how it will all look in the long run - your thoughts will matter when it comes down to it! - but it will also work itself out in general. IMHO w my own tattoos at least!
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@knucklehead211 re acne - sometimes i have bad back breakouts too. None of my pieces have been ruined. Actually seems like I have fewer pimples in the areas of coverage.

"Whoa that's a wonky line... you get that done in a kitchen?"
"No way. Have I got a story for you."

To balance out Matt Arriola Jesus, I'll throw in my Theo Mindell devil. Finished a few weeks ago at Spider Murphy's in San Rafael Ca. Photo stolen from his instagram

Who cares what motivates people to get tattoos and to choose particular imagery as long as they're getting good tattoos.

Bird bursts! Arrows! Infinity signs!

Bird bursts! Arrows! Infinity signs!

Finished up with Rob yesterday. That guy is an absolute champion. It's hard to find the words to express how happy I am.
Here's a link to his instagram for more vertical pics, hah.
https://instagram.com/p/1y_HRiCO7e/

Bird bursts! Arrows! Infinity signs!

I was thinking a bit more about this topic and had some more food for thought...
The cut of a tattoo suit (or even a single tattoo for that matter) is very important. The composition and borders of the tattoo needs to match and "fit" the body of the wearer, like it was always meant to be there. We are all different shapes and sizes! And we all have different preferences to achieve the look we desire.
Some folks want their sleeves to go right up to the hand, some are content with some space on the wrist. The borders of the backpiece on the shoulders, how far up the collar/throat you go on the front, how low below the belt you (no biker backpieces! jokes). Some body types will look better with the vest style bodysuit, others prefer the full blast across. The emptiness of negative space can have a very powerful impact too, and I've seen lots of backpieces where the negative is very thoughtfully incorporated.
The inner thigh, crotch, butt crack and underside is no different. Some may feel it completely unnecessary to tattoo in the crack, just like others may feel it taboo to tattoo armpits, heads or feet even. I know I did not want a stripe. For me, my tattoos (made by a dozen guys) are all continuous and blend into each other, so I knew I did not want the crack stripe and wanted to maximize the tattoo coverage, get a little freaky haha.
Go however deep or as shallow into the danger zone that you and the tattooer feel comfortable with and get your suit to cut where it makes sense and for the tattoo to look good on YOUR body. Don't compromise the "cut" of your suit out of fear of the pain. We all know and expect it to hurt. Bite down on the wooden spoon for an afternoon and than bam you are in the clear, looking good and feeling confident. That's why we are all in the mess, ain't it?
A tattoo after-all has to fit YOU, compliment and enhance your body and whatever else tattoo-wise you got going on. That's what I love about tattoos, it is very personalized and you can go as conservative or extreme as you desire...no need to response a no one!
@Dennis suit - the cut and composition looks great. It fits the body, compliments it. Tattoos (bodysuits and one-shots alike) should look like they were always meant to be on the wearer, this is a fantastic example, very precise cuts and we are lucky to have Dennis sharing an in progress peak. The way the vest cuts on the torso, the thighs, ankles yeah man! wow
@Rad Kelham ah i took the photo down off my IG after a couple days which would explain why the link is broken. Backpiece (and 25% of my tattoos) are by Steve Batt in Edmonton. He doesn't put anything online, off the radar type of guy.

@Rad Kelham
I'll happily send unsolicited butt pics to my buddies...but I don't think I'm going to post a blurred picture of my asshole on a public forum, tattoo-related or otherwise! The internet doesn't need to be broken a second time this year.
~ PM me your email or DM on IG @Dennis_kool ... as long as you solemnly swear you are not a craigslist dirty pic collector ;)
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about what? seeing my sexy black ass ?! lol

I sure have some serious ass, but it didn't reinvented the wheel. The classic shoulders to knees layout is pretty unisex, I think.

I don't get the whole dirty details bit. You go in, discuss a full backpiece, you work on said piece. Ass, inner thigh, whatever- so be it. You both sign up for it so you best be ready to commit. I absolutely hateeee sessions on my ass/inner thigh, but it's all worth it in the end. Or some enlightened shit like that.

Uigu Lee!

I think the split looks weird, so fill that crack up!

That's a good shot of where the thigh ends on this guy!