metalmancpa

It's red and warm, and very bothersome. Bacitracin was put on it an hour before this picture was taken. The 1st two days, no lotion was used. From Day 3 on only Lubriderm, sparingly.

Step one, breathe.

Lol it will be ok.

You will never change people's mind about tattoos if they dislike them. They may change on their own, but nothing you can do will change them.

But you are a 50 year old man. You should know by now how people are in this world, and your tattoos were your own choice, you probably knew someone would disagree. Why do you care about those who said you've changed, you werent the person I thought you were? If a mark on your skin changes people's good opinion of you, then their opinion wasn't worth much to begin with.

You ask, why can't people look at a tattoo for its artistic quality? Why do they stigmatize?

Because they can. Why should they be forced to look at something they do not like and then legitimize it for you? Why do you have to force them to recognize something that they simply cannot... that tattoos are beautiful, but only in our skin, they dont change who we are at our core.

but for you to say, why oh why cant they see it the way I do, and not judge me for the choices I made, is just as intolerant as them saying/doing that stuff to you. We cannot control the minds of others, or ask why. If they like it, they like it, if they don't, then don't associate with them. Also, it won't help your cause to go up to someone you know doesn't like tattoos, whip out your arms, and essentially say "APPRECIATE THE ARTISTIC VALUE!!!! APPRECIATE IT!!! WHY CAN'T YOU APPRECIATE SOMETHING YOU FIND ABHORRENT, BASED ON HOW GOOD I THINK IT LOOKS?

btw, comparing tattoo culture to a cult... maybe you're too enthused about being tattooed? How about comparing tattoo culture to a lifestyle... Cult kinda has bad connotations

I only meant cult to be a very small group versus a culture which is larger. And of course it's a lifestyle.

I guess sitting back and reading my own OP, it looks like this really bothers me. Trust me, it doesn't bother me in the least. Just making a 3rd party observation on my own life, and I get a chuckle out of the whole thing.

Long before I got my 1st tattoo at the ripe young age of 50, I always admired them. I didn't necessarily look at tattoos longingly, but I admired them as art. Maybe that's because I played piano since I was 5 years old and was already into the arts.

Now here I am two years later with two upper arm tattoos. And in my small "circle" of peopple I know in this vast world, I've already tasted the tattoo stigma. I have no qualms about telling anyone that I have tattoos. So since I do, I get to see lots of reactions. When I tell people, some of them have tattoos of their own and we share, some of them don't have tattoos but like them, and some just haven't put it on their priority list (haven't given the subject much thought).

But then there are "Those" people. It's the people who cringe at you or can't even look at the tattoo for reasons such as "why would you inflict a wound on yourself?", and then there are those people who frown at you and feel uncomfortable because all of the sudden "you aren't the person I thought you were?". Why can't people just simply look at a tattoo from an artistic/quality viewpoint? Regardless if they like the style or not, at least give me your artistic impression. I realize there are people who don't like art, so if those people just said they are not interested in tattoos, that would be fine. But to berate me, or make me try to feel uncomfortable because I have a tattoo - why bother? (I know, it's because in general people suck). Why put a stigma on something as personal as a tattoo? Hey, if it sucks then tell me, but why stigmatize it?

Damn, this tattoo culture sometimes feels like a cult. Geesh. (But my 80+ year old parents really like both of my tattoos :-) )

Superior work!! That is some of the cleanest work I have seen - clear & clean, concise, chock full of stuff without looking busy. Absolutely amazing. Makes my combined 14 hours of time on both arms in comparison like driving a mile down the street versus driving cross country.

After I got my 1st tattoo (eagle) a year and a half ago I was happy - no regrets. Even after getting my 1st Gunnar piece this past October and seeing the stark difference in quality, I still had no regrets. I went back to Gunnar this past weekend with plans to "add" a cobra to the eagle to even out the size of the tattoos on each of my upper arms. He spent 1.5 hours freehanding the cobra onto my arm before inking, and then scrapped the whole thing becuase he wasn't happy with how the cobra looked with the existing eagle. He ended up going in a different direction which included reworking the eagle itself which was something we never discussed. After that he added sky, then moved down and decided to do a desert scene. I cannot believe the before/after. There were so many things wrong with the original, but I must have purposefully ignored it to convince myself of having no regrets.

What I've learned over the past year is there is a difference going to a street shop to get a good tattoo, and seeking out an artist with a concept. I am not knocking street shops, but with my personal experience the street shop mentality took precedent over artistic quality with my first eagle.

Before:

After (crappy cell phone pic taken right after the session):

I was plain happy after my first (only 2.5 hours) and exhausted after my second (7 hours). Never sadness or shock - both were planned (second planned way better than the first) and at the end of the day I knew exactly what I was doing. I knew I was getting something permanent, and I think part of my planning process is playing the mind game of convincing myself before going under the needle that it was the right time and place to get the work done. I mean I honestly had "planned" for over 20 years to get two tattoos (one on each upper arm).

As far as I'm concerned, after this Saturday I'm done. I will have two upper arm tattoos like I always planned for, and that suits me fine. Plus at this time I have absolutely no thought of what a next tattoo would be.

It would be cooler if it was some kind of traditional tattoo ;)

Yeah, I know this site a traditional one. But regardless, tattoo artist recognition is important regardless of the style. :)

I thought it was cool that Gunnar's work on me was highlighted:

Learn something new about Gunnar : TattooSnob: The High End of Low-Brow

What's important here is that a great artist (Gunnar) gets his work recognized. Plus, since the work he did for me isn't his known for cute and creepy style, it shows his versatility.

I think if you find a artist whose style you like who is willing to do it you should go that route, this might be hard as it seems that the style of tattoos you seem to want vs what this tattoo is aren't really in the same realm. I don't know how I would feel about a person who says they specialize in coverups. Regardless of how well they can cover a tattoo, most tattooers I know would rather not be involved in a coverup, or have to rework other people's work. A good tattooer may not be excited about this project, but will give you an honest opinion on whether they can or would be willing to fix it and ultimately that is what matters.

Thanks for the information. Russ Abbott emailed me back and said he would only do a new piece on me as he doesn't do covers or add-ons (he doesn't like doing them). Gunnar emailed me back tonight and said he'd be happy to add a cobra/snake to the eagle.

I really only planned on having two tattoos, so I'm not ready for a new one from Russ (never gave any thought to where, plus I have no new tattoo ideas). I have some faith that Gunnar's addition may not look like my original Gunnar piece. I think a good artist can do work that isn't within their stereotype (Gunnar and I talked about that). A lot of artists, as good as they are, get pigeon-holed into a style, yet they probably could do other styles just as well. But since they're "known" for a particular style, people continue to come and fill up his time slots with a particualr style (or least in the majority).

This is probably a stupid question, but when it comes to adding onto a tattoo (which I am still assuming is termed a coverup), should I be looking for an artist that is a known specialist in doing coverups as opposed to finding an artists that says they will but may be more of an original artist?

I think if you wanted to add a snake at the very least you have to add some more black shading in the eagle to try to make it look more like one tattoo. There is only so much you can do, as you can't really change the existing line work, but I think it could look a hell of a lot better than it does. I would say try to fix it up a bit and put super bold tattoos around it because he doesn't want to cover it. Covering it with a big crawling panther might work, but would be hard judge exactly how not seeing it in person. But I fear you would not be able to leave enough skin to not make it look like a black blob, but maybe a panther with some roses, make the arm more colorful.

Interesting. As I had stated before, doing a coverup/addition is something I'm not well versed in. Your opinions are very helpful in guiding to decide what I ultimately do.

Russ Abbott has a very different style than your tattoo. I think you might be better off looking for a more traditional tattooer with less stylized work. I really like Russ Abbott's tattoos but I don't think he would be right for this. I am not sure where you are located, but I am sure there are some guys who do eagles and snakes that could help you out.

I'm in Massachusetts. I'm also considering Gunnar again, as in the end that would bring more tattoos closer togther in coloration etc.

It's not a bad tattoo It is the bestest tattoo ever. ;)

No really don't sweat it just get more tattoos and you wont notice that one

I'll never live my 1st tattoo excitement down. :)

Oh well. Still would like to add a snake to it - just going to keep looking.

Russ Abbott emailed me back. Said doing coverups really isn't his thing. He would schedule me for a new tattoo when he guest spots at Off The Map next year, but I really am not looking for a new one, just an addition to the eagle. I can see where an artist wouldn't want to coverup a tattoo he/she didn't work on as then it wouldn't be their original piece of work.

Guess I either leave it alone, or take my one shot when I go back to Hawaii next year and let the original artist do something. Just not sure yet.

Just put some more tattoos around it. A picture would help visualize options.

I probably have 1.5"-2" around the eagle to work with to have an end product that is comparable in size to my other arm.

I honestly get a little confused when reading about coverups. I always thought you could just add to a tattoo so I didn't think it would be difficult. But then I read more and I get vibes that it wouldn't be easy, that I would have to do a cover up. I really don't want to do anything with the eagle itself - just want it incorporated into a "new" piece.

Now that my wife has ordered me (well, sort of) to add to my eagle because Gunnar's piece overwhelms it and she feels it needs more size and whatever else to make it pop more, I'm thinking of adding a snake to it. Since the eagle is in striking position, I am hoping to find an artist that can wrap a snake (cobra probably) around the eagle with the snake looking at the eagle, and then add background to bring it to approximately the same size as Gunnar's.

I don't believe this would be a coverup, but it would be an addition (if there is a difference). I'm only assuming this is doable. So I guess my question is, can what I'm thinking be pulled off by the right artist (currently searching for one), and I really don't want to travel too far again due to the added cost.

@metalmancpa the gunnar piece is cool beans, the eagle well its a tattoo. Congrats on researching and getting a good tattoo the second time around

Thanks, and you are correct about the eagle (I posted another thread with ideas of adding to it)

Nothing wrong with a random positive comment. If you spent your hard earned money on a great piece of body art, why not take in those compliments.

Nice stuff @metalmancpa. I'm not a new school fan but I really like your Gunnar piece.

Thank you. Actually it feels good to get a compliment on my tattoo from someone who, although may not like the style, appreciates good art. That's how I view tattoos - even though I may not want a style on my body doesn't mean I love seeing it on somebody else. I have really come to appreciate the varying styles in the tattoo world, and I view them as art.

I can dig Gunnar's stuff and this piece looks great. Not my style....BUT I can see how cool this is. Nice piece man. I think I saw hime posting drawings of this on Instagram.

Thanks. He was posting his sketch, him tattoing me, and the final piece on Instragram. It was a great experience for me, and I came out of it with more than I expected. I know this is more of a traditional tattoo forum, but I'm OK posting here. Personally a bulk of the traditional tattoo work is not my style, but I've always appreciated a good tattoo regardless of it's genre, and I've seen some awesome traditional work here in my short time in this forum.

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@metalmancpa I know you said you're done/slowing down getting tattoos, but I believe Mike Moses is relocating to Columbus... while he doesn't tend to do charicature-y stuff, I have a feeling you might dig his stuff..

Being from Boston, I only travelled to Columbus because once I had chosen Gunnar I had to go where he was. I'm now looking into getting something added to my eagle, and currently am looking into Russ Abbott who will be guest spotting next year in my neck of the woods. I really don't want to travel again because that added a lot of cost to an already expensive piece.

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As a side note to my Gunnar piece, here's the tattoo surrounded by the three drawings I did that I gave Gunnar as my "concept"

Welcome.. Great Gunnar piece. I find that there isn't a whole lot of love here for anything that isn't traditional :/

I realize that, but that's OK. To me a tattoo is about the artistic quality regardless of the genre of it. Personally I am not a fan of traditional, but it doesn't mean I don't appreciate them. Plus, it was funny when Gunnar and I were talking about tattoo genres. When we were discussing new school, traditional, etc, he said it was funny he was pegged as new school. He said that he'd been tattooing too long to be "new school" and smiled. All I know as I was stoked with the outcome of the Gunnar piece after the time I took to research out the artist (find him) and get what I wanted - an original piece.

WHO: Gunnar (Gaylord)

WHAT: A caricature of me listening to heavy metal music that comes to life

WHEN: Oct 22 2012

WHERE: RedTree Tattoo Gallery in Columbus OH

WHY: I drew pictures on the sides of cassette cases 30 years ago while I would listen to a late night heavy metal radio show. For a long time (in recent memory) I wanted a tattoo that was conceptually what I was drawing. Finally took the time to get it done.

welcome can we see your tattoos?

Pictures in my gallery just uploaded

Welcome! Two in a year and a half is slow by LST standards. Congrats on having such willpower.

I've wanted a tattoo for a good 20 years now, so I used turning 50 years old as an excuse (I can say mid-life crisis) and got my 1st done. #2 was much more thought out and planned, but now I have the two I always wanted, one on each upper arm, and I'm almost satisfied. Going to hopefully add to the 1st one.