else

Can I open a few of those sweet spammer accounts so I can "like" @lving4today's work more?!?!?!?!?!?
Dude...it's been said before-winning @ life!

Wow! that Kylie the recruiter got shut down quick! thanks mods! :)

@lving4today I want your leg. :-)

9. Thou shalt not Freak The Fuck Out if you get a microscopic pimple on your new tattoo.

7. Thou shalt not be a Plainskin and rack up countless posts on LST.

Browsing around the board just now, I was struck by how often folks asking questions about tattoos they want to get or tattoos they have gotten end up getting similar responses, as their issues often correspond to a fairly narrow set that come up again and again. I thought it could be cool to have a thread where we list our generally accepted "tattoo advice" and wisdom in one centralized location. We could point people to it when appropriate.
For example:
1. Thou shalt never haggle in a tattoo shop.
2. Thou shalt not try to force a tattooer to tattoo an exact replica of an image you've brought in. If you are going to a skilled tattooer, you will always be better off letting them turn your idea into an actual tattoo design that will work for this medium.
3. Thou shalt consult with your tattooer for questions re: design, sizing, placement, ideas, aftercare instructions and any touch-ups.
4. Thou shalt not stress about how your new tattoo looks until it is fully healed.
5. Thou shalt accept that flaking, scabbing, swelling, itching, and a whole bunch of other uncomfortable stuff is all totally normal when healing a tattoo. Thou shalt only be concerned if it doesn't get better after weeks, or if it smells or looks infected.
Next?

6- Thou must act on good advice , especially if they have committed to starting a thread , and get tattooed .

I lost over 4 stone so far since last summer I've gone from "obese" to "normal" on the BMI thing . My weight was affecting my asthma. I think my tattoos look better . The blacks in the black n grey stuff seems darker . The work seems more defined Maybe I'm just imagining it.

Thomas Hooper/Chris O'Donnell collaborative tattoo on a big belly:
residual self image, Got to start this today. Collaboration with...
Your size should never prevent you from getting the tattoos you want to get.

But just think...as we type, whoever has that on them is bragging to someone about the badass tatty they got.

Thanks for all the advice.
She is on board w the tattoo - she is just concerned w the size.
I'm not hiding anything or sneaking around
But I am gonna get this sucker!
I like the idea of her showing up an hour or so into it for support after it outlined and no changes can be made.

!!!!
We should commission Scott to make a sheet of flash with LST bangers!

Hell yeah throw in some pike style L.S.T. lettering and it could become like a membership thing . Sparrows on the fists would be a dope touch too .

Anyway, most of you have probably already seen this, but for those who haven't, here's the picture from Thomas Hooper's instagram of my raven shaded. I'll probably hold off on posting pictures of the tattoo until it's finished but this gives you a taste of it. To give you an idea of size, the raven's head is around my upper bicep to shoulder and the bottom of its tailfeathers are about half way down my forearm. It is a bit of a mental adjustment getting used to seeing that much black on my arm, but I love it and find it to be so beautiful and powerful.

maybe... I'm nervous about it. There are plenty of other things we can do if I don't go for the squid knees this time.
You guys here will probably know about it before anyone else either way!

I love the squid pants. Can't wait to get more done on mine! :)

Will, hopefully, be able to pick up my new phone next week too! So many problems will be solved including taking pictures, making random phone calls, opening random apps, and moving icons around without being told.

From a couple weeks ago...

Sorry for building up my appt with this maniac and not delivering a follow up. I agree with Grime in that it would suck big time to have someone bite the tattoo before he can complete it so for that reason I won't be posting any progress pictures. Sorry. If I see you in person, by all means, ask and ye shall receive! If you're in Socal and plan on going to Musink maybe you can see it there :D
You guys don't know how hard it is to keep this thing under wraps!!
I'm headed back up for a 1 day session on Feb 21st. can't wait!

Why did that boy get a pic of Obama on his arm?????
Whoa...here's some extra characters for ya!

holy crap! thats a cross between ET and beetle juice when he was in the form of a snake

Thanks for all the kind words you guys. Yesterday was a looooong day but we are both thrilled with how our stuff is turning out for us. Back for more in three weeks!

@Graeme and @Pugilist - you guys are getting such AWESOME tattoos!! I'm in love with both of them!!

For anyone interested, day two on my back with Kore is on Instagram and his website I believe. We are all done until the next trip. We have 9 hours in total and my nerves just got completely fried today. I was shaking and just kind of mentally frazzled. All in all, I am beyond happy with the work and very humbled and appreciative of Kore and everyone here. These are all world-class folks who just happen to make some of the best tattoos in the world. Kore's willingness to engage and be direct and honest about things going on in the world and in tattooing was very refreshing. My experience here has been the highlight of my recent memory and will for sure be the focal point of my near future. Please, do yourselves a favor, and get tattooed by anyone here...Kore, Brenda, Mason, Mike...all stellar people and stellar tattooers.
Edit: I cant forget Adrian. A complete stand up dude and incredible person in his own right. He will be an amazing tattooer some day.

Seriously. Jerks get antsy when their session finishes before yours. Husbands, amirite?

Hell yeah! I met him on instagram. He ended up coming out to our shop a couple of times and tattooed a couple of the guys. I drove out there and got a badass devil chick on my arm from him.