else

Here comes another of my "Out of the Norm" submissions.
This tattoo was done on the 1st September and is still driving me crazy. (My legs heal terribly).
As usual, something different to the norm around these parts.

Based on the Constructivism propaganda posters designed mainly in the early 20th Century and done by Gray Silva of Rampant Ink Nottingham @ Teesside Charity Tattoo Show, in about 5 hours, at a guess.

I don't usually post in the contest threads but I thought it would be fun to have a Henning vs. Rubendall showdown. Done at the Montreal tattoo convention last week:

I guess the funniest part about it is going to be when someone brings in a design they paid 100 bucks for and the tattooer just trashes it and starts over.

My pal is covered in really shite little tattoos but they look really good on him . pure punk rawk.

Here's mine, done by Chad Koeplinger at the 2013 Montreal tattoo convention.

You can't learn to swim by reading a book.
To expand on that again, tattooing is best experienced first-hand. Many times, here on this forum, in the shop I work at and conventions etc, someone has mentioned that they wish there was a book that had all the information they were looking for about a particular subject at that moment. It usually doesn't exist. You have to find it yourself.
With regards to tattooing and "tattoo culture" We're living in a folk art culture. We should embrace the folk art tradition of oral storytelling and first hand knowledge and be relieved that we not (yet) shackled by the literary bounds of other art movements, cultures and historical societies.
But to be more on topic, in a general sort of way...
I'd stick my neck out and say that any style of tattooing (until maybe around 2000-2010) is influenced by the popular culture surrounding the people who get those styles. Sailor Jerry cribbed movie posters and other advertisements for many of his designs between the 40's - 70s. Mike Malone used objects and paintings he found in Chinatown as reference for many of his popular designs. It stands to reason that Charlie Wagner would have used Edwardian style filigree ornamentation (from a variety of sources, jewellery included) in his designs.
The dotwork thing is slightly separate. During the first decade of the 21st century tattooing entered a more post-modern, referential phase where most styles of tattooing referenced or were influenced by earlier styles of tattooing. Except dotwork. I consider the work of Thomas Hooper, Xed Le Head, Jondix (I'd extend that to Duncan X) to be the only "new" style of tattooing since biomech in the 90's - but that didn't seem to catch on outside of tattoo culture the way their work did.
That's why I still bother to get involved when someone refers to dotwork as a "fad".
While it is imitated ad nauseam, we've alive to witness the birth of a new tattoo style that was influenced by disparate artforms outside of tattooing to the point where it works and it's possible to have a coherent bodysuit of that style. Pretty exciting stuff.

"I'm going to tell her to ignore judgmental ass holes."

Wow, you guys are awesome.
When we started LST we had no idea it would evolve into such a great community so quickly.
I'm just grateful that the mission of the site has already succeeded, and I know @Scott Sylvia is too.
I honestly don't know what we'd do without the moderation team we have, and it's true that they are volunteers who mostly go un-thanked sans a free t-shirt or dinner here or there.
@Iwar, how about we arm wrestle for for the print at the LST anniversary dinner on the 19th in SF? We both have guitar player arms so it should be an even match.
Thanks for all the kind words and support everyone - here's to many more years!

In the vast ocean of shit online, I think it's safe to say that Last Sparrow is one of, if not the friendliest place on the internet. At least from what I've encountered. The level of civility here is second to none, and our strong community is build up by members who are truly passionate about keeping LST what it was meant to be from launch. A friendly place for enthusiasts to talk about, share, educate and promote good tattoos. Our community is in fact so strong that the site in most cases moderate itself before any of us has to step in. We're all pretty much on the same page here, and that's rare by internet standards. Sentimental shit aside, I think I'm just trying to say that having this place online to hang out with likeminded people is a reward within itself.
I will however say that @steve1461686340 is much more deserving of this than I am. He has kept this site running and improving since the beginning, but since he's kind of a "behind the curtains guy" he rarely gets any credit for it. The hours he's put into building this awesome place deserves to be recognized, so if it's cool with you @ironchef I'd like him to receive the print you're giving away instead of me. Donations to Last Sparrow is also a really nice way to give something back. That way Steve won't have to dig into his own pockets when the server needs replacing or the domain bill shows up in his mailbox.
Thanks for being a part of our community @ironchef! It's contributions from members like yourself that makes this site great!

It hasn't even been a year yet for me here on LST and low and behold I'm being nostalgic and waxing poetic already, hahaha. Needless to say it has been an amazing experience getting tattooed and sharing with kindred spirits here on LST and Instagram. All of this would not be possible if it not for some really awesome people here on LST. So without further delay, here's my way of giving back to LST and paying it forward.
Some of you may know that a couple of months back I won a contest on Instagram via the killer staff at Tattoo Culture Magazine and Tattoo Artist Magazine. Received three fantastic prints from three stellar artists. I was super stoked when I got them but then realized with the limited space I have in my place (small NYC apartment and my lady just moved in with me too!) that I would not be able to enjoy these as much as someone else. I want these to go to someone who truly appreciates tattoos and are amazingly cool people.
@hogg @slayer9019 @gougetheeyes @Iwar As mods, you have made everyone on LST feel so welcomed and it is a thankless job that all of you have for making LST such a cool spot to chill and share our experiences. I want to send each of you a print of my choice (yes I won three, but I have a fourth sitting around). A small token to say "thank you". Please PM me your shipping info (promise this isn't a scam, hahaha).
@slayer9019 and @gougetheeyes since you two are local to NYC, happy to meet up and pass you the print. Cheers to the LST crew!

I'm really enjoying seeing the results of the Montreal convention. So happy for all of you.
I got a really incredible tattoo from El Monga on Friday. The magic is strong with this one. I didn't get any pictures of it when it was fresh, so I'm waiting to see if he posts one to his IG so I can pilfer it. Otherwise I'll wait 'til it's healed to get a picture. I know, I know, I hate to keep you all in suspense.

I've just returned from a brilliant weekend at the Montreal Tattoo Convention where I had the pleasure of seeing many amazing things. I watched as the Leu Family double-teamed a guy on Saturday. I am still a bit shaken from imagining doing that myself. I met a ton of cool people, including at least 3 folks from LST. I had the chance to talk to Ron Henry Wells, which was a particular pleasure. Not only a brilliant artist, but a hell of a nice guy. Sadly, I didn't have an appointment with him though. Next time! I also had a good sitting with Chad Koeplinger, and he put two new tattoos on my leg. I'll post one now, and the other once its healed and I can get a better pic. As usual he was a lot of fun to talk to and I ended up with a couple of pieces that I am thrilled with.
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@Graeme and @Pugilist win the award for LST Power Couple.

You need to mention that his ability to scrounge up a massage table was crucial because you BROKE the table you were on. When they say they want you to sit like a rock, they don't mean that literally, sweetheart.

forgot to post this one.. my girlfriend got this little girl head from Amelia Martin yesterday @ the convention.. which made my mind up on getting that tattooed from hyde on the previous page.

That crazy rose and gorilla is on LST poster @mtlsam who's niceness and ability to scrounge up a massage table (seriously appreciated dude!) is only matched by his bravery.

I'm SO EXCITED for you!!! :D :D
I'll be glued to my instagram feed, post up ASAP, K?!?!

oooh sweet, can't wait!!! We'll have another barrage of great tattoos at the end of October, too.

Wait for this weekend. With the Montreal convention starting tomorrow and people here having some crazy stuff lined up, there's going to be some rad tattoos getting posted over the next few days.

This is just not true. Paying a high price might not always mean you are going to get the best tattoo ever, but typically the better artists charge more because of supply & demand. They are known to be really good and have customers lining up to get their work. They can charge more. They should charge more, you are paying for their quality, dedication, and creativity. The scratchers cannot charge high prices because they suck, they need to get customers however they can. There is a middle ground, where maybe they are not scratchers, but they are also not next-level amazing and they probably charge somewhere in the middle. $100/hr. is not high for tattoos.

if i were rich i would so go to this convention. not to get any new tattzappin ink, but to annoy and make fun of you all! (could do it with stereotypical "swedish" accent but that will take some beer)

If anyone is there tomorrow evening, I will be the nerdy looking lady getting her thigh tattooed by Rubendall.

This is from Henning Jorgensen.
done at Royal Tattoo.
enjoy!

okay sorry.. maybe i'll have something new in a couple of months..
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Okay here is one of my older tattoos. Not finished..
By Phil Szlosek at Kingsave NYC