else

Best picture I could get of my knee at the moment. Only one more rose to fill in before it's done. Again all credit goes to Matt Brotka at Salvation Gallery.

Got this one yesterday from Alex Strangler, who was guesting here in South Florida @ Rockabilly Tattoos:

got this guy yesterday from Lowercase J @ Tattoo Marks in State College, PA

Finally got in to get my first "since LST" tattoo, by Ryan Gagne at Classic Tattoo in Red Deer, Alberta Canada, awesome artist, awesome shop.

I dont have anything to add, just that this needs to echoed again for the good point

I really never considered this a traditional tattoo site, but more a quality tattoos site. Traditional is the sense maybe that we talk about people who have established themselves in the tattoo world, more than recent trends in tattoo design. Although some would say getting traditional tattoos is kind of in style right now, others would say they never go out of style. But ultimately I think people who do quality work in any style get a fair amount of respect here.
But I guess this site can be a lot of different things to a lot of different people and regardless of how we see it, we all seem to be a fan of some of the stuff discussed here.

Fuck yeah! That's major! Congratulations!!

Off topic, but this blog/article has the best line ever:
"I don’t like stepping in dog shit but I wouldn’t go around demanding that all dogs have their assholes sewn shut."

It's also a bit like the French Quarter, but less touristy stuff and more centrally located local (and cheap) music. If you end up there you should also check out Jeff Ensminger at Tattoos

The main thing is to narrow down the style you want and to find fabulous artists that nail that type of art down. Find things in their portfolio that you especially like and tell them "I want a different version of this". Aside from that, find objects that you like or that have any meaning to you. You'll be suprised at how many well-known artists are anxious to do something new and different. Another thing that works, some of these artists have sketches laying around and pinned up on the wall, just waiting for a customer to pick it out. These pieces are also works that they are phyched to get started on. It'll also help get your foot in the door.

Well I would say that they are going to want an idea of somekind. While I also keep things pretty open ended, that is a ton of space to just say I don't care at all. I would say get a theme or slight idea in your head for them to work with, otherwise I can almost guarantee that you not like it. What artist are you going to? If they have a very defined style it is usually a bit easier to bring up some of their work that you liked.
Also a warning, if you say do what ever you like you might or might not like what you get.

You have an idea of the type of tattooing you like, no?
I would say, do whatever you want, within this style, and within this theme...
You could keep it mythological, like your first leg tattoo towards the squidpants
you could have literary references if you wanted to change the theme.
But sitting down and saying, "put whatever on me, whatever you want" maybe isnt the best idea. You should have some input into what is going to be on your body forever

C'mon @else I bet you know what you like and what you don't like if you think about it. Start poking around on here and checking out tattooers' books and you'll begin to form opinions. Whether it's, "Oh man, this panther is awesome -- ooh, maybe I'll get Jon Q Tattooer to do a sweet panther head on me!" or if it's "Panthers are dumb, I want a scientific diagram of a cat," your ideas will start to take shape. Look at what each tattooer you want to visit puts out, what they do well or what they like doing. Or even ask 'em if there's something they're dying to do.. You'll get it, don't stress out.

Hi! First, I want to say that I really appreciate this forum. I've been intensively lurking here for a few weeks now and I love how sincere and respectful (most of) the posts/posters are. It seems to be a rare thing in forums like these for people to be genuinely helpful, nice, and laid back :)
So, Thanks to all of you who are here and contributing in such helpful ways.
I have this disorder which is causing the motor nerves in my legs to die off. This, of course, means that the muscles in my legs are working less and less and less... and it hurts.
For the past 2 or 3 years, as it's been getting noticeably worse, I've been HATING my legs. They let me down. They are betraying me by failing and by robbing me of my ability to do the things I used to love to do and the things I dreamed of someday doing.
A few months ago I started dreaming about getting more tattoos. (I have two now. Old. Not the best quality maybe but I love them anyway :))
I am planning now to start tattooing my legs. Sort of a "value-added" idea I guess. Over time they're becoming less functional, but maybe more beautiful? Definitely MINE.
And... total bonus... instead of feeling self conscious about people watching the way I walk I can choose to believe that they're admiring my tattoos!
So. That's it. That's why I'm here. I am excited to start.

If you end up in Houston, check out Nate Beavers.
Nate Beavers :

"I'm not here to make friends"

Hi! First, I want to say that I really appreciate this forum. I've been intensively lurking here for a few weeks now and I love how sincere and respectful (most of) the posts/posters are. It seems to be a rare thing in forums like these for people to be genuinely helpful, nice, and laid back :)
So, Thanks to all of you who are here and contributing in such helpful ways.
I have this disorder which is causing the motor nerves in my legs to die off. This, of course, means that the muscles in my legs are working less and less and less... and it hurts.
For the past 2 or 3 years, as it's been getting noticeably worse, I've been HATING my legs. They let me down. They are betraying me by failing and by robbing me of my ability to do the things I used to love to do and the things I dreamed of someday doing.
A few months ago I started dreaming about getting more tattoos. (I have two now. Old. Not the best quality maybe but I love them anyway :))
I am planning now to start tattooing my legs. Sort of a "value-added" idea I guess. Over time they're becoming less functional, but maybe more beautiful? Definitely MINE.
And... total bonus... instead of feeling self conscious about people watching the way I walk I can choose to believe that they're admiring my tattoos!
So. That's it. That's why I'm here. I am excited to start.

Update: It totally worked!
I was a little worried that I would get a leg tattoo and still hate my legs...
But I've spent pretty much every waking moment since I got my raven-girl staring at my leg (and pictures of my leg) with absolute adoration.
I <3 my leg!! Yay!!
Also - I figured out the probable reason *why* I've been persistently dreaming about leg tattoos. My motor nerves are dying but my sensory nerves are fine. However, because of the motor damage my sensory nerves are freaking out pretty much all the time and I have a constant pins and needles/sunburn feeling from my ankles to my knees. It's much worse at night (like a toothache I imagine, worse when there's nothing else to think about).
Anyway, as soon as he started I realized that the sensation was just a notch stronger than what I've been feeling all the time anyway.
And - I learned to trust my tattooer. I had gone in initially telling him "I don't really care, do whatever you want". And then we had talked about a few things and kind of nailed down an idea or two. When I came in to get the tattoo the drawing he showed me wasn't what we had talked about at all and my initial thought was to cancel altogether. But then I thought on it for a minute and recalled that I had told him that he pretty much had free reign to do what he wanted so I went with it even though it wasn't what I had expected it to be. And it is AWESOME! Better than I ever imagined and I couldn't be more pleased with the thing.
And now I want more ;)

@else levi did a bang up job for you, I talked with him some in SF and he seemed like a cool guy. Actually Josh, fern and levi all seem really cool which makes it all that much better since I think they do the best work in the metro area
I am happy for you

Phase one of "project squidpants" is complete! :-)
"Raven Steals the Sun" - done in ~4 hours tonight by Levi Hatch at Think Ink Tattoos in Norman Oklahoma.
Completely and totally in love with it - it wasn't exactly what we had talked about and it took me a minute to come around to his vision after he showed me the drawing. Now, the more I look at it the more I love it.

Phase one of "project squidpants" is complete! :-)
"Raven Steals the Sun" - done in ~4 hours tonight by Levi Hatch at Think Ink Tattoos in Norman Oklahoma.
Completely and totally in love with it - it wasn't exactly what we had talked about and it took me a minute to come around to his vision after he showed me the drawing. Now, the more I look at it the more I love it.

Hi! First, I want to say that I really appreciate this forum. I've been intensively lurking here for a few weeks now and I love how sincere and respectful (most of) the posts/posters are. It seems to be a rare thing in forums like these for people to be genuinely helpful, nice, and laid back :)
So, Thanks to all of you who are here and contributing in such helpful ways.
I have this disorder which is causing the motor nerves in my legs to die off. This, of course, means that the muscles in my legs are working less and less and less... and it hurts.
For the past 2 or 3 years, as it's been getting noticeably worse, I've been HATING my legs. They let me down. They are betraying me by failing and by robbing me of my ability to do the things I used to love to do and the things I dreamed of someday doing.
A few months ago I started dreaming about getting more tattoos. (I have two now. Old. Not the best quality maybe but I love them anyway :))
I am planning now to start tattooing my legs. Sort of a "value-added" idea I guess. Over time they're becoming less functional, but maybe more beautiful? Definitely MINE.
And... total bonus... instead of feeling self conscious about people watching the way I walk I can choose to believe that they're admiring my tattoos!
So. That's it. That's why I'm here. I am excited to start.

Haha I do have interests outside of tattooing. But mostly I'm an awkward stoner hermit that enjoys sitting at home painting listening to records.
- - - Updated - - -
Hey Pat!! Nice to see ya on here! The move went well, stressful and annoying but I guess that's how moving goes. We're still out here getting settled and sort of living out of boxes since we don't have much furniture yet. But yes! I did bring the new bike out here with me, it's sitting in the garage until I can make some $ to get my motorcycle license and take one of those classes. Hope all is well in NYC. I miss the drinks at the Richardson, but Portland has got some strong whiskey drinks and bartenders with a heavy hand. Haha!
- - - Updated - - -
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

sunday appointment with mr. scott sylvia (my birthday) great present to myself

Hi! First, I want to say that I really appreciate this forum. I've been intensively lurking here for a few weeks now and I love how sincere and respectful (most of) the posts/posters are. It seems to be a rare thing in forums like these for people to be genuinely helpful, nice, and laid back :)
So, Thanks to all of you who are here and contributing in such helpful ways.
I have this disorder which is causing the motor nerves in my legs to die off. This, of course, means that the muscles in my legs are working less and less and less... and it hurts.
For the past 2 or 3 years, as it's been getting noticeably worse, I've been HATING my legs. They let me down. They are betraying me by failing and by robbing me of my ability to do the things I used to love to do and the things I dreamed of someday doing.
A few months ago I started dreaming about getting more tattoos. (I have two now. Old. Not the best quality maybe but I love them anyway :))
I am planning now to start tattooing my legs. Sort of a "value-added" idea I guess. Over time they're becoming less functional, but maybe more beautiful? Definitely MINE.
And... total bonus... instead of feeling self conscious about people watching the way I walk I can choose to believe that they're admiring my tattoos!
So. That's it. That's why I'm here. I am excited to start.