shinobi

I don't think there's anything wrong with mixing styles. I've always like more cohesive looks, but if you can incorporate a little bit of color you have in your other tattoos or some other theme, I think it'd turn out awesome. A Mandala will be gorgeous no matter what so I don't think you could go wrong matching you or not.

Thanks Mark, reading it now..
So far it looks like I'm going to be a culturally insensitive jerk
since I'm considering a sugar skull too.
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I suppose it would give me some encouragement to hear from others like me
who chose the design despite not being Native American as well.

A Native American client put it in perspective the other day. She was looking around the shop and stopped at a sheet with some Pacific Northwest Native Designs. I asked her if she was interested in getting that type of tattoo, because I have a lot more reference in the back of that stuff. She replied "Anyone who takes a look at me can tell I'm Indian, I don't need a tattoo to say it, I want to get a Unicorn or a Pegasus, do you have any of those?" I told her we could draw one for her and she said "I've never been in a tattoo shop that didn't have a Pegasus or a unicorn on the wall." Fast forward, she leaves stoked with her bitching new tattoo.
First of all I want to know what shops she's been hanging out at, cause I want to see some awesome unicorn flash. Two I guess it makes sense, while lots of people get tattoos to represent their family cultures and background, others are looking to differentiate themselves and possibly even rebel against the common perceptions. I can see how some people could be sensitive towards stuff from their culture, but with all due respect if we all got tattoos based upon exactly who we are, we would all have the same tattoos (or else we would all have to join the navy or somehow turn Japanese). Look at most tattoo designs. So many animals tattoos are loosely based upon what they would look like in the wild, but very few would be a spot on accurate representation of the species nor is it really intended to be, plus I don't think they wear funny hats or smoke cigarettes either. It's tweaking old ideas that generate new ideas and keep old ideas fresh and new.

Thanks Mark, reading it now..
So far it looks like I'm going to be a culturally insensitive jerk
since I'm considering a sugar skull too.
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I suppose it would give me some encouragement to hear from others like me
who chose the design despite not being Native American as well.

Yup. I want a sleeve like that.
Here's a dope battle royale chest piece from one of my local artists:

Go there. Get tattooed by Lucky Bastard. Trust his opinion over everyone else's, especially your own. That man is one of the best tattooers working today. His Japanese stuff is just unbelievable, and it doesn't get much more traditional than his Americana.

I don't know about you guys, but I sometimes struggle to find
a Christian themed tattoo that really excites me, and I'm a bona fide
Jesus freak.
Don't get me wrong, Rock of Ages is cool and all, but other than that
crosses and praying hands don't really excite me.
Do you guys have or know of any cool Christian Themed tattoos?

If you don't go to hell for having tattoos, you are going for saying that :-)

Bad photo of my Easter Tattoo from a couple of years ago.
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Your mom is like Jesus, everyone gets a turn. #yomamajokes

tommy montoya did JC's face not too long ago, best one ive ever seen, its a must see

I think that the author of that site is extremely far outside the christian mainstream in likely all of his thoughts (ramblings). The main page has a counter for how many people have died since you opened it. And this guy is trying to tell you that the 1611 King James Bible is the best and most accurate translation, which is ridiculous. Here is an example of a guy that is anti-tattoo, but MUCH more reasonable and I think closer to the North American mainstream 'christian' position. It's a pretty long video. Has a 'repented tattooer' in it though who some might find interesting.


" I publicly identify myself as a 'christian', but I guess the thing is that being a christian doesn't really have a set of rules to follow other than "Love God, and Love Your Neighbor"*. The entire concept of becoming a christian was meant set people free from oppressive rules! Unfortunately, people seem to love rules - or perhaps I should say that they love to rule over others - and as a result you end up with a laundry list of stuff christians aren't supposed to do that really have little to no basis in anything the bible says. Don't dance, don't drink, don't play cards, don't wear shorts, don't wear pants (for ladies), ladies don't cut your hair, guys always cut your hair, no buttons on your shirts, no watching TV, no cars that aren't black, no cars at all.... I could go on all night!
Oh, and certainly no offense taken!
* upon further thought I will also concede "be baptized" and "have communion" as something like 'rules' for christians.

Oh geez! Did you read the rest of the pages?!?
I only read the next two The Mark of Blood and The Cup of Devils but apparently we're all going to spend eternity in the fiery pits.
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A big part of my family growing up was hardcore pentecostal. My great grandmother regularly spoke in tongues, the devil was lurking EVERYWHERE to tempt the weak. I was even exorcised once as a teenager (a TERRIFYING experience). I really hate all of this stuff. Super anxiety provoking. In my current life filled with people who are very inclusive in their beliefs I often forget that this kind of thing is out there.

Man, I just gotta be a troublemaker! Seriously, I'm not tryina bust anyone's stones here, just curious as to how others view this. I'm not a christian, so my feelings about the subject come from a different angle.
"Even among many Christians the once-forbidden tattoo is welcomed with open arms (and legs, and necks, and backs, et al). Not surprising the major perpetrator of the Christian tattoo is the Christian rock music community. And fast following their Christian rock idols, thousands of Christian young people are getting "marked for Jesus" with the tattoo. Among the fastest growing trend in the tattoo industry is the Christian tattoo shops."
TO TATTOO OR NOT TO TATTOO
So, there seems to be many different viewpoints in christianity, but the more "traditional" views, especially of the hardshell variety, seem to be more or less inline with those offered on the site referenced.
C'mon you sinners, whattaya think?!?!?!?!?

Can't go wrong with an icon tattoo.

If you are in Costa Mesa, you need to be going here. Artists « Gold Rush Tattoo
Let's put it this way, If i was in the market for a tattoo, religious or otherwise in Costa Mesa this would be the place to go.

This is mine. Traditional but also Christian. Done by Matt Howse Spider Murphy's. I also have a St. Michael on my back.

I don't know about you guys, but I sometimes struggle to find
a Christian themed tattoo that really excites me, and I'm a bona fide
Jesus freak.
Don't get me wrong, Rock of Ages is cool and all, but other than that
crosses and praying hands don't really excite me.
Do you guys have or know of any cool Christian Themed tattoos?

This is the tattoo I ended up getting instead of a verse done in text. Hebrews 6:19-7:2 would be the reference. When I thought of it I didn't really realize that anchor tattoos were so common, but I realize it's a classic image so I'm glad I went with it anyway.
Done by Chris Lombardi at Hand of Doom Tattoo in Buffalo, NY.

sacred hearts and jesus heads are solid classics. i want one of each even though i'm not all that religious. i just think they are powerful images that make great tattoos.

Anyone else see this on Tattoo Snob today?
D’inked – A Tattoo Removal Documentary : TattooSnob: The High End of Low-Brow
I can see getting some small, bad tattoos removed (at least to make room for good new ones) -- but an entire half-sleeve? Crazy.

I don't know about you guys, but I sometimes struggle to find
a Christian themed tattoo that really excites me, and I'm a bona fide
Jesus freak.
Don't get me wrong, Rock of Ages is cool and all, but other than that
crosses and praying hands don't really excite me.
Do you guys have or know of any cool Christian Themed tattoos?

I can understand shinobi. It does happen. I was tattooed by an artist of considerable repute last year, saw his work in magazines, etc. I went with a "trust me" for a sleeve tattoo and am regretting it.
The first alarm bells rang when he inked a perspective line drawing of a phoenix on my forearm. It looked great on paper, but not so wrapped around my arm, it's hard to pick out what's going on and it looks like it has a broken wing and neck. I was in denial for ages and friends told me not to worry as it would all work out in the end. I went through with the full tattoo thinking at the end of the day I will get a great piece of work and I didn't want to micro-manage. But the sleeve isn't great either - far too much solid black, detail on the outside of the foreground pieces has been lost and I've noticed a few errors where lines stop behind foreground pieces, etc. I hold my hands up and think I should have communicated my thoughts and concerns more, but just did not think I would get a bad tattoo.
Same as you, I'm too embarrassed to show it. I've worn a t-shirt twice since I had it and always seemed to see a lot of people with good and fantastic sleeves when I did!
If you're having doubts now, with a work in progress, I'd seriously consider whether you want to go through with it. I wish I stopped after the first session with the linework, but hey ho. I'm looking to remove too if I can scrape the money together so will join you posting on the removal forum!

You can't go wrong with a Sacred Heart, it's just classic. I'm particularly fond of the one on this H20 album cover, done by @Scott Sylvia himself, 15 years ago? Shit, we are getting old.

The virgin de guadalupe is pretty powerful imagery, and all the secular interpretations people have come up with are pretty entertaining. I think the problem these days is people who get christian tattoos just want to get script lettering of bible verses.

AND get more tattoos! A single tattoo is lonely - unless it's a full sleeve.