Pacem

Just got my latest tattoo finished a couple hours ago. Not the best pictures, I go back in a few weeks for a touch up session, will get some better pictures then. Was done by Jamie Macpherson at Unity Tattoo in Vancouver.
I am really happy with it.

Just got my latest tattoo finished a couple hours ago. Not the best pictures, I go back in a few weeks for a touch up session, will get some better pictures then. Was done by Jamie Macpherson at Unity Tattoo in Vancouver.
I am really happy with it.

Just got my latest tattoo finished a couple hours ago. Not the best pictures, I go back in a few weeks for a touch up session, will get some better pictures then. Was done by Jamie Macpherson at Unity Tattoo in Vancouver.
I am really happy with it.

Just got my latest tattoo finished a couple hours ago. Not the best pictures, I go back in a few weeks for a touch up session, will get some better pictures then. Was done by Jamie Macpherson at Unity Tattoo in Vancouver.
I am really happy with it.

Just got my latest tattoo finished a couple hours ago. Not the best pictures, I go back in a few weeks for a touch up session, will get some better pictures then. Was done by Jamie Macpherson at Unity Tattoo in Vancouver.
I am really happy with it.

Just got my latest tattoo finished a couple hours ago. Not the best pictures, I go back in a few weeks for a touch up session, will get some better pictures then. Was done by Jamie Macpherson at Unity Tattoo in Vancouver.
I am really happy with it.

Just got my latest tattoo finished a couple hours ago. Not the best pictures, I go back in a few weeks for a touch up session, will get some better pictures then. Was done by Jamie Macpherson at Unity Tattoo in Vancouver.
I am really happy with it.

Valerie Vargas at Frith St Tattoo on my calf.

New one from Valerie Vargas at Frith St on my calf.

Taking pictures of your own calf is a bit of nightmare!

Lost my LST shirt so maybe my tiger can help out.
Tony Hundahl - Rock of Ages Austin, Texas - one shot

I guess I'll go first, but I already have a feeling that I'll be going up against some really tough competition this month.
Nick Colella formerly of Chicago Tattoo Co., currently going rogue until he makes an announcement about whatever he has in the works:

There is also going to be a reception and auction in memory of Dave Shore. Entry is by donation and it starts at 11pm on the 27th. I know local artists donated some art to auction off and I believe the proceeds will be going to his wife. I am also going to guess they will have some art by Dave there on display as well. I got my last tattoo by him around this time last year and they were going thru boxes and boxes of his old art. Trying to organize it, take pictures and such.
I'll likely be going down that night.

During my 10 years in the business I have found that any tattoo which is properly saturated with proven pigments in a manner that anticipates the aging of the piece will last. There needs to be black to maintain contrast. (in my humble opinion too much black is almost enough) A heavily saturated section of color will last as long as the pigment permits, though it will only look it's best when dark black is placed near it...
One problem is application. Many of these new realism tricks are achieved through a process that will not last, though with the right design, pigment choice, and application color should last... it just won't pop without black. I see examples of realism, both on the web and in person, which were obviously tattooed by someone who is uneducated in the tattoo process. These cannot be admitted into the longevity debate, as a "traditional tattoo" by the same artist would surely disappoint equally. I would love to delve into my perception of the difference in process further, but will stop here so that technique doesn't become public discussion.
Another problem is pigment. Many flesh tones, browns, and pastel colors just end up losing out to time and sun. This being said, I have yellow on me that is almost 12 years old that is brighter than fresh tattoos I see from competitors. This yellow in my arm looks virtually the same as the yellow a friend of mine has in his tattoos, which were applied by the same artist 10 years prior to my own! I also have purple which was mixed down with white to fade into my skin tone in the same tattoo and after 12 years the main purple is solid and bright, and the transition to skin is flawless. This in my opinion is due to quality lightfast pigments which were applied in a manner which saturated the skin with the aging process thought of well in advance.
This is just the way I've interpreted my observations over the years.

Got my latest tattoo started this past Friday. Not the best pic. I pulled it off his Facebook. After 4+ hours he still wanted to finish the shading and fix some lines he said, but I was done and couldn't go anymore. I have my 2nd appointment in 2 weeks, and my 3rd two weeks after that so it wont be long to finish. I suspect he will finish the shading and stuff and move on to do some of the colour next time. I am really, really happy with how it looks.
Done by Jamie Macpherson @ Unity Tattoo in Vancouver, BC

Got my latest tattoo started this past Friday. Not the best pic. I pulled it off his Facebook. After 4+ hours he still wanted to finish the shading and fix some lines he said, but I was done and couldn't go anymore. I have my 2nd appointment in 2 weeks, and my 3rd two weeks after that so it wont be long to finish. I suspect he will finish the shading and stuff and move on to do some of the colour next time. I am really, really happy with how it looks.
Done by Jamie Macpherson @ Unity Tattoo in Vancouver, BC

Got my latest tattoo started this past Friday. Not the best pic. I pulled it off his Facebook. After 4+ hours he still wanted to finish the shading and fix some lines he said, but I was done and couldn't go anymore. I have my 2nd appointment in 2 weeks, and my 3rd two weeks after that so it wont be long to finish. I suspect he will finish the shading and stuff and move on to do some of the colour next time. I am really, really happy with how it looks.
Done by Jamie Macpherson @ Unity Tattoo in Vancouver, BC

Got my latest tattoo started this past Friday. Not the best pic. I pulled it off his Facebook. After 4+ hours he still wanted to finish the shading and fix some lines he said, but I was done and couldn't go anymore. I have my 2nd appointment in 2 weeks, and my 3rd two weeks after that so it wont be long to finish. I suspect he will finish the shading and stuff and move on to do some of the colour next time. I am really, really happy with how it looks.
Done by Jamie Macpherson @ Unity Tattoo in Vancouver, BC

Got my latest tattoo started this past Friday. Not the best pic. I pulled it off his Facebook. After 4+ hours he still wanted to finish the shading and fix some lines he said, but I was done and couldn't go anymore. I have my 2nd appointment in 2 weeks, and my 3rd two weeks after that so it wont be long to finish. I suspect he will finish the shading and stuff and move on to do some of the colour next time. I am really, really happy with how it looks.
Done by Jamie Macpherson @ Unity Tattoo in Vancouver, BC

Here is my latest from Glennie at The Pearl Harbor Gift Shop:
ah, what the hell...I'm unable to get the pic in the post. Sigh.
Got it! Thanks @MsRad - What a long week that was. My brain has turned to mush. Still, had a bit of fun getting this one done this morning.

Got my latest tattoo started this past Friday. Not the best pic. I pulled it off his Facebook. After 4+ hours he still wanted to finish the shading and fix some lines he said, but I was done and couldn't go anymore. I have my 2nd appointment in 2 weeks, and my 3rd two weeks after that so it wont be long to finish. I suspect he will finish the shading and stuff and move on to do some of the colour next time. I am really, really happy with how it looks.
Done by Jamie Macpherson @ Unity Tattoo in Vancouver, BC

Tattoo by Chad Koeplinger done at Frith Street Tattoo in London, England
Filled up the spot nicely! (and quickly 2 Hours!)

Got my latest tattoo started this past Friday. Not the best pic. I pulled it off his Facebook. After 4+ hours he still wanted to finish the shading and fix some lines he said, but I was done and couldn't go anymore. I have my 2nd appointment in 2 weeks, and my 3rd two weeks after that so it wont be long to finish. I suspect he will finish the shading and stuff and move on to do some of the colour next time. I am really, really happy with how it looks.
Done by Jamie Macpherson @ Unity Tattoo in Vancouver, BC

Some amazing stuff posted here, wow!
Here's my entry, by javi Rodriguez guesting at frith street

Good job on quitting, keep at it.
I've quit for about 2 and a half years now. Smokes a pack a day for about 15 years. I tried to quit numerous times. I even went 11 months one time. I know i'll never smoke again, period.
I always like talking about what finally clicked in order to make me quit. It was a book. Easyway to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr. I highly recommend it to anyone who really wishes to quit. Its not a big book. Its so short and sweet that I could have easily read it in one day. It took me nearly 3 weeks to actually finish the book. It was very intimidating, because I was wondering how a book could actually make me quit. It doesn't lecture you much, it just goes thru all the scenarios smokers can relate to and it really breaks down why you smoke. I found it gave me the tools I needed. My dad and 3 friends have read the book and still remain smoke free. I highly recommend it.

What the heck, I'll throw mine in the ring this month...Got this one back in Janurary.
Done by Thomas Deaton at Twisted Reality tattoo