thesandmanisme

In 1973, I was 17, living at home, and very rebelous. My dad, was like Archie Bunker. One night A buddy of mine said "lets go get a tatto". And so we did. We drove to Long Beach, the 'Pike'. Saw a shop called Leroys. An old guy was standing outide the door and I asked him if he was Leroy. He didnt say a word, just rolled his lower lip down so I could see where he had tattoed his name on the inside. Chilling. So I got a Harley tattoo. Back then they would tape a gauze patch over the work for a day. When I rolled into the house, Dad flipped, "Jeeeezus Christ, Is that where you been shooting drugs?" It was so funny I started laughing, which didnt make the situation any lighter.

In 1973, I was 17, living at home, and very rebelous. My dad, was like Archie Bunker. One night A buddy of mine said "lets go get a tatto". And so we did. We drove to Long Beach, the 'Pike'. Saw a shop called Leroys. An old guy was standing outide the door and I asked him if he was Leroy. He didnt say a word, just rolled his lower lip down so I could see where he had tattoed his name on the inside. Chilling. So I got a Harley tattoo. Back then they would tape a gauze patch over the work for a day. When I rolled into the house, Dad flipped, "Jeeeezus Christ, Is that where you been shooting drugs?" It was so funny I started laughing, which didnt make the situation any lighter.

Back in 1973, when I was in the USMC. tattos were not an issue. Only because "arms" and "backs" were mostly the only part of the body that was tattoo'd. However, back then, not many people other than military, or bikers, had tattoos period. Not that were visible to the public anyway. But the major factor in these "new" regulations, is street-gangs. Its true. Gangs are now sending the young prospects off to bootcamp, and on to further assault training, for the soul purpose of them using that knowledge when they get back home and become a warrior in the gang. Its already a issue with law enforcement, and their lack of ability to get a grip on these individuals who in most cases have more power than the average cop. I have seen special documentaries on this subject over the past 2-3 yrs. It seems to be a real problem for the politicians and military brass. but in reality, its only a diversion, smoke screen, to keep the publics attention off of what is really going on. business as usual.

As an ex-force recon Marine, this kind of hits home a bit. In the last couple of years, marines have ween using German translation for normal English terminology. For instance,"teufelhunden". This is what has been translated for the term "Devil Dog." But in actuality, the proper use of the term is spelled as "Teufelshunde" In German grammar, a compound noun is always a single word, so using two words "Teufel Hunden" is grammatically incorrect. The correct German would be Teufelshunde in nominative, genitive, and accusative cases, and Teufelshunden only in the dative. In either form, the linking element "s" steps between the words.
Either way, who's gonna argue? LOL. Its only an "S", but its kind of cool to offer the knowledge of them having a choice, if ya know what I mean.

This was the first tattoo I got. 1973, at the Long Beach Pike. Done by "Leroy", at "Leroys Tattoo". He looked like an old sailor. He tattooed his name inside his lower lip. People would ask him if he was Leroy, and without saying a word he would turn his lip down so you could read it.

Howyis.
My name's Imogen and I'm from Ireland. I'm a collector at the moment but I've wanted to be a tattooist since my early teens. I'm actually planning on dropping a CV into a tattoo shop tomorrow so wish me luck with that! I'd only be working at the counter but it's a foot in the door.
I got my first tattoo when I was 17, which wasn't my best ever idea in hindsight. I'm currently working on my leg sleeve- Aasgaardreien by Peter Nicolai Arbo but changed around slightly to fit my leg.

There is a lot of talking about tattooing and more about "the art of tattooing".Sometimes it seems like tattooing is somehow an "academical" art (sorry if my english are not excellent) and a lot are told about the design-the "piece of art".I consider tattooing somehow more technical than artistic and respecting the rule that the tattoo has to live through time the better possible i feel that i cant break some "red lines" which is the outline,the scale,the use of black color a lot and a lot more.
I think there is not a lot of talking about this and a lot of tattooers puts art above tattooing..

5 hour session of my angel of death back piece cover. started on the 16th and hopefully will finish on the 16th of march, coming along nicely... the scene will be a graveyard on my left side and a tree on the right, tombstones in the graveyard with d.o.b. and d.o.d. of my grandfather and cousin and then of course some added clouds to help cover up the massacre at the top of my back

Hi all!
I'm a writer with a deadline and an empty head. I have a chance to write for a tattoo publication, and suddenly I am fresh out of ideas! I'm looking for inspiration for a tattoo related article. Even tangentially related about tattoos. Usually I have a million ideas - this is one of those situations where the moment I got the offer my brain went *splat* and all ideas went rushing out of my head. I'm a working writer who would like to transition to topics that aren't a) someone else's soulless copywriting needs, and b) are in line with my passions, so this is an opportunity that I am super excited about and hope will lead to more!
To that end, I come to you for ideas and inspiration! Any topics you'd like to see? Any subjects you think should be touched upon?
No need to do my homework for me, my brain is still working and I have a few ideas (women tattooers through the ages? a recently active thread and I *did* just receive "Bodies of Subversion"...), but I'd love to hear from the galley!
Thanks in advance for participating in the brainstorm...I think I just need dialogue to get going!
If this post is in any way inappropriate or out of place, I apologize for that too! Still newish and learning. :)
Thanks everybody!

I have been goin back and forth in my mind about a spiderweb in the armpit. I have talked to a few who have had ink done there, and they cringe when I bring it up. Like they re-live the pain. LOL. So with that in mind, Im gonna do it. This summer for sure. I will post all the traumatic events as they unfold. lol.

I have been goin back and forth in my mind about a spiderweb in the armpit. I have talked to a few who have had ink done there, and they cringe when I bring it up. Like they re-live the pain. LOL. So with that in mind, Im gonna do it. This summer for sure. I will post all the traumatic events as they unfold. lol.

I did this freehand in prison. 2001

I got a tattoo of a heart and dagger, with the name Debbie in it (pic is on my page). I was in the Marine Corps and she was my girl back home. Well a few years later I went back to see if they could tattoo "Bitch" over "Debbie'. they couldnt, so I had em black it out.
My advice is, think long and hard about tattooing someones name on you. Or design it in a way that you can go over it with something else and still have some nice art there.

I can say this, from personal experience. Keep your tattoos out of direct sunlight. Back when I was a kid, we could play outside all day in the sunshine and not get 1/3 of the UV damage that you can get today. I suppose the Ozone is really getting trashed like they say it is. Just walking from inside the house out in the sun feels different than it used to. Its almost an instant little sting thing goin on. Anyone else notice that?

This was the first tattoo I got. 1973, at the Long Beach Pike. Done by "Leroy", at "Leroys Tattoo". He looked like an old sailor. He tattooed his name inside his lower lip. People would ask him if he was Leroy, and without saying a word he would turn his lip down so you could read it.

This was the first tattoo I got. 1973, at the Long Beach Pike. Done by "Leroy", at "Leroys Tattoo". He looked like an old sailor. He tattooed his name inside his lower lip. People would ask him if he was Leroy, and without saying a word he would turn his lip down so you could read it.

In 1973, I was 17, living at home, and very rebelous. My dad, was like Archie Bunker. One night A buddy of mine said "lets go get a tatto". And so we did. We drove to Long Beach, the 'Pike'. Saw a shop called Leroys. An old guy was standing outide the door and I asked him if he was Leroy. He didnt say a word, just rolled his lower lip down so I could see where he had tattoed his name on the inside. Chilling. So I got a Harley tattoo. Back then they would tape a gauze patch over the work for a day. When I rolled into the house, Dad flipped, "Jeeeezus Christ, Is that where you been shooting drugs?" It was so funny I started laughing, which didnt make the situation any lighter.

1. No, I dont know Josh Homme
2. Cochella is on the other side of Mt. San Jacinto from where Im at. And, Its not one
of my favorite places to go.
3. Always been a fan of Neil Young. All the way back to Buffalo Springfield. Bob Dylan
gets a little 'whinny', but his album 'Blood on the Tracks', gets listened to all the time at
my house.
And, TYVM