el twe

No real significance to this one, other than I'm a fan of Ron's work.  The details were certainly crisper back then, but they're still hiding in there and the whole thing has less of a 'sticker' feel to it I guess.  To each their own.
@Gingerninja Yes!  A Gordon Combs rooster head that a buddy and I got a couple summers ago.  Gordon's done a bunch of super cool roosters since then, I'd like to think we started a bit of a trend...

No real significance to this one, other than I'm a fan of Ron's work.  The details were certainly crisper back then, but they're still hiding in there and the whole thing has less of a 'sticker' feel to it I guess.  To each their own.
@Gingerninja Yes!  A Gordon Combs rooster head that a buddy and I got a couple summers ago.  Gordon's done a bunch of super cool roosters since then, I'd like to think we started a bit of a trend...

Surprised to find that there isn't a thread for this yet, so here goes...
We all know about "healed 'n hairy" tattoos, but how many of you have tattoos that you've only really come to appreciate after they've settled into the skin?  It's taken a couple years for me to fully enjoy having this wolf on my leg.  The tattoo was done by Ron Wells and I was ecstatic to get it, but before too long I didn't quite know what to think of it.  Not that I didn't like the image, the artist, or the experience - it just felt a little out of line with my own demeanor.  As time passed, more tattoos were added around it but it wasn't until the last couple of months that I realized I really liked this tattoo again!  Even though the tattoo was mine, it took a while before I felt like I really 'owned' it, if that makes any sense.
Here's a picture of it the day I got it, and one taken this afternoon (about 2.5 years later):


So post your old, but better tattoos!  I'd be interested to hear others' experiences in the matter.

I love seeing settled in and healed tattoos. I appreciate the warmth of a good, lived-in tattoo. Is that a rooster in the corner? That looks pretty awesome, too.
Great idea for a thread!
@el twe
 

Welcome.  It sounds like you're on the right track - find an artist you like ad trust, and take his or her advice on where to start.  Where are you located?  Willing to travel? 
 

It's your arm. It won't be straight when you move your arm. It looks fine.

^^^This.  I've been happy with placements that the artist ended up moving (for the better), and I've asked to have stencils re-applied in a different spot before realizing why it was better the first time!  Good placement might be the toughest thing for me to wrap my head around (other than the obvious eagle on the center of the chest, etc.), but boy do you know it when you see it.

^^^This.  I've been happy with placements that the artist ended up moving (for the better), and I've asked to have stencils re-applied in a different spot before realizing why it was better the first time!  Good placement might be the toughest thing for me to wrap my head around (other than the obvious eagle on the center of the chest, etc.), but boy do you know it when you see it.

Desert rose.
William Kasper when he was still in MO.

if you follow Jeff Rassier on IG, then you may have seen the four little fillers i got from him on Saturday. he drew them all directly on skin, so each one fits its spot perfectly.

Back from our trip to Helsingor! I'll post a photo when I'm healed. I cannot say enough GREAT things about Henning and the crew at Royal. One of the most perfect days, ever!!

@IAmMattLewis Sounds like a great weekend, and I love that little skull!

Meant to post this in the dagger contest a few months back, but it'll work here, too!  Done by Jeff P. in Portland, OR, several years healed and not going anywhere.

Meant to post this in the dagger contest a few months back, but it'll work here, too!  Done by Jeff P. in Portland, OR, several years healed and not going anywhere.

Meant to post this in the dagger contest a few months back, but it'll work here, too!  Done by Jeff P. in Portland, OR, several years healed and not going anywhere.

Meant to post this in the dagger contest a few months back, but it'll work here, too!  Done by Jeff P. in Portland, OR, several years healed and not going anywhere.

Went to New Jersey on May 19th to see Robert Ryan, and picked this Narasimha out of his sketch book. He changed it a little from the original to fit the upper arm better. Easily one of my favorite tattoos. The next Saturday, I played the walk in game at Smith Street and got two tattoos from Bert Krak, a butterfly, and a skull & crossbones. I came in wanting the butterfly, and he said he had time for another quick one if I was interested, so I picked the skull after he said it was a shop favorite. Everyone at both shops were great, and I had a great experience getting tattooed.

I'll throw in this healed and hairy hand and rose combo:

Got this by Uncle Allan at his shop Conspiracy Inc. in Berlin in the summer of 2015.
I got in on a cancellation on the first day of a weeks stay in the city. Afterwards I proceeded to torture it by walking around Berlin for the better part of six days, sweating in my jeans under a 36C sun. There is no way I have deserved it to heal this great.

It turned out nice!
Now just rock it and go with it.
You can either own the tattoo and be kinda happy. Or don't own it and always be unhappy with it. I say own it and rock it.

Mr. Oliver Peck was visiting in Asheville yesterday at Hotstuff and i was able to get in for a quick oneshot. 

Hello all. New to the forum. Figured I would add my two cents. I have three quarter sleeves on both arms. My first tattoo ever was a half sleeve Kintaro done by Jason Lambert of Black Cat Tattoo in Pittsburgh. The sleeve was finished on the one side and the other side was done by Robert Atkinson here in LA. Robert is an overall awesome guy and a great artist. I consider him a friend and am glad to know him. Granted I just have an n of 2, but Robert IMHO is one the best tattoo artists around. I decided to bite the bullet and Robert just started lining my back. I'm doing one of the Horiyoshi 108 heroes, Kaosho Roshishin. Compared to my arms the discomfort at times was more intense, particularly around the love handles, shoulder blades, and top of the buttock. But nothing too bad. To be honestly I thought my elbows were the worst, so the flank wasn't as bad as that for me. Robert is pretty fast, we lined this in about 3 hours. Will go back to add a snake and some peonies to finish the lines and then move to shading. I'm stoked so far. 
 
Robert's sleeve is on the right, and Jason's is on the left. Once we do the background we'll even those out and I'll ask Robert to shade the negative space under my pit on the left  

Not about my first tattoo, but rather all of my most recent.  A little back story: I was somewhat eager to show my parents my first couple of tattoos, but once I really got the bug I was somewhat embarrassed to bring it up.  So I just didn't.  Fast forward through 7 tattoos, and I just decided enough was enough - I was tired of keeping something that I cared about a secret!  Because I could just never bring myself to start the conversation on the phone, I drafted an email and sent it off one night about a week ago.  Like so many of you have realized, it takes more than just some ink under the skin to really disappoint your parents.  While not thrilled, they seemed receptive to the idea (and I made it clear that I would be getting more tattoos in the future), expressed their concern for any neck/throat/face tattoos, and then basically dropped the subject.  It feels pretty damn good getting that off my conscience, and I'm glad they (somewhat) approve (not that it would have made a big difference!).

@Hogrider Holy shit, the way the tiger's chest is matched up with the folds of your knee...

James Cumberland made me this Kirtland warbler sitting on a rowan branch:

Right foot nearly superficially healed. Ready for more tattoos, but it'll be a while. Had to replace my vehicle since it was totaled. Oh, surprise life expenses, how I dislike you!