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The Dobleman enhancement. ❤️

If I may... It's really not about the blowout.  It's about changing cultural norms and how lots of people these days are rushing into tattoos in highly visible places before really committing to being a 'tattooed person' (ie arm sleeves, more larger pieces).  Every artist and every client will have different views on this, but I have to say I agree with the old school mentality - certain tattoo placements are 'earned' in that sense.

If I may... It's really not about the blowout.  It's about changing cultural norms and how lots of people these days are rushing into tattoos in highly visible places before really committing to being a 'tattooed person' (ie arm sleeves, more larger pieces).  Every artist and every client will have different views on this, but I have to say I agree with the old school mentality - certain tattoo placements are 'earned' in that sense.

If I may... It's really not about the blowout.  It's about changing cultural norms and how lots of people these days are rushing into tattoos in highly visible places before really committing to being a 'tattooed person' (ie arm sleeves, more larger pieces).  Every artist and every client will have different views on this, but I have to say I agree with the old school mentality - certain tattoo placements are 'earned' in that sense.

If I may... It's really not about the blowout.  It's about changing cultural norms and how lots of people these days are rushing into tattoos in highly visible places before really committing to being a 'tattooed person' (ie arm sleeves, more larger pieces).  Every artist and every client will have different views on this, but I have to say I agree with the old school mentality - certain tattoo placements are 'earned' in that sense.

If I may... It's really not about the blowout.  It's about changing cultural norms and how lots of people these days are rushing into tattoos in highly visible places before really committing to being a 'tattooed person' (ie arm sleeves, more larger pieces).  Every artist and every client will have different views on this, but I have to say I agree with the old school mentality - certain tattoo placements are 'earned' in that sense.

If I may... It's really not about the blowout.  It's about changing cultural norms and how lots of people these days are rushing into tattoos in highly visible places before really committing to being a 'tattooed person' (ie arm sleeves, more larger pieces).  Every artist and every client will have different views on this, but I have to say I agree with the old school mentality - certain tattoo placements are 'earned' in that sense.

Here is what we got done this weekend. 

Here is what we had before.

 
 

I think I might be done, at least with big stuff, for a bit. I've got a few little ideas in my head that I might do but that might be it for a while. The amount of free skin I have left has really shrunk over the last couple years and I really should think out what, and who, for the rest of it. 
And then @suburbanxcore mentions Pagoda, which seems to be the place fir me to cross paths with Marina, so perhaps it is just a pause until Pagoda. 
 
For fun here is a pic of what Chad did to my arm a couple weeks ago, I've tried to post it a couple times but it was giving me trouble. 
 

have been away for a bit, just realized i didn't post up the finished work from Scott Sylvia...the guy who bailed on this drawing totally lost out! :)

One day, one step, one breath at a time. First, everyone has something...not to minimize your situation but rather to say that you are not alone. Get the breakouts under control then go forth! Another idea is  look for a shop that has private rooms instead of a big open floor. Also, most shops have privacy screens. 
For me, I have really bad cellulite. It's really embarrassing for me anytime I get my lower body worked on. Tell my that I wasn't mortified when an artist tagged me in a photo on IG that showed all of my cellulite and saggy butt for the world to see. I know that the world judges...however, there isn't a damn thing that I can do about my aging body. This is the real world, screw the photoshop version of the world!

Not baby related (but congrats, everyone)...
Got this rainy dude from Tron last week when she was at Atlas in Portland. Awesome experience and glad to fill this weirdo spot on my leg.

Got this Rose of No Man's Land from Josh Stephens the other day while he was guesting at Atlas Tattoo here in Portland. Couldn't be happier with it, and Josh is great!

For those interested, Scott Harrison's "Thom DeVita's Customer" podcast/story is now available on LP: https://shopreaper.com/products/thom-devitas-customer-lp-by-scott-harrisson
And the NY Times published a nice obituary to Thom (although seeing the word 'inked' in the first sentence made me cringe):https://shopreaper.com/products/thom-devitas-customer-lp-by-scott-harrisson
Scott is quoted in the obit, referred to as a "tattoo artist and one of Mr. DeVita's customers" which brought a smile to my face.  I can only imagine that was a conscious choice by Scott, but if it's purely coincidental then we know Thom is still pulling some strings with the universe.

Thank you. I'm still having my weak moments but they're getting less. I am giving myself some time and of course my goal is to adore and be absolutely in love with it. I mean this is why I chose it and decided to go through with it, right?
Everyone here has been a huge help so far and I'm really amazed by it. So thank you!

Yep, I agree with everyone else here.  It's a fantastic tattoo, and it'll only look better after it settles into your skin.  I've had my fair share of tattoo regret, and it's faded every time.  Sometimes within a couple weeks, other times much longer.  Give yourself time.  And I know you don't want to do the other side of your back (at least not yet ), but a whole back piece built around that tattoo/style would be effin' rad IMHO...

Yep, I agree with everyone else here.  It's a fantastic tattoo, and it'll only look better after it settles into your skin.  I've had my fair share of tattoo regret, and it's faded every time.  Sometimes within a couple weeks, other times much longer.  Give yourself time.  And I know you don't want to do the other side of your back (at least not yet ), but a whole back piece built around that tattoo/style would be effin' rad IMHO...

first of all that tattoo is fuckin awesome. sorry you are experiencing that though. while not having full blown panic attacks, I’ve had similar experiences with bigger pieces. i’ve never been one of  those people that gets a tattoo and is immediately so psyched and wow’d by it, it takes me some time to love it, hate it, and get used to it. i think the risk, feelings,  and change process is part of the art in a lot of ways. i would try to give it some time. everything in life is impermanent, including our bodies, minds, feelings, and thoughts. hang in there. and again that tattoo rocks.

Got tattooed in Vancouver by a bunch of Edmonton homies:
Sitting outside an Italian cafe on Commercial Drive and bump into Shawn "Deadly" Hedley who happened to also be in town and was hanging out next door at Unity Tattoo. So you wanna tattoo me right now? Sure let's do it bud. 
30 minutes later...

(goldfish is actually black & yellow).

Shawn Hedley is great. Has a really cool aggressive style in the way he tattoos yet still his tattoos heal nice and smooth.
Aftercare: walked all over Vancouver for 3 days straight with this thing rubbing on the inside hem of my jeans and drank a lot of beer. Head ringing, healing like a peach. Also got to see my other tatt-bros Teddy Kardos and King Len who were also in town and who have both tattooed me.
Aside from hanging with my little bro in Vancouver, the main event of the my mini-trip was to reconnect with my old bud Shawn O'Connor. Shawn lives in Nelson, BC and was coming out to tattoo for a few days at Fraser Street Tattoo. Shawn's done half a dozen tatts on me but we haven't sat together in 4 years since he moved away from Edmonton. We did this crouching tiger blastover, 2 hours on the bread basket ...

Fraser Street Tattoo had an awesome vibe and Shawn and I had a dope sesh. Saw my #1 tattbro Heidi who popped in to laugh at me. Got to meet Chad Woodley, have some show n tell in his shop and have some beers after. I'm already planning my next one to squinch in something from him next, he's a super nice guy and really skilled, I'd really like to experience his machine.

Got some good mileage on my tattoos and my vans shoes. Vancouver, you are alright ;)

First sesh with Kiku, at Invisible Ink, NYC. Going to add a snek and take it down to the ankle. That's why she's peering downwards: searching for her absent friend. 

Go easy on the lotion and let your body do the healing.  If it persists and you're still concerned about it, reach out to your artist.  I've had some funny stuff with red ink, I bet you just need to give it more time.

Double tap, back-to-back, by Aaron Coleman, at Immaculate Tattoo in Mesa, AZ. 

I am so over the moon with this tattoo 😍
Tomas Garcia
Old Soul Cannonsburg PA

A panther in a dark cave eating a chocolate bar.

Getting there on the color