sbhikes

Nobody in the world cares about my tattoos. But I really like them.

I've got a bird friend on my shoulder who will be with me always. Poor little Squeaky, the real bird, died when I was away. I never got to say good-bye and now I don't have to because Squeaky is always there on my shoulder.

I've got a story of hiking a long trail on my leg. If I ever get Alzheimer's I will probably at least remember that experience since it's right there on my leg to remind me of all that I saw and did out there.

I've got big blue roses. Lots of color. I was hated and criticized mercilessly all my life for being ugly but now I have pretty colors on my skin to make me happy.

And finally, my butterfly. First time I went to a tattoo shop the artist there told me of giving an old lady a tattoo of a butterfly on her arm because she had always wanted one. There are so many things in life I've always wanted to do and it took me a while to realize that someday never comes. Do it now. And even though a barely-graduated apprentice did my butterfly, he cleverly mirrored the motif of the leaves of my roses and tied it all together. I feel like I carry a flower garden and a little bit of spring around with me wherever I go.

I claimed my body from those who had prior claims, defined it my own way, not theirs, and made it my own. Nobody cares about my tattoos, some people probably scorn me for them, and for that I even feel more grateful because against their disapproval, here I am, taking up space with my garden and my memories, just being me.

I'd hate to see what has to be deleted by moderators there. There are some really good tattoos now and then and I find it nice to see some different styles other than just traditional. Not everyone goes to the big names in tattoos either and sometimes it is nice to see some good work come out of some places you wouldn't expect it. But most of the time the tattoos are pretty bad, especially if you look at them with the "New" button rather than the "Hot" button. Oh, and sometimes the criticism within /r/tattoos is that the reason why some stuff gets a lot of upvotes is because people like the story behind it, not because the tattoo was any good.

My tattoos aren't very good and there's not that much in the way of stories behind them (assuming anybody would care) leaving me with very little karma for my tattoos in either community.

I started at the ankle and have been moving upward. I guess that's not normal but I didn't know. Or maybe it is normal and I still don't know nothin'.

Should I say. I like Eagles, Old fashion trains. I like Cats. I like the traditional flowers. Ships. Snakes.

It seems originally you wanted an eagle, so I'd pick a couple other items to go with the eagle. Maybe tell him you like all those things and ask him what would look best with an eagle on your arm.

I know my last tattoo seems to have crossed some imaginary borders in the minds of people I know.

I think the imaginary border I crossed was simply walking in to get one with no advanced notice or anything. Plus yeah, compared to the average middle-aged, middle-class person, there's a lot of color on my leg. A lot of NEW color on my leg.

ExpendableHero - at least you supported someone who works an honest trade and who is an artist. Lots of people are struggling to survive, not just homeless people. You have kept one person afloat one more day.

I went shopping on Saturday and decided I would see if I could get a walk-in tattoo. I did get one. I'm very pleased with it but while getting it the whole time I'm thinking how am I going to explain this impulse to my un-tattooed partner? And will he hurry up already? I'm late for dinner.

When I got home I had to explain my delay, and obviously eventually I was going to have to show him the tattoo so I pulled up my pant leg. First thing he said was "Oh no, now you're one of THOSE people." What a jerk thing to say. Now I feel kinda bad, like what is wrong with me? Am I having a mid-life crisis? I used to be such an ordinary good girl. But then I see my butterfly and I really like it. I always wanted a butterfly tattoo and now I have one and the guy I went to, despite being a newly graduated apprentice, did a nice job, perfect lines, super traditional. Cleverly matched the pattern of the butterfly to the leaves of my roses and achieved what I wanted from a simple butterfly tattoo. I can't wait to take him everywhere with me.

So my "blues", if you can call it that, are that with this butterfly I've sort of crossed a threshold into being quite tattooed plus I have a sort of secret pleasure only I understand.

I just got this butterfly to hopefully take some attention off the mistake below and fill the empty space in the front. Bugged me that looking at myself head-on I only saw red balls. I did this as a walk-in on the spur of the moment.

Dry heal works fine except that if the tattoo feels dry and crackly and uncomfortable, a little lotion is soothing.

I think Megan Wilson at Analog in San Jose does nice lady heads. I really want to get a tattoo from her someday.

I really like those ankle bands. And all the little fun tattoos is cool, too.

I don't have "world class" tattoos either. Got some crooked and blown-out lines, coverups and inconsistent styles but I don't care. I like my tattoos, too. Want more.

It would be nice to see the tattoos in a regular perspective with good lighting. I'm curious about the bands around your ankles.

Eye bleach! Pass the eye bleach!

Dang. I'm in Santa Barbara. Haven't seen the sun yet today and it's almost 5pm. Long sleeves, long pants and socks to stay warm. Sometimes I really hate it here. Not that I want 110 degrees, but come on. Down jackets in summer is getting old. Fog. Hate it.

Me and my wife both lift, it's a great past time... and good for you too!

Rob

I believe it is the fountain of youth, actually.

My first tattoo was by a lady who was very gruff and intimidating. I wanted another tattoo but every time I thought of her I didn't want to go back. So first I went to a different place but got such a horrible tattoo that now I was even more reluctant to ever get another tattoo. I really thought my only option was to go back to the mean lady, which I just couldn't do. So I went a long time before I ever got another tattoo. So far I have gone to a number of people who have been pleasant enough. I don't expect us to hold hands and become best of friends, but I've been surprised how genuinely nice and, dare I say, "normal", they've been. The last one even gave me a hug when I was all done, which was kind of a surprise as I'm not exactly the hugging type.

I did not realize that was a stencil. It was posted as his first tattoo, no more pictures. He has since posted the finished product. Still not very good. Or else I just do not understand this style that seems really common with the blobby looking shading. I guess it's not that bad. What do I know. Just doesn't make me happy like all the crisp and colorful ones I see around here.

http://i.imgur.com/pI0MzjW.jpg

It's loosely based on an engraving from this series:

The image itself is an alchemical illustration depicting the distillation of the lapis(or philosopher's stone). The annotations mention three types of distillery: cold, hot, and dry. This one is hot, describing the process as burning the lapis at a high temperature for a very long time. The series shows a homonculoid creature and fire within the bottle, and changes into a snake, which eventually eats its tail(ouroboros).

It's all very metaphysical and dense, but very interesting to read about. I'll take some pictures of the book and the images I referenced when I get home if you'd like to see them.

Wow, that's quite a lot of interesting stuff in there. I knew there was something in that image, just had no idea what.

That's actually one thing that disappoints me about a lot of posts showing people's tattoos. There's rarely enough explanation to go with it, leaving me with unsatisfied curiosity.

Abstract (or weird?) can certainly be cool.

If that was a bottle of perfume, I might have to buy it without even smelling it.

Yeah, I thought it was weird and cool and just had to ask. I only have boring tattoos. But I'm working on it.

be nice, I get really self conscious posting my work among so many amazing tattoos :o

(although I am totally open to constructive criticism if anyone feels so inclined!)

I mean this nice: What is it? I know it's a snake and flames, but what is the rest of it and what is it overall? It kind of looks like the bottle of Shalimar perfume my mother used to have.

Thank you. That was an interesting read.

More good ones from reddit today.

I'm not sure if this was mentioned in this tread somewhere but I've been wondering what this image is from? Is there an original somewhere? Same with the pharoah's horses. Where is that image from?

The needle in the arm goes in much deeper and I freak out just imagining the needle in there poking against the vein. What if they poked too far? What if while they are switching the vials they slip? Heebeejeebees.

I've always wondered, if you get a mandala tattoo right there, do they try to position the center where the nurse sticks the needle? Or if they don't, does it confuse the nurse?

A turtleneck dicky.

I really don't understand it either. I guess some guys think tattoos make women seem too macho or manly. I guess their brain sees it like muscles. Good on a guy but not a woman. I think it's daft.

Oh well. More tattooed women for me!

Ha ha not only am I tattooed but I lift weights. I deadlifted his bodyweight not long ago. Yeah buddy, you keep wrinkling your nose at me. Let's just see how that goes...

Mine is all healed and is finally starting to be truly healed, as in the shiny quality is starting to go and I can rub it against something without it feeling tender. I am enjoying festival season when I can show them off. I don't care if it's bad to do that.