cltattooing

Totally came down with an ass kicker of a cold after last week, but I think I'm getting better. Also the itch is so next level on this piece, I know it's only the tip of the iceberg. Sigh

@McAstronaut wow, that is damn cool. Reallly different too.

Temple? I don't get it, they only have one letter in common.

I KID, I KID!

Hahaha you turd! Temple and 13 are tied right in second, it's so hard to pick favorites in this town but obviously I am biased :)

@xcom FTW has been a common addage in tattooing from its' earliest American days. You can find one somewhere on a sheet in almost every traditional shop.

Follow The Wizard

Forever Two Wheels

For The Women

Find The Way

Free The Weird

Or my favorite shop in Oakland :cool:

I think for everyone who wants to see where we are so far, I'm just going to update y'all after the next session. We're only 3 hours in and while it's pretty outstanding so far, overall it's not much and since there are so many folks interested in the progress, I'll have a more comprehensive update when we have more done.

Glad I brought an umbrella for the shitstorm that is this thread :rolleyes:

@sophistre Yay!! Stoked :)

@sophistre glad that worked out! I take everything was back to normal after a couple days?

Thank you!! @xcom @Scott R

Also @Iwar I have an LST shirt so where does that leave us? Haha

@pidjones I got ya :) @Cork thanks! So many more to come, haha. I generally prefer shading. Although so far, he's probably the most gentle person I've been tattooed by so I have a feeling that the shading might be hell. Who knows!

@Pugilist Thanks Anna!! @suburbanxcore incoming!

@Cork @suburbanxcore if you guys or anyone else has instagram I'll show you what we did so far

First session went incredibly smoothly! The design is very linework heavy and dense so we didn't cover as much space as anticipated but I am completely elated with what we got done. Just the top of the back and shoulders, a tibetan parasol in the middle and two dragons on each side curling down to the upper ribs. So far, it's been less painful than expected, but I also feel like this might have been the easiest session. Next session inn a month where we tackle the deity, very excited for that. Totally fucking awesome experience. Also I almost left my bra at the shop which was fucking hilarious. :o

I read that post and another post on that blog and that woman is fucking annoying

@Killercook76 That's comforting, I think. I have a lot of open space on my front :( Haha @polliwog I'll probably post some progress shots if I get permission! But to provide some level of satiation to the curiosity, here's the reference I gave him. Kind of a bad photo because it's an actual painting I own and I took the picture with my phone at night in the living room

@Lance Kahlil Rintye :)

@Killercook76 WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

So. 4 days and then IT BEGINS. Very nervous, very excited. The drawing is out of control, I almost cried when I saw it and left the shop a mess of nerves. I'm told that Kahlil is gentle and efficient so that's some small iota of comfort. Hopefully the age-old tactic of building it up in my head to be the worst thing in life serves me well. Yeah, super excited. I'll be sure to DM pics to the LST folks on instagram when the first session is done but I probably won't post anything here (sorry) as I'm sure it won't go over well.

@sophistre So much fun! Really great to meet you, thank you again :)

@sophistre wowowowow your sleeve looks great!!! Will definitely be twisting your arm for closer inspection ;) Also very much looking forward to tomorrow!! You're gonna love Mad Max, so good.

I suppose I'm viewing tattoo artists as being members of an elite club, and I'm the awkward kid knocking on the door asking "can I play too?".

I know it's hard to not think like this especially if you are new to getting tattooed or prone to getting star-struck (me), but you shouldn't! Tattooers are just people with a specialized skill set. We owe our lives to the clients and have no valid reason to think that we are better than you. Don't get tattooed by people who think that you owe them something, can't stress that enough. You will find that the more you get tattooed, the experience is just as important as the art. Get tattooed by people who not only do awesome work, but who are friendly and humble people that you will want to spend however many hours in close proximity with. If you aren't comfortable in your tattooer's presence, you probably shouldn't get tattooed by that person. Hope that helps :)

I don't think it's awkward to ask that at all. Definitely good to just straight up ask the hourly and the amount of time expected, which imo is a bit more graceful than asking for a $ amount. If someone can't answer that for you, they are probably extremely stuck up or shady.

The "if you have to ask then you can't afford me" attitude is bullshit, tattooers need to understand that tattoos are a luxury and there are lots of other expenses in life that take priority to getting tattooed. Also how are you supposed to build a returning clientele if your clients leave feeling like their business wasn't handled with full transparency?

Tattoos are most susceptible to sun damage in the first 4 weeks of healing, so you do probably need something stronger.

@Mark Bee possibly!! This is my first guest spot so I might just get the bug and go everyyyywhereee!!! :D

@CultExciter you are too much my friend!! Visit again soon!

@sophistre I am way stoked!! Also I'm bringing Tegaderm with me so you don't even need to worry about scabs. :) Also whoa Mt. Rainier!!

@polliwog thank you!! That means a lot to hear. I've been on LST for a little less than half my career now and definitely feel like everyone here has been instrumental in shaping who I am as a tattooer. As far as staying motivated and driven, I can't say it's easy for anyone. I am definitely inclined to laziness and probably hate about 70% of what I make. Just push through and don't give up ever!! Even if you hate everything that you make, as long as you enjoy the process and stick to it, growth happens naturally.

@el twe No way, those are amazing reasons to miss getting tattooed! Congratulations!! Possibly a bit jealous...

Awww she was such a cutie pie, RIP <3

@CABS @OutOfIdeas thanks dudes! Bummed to have missed ya Luke!

@beez I don't drive homie But I'd love to! Any chance you would come down? ;)