Fala

It is well worth the wait.

Graeme's list is obviously great, and there are other guys at Invisible or King's Avenue that slay Japanese work as well. Damien Rodriguez has been putting out great stuff, and Matt Beckerich, Justin Weatherholtz, and Grez all do solid Japanese as well (although Justin and Grez are sorta more well known for other styles).
You're very lucky to be in NYC. Do your homework and don't hesitate to wait and/or spend what it takes to get a good tattoo. You'll have it forever. Make sure it's worth it.

You're in New York? Why go for "a lot of potential" when there people in NYC who do unbelievable Japanese work? Just off the top of my head, look into Chris O'Donnell, Mike Rubendall, Troy Denning, Shinji, Kiku, Chris Garver.

No. Most definitely, no.

What the fuck is this? What the fuck is a 'Tattoo Designer'?
More importantly I had a look through their Instagram Instagram and I can see work regramed/reposted by Tattoodo from
Chad Koeplinger
Horiyoshi 3
Tim Hendricks
Scott Sylvia
Stewart Robson
Etc, Etc.
(not sure how to tag names on here - help? mod?)
I'm pretty sure none of these artists would be happy about their work being passed off and associated with this sort of thing.
In the murky world of the internet this is going to be rife. Still really fucks me off, even more so after watching the FST: Shoulder of Giants film seeing the hard work, passion and love for the industry that these artists have spent years working toward and seeing people break it apart with diluted souless actions as these.
It blows my mind that people are willing to pay $300 for a 'design' over the internet?!
Makes my blood boil.

Convinced I'm getting too old for this shit, but pretty proud of sitting through the outline on my belly last night.. though I did feel like a crazy person when we finished. All I could think was, "There's no way I can start my back.. there's no way I can start my back.." The worst part is the shitty sleep, though. I sleep on my front, so I basically spent last night dozing off and then having to get comfortable on my side again. Waaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh

not even if ever! thats whats gonna bring ragnarök upon us!

No. Most definitely, no.

If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?

No. Most definitely, no.

That newbie thread is amazing @BrianH.

welcome!
"tatspiration" is a cringe worthy username...

Be wary of pictures like that. It looks great like that, but how is it going to look healed? How will it look 20 years from now? I think if I was in that guy's position that I'd rather get laser and have far more options.
But seriously, talk to an artist and get a professional opinion because all we can do here is speculate on what will work.

@David Akers, my only fear with blackwork/mandala type stuff is it's very light and sparse compared to what you have now. You would have to laser that to the point of extinction. It's your decision, but another option would be to do the blackwork/mandala stuff from your shoulder down and have it blend into your existing forearm tattoo. Just my $0.02.

I think this might help: http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-after-care/3501-help-theres-tattoo-my-pimple.html

If you don't have a cream or treatment for them... then maybe just take super good care of your skin and avoid greasy foods? I had acne in the past and I don't use any products anymore. Instead, I keep my skin clean, drink lots of water and stay out of the sun.
I know it's embarrassing, but you could always ask your artist...

blast over the little fuckers >:]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPKe9OfWs-M

@Graeme
YES! Wish I had the funds for my back (reserved for Yoni) now, alas I do not!
Upcoming for me: on Horitomo's list for my CA trip in April/May. We'll see if I get in, I really, really, really want a Monmon cat. Don't know where I'll put it if I do get in, maybe on my thigh.

I can officially add "appointment with Horitomo" in my upcoming tattoos list! Scheduled for end of April/beginning of May. Very excited!
So much for my "I'm done until I have enough money for my back" and "have to let husband get tattoos too" statements!

I got all of my work (and a very lengthy final exam) turned in for my herbal program as of Monday. So... I'm done! Now to work on getting folks' tattoos healed better ;)

I got all of my work (and a very lengthy final exam) turned in for my herbal program as of Monday. So... I'm done! Now to work on getting folks' tattoos healed better ;)

I can officially add "appointment with Horitomo" in my upcoming tattoos list! Scheduled for end of April/beginning of May. Very excited!
So much for my "I'm done until I have enough money for my back" and "have to let husband get tattoos too" statements!

I can officially add "appointment with Horitomo" in my upcoming tattoos list! Scheduled for end of April/beginning of May. Very excited!
So much for my "I'm done until I have enough money for my back" and "have to let husband get tattoos too" statements!

It's not even the goofiness of the snake that I have the problem with, because I don't think it is goofy*. I get the feeling/idea/intention of the story behind the print without knowing exactly what it is about - that makes it successful on a certain level. What I do not like about it is the slightly funky color registration (each color gets a different block/carving, so it is a lot of blocks - except the blends those are on one block like in the second print with the yellow/gray sleeve) and the sloppy carving of the lines that bothers me - especially in the water. I like to see nice clean printing, colors/registration that don't seem rushed, cleanly carved lines that are clear to read. Others may disagree, and I'm okay with that.
I have to remember that these were cranked out like posters during this time period, and there are different schools/styles within ukiyo-e - so I'm not going to like everything that everyone does because of the style differences. Also, with the influence of the West, the styles changed to accommodate the desires of Western buyers (if I'm remembering correctly.)
@TaeTae - thank you! I love the negative space between the wings and the rest of the landscape, and the simplicity of the colors.
*Edit: that first sentence should say, "I don't think it is all that goofy."