Fala

I'm going to see if I can make it. It's happening the weekend I get back in town from vacation.

Yup, I'm going. Might actually enter a contest actually.

The *original* NYC Tattoo Convention - NYC Tattoo - Home
Its on for 3/7 to 3/9 in NYC at the Roseland Ballroom. My artist, Studio 69 Tattoo, will be working and I have plans to take a couple of hours of chair time one of the 3 days. It would be nice to see some people from here show up too.
Rob

New one from Chris O'Donnell. Flaming traditional dragon head.

Horitomo cat from a few months ago ...
sorry for the dark picture

Yea welding can be tough on skin. Nothing was more fun that getting "sunburned" when I was welding a lot (without proper protection).

I got this from Chad Koeplinger earlier this year. I love it, and I want to share it with you:

Here is my back-piece from @Stewart Robson
Started - 11/25/2011
Completed - 11/24/2013
The tattoo has 78 hours in total.

Horitomo cats & my cats :)

The only thing better than an original from Horitomo...an actual monmon cat tattoo! AWESOME!

On the bright side, he lost quite a few pounds real fast...

@ironchef - Looks awesome!

Not just yet. We still have various spikes and the back bone (horns/scales?) the horns on the head, the tongue and teeth, the eyes, some more flames, the pearl/orb and the spikes on the tail end. I'm sure there will also be some touch ups and embellishments as well.
Funny thing, Rubendall had a client in the morning and he was filling in scales on a dragon and then in the afternoon is me and...filling in scales on a dragon. I asked him if it gets tedious or if he just gets tired of seeing the same thing. Mike said he loves it and each one is different. No cutting corners or trying to make due here, just doing what he loves. AMAZING to be part of that creative process.

My wife got a bit more work done on her back. Started some shading and coloring. A bit dark up there because she is covering up a righteous old piece!
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I got a bit more work done too. Getting close.

I am a stout appreciator of the holiday season. My house smells awesome, the shop has christmas lights up, and we're getting a little tree! I have also just put an end to a really unhealthy relationship that I've been engaging for like 6 years, and while part of me is sad, the bigger part is like FUCK YEAH, I'M FREEEEE

I have a black and grey tattoo on my arm and I plan on filling in the rest of my arm with color tattoos. Kind of the opposite of your situation. Basically, moral of the story: get the tattoo you want. Your artist will be able to make them look cohesive and not out of place next to each other.

Have not posted for a while but had to show my new piece off!
Done by the very talented Valerie Vargas

Have you considered calling an insurance company and getting a quote that way?
Oh no, that would make too much sense.

cant be coincidence that this video wont even play!!!
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very interesting thread! I love reading about superstitions with regard to tattoos as well as the traditions. I also love tattoo symbology. it was for this reason I went for 7 butterflies first, stars with my kids initials and changed my idea of getting a masked owl to instead wanting an eared owl- preferably the European eagle owl. I love reading into different cultures and discovering powers behind animals or symbols or flowers etc.
no doubt I will continue downthis path with all future tattoos!

@Delicious I would add that just because people love you and our on your side, doesn't mean they know what is right for you. At some point I think we just have to gain the confidence enough to disagree with our family and understand that their preconceived notions of what society deems appropriate is not going to determine your happiness, only you can do that. And disgreeing with them doesn't mean you love them any less, just that you have become your own person.
Their is that old saying, you live under my house, you follow my rules. Well I have my own house and I say fuck rules.

This Friday will be my last appointment for 2013 with Mike Rubendall at Kings Ave in Long Island. Going to put more color into dragon on my back piece. Have several scheduled appointments in 2014 to finish things off and possibly start something new. Will post update with pics this weekend.

I feel like this is saying something akin to, "I know I'd be the most awesome chef in the world, better than Ferran Adria, if only someone would let me into 3 Michelin Star kitchen and teach me how to use the tools. I know how to boil water and make toast, so I know I'll be awesome."

"regret will be yours if you don't"? Nope, regret will be for the people you are tattoing.
This thread is a demotivational poster in the making.
Snarkiness aside, please take a step back and take into account the responsibility you have towards the people you are putting this stuff on. You should be spending your time learning to design and draw on paper, not on people's skin.
If I can make some suggestions: Go through posts and pictures, take some time getting an idea of what a good tattoo is. Go out and get good tattoos.
That's what this forum is for. It's certainly not a place to train or give people tips on how to get into the "business." Especially in one that is so overly saturated as it is.
That's one way for you to get some perspective without messing up your acquaintances. Good luck dude.

I feel like this is saying something akin to, "I know I'd be the most awesome chef in the world, better than Ferran Adria, if only someone would let me into 3 Michelin Star kitchen and teach me how to use the tools. I know how to boil water and make toast, so I know I'll be awesome."

I feel like this is saying something akin to, "I know I'd be the most awesome chef in the world, better than Ferran Adria, if only someone would let me into 3 Michelin Star kitchen and teach me how to use the tools. I know how to boil water and make toast, so I know I'll be awesome."