Fala

Here's the progress so far on my knee tattoo from Matt at invisible nyc

@BrianH ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!! I am so glad you got this and you are super stoked with it!!! Looks AMAZING!!! Henning ROCKS!!! Fingerwaves...LOVE THEM

Here are some photos from my session on Thursday with Henning Jorgensen at Kings Avenue Long Island. Brutal 6.5 hour session. Filled with involuntary leg twitches/spasms, especially when Henning worked on the area above the tiger's ear/shoulder. Henning was a true professional and always told me I was doing great even when I thought I was sitting terribly. And @ironchef sent a few encouraging texts that helped me get through it. A full day session is no joke, the last hour was a huge challenge and I eventually had to tap out. A humbling experience. The plan is to finish it next fall with 1 session in Montreal and 1 session in NY. Also I plan on getting a hotel for all future sessions because 8 hours of round trip driving and 6.5 hours of tattooing is too much for one day. I felt like I had very serious hangover the following day.

Brutal 7+ hour session today with Henning Jorgensen at Kings Avenue Long Island. Full report in the Full Back Piece thread. I'm obliterated...goodnight.

Just had the other thigh done, more traditional forget-me-nots, but in a lighter blue than they usually are. Took some poor quality selfies. I really like them, but a mild blowout occurred on the other thigh (about 1/16" of an inch or less) near the pubic bone on the other thigh, and I'd like to add petals on the right, so I'll be back in as soon as I'm fully healed and toughened up in a few weeks.

Of course they had to mention Kat Von D, even in passing!

Enjoy!
Japanese Tattoos: From Yakuza to Artisans, Aesthetes - Scene Asia - WSJ
Don't miss the links on the gallery and also I think the book is being released this month!

This in-progress bodysuit is pretty breathtaking:

By Horimatsu

I am getting a small tattoo done by Horizakura at the moment. I love how the bars interweave between the foreground and the background.
(Edit: I am not getting a tattoo with wind bars, yet.)

I love the tebori work of the Horitoshi Family from Horitoshi 1, Horimitsu, ShunHo, and Shinji Horizakura. The depth of the black wind bars are amazing the colors are so vivid and bold.
However my favorite tebori tattooer is actually US based now, Horitomo. I feel he is doing his best works these days and hoping one day to be able to get something from him:

I guess I will throw my in progress piece done by shige this monday at diamond club tattoo into the mix

I've heard the same thing GrayCatLove - about the UV light pigment being carcinogenic! I have overheard some tattoo artists talk/joke about how if you want to get a UV light tattoo, you might as well be asking for cancer. I suppose if the pigment were made with ground UV sensitive minerals, that might be coolish/okayish and possibly not bad for one's health. Possibly...

Anything that responds to ultraviolet light that's inside your body has the potential to be carcinogenic. Not saying it is, but I wouldn't rush out to get one based on that fact alone. I've read little informal snips about poor healing, soreness, tenderness, etc.

I think you'll find professional tattooers are pretty stand-up people and will be more than helpful giving you the tattoo and experience you strive for. Everything you just said you should say to a prospective tattooer. Just be honest and they will work with you. If you're worried about giving off the wrong vibe while planning a tattoo, maybe reach out to them via email, so you can take the time to articulate what you want to say. As for working around your ticks and stimms, the tattooer will be able to brainstorm options better. My suggestion that comes to mind would be to request a private tattoo session to block out the sensory overload of a busy shop. Some artists that do big japanese scale works have private studios to accomodate the client's privacy and the long sessions.
As for the reference material, just show them what you have and what you want. If they're into it, they will work with you to get you the best tattoo possible.
Where are you located? Perhaps we can suggest some artists. Or do you already have an artist in mind?

I thought this is a forum for good tattoos. Why is this even a question?

And probably toxic.

The ectasy frying her brain probably has a lot to do with that, but nothing wrong with partyin a little while you are young I guess, and her blacklight tattoo, will be the equivalent to 90's armband tattoo that a lot of people regret.

Hey now don't go dissing MoistTowelette like that.

I've found that I heal the best when I do as little as possible to my tattoo, but I do take arnica tablets before, during, and after getting tattooed to mitigate the worst of the bruising and swelling. I still swell and maybe bruise a bit depending on the spot, but it seems to be better than when I didn't take the arnica.

I mentioned lavender because it's an herb everyone is familiar with. There are plenty of other herbs to choose from (which was why I linked to a salve making article.) I think that using whole herb is vastly preferable to essential oils, and even more preferable in combination with other herbs for an optimal synergistic effect. I'd be more apt to use a combination of calendula, comfrey, echinacea and plantain than singly using lavender. If you are going to use essential oils, Snow Lotus is the best brand that I know of.
Yeah, I don't keep my healing tattoos "moist" (damp, boggy, haha) but I don't like the cracking/tight feeling. That's when the ultra-thin coat of healing salve works for me - it's breathable, and the herbal combination makes for speedier (and less itchy) healing.

Ha! I always called it a "bedspread" when I was a kid, but at some point it seems everyone just started calling them comforters. Which is a weird, weird term. I also take issue with "hoodie" and "beanie" but none of this has anything to do with what this thread is about..

This thread made me learn what a "comforter" is!

I've found the reverse with clothing - I can get the blood out, but the ink won't go away! Oxiclean, borax, dawn, spray n wash, you name it, I've tried it! I have dedicated sheets for tattoo days, and clothes I wear post-tattoo. Totally OCD.

While the garment is dry, try pouring a bit of hydrogen peroxide on the inked area. It should loosen it, and lift it off the material. This also works great on removing blood from clothing and carpet. You know, in case you damage someone, and need to clean-up. LOL

I've found the reverse with clothing - I can get the blood out, but the ink won't go away! Oxiclean, borax, dawn, spray n wash, you name it, I've tried it! I have dedicated sheets for tattoo days, and clothes I wear post-tattoo. Totally OCD.