AverageJer

I sort of had similar thoughts. These tattoos aren't bad and they have been with you for a long time. If you really want them covered up work with an artist and have them covered up. Roses are cool and it's great to take advice from the person doing the work but if you're not feeling roses work with them to identify other options.

That said, maybe consider sprucing them up with some bright designs around and near them that leave the original work but maybe you like the overall design/result better.

Ultimately, do what you want and have a tattoo that makes you happy but I agree with the above comments- covering them up is not the only option worth considering.

its a good question though

i think though about an upcoming sailor jerry flash day at a local shop

to think how many of those designs are walking about already

but there still awesome designs

just that they are so simple and limited in how much they can be varied

it comes down to execution really - and you got a good one - enjoy!

I'm excited to have a "new" Sailor Jerry tattoo in a few weeks for this very reason (birthday party at local shop). This took me some coming around to- the idea of getting popular flash- but now I see it as a cool traditional tattoo that will be personalized by one of several great artists. I can't wait!!

Can't believe how much sugar and fat some people gulp down before/during/after sessions, not only from here but often what I see when visiting studios too. That ain't good for you, no matter if you're getting tattooed or not. I eat natural nuts and seeds and a banana during session if it's long enough to snack. I drink water or perhaps a 100% fruit juice. Often a light meal after the session, and a lot of water, no alcohol.

I try to eat fairly healthy in general, probably not as healthy as you but I do think about it. However, tattoos are an exciting event that don't come around very often and I like to celebrate them. Like a lot of people- celebration means comfort food and alcohol.

My regular tattoo shop has a Sailor Jerry flash event every January and this will be my wife and I's third year having a post party. We're thinking chicken wings, homemade white american cheese dip, and plenty of beer. I'll eat healthy the next day and heal up nice. I promise!

I think whatever my wife chooses to get in 2015 is going to be very cool and she's a girl.

Yikes, I hope I am never compelled to remove any of my tattoos.

Congrats!

Others have mentioned this here but it's true for me as well, tattoos are tied in a weird way to my feeling better about the way I look. Confident or whatever. I am also aware that in the city I'm just another d-bag with tattoos. Like a said, whatever. Still, I got my first tattoo at age 38 and since then have gotten into the best shape of my life. I feel great! Coincidence? Maybe.

I have also learned to appreciate tattooing as a unique art form in ways I had never thought of in the past. I'm not being creepy as I leer at you at the gym, really, I'm happily married. I'm just checking to see if your tattoo is any good.

Hitting up tattoo shops traveling has also brought me to neighborhoods I might not have otherwise made it too and in every case, except maybe that time in Vegas, the neighborhood itself has been worth the side trip.

I'd spend less energy trying to decide who's fault this is and more energy on how to have a tattoo on your arm that makes you happy. If you are unsatisfied with the artist and/or shop go to a different one and figure out what your options are.

Wait a while for the healing to be complete and keep an open mind. Tattoos are permanent and often come with some amount of initial remorse.

Your arm is far from ruined.

Go Leviticus Tattoo and tell the person at the desk you want a Zombie Buffalo. You will end up with a great tattoo. Afterwards, go the Blue Door pub and have a burger and a couple of beers. Best day ever.

Interesting thread. I've been drinking a bit and now the wife is blasting some Nick Cave so take anything I write from that starting point.

I'm not as deep into tattoo culture as some of you. That means nothing one way or the other but seems worth pointing out here. I started later in life but do like my tattoos. I have limited space, even less if I decide to stick to not having visible tattoos work wise (undecided but still an option).

For me it's important that I have a good experience and get a good tattoo. Please note that I did not say great tattoo. Perfection, for me at least, is overrated in most things. Of course I don't want a bad tattoo but I also don't want a great tattoo with a story of frustration and disappointment to match it. It's a balance right?

The thing I think about is how much space do I want to save for new artists and how much do I want to "give" to the artist who has already put most of my tattoos on me? With that artist I know I am going to have fun and I know I am going to get a quality tattoo but will it be unique? Maybe not for me since I already have many by him. It's a balance like I said.

Anyway, something is next right. What ever it is I promise I will consider these factors- will I have fun and do I trust that the artist is capable of putting down something I can feel good about. There are many artists out there who can meet these two simple requirements.

The biggest question is who will I eventually trust with my left shoulder/arm which is still blank? The plan at this point is to wait until I have the time and money to go for an all encompassing plan but what that will end up being is wide open. It could be a few years. In the mean time I have an idea for a few filler roses and something original that I think my usual artist would enjoy drawing up.

There are so many good ways to do everything. That's what makes this whole life thing fun.

Liked for any Hold Steady reference. I got to see them open up for The Replacements earlier this month. It was amazing.

My daughter is named Sydney- one of the naming books warned us that kids might call her "Squidney" so we cut it off at the pass by calling her that ourselves. Last summer my wife had Nick Colella tattoo a squid across her knee. It's awesome.

Pretty bad article. It seems like he is going out of his way to create a conflict between people who have tattoos and people who don't. There are way too many people here in Minneapolis with tattoos and without tattoos to divide along those lines. I still prefer to create the divide lines more like "people who are assholes vs people who are not assholes" and this writer makes it pretty clear which side of that cultural divide he resides on.

Wow, only two days in! Lot' of great tattoos already.

Thanks, guys! And a particular thanks to the folks who encouraged me to grab this appointment! I got lucky with the win because everything this month is great.

Laughing at "little" though - I'm 5'2" so there's not a lot of tattooing space!

It's a really effing great tattoo!

My oldest daughter wanted to slam some bullshit passage down her rib panel.

I said, sweetheart...I love you, but if you ruin prime real estate like that with shit text, I'll be forced to trade you for another daughter with more brains.

She's 25 this year and has learned the sound advice given by her father.

My daughter is five so I have some time before this becomes an issue but considering how much time she has already spent inside our local tattoo shop I will clearly need a strategy when the time comes. I'm thinking that if she wants a tattoo as soon as she turns 18 I will pay her to wait. But I will pay her in money towards whatever tattoo she ultimately decides on. The longer she waits the more money she will have to spend on getting an awesome tattoo. Of course this could backfire and she could end up with a full back piece of an infinity sign exploding into a flock of birds. Life is full of risks I suppose.

Thanks very much :D

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Awesome. Great shop with awesome atmosphere, the dudes there are super warm and friendly- I hope you make it :D

I did! Kind of. I made it to Three Tides in Tokyo where I had a wonder experience all around and ended up with a nice little dragon head by Ganji.

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Picked up this lil' thigh giblet while on vacation in Japan in 2013 from the (then) Hiroshi Hirakawa at Three Tides Tattoo, Osaka

Awesome. I'm going to be there in a few weeks and am hoping to stop by and see if I can get a walk in. I don't have much time, and the friends I'm going with aren't really into tattoos, but I'm going to try if I can. Maybe I'll have a submission later in the month.

Thanks for the advice, that sounds good. However, i dont want to have to pay hundreds for my first tattoo.. And also i want it to be decent atleast, i dont want it to be a tattoo i regret or have to end up going over later.

If you want to get a tattoo for the sake of getting a first tattoo without spending a ton of money I suggest getting something small that is still good quality. Also, if you are into tattoos don't get something small in a space that will someday be perfect for a bigger, better tattoo. What I mean by this is I recommend against getting a small tattoo on your shoulder because someday you might be in a better position to save up for something awesome on your shoulder. Am I making any sense?

Pick a local shop or artist that you like and go talk to them. Tell them your budget and get some ideas. And have fun! Don't forget to enjoy the whole process.

Awesome thread. It's cool to see all the well done leg tattoos. It also reminds me that I have a lot more space on mine. Here is a shitty iphone pic I just took. I also have a stickishly drawn family portrait on the outside of my ankle with male/female guardian lions on the front and back of the ankle. Additionally I have several tattoos high up on my hip but I will spare you all from that. Yikes! Time to get planning the next leg tattoo I guess.

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It'll be way easier than it seems from the outset!

Preload ibuprofen, drink lots of water, and don't forget to breathe.

Breathing is so important. Getting tattoos has made me better at going to the dentist. Same skill set. Sit still and breathe.

Thanks for posting (and for the link to the previous conversation). This is an interesting topic to me. I think many images we enjoy today are ultimately appropriated from somewhere. There are always going to be lines and we all will have to draw our own. Very few here, I would imagine, would get a tattoo of a white person in "blackface."

For me American Indian imagery tattoos has some parallels to the ongoing team mascot issue. I'm not a big internet arguer so I'm not wanting to get into all that here other than to say it bothers me personally and therefore getting an American Indian image tattoo crosses my personal line. That's not to say that another thoughtful person couldn't come to a different conclusion on this but I do appreciate this kind of discussion as a means to encourage thought and dialogue.

I'm more conflicted about religious imagery for tattoos. For example I am attracted to the idea of getting some kind of Buddha tattoo someday. I like the images and, as a recovering Catholic, I am drawn to many of the ideals of the religion. Are these good or bad reasons to get a tattoo? How about a Hindu image of which there are many that make amazingly awesome tattoos but I know basically nothing about the religion itself. If I read a book or two would that be enough? Am I overthinking this? Probably, I overthink most things.

Anyway, thanks for the interesting conversation. Now it's time to get back to my secular Easter celebration focusing on bunnies, eggs, chocolate and brunchy food.

I'm going to say that piercing is totally not my thing, but I went with @Pugilist when she got her second set of lobes pierced and I was really impressed with the piercer and the level of professionalism, seriousness, and dedication he has towards his craft. It reminded me of tattooing in that way. I've been dismissive of piercing, and I'll admit that I don't really "get it", but you're right...live and let live. And don't go to the piercing equivalent of a scratcher.

Yep, my wife, who has plenty of tattoos, just got her ears pierced for the first time. We went to our usual shop and made an appointment with the piercer, who we had seen around but didn't really know. He knew his craft and went about it in a very professional and serious way. All and all it was a great experience.

Also, how many 30 something women can say they have gotten more than 10 tattoos before even getting their ears pierced. It's just one of many ways that my wife is unique I suppose.

why are you shouting?

Thanks :) I'm getting a koi, done by Nick Agnew of Kingsland Ink on April 8th, seems too far away, can't wait! It's my graduation present to myself. My ceremony is the next day, and my mum is like, "won't people be hugging you a lot? That will be sore!"

Interesting thread and in many ways frustrating. This quote from your mom made me smile for some reason. Enjoy your new tattoo, I'm jealous.