Suiren

It really doesn't seem like a good idea to have the artist decide on everything. I'm so picky about what I want and the placement and draw my own ideas on paper and my body months before I decide I want to get the tattoo.

I have two older tattoos that are starting to look changed. The oldest one I already got touched up once in 2007 and it seems to actually fade less. The addition to it that I got in 2007 seems to lose color and the lines are blurry.

The tattoos are on my lower back and not exposed to a lot of light, I wear sunscreen and I use coconut oil for moisturizing. If there is anything else I can do let me know.

Is there a reason these are turning into mush now or is it normal after 8-10 years? I have no idea how tattoos are supposed to look after that much time ;).

How often can they be touched up? I don't feel I need a touch up right this second but maybe in the future (or having this worked into another design). The Kanji lines are almost connecting.

I'm also curious if the tattoo artist's skill determines how well a tattoo ages?

The Kanji was not done well btw. so the artist that did the butterflys tried to fix it up as much as possible.

Images show tattoo on the first day 2007 (don't have a better pic sorry), a close up and a normal shot now.

Trends are bad, people who are doing something just because it's now in the trend wrong. And if relatively unserious things like hairstyles...

I think people that follow trends do so because they are not very creative either. They chose what is available, acceptable and easy to put together.

Maybe that is why certain tattoos become so trendy. I agree that if one really really likes something trendy, regardless of a trend they should do it. I do wear my Goth, Vintage or Period Fashion as well as normal trends because I will wear whatever I like no matter if people think I'm shizophrenic :-). I'm always in this sort of dilemma...I listen to Black Metal, but sometimes Pop Music, so Metal friends will complain about Pop music and other friends about Metal...

Who cares what motivates people to get tattoos and to choose particular imagery as long as they're getting good tattoos.

I was kidding...and I don't really invoke demons :)

mandalas and sacred geometry already nauseate me. I'm soooooo deep maaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnn my mandala proves it. Let's get more Starbucks. it's hard not to fall into some trends I will gladly admit that, but this isn't for me. I'd wear a feather bursting into doves before sacred geometry

If that is a trend now it sucks for me because I have been into the occult since the early 90's :( I hate when people get occult symbols tattooed, yet they never even invoked a demon...

Haha jk

That is funny! It reminds me of my neighbor who asked me if I don't think it is time to stop doing "this" now...she meant my facial piercings ;P

I have a pair of Hammer pants for lounging haha...

yeah just chiming in - hope no offense was taken - i always appreciate some good dialogue

Oh no, just wasn't sure if it was a misunderstanding :)

I think people without tattoos might assume getting tattooed these days is simply a trend, as a way to explain its popularity, but I definitely am not a follower of trends and have simply come to a point in my life (middle age) where tattoos are more meaningful to me and I love the art of them, and the way I can express myself through them, plus I'm less concerned about public perception (getting employed, looking "professional", etc). Also it is easier now to find amazing artists than it used to be because of social media and the internet.

As for parenting, I'm realizing now, after having my own kids, what kinds of things affected my parents and how I was raised, and I'm cutting them a bit more slack! I can see how hard it is to relax and allow kids to become who they are, and how anxious you can get over your kids not making the same mistakes you did, etc. My mother and I will never be on the same page, but now I realize she can't help it, lol, and she's learned to just accept me for me.

I felt similar. When I was young I did not get tattoos becausr of things like work, relationships, and not knowing what design would really hold enough meaning for a lifetime. Now that I am older (and my life has been very eventful) I can think of a million things that have a deep meaning and am generally more sure of the art and committing. It is a process, with every piercing and every tattoo I felt more sure I want to keep going.

Unlike a fad. I imagine some will get a tattoo without thinking, tire of it and move on. I know so many who got one or two trend tattoos or piercings and then nothing ever again. Piercings usually get ret retired.

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Is there a tattoo trend now that will be the equivalent of the tribals of the 90s? Is it possible to predict?

Lettering maybe? It seems like the most common trend because it is neutral, can have a customized meaning...not too much of a commitment?

One of my girls was extremely horse-crazy for the first 12 years of her life, and now, at 14, she could care less about them, so I'm glad I didn't use symbols for my kid tattoos - there's way more to her than her prior love of horses. The symbolism could be something that means something to you, yourself as the parent and how you feel about being a parent

That is a reason I also find it hard to decide. Symbols like favorite cartoon characters can change over time. But I feel even my symbol as a mother could change so the only everlasting design I can think of really is script...^^ But I have some time to think about it. I have thought of working the script into a design that looks like a upper arm bangle/ cuff possibly or some sort of symbol.

trend? no trend? if this is a factor in getting tattoos...you're doing it wrong

True. I hope you understand that wasn't my question though or referring to me ^^

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I definitely agree that it is sort of "wishful thinking" or reverse psychology. My parents used this on me, and now, at 49, I think my mother realizes that I am who I am and it was never a phase, lol.

Parents have an idea of what their kids are going to be like, or turn out like, and when kids don't fit that image they tell themselves it is just temporary, and they'll get themselves together.

I have kids, ages 22 and 14, and I am, instead, working very hard NOT to do that, and to just enjoy them as they develop, letting them be what they want to be. It isn't easy, though, even having suffered from it by my own parents!

My parents got more accepting over time I'd say. It is great you are trying to do it different!

I don't care about nor pay attention to trends. If I am into something, I do it. Pretty simple.

Same here, but what I intended to ask was what others say too ;)

I find it interesting how they view it.

I have thought about getting my son's name in theban font and incorporating some symbolism from the alphabet too. It is just an idea for now though.

lol kids! Gota love them :D

My youngest wants to get pterodactyl on his back and move his arms as if the pterodactyl is flaying... lol :D

Now that is really creative! Wow!

I can say a little more about this now. So far all of my tattoos have a similar style, meaning they are all rather minimalistic silhouette tattoos with just black ink.

The reason for this is also because I worry about the tattoos harmonizing with each other. I don't think I could bear a watercolor style tattoo next to something old school for example ;).

I have shyed away from colors so far because I wear a wide variety of colors and styles....all black one day and then florals and pink the next day. I do want something with color but I am thinking long and hard about what colors will match most looks.

I also want colors that harmonize with my skin color ^^ which is probably a weird thing to consider?

But I can go on and on about these things. They need to be perfect for me. I'm the type of person that if I wear mismatched colors or outfits, my day is ruined hahaha...I can not even handle wearing mismatched lounge clothing at home. I will change into something else...

And I do know I will always try to balance out how many tattoos I have where...I am planning it like an architect.

I did a fairly good job with my piercings. I was able to fit 5 on my face in one area ( nose, mouth ) and it still looks balanced...imho :D

So I got to experience lower back "pinches" I got do an allergy test today and they use the upper back for the test... But because I had such a large tattoo they used my lower back.

Wholly mother of batmans balls... It sucks!

It actually hurt so much I thought I could not get another tattoo if they all hurt this bad ;) But it is either pain or no tattoo lol.

Tattoos are definitely more popular and mainstream than they have ever been, but remember that people have been getting tattooed since the dawn of homo sapien.

My parents used to say similar things, but then you realize that when people pass judgement or ridicule upon your appearance, it's usually because you are making them confront their conditioned opinions and they don't know how to deal with that internally so they project it into you instead because you have become a symbol for that. Also when you understand that, it makes that sort of bullshit a lot easier to deal with because it's not actually about you.

If it really does bother you that he's saying that stuff, hopefully you can ask him to be more respectful about it because even if he is right it still sucks to hear and doesn't contribute anything positive to your relationship, especially when it is a parent! Good luck :)

I don't mind them saying this much ^^. It just surprises me. But you are right they are being confronted with my choices. It is a bit annoying though when they keep saying "you will NEVER stop"...:p

They complain about my clothing all day long too (why do you always wear dresses). I shrug it off.

I think it's just a dig. They know that you are not mainstream so maybe they hope you'll stop getting tattooed or pierced if they use reverse psychology on you and call it trendy... I think my mom tried that too. Didn't work, I still like tattoos no matter what people who don't like them say!

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Haha good thought. Maybe it really is reverse psychology. My first facial piercing was a nostril piercing and my father kept saying how ugly it is. He said the same thing about my Goth clothing many many years ago. In a way my parents are more accepting now lol.

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I remember when I was a teenager and my parents insisted I was going through a "phase"...I probably have an embarassing notebook of tattoo doodles I was going to get once I was 18 (a whole lot of nautical stars and metalcore quotes, most likely). I don't get a lot of those comments anymore from anyone around me. I think people understand this is what I am, this is what I like, and it's been that way ever since I first learned what tattoos and piercings were and while my interests might continue to shift from those early plans, it's never going to completely go away.

I think sometimes people say someone is being trendy maybe because you're coming off as wishy-washy or indecisive. The more dedicated you seem to be, no matter what kind of tattoo style or modification you're into, I think the more people will realize how serious you are. Sometimes it takes a while for people to realize your commitment. And with parents, I think a lot of the time they HOPE it's a trend because they don't want you to go through with what you're planning. :rolleyes:

I think this whole thing of kids getting their first tattoo on their neck, or getting a hand tattoo when their arms are bare is part of a larger instant gratification trend. But that's still very much anti-mainstream in the sense that they're "job killers," these people (probably) won't be going on to become a lawyer and have 2.5 kids and a white picket fence. So I think there's trends within tattooing that aren't necessary the same trends found in society as a whole, your definition of a trend depends on which side you're looking from.

Oh haha...I have hand tattoos and mostly bare arms too. The planned arm projects will be bigger and I need to save up for it. So I started out with hands and wrist ;). And they were some of my favorite areas.

But I suppose my tattoos are not trendy enough for the trendsetters either. No exploiting birds or wrist tattoos reading "faith" :-)

My early tattoo plans definitely included a tribal at the lower back but when they became trendy I switched to something Asian. Then Asian became trendy so I decided to get only one kanji (part of my name, I'm part Japanese) and ignore the trends.

I think trends can inspire, as in give me new ideas but I definitely would not get something just for the trend.

I doubt I come across as unsure. I see myself as the opposite, but maybe my parents disagree hahaha...

Something my father said made me wonder about if tattoos (or piercings) are generally seen as trendy or the opposite by people around you?

My feeling was that having more than one is generally going against the mainstream. Most people still don't prefer to have tattoos or more obvious piercings (face), so I'd say it is not exactly trendy.

BUT, when I got a few more tattoos and another lip piercing recently (so 5 facial piercings), my father exclaimed that I'm just "following trends" and will regret it in a few years when it is out of fashion:confused:...

He said that to a 32 year old woman who has been committed to body modification since her teens, never retired a single piercing, keeps adding new ones and got her first tattoo 11 years ago. ( I should also mention I listen to Metal and Goth Music, dress weird, like occultism, I knit, I sew, do Medieval Reenactment...really not that much of a mainstream person. I really, really wonder why my parents feel that way.)

So how is everyone else generally perceived? Trendy or against the mainstream? And who tells you this.

What is your personal take? I can see how tattoos or piercings can be a trend but I think most really get it not caring about trends at all.

I have complied a list of celebrity tattoos and I must admit many of them are on Rihanna’s body. I hope everyone likes the list as I spent a lot of time on it. Just click this list to see my amazing collection.

I like Rihanna's Isis and Maori Tattoo...the one behind the ear is okay but I think everything else seems randomly placed and so much of the same...she could have added a few bigger tattoos or something colored somewhere. She should have the money to see the best artists.

But often to me it seems celebrities get low quality tattoos?

My son ( 3 1/2) likes my "pictures" but he is not fond of new plans at first because it is a change on his mommy. He likes them after though and asks me to get dinosaurs or other animals he likes ;).

He also likes my piercings and he is growing his hair long because he likes to headbang :D I have an awesome kid.

Lower back was by far worst, followed by wrist which was bearable.

Hands are hardly painful at all and I did not even feel a poke behind the ear. Really weird how different it can feel!

Suiren - my suggestion earlier was to go to a different artist to get NEW work then after the working relationship is established, and IF you still are wanting your hands fixed, ask him/her about possible remedies to your situation.

See: http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/2396-what-makes-good-tattoo-page7.html#post39485 , especially Tim Hendricks' response.

That is what I meant...I am looking for a new artist for the next project. No fixing old tattoos for now. :) But if I can dind someone decent in the area that would be best.

I have never been to Paz Tattoo just in case there was a misunderstanding.

Part of me wants to jump in and automatically say that i'd find a new artist (not to say that I wouldn't) but that area of the body can be pretty hard to get used to tattooing from my understanding. My wife has two hand tattoos. Line work wasn't difficult for the artist to get down, but getting the color to stick was. But based off the line work and such alone for these, I would probably start searching around for a new artist, myself. I like the ideas, though.

Thank you! I definitely will try to find someone else. The lines on my wrist aren't any better either...or maybe even the most scraggly.

I posted pictures of the fresh vs. the healed tattoos here. They did look a bit better when freshly done. Especially the eye.

http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/blogs/suiren/415-symboldictionary.html

And here they are "worn", from a distance they don't look too shabby (and with lotion and all ;)

http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/blogs/suiren/416-my-small-tattoos-fashion-photography.html

I also got a recommendation for a tattoo artist nearby in Wiesbaden for lines, lettering, waterolor, delicate stuff. I think his work isn't bad but I see it with the eyes of someone unexperienced. I may be overlooking problems:

Paztattoo Wiesbaden: Galerie Haut - Hautkunst

From Argentina, trained in Miami.

The bird really is unique! :D

@Suiren - i love your tree :) I think it settled nicely.

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Thank you!! I drew this tree also but I asked him to fix it up a bit which he did.

Are you kidding?!? I LOVE your french-fry bird!

I see about fixing them...I was under the impression it is recommended. I was told to come back to fill in gaps if necessary so I had a bit of color added to the runes. But I would not want the lines to get to bold or cause scarring so I will leave it for now. :)

Fala

True ist would be best to have a great artist do the fixing if I decide to get it done. I find the search quite tiring. So many here seem to do mediocre work and NO ONE has any finely lined work, geometric tattoos, watercolor or line work tattoos in their online portfolio...:confused:

Belgium is a bit higher up so it might be further from me here (Frankfurt) but I will have to see about the bus lines. :)

El twe, tornado6

They don't bother me too much. I guess my problem lies mostly with the wrist tattoo because the line has a few gaps and the bottom of the cross. The rest isn't too obvious. I drew the wrist tattoo myself because this alchemical formula does not exist as a tattoo stencil...or the triangle connected to it...so maybe it looks more handpoked because of it.

It really isn't too bad that these are not perfect, but for the things I have planned in the future I'd definitely want someone that does more consistent lines....no raised sections etc.

My first tattoo the Kanji and it was raised and scarred for many years. Can't get any worse than that ;)

Hmmm...I don't have a car but I would have to see how much a bus ticket to Amsterdam is.

I know big tattoos can be girly too and I dream of watercolor florals on my whole back ;) I just meant to say I started out with small "and" girly ones. I will see if I can find healed tattoos in an artists portfolio. It really is a big difference.

I wasn't squirming since the tattoos were surprisingly pain free but I agree that it makes sense that an artist needs to be very skilled for fine line tattoos. I just thought, judging from Zon's other work, he could do better lines. Learned something new.

Question: How would everyone recommend I get these touched up? Will tracing the lines carefully improve the look some? I was thinking once I find an artist that does great lines I could ask to have the lines fixed a little too.

See Sea / X com

I don't feel too bad about them. I'll be okay if some of the lines are fixed at bit as in filling a gap. Tattoos are something "handmade" ...so a perfectionist can always find a flaw. They do look a bit netyer from a distance. The runes were fixed once by Zon and they do look a bit better now.

But I think I won't go back for my next tattoos. My future plans include lettering and some delicate florals where the lines should not be inconsistent. To me it seems sometimes he tattoos very deeply, so much that the skin is raised for months, and on the same tattoo he will tattoo very lightly in some spots so color is lacking.

And yes, I have made bad experiences here with some artists and also German tattoo communities. It seems minimalistic, small girly and mainstream tattoos are frowned upon. Someone said it insults the artist even.

I will keep looking for artists in the area. I attached images of my other tattoos. The tree, sun and moon where also done by Zon (I went there twice but I feel the second time he messed up more).

The Kanji was my first tattoo done by Tattoos by Richie in Friedberg. It was horribly scarred, crooked and lots of color was missing so I got it redone in 2007 by the owner of Körperkult Tattoo in Bad Homburg. He is said to be one of the best and booked until a galf year from now or more...but I imagine it could have been done better?

Someone told me Kartell in Frankfurt does good tattoos. I got many piercings there so maybe I should pay them a visit and ask a few tattoo questions...might get a new piercing anyway.

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Forgot the pics