IAmMattLewis

Head Shot of my Panther by Chris Garver , Invisible NYC.
Adding Roses next session!

There was a thread about "dotwork" a while ago and I got fairly involved and possibly upset a few people. Check it out, I think I already answered the question posed by your thread title.
Also, the word "fad" is inherently insulting in modern usage - but you knew that already.
While researching tattoos, tattooing, tattoo styles, tattoo history and tattooers is interesting and probably fun. It's still kinda like researching swimming. Most of it's value comes from being involved, taking part, doing it, getting it done and having it be part of your life.
Then again... On a long enough time scale, ALL tattooing since Ed Hardy opened the first appointment-only studio is a fad. Sailors going to war, getting tattooed in Honolulu was a fad. High-Society Europeans shipping esteemed Japanese irezumi artists over to tattoo dragons on them in the 1800's was a fad. Internet forums will be seen to be a fad. Finally, tattoo customers stressing about being period-correct like vintage clothing aficionados will be seen to be a fad of the early 21st century.

I was sitting in my lawyer's office earlier in the week (deposition for my car accident case) and we were talking about people we both knew from my town (mostly drug dealers and shady lawyers...) and we got around to kids today, how hard it is for them to find jobs even with 4-year degrees.
Then he mentions how they are into drugs and getting inked. I was going to pull up my shirt cuff, but let it go. Other lawyers there have seen my ink, but this was my first meeting with the big kahuna. After a tough few hours, it was the highlight of my day.
Rob

I like the way you think!

After stuffing our faces at Taqueria Poblano. I think LST get togethers are necessary.

First, apologies to @IAmMattLewis for the thread hijack!
For three years, I lived in Old Town Alexandria, but at the north end, close to Del Ray. Both are great little neighborhoods. I just moved into the district proper over the summer. If you're ever back in town and want to check in on Del Ray, let me know! Maybe some Dairy Godmother action? Though I guess it's getting too cold for ice cream, huh? Whomp whomp...

Ah, when I worked in DC, I walked to the Smithsonian (mostly the Hirschhorn) almost daily on my lunch breaks. I miss being that close to good stuff.

Nice! The Portrait Gallery is my favorite Smithsonian.
Definitely show that panther head, too! Hope you had a good experience and I'm sure it looks awesome!

Looks like you're in luck! ;)

Hi everyone, my name is Matt. 23 years old, from central Florida. Love my cat, baseball, and of course, good tattoos. Found out about the site a few months ago when I found the interviews on YouTube, and I've finally decided to make an account. I love all the great tattoos everyone posts and learning everything I can from you guys. I've attached pics of my tattoos so far. My cat (healed), done by Chris Buckholts in Ft. Myers, and a mockingbird (fresh), done about 2 weeks ago, by David Bruehl in Tampa. I'll be visiting DC this weekend, and am hoping to get something from Nikki Lugo! Should be cool! Thanks for having me :]

@suburbanxcore So sick!

Hi everyone, my name is Matt. 23 years old, from central Florida. Love my cat, baseball, and of course, good tattoos. Found out about the site a few months ago when I found the interviews on YouTube, and I've finally decided to make an account. I love all the great tattoos everyone posts and learning everything I can from you guys. I've attached pics of my tattoos so far. My cat (healed), done by Chris Buckholts in Ft. Myers, and a mockingbird (fresh), done about 2 weeks ago, by David Bruehl in Tampa. I'll be visiting DC this weekend, and am hoping to get something from Nikki Lugo! Should be cool! Thanks for having me :]

Hell yeah man, can't really go wrong either way. David is a super laid back dude, and obviously a great tattooer. I'd love to get something from Mike Wilson at some point too. Good luck deciding!

Hi everyone, my name is Matt. 23 years old, from central Florida. Love my cat, baseball, and of course, good tattoos. Found out about the site a few months ago when I found the interviews on YouTube, and I've finally decided to make an account. I love all the great tattoos everyone posts and learning everything I can from you guys. I've attached pics of my tattoos so far. My cat (healed), done by Chris Buckholts in Ft. Myers, and a mockingbird (fresh), done about 2 weeks ago, by David Bruehl in Tampa. I'll be visiting DC this weekend, and am hoping to get something from Nikki Lugo! Should be cool! Thanks for having me :]

Welcome, and awesome tattoos.

Welcome dude. Our very own @Scott R was getting tattooed by David before he moved to Florida, love stuff like that. Nice tattoos!

Welcome Matt,that mockingbird is sweet.

Hey Matt, I just joined yesterday and I'm also in Orlando. My name's Dan and I'm a UCF student. I'm just about to set up an appointment for a (my first) tattoo once I finalize my decision on which artist, David Bruehl being one of the finalists. After I take care of that maybe we can geekily compare tattoos in person :p

I'll throw this one of my cats in the ring. Done by Grez at King's Avenue.

Nice tattoos! Thanks for sharing them and welcome to LST!

Hi everyone, my name is Matt. 23 years old, from central Florida. Love my cat, baseball, and of course, good tattoos. Found out about the site a few months ago when I found the interviews on YouTube, and I've finally decided to make an account. I love all the great tattoos everyone posts and learning everything I can from you guys. I've attached pics of my tattoos so far. My cat (healed), done by Chris Buckholts in Ft. Myers, and a mockingbird (fresh), done about 2 weeks ago, by David Bruehl in Tampa. I'll be visiting DC this weekend, and am hoping to get something from Nikki Lugo! Should be cool! Thanks for having me :]

Hi everyone, my name is Matt. 23 years old, from central Florida. Love my cat, baseball, and of course, good tattoos. Found out about the site a few months ago when I found the interviews on YouTube, and I've finally decided to make an account. I love all the great tattoos everyone posts and learning everything I can from you guys. I've attached pics of my tattoos so far. My cat (healed), done by Chris Buckholts in Ft. Myers, and a mockingbird (fresh), done about 2 weeks ago, by David Bruehl in Tampa. I'll be visiting DC this weekend, and am hoping to get something from Nikki Lugo! Should be cool! Thanks for having me :]

Hi everyone, my name is Matt. 23 years old, from central Florida. Love my cat, baseball, and of course, good tattoos. Found out about the site a few months ago when I found the interviews on YouTube, and I've finally decided to make an account. I love all the great tattoos everyone posts and learning everything I can from you guys. I've attached pics of my tattoos so far. My cat (healed), done by Chris Buckholts in Ft. Myers, and a mockingbird (fresh), done about 2 weeks ago, by David Bruehl in Tampa. I'll be visiting DC this weekend, and am hoping to get something from Nikki Lugo! Should be cool! Thanks for having me :]