tammy

So last week I had a bunch of meetings and one ran late. Since uncle @Lochlan was at the house already I asked if he could pick up our 2 boys from pre-school.
Then I called the school to give them a heads up that the random totally tattooed guy was not trying to kidnap my kids. I tell the supervisor who is very sweet but a little goofy that:
Uncle loch was going to pick up the boys. He is a handsome guy covered in tattoos.
She says no problem and Loch picks up the kids.
Today at drop-off one of the teachers came up to me and said:
Remember the day the boys got picked up by their uncle....the supervisor came in and told us to expect "a handsome guy in tap-shoes" and I was listening for tap shoes

How's it going, everyone?
I'm Josh, from just outside of San Jose. I'm not sure what makes a good introduction post, so this will have to do.
I got my first tattoo almost 3 months ago after 7 years of talk. I've always liked tattoos, but I never could quite figure out what it was that I liked about them. One of my good friends started his apprenticeship at a local shop and I think that helped refined my taste. After I got settled in at my new job I decided to commit to it. I get my fourth tattoo this weekend, and start my sleeve in two weeks!
It's awesome living in the Bay Area and being around so many great artists. I'm stoked to start my collection.
I'm also into stand-up comedy and cool clothes.
Cheers!

I'm late in posting this. Also it's long. Grab a cold beer and read at your leisure.
So was I the only one who attended the Shige Seminar at the SFO convention? If anyone else went I'd love to hear your thoughts. Especially if you went Sunday. I attended Saturday and what was supposed to run from 10:00-11:30, lasted till about 1:30. And only because Ed Hardy's lecture was supposed to take place in the same room at 1:00. I suspect it could have gone on for another hour. Shige was rushed at the end and had to skip over some explanations. Even then, it was both entertaining and educational.
For about 3 hours he discussed the practice he goes through developing each of his back pieces. Starting with a day long consult with his clients to make sure they get the tattoo they want and to make sure he and they are all on the same page. He explained 1 day may seem extreme for a consult, but given the size, the fact they will be together for long periods for the tattoo, and the tattoo will be a part of the Client forever, giving them a day for a consult was most responsible. In one of the back pieces he showed us, he explained the Client originally wanted one design motif but he convinced him to go another route. In that particular case it was a friend with a family, and who owned a nail salon. The Client was originally interested in a hell scene but Shige asked him if he really wanted that type of scene given his new family and his life making people feel more attractive. The Client realized then that something else was more appropriate and together they arrived at a design incorporating a Buddhist diety. I thought this was cool because it showed his commitment to his Clients and their happiness.
He also noted that each back piece is designed specifically for each individual's body. No design can truly be swapped out for another person because he designs in full scale, and for the bearer's shape. Rather than drawing a sketch and enlarging it, he'll draw life size designs. I thought this was an interesting approach and allowed him to fit as much detail as possible into a design. This explains a lot from what I've seen of his work where for example the arc of a sword scabbard perfectly follows the curve of someone's lats.
In regards to subjects, whether they be Buddhist entities, mythological/natural creatures, or scenes from specific stories, Shige explained he takes great care in making sure he gets the subject just right in portraying them accurately and accentuating certain elements as needed. One thing he mentioned was that it was his job to educate the Client about stories. The Woodblock, Noh, Kabuki scenes are not something most Japanese Clients know about. Most people in Japan are just as uneducated as non-Japanese in regards to this. As such he takes great pain to research as much as he can.
In the instance with deities, each hand carries a certain item. Which hand it is in and which item is very specific. This reminded me of Horitomo's lecture on Fudo Myo-o who said the same. If the items were lacking or in the wrong hand then the depiction of that deity would be off. It's all in the bearer if they truly care, some don't, but it's good to hear things about these deities most are not aware of to know they may be incorrect.
He also noted that most motifs based on a story is based on a true story with a historical figure and context. It was very important to know this and he went through the process of showing some back pieces and describing their stories and where in particular they took place in Japan and when. And also compared the time spans between each.
Now I've always been interested in mythology since I was a wee lad so bit by bit I've made an effort to learn about particular historical characters, many of whom figure into these stories to a certain degree so some of these stories were familiar to me, but I always relish the chance to hear more about them. Even so, Shige apologized many times to the group for making it feel like a history lesson, but also stressed how important it was to know it. Why so? One example he explained was when designing patterns on kimono or the colors used. One would not apply the print design of a geisha from say the 17th century to the print design on a princess's kimono from the 10th century. The pattern would be wrong for nobility and the time period would be off. subtle things. In the past the closest thing I've seen to this example was with regards to samurai style armor from the 1500-1600's being depicted in stories from about 1100. They were cool images, no big deal you think, right? Not really. I mean if you don't care about details like that it's all good, but in relatable terms it's like showing a Viking at the controls of a drone strike or a knight wearing chaps and a pair of six shooters at his side. It can be cool but it can also just as easily make someone scratch their head. All this, displayed the shear amount Shige goes through to give his all to a tattoo.
What was also nice was that while informing the group about the historical backdrop of particular stories, he also touched upon their relationship to other stories and how they interconnected. He also alluded to particular stories he felt would make interesting subjects for future large pieces. Taki who was translating, joked that he wasn't sure if Shige was hinting that he wanted some one to make a request for those stories. If it was, or you want to give it a try, I can fill you in on which stories those were. Ha ha!
Between all of this he also described how having no "master", outside of the constraints of certain story elements, he was allowed creative freedom to do what he wanted and not conform to rigid traditions. For example normally a back ends a certain distance on the ribs down the side but I believe it was his Taira No Tomomori back piece, that the subject wrapped around the Client's body to almost become a full body suit or in the case of another tradition mandated a Buddhist deity be depicted with 11 faces. In that particular case instead of tattooing all 11 he introduced some western notions having some hidden with the idea that as the faces wrapped around the deity you wouldnt be able to see some and he also allowed the Client's face to be the 11th. In addition that particular face was known to always wear a smile. So Shige told the wearer that he always has to smile now. I thought that was pretty clever and a nice inside joke between the two.
I'll end this now, but like Shige's lecture it could go on much much longer. Suffice it to say it was a very enjoyable time and what I came away with was a profound appreciation for one man's deep thought process he gives to each of his Client's tattoos. Often times, something Clients take for granted of their Tattooers. Thank you Shige and Taki for the seminar.
Also everyone who attended received a print of Fudo Myo-o and a digital copy of his book! Now I have all 3 versions. Hardcover, paperback, and digital!
Sidenote, every time I mentioned "Client", I was very tempted to swap it out for "Canvas". But that would be too cruel.

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oh the bay and the low ceiling, I just got home after my SFO was severely delayed taking bart to Oakland then flight to San Diego onto Phoenix finally home to okc.
I really enjoyed meeting the gang, @cvportagee and his wife were so nice and it was good to get to know them better. also cool to see BOSS @hogg @Reyeslv and his wife @Lance @ian @9Years and @beez
[

My appointment with Matt ran late, which is par for the course at conventions. It also allowed me to go to an impromptu LST dinner with @Reyeslv and his wife, @cvportagee and his wife, @ian, @Scott R and @Lance. Three Jill Bonny backs at one table!
When we got back, Matt was ready to roll. He drew on the eagle and banged it out in no time. It was fun; I had Thomas Hooper on one side of me and Steve Byrne on the other, while @Stewart Robson and @Valerie Vargas were right across from me. The eagle, by the way, came out great:


And @beez, your back looks great! You were handling it like a champ.
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And @MoistTowelette, don't make us beg!

I like all of y'all. When I joined up here, I had no idea what to expect. It's weird, from here and Instagram, I've been able to see into the lives of people I have never met, but I honestly think the world of.

@steve1461686340 @gougetheeyes
Thunder Dome !
"two men enter one man leaves"

In the vast ocean of shit online, I think it's safe to say that Last Sparrow is one of, if not the friendliest place on the internet. At least from what I've encountered. The level of civility here is second to none, and our strong community is build up by members who are truly passionate about keeping LST what it was meant to be from launch. A friendly place for enthusiasts to talk about, share, educate and promote good tattoos. Our community is in fact so strong that the site in most cases moderate itself before any of us has to step in. We're all pretty much on the same page here, and that's rare by internet standards. Sentimental shit aside, I think I'm just trying to say that having this place online to hang out with likeminded people is a reward within itself.
I will however say that @steve1461686340 is much more deserving of this than I am. He has kept this site running and improving since the beginning, but since he's kind of a "behind the curtains guy" he rarely gets any credit for it. The hours he's put into building this awesome place deserves to be recognized, so if it's cool with you @ironchef I'd like him to receive the print you're giving away instead of me. Donations to Last Sparrow is also a really nice way to give something back. That way Steve won't have to dig into his own pockets when the server needs replacing or the domain bill shows up in his mailbox.
Thanks for being a part of our community @ironchef! It's contributions from members like yourself that makes this site great!

@ironchef, Dude, that's so nice of you! Totally unnecessary, but also appreciated. I think I speak for all the mods when I say that banning fools is payment enough for us.
PM coming shortly. :)

It hasn't even been a year yet for me here on LST and low and behold I'm being nostalgic and waxing poetic already, hahaha. Needless to say it has been an amazing experience getting tattooed and sharing with kindred spirits here on LST and Instagram. All of this would not be possible if it not for some really awesome people here on LST. So without further delay, here's my way of giving back to LST and paying it forward.
Some of you may know that a couple of months back I won a contest on Instagram via the killer staff at Tattoo Culture Magazine and Tattoo Artist Magazine. Received three fantastic prints from three stellar artists. I was super stoked when I got them but then realized with the limited space I have in my place (small NYC apartment and my lady just moved in with me too!) that I would not be able to enjoy these as much as someone else. I want these to go to someone who truly appreciates tattoos and are amazingly cool people.
@hogg @slayer9019 @gougetheeyes @Iwar As mods, you have made everyone on LST feel so welcomed and it is a thankless job that all of you have for making LST such a cool spot to chill and share our experiences. I want to send each of you a print of my choice (yes I won three, but I have a fourth sitting around). A small token to say "thank you". Please PM me your shipping info (promise this isn't a scam, hahaha).
@slayer9019 and @gougetheeyes since you two are local to NYC, happy to meet up and pass you the print. Cheers to the LST crew!

arriving in SF on the 19th of september around noon. immediately renting a car and driving to spider murphys to get tattooed. no plans all that night, the next day we're driving back from SF to san rafael to get tattooed again at lucky drive and then no plans again after that. 21st we'll be there all day with nothing to do and then we leave the next day around noon.

I'm in for the SF meet up if it goes down.
@chrisnoluck mentioned that he was going to be in SF starting on the 19th as well.

My one year anniversary of being an active LST member is also soon. I've learned a lot by reading through the threads and watching all the interviews. Most importantly LST gave me the nudge (peer pressure) I needed to go out and fearlessly make appointments for large scale work. LST has also helped me be unproductive at work for at least 1 hour per day....

Congrats!! This place is really really cool. I hope it continues to blaze in its full glory for a long time to come!

I think I've been on here a little over a year as well and it's really changed my life for the better, too. Now I know what good tattoos look like and who's who in the industry. I don't think I would ever have gotten tattooed by Scott if it wasn't for this forum.
And it's been a damn pleasure to browse through here every day. I can't believe there is a space on the Internet that I check every day besides Facebook. You all rock.

So, the 18th marked my one year of membership here... I feel like I have changed quite a bit in that time. Definitely had my mind changed about alot of thing, educated on alot of things... I went from one tattoo to 4 (You are all terrible enablers), and generally just enjoy myself and the friends I have made on here.
So thanks. You're awesome. I appreciate getting better tattoos.

I would never play this game. I think that would be awful to get a tattoo of someone or something that you did not want. A tattoo is suppose to be special to you I think, and that would not be special to me.

I refuse to believe that this is a real person.

We always think of it too late, but what about an LST get together...meet in the lobby bar, dinner or whatever...

we can def. organize something!

Me too... met a few Lst'ers last year. Would enjoy kicking back with a few cool ones with some cold ones!!!!

I'm down to meet up. I was too shy last year.

My wife and I are attending again this year. We can't wait. A meetup would be fun. Put some more faces to names.

So last week I had a bunch of meetings and one ran late. Since uncle @Lochlan was at the house already I asked if he could pick up our 2 boys from pre-school.
Then I called the school to give them a heads up that the random totally tattooed guy was not trying to kidnap my kids. I tell the supervisor who is very sweet but a little goofy that:
Uncle loch was going to pick up the boys. He is a handsome guy covered in tattoos.
She says no problem and Loch picks up the kids.
Today at drop-off one of the teachers came up to me and said:
Remember the day the boys got picked up by their uncle....the supervisor came in and told us to expect "a handsome guy in tap-shoes" and I was listening for tap shoes

Pretty sure this thread already exists... let me see what i can find
Worst tattoos - http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/worst-tattoo-ever/4-worst-tattoo-youve-witnessed.html
Stupid tattoos - http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/worst-tattoo-ever/809-new-level-tattoo-stupidity.html
Funny tattoos-- http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-101/36-funniest-tattoo-you-have.html
walk in horror - http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/war-stories/59-walk-horror-stories.html
dumb hipster tattoos - http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/worst-tattoo-ever/1420-dumb-hipster-tattoos.html
ahh yes here's the one i was a-searchin' fo' - Weirdest tattoo you've done -- http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/war-stories/1797-weirdest-tattoo-youve-done.html