scubaron

Ok, I get what you're saying - we're cool. "Bad" in terms of construction/design is also bad, but in another sense of the word. It's unfortunate to see something very well done, but not readable. I was watching (I think) Tattoo Nightmares last night (I know, I think it's fun...) and there was a coverup that in my "less enlightened days," would have loved. It was this funky old player-type piano in the desert with clouds and mountains in the background. But when they showed a finished shot from about 10 feet away, it was unreadable. Poorly placed, not enough black, etc. Sad thing is, it was the ARTIST who designed it without dictation from the client (who just wanted a piano in the desert with mountains). Even if the client had dictated more of the design, it was still up to the tattooer to try and make it work, but this tattooer, when given a nearly blank canvas in terms of guidelines, did something that wasn't a solid tattoo. That's a bummer. (But the client loved it, is it was a coverup for a horrible experience of involuntary tattooing.)
Anyway, I digress - we're on the same page. Up close I really liked it, but it wasn't a good tattoo.

I understand and, in the global sense, agree with what @Graeme wrote, but I don't agree with the notion that there is an "undeniable correlation between 'meaningful' and just plain bad" and that going for personal is a "recipe for terrible tattoos." Maybe I'm misreading your comment, but those knives or Matisse painting may be amazingly designed and executed. Now, if the "recipe" is that the tattoos are done in the chef's kitchen, then you're on to something. But meaningful and original IMHO doesn't imply a terrible tattoo.
@Graeme made the point that just because two people are into tattoos, he's not going to chat it up with someone who doesn't share his aesthetic. I'm into music and listen to a lot of classic rock and "kids these days" just can't appreciate the amazing talent of bands and composers in the 60's/70's, and I'm not going to chat it up with someone digging hip hop on the beach next to me. Not my thing, but I've listened to some that I really enjoy. I'm not going to slam the entire genre as crap.
Anyway, my $0.02.

Not sure whose they are - but they're awesome.
Artist = Jeff Ensminger

Latest session. 18 hours in now, the end is in sight! Thanks to Stewart Robson and FST.

This in my Pappy Grizzle Nuts, sunbathing in the yard...

I have a big nasty keloid scar on my shoulder from surgery. It's an old scar, but still big, ugly and raised.
You can still see it, but it's totally covered by the sharks tail. I did make the artist shift the tail to fully cover the scar, so the tattoo does look a little off. This picture is immediately after getting the tattoo. The scar is a little less raised now. I'm happy with it.

THIS!
I'm loving your in-progress pics, and the balance between the octopus on one arm and the whale shark on the other. I love that, actually.
I don't know! LOL. I'm coming up on half coverage, but most of the really detailed stuff is done. I think. He says it will go more quickly as he fills in blue, but more than half of the coral is still only outline. There's still a crab missing near my butt. (No editorials on that one, my friends.) And he tells me there will be a session(s?) to pack in more color, and then he has to do all the shadows and highlights. So, I don't even ask. But I'm guessing it's probably half way. Please.

Ok, sorry to buzz kill this thread.
Now back to your regularly scheduled program ...
So, I'm gearing up for another session next Friday and trying to get my head in the game. Psychologically, this every 2-3 week sit-as-long-as-you-can business is wearing on me. I'm healing a couple jellyfish now, and I'm not sure at ALL what we'll be working on! Possibly start filling in the water. He showed me a huge needle he's going to use that has like a thousand points on it for shading @_@ ::newbie eyes spinning:: Double the size, double the "pleasure"?

Hobby. Diving pretty much dominates our vacation planning.

1st session of shading and pattern. Red areas will turn grey. 2nd session in 3 weeks, more pattern and shading.

1st session of shading and pattern. Red areas will turn grey. 2nd session in 3 weeks, more pattern and shading.

1st session of shading and pattern. Red areas will turn grey. 2nd session in 3 weeks, more pattern and shading.

1st session of shading and pattern. Red areas will turn grey. 2nd session in 3 weeks, more pattern and shading.

1st session of shading and pattern. Red areas will turn grey. 2nd session in 3 weeks, more pattern and shading.

1st session of shading and pattern. Red areas will turn grey. 2nd session in 3 weeks, more pattern and shading.

Update picture of my Dan Trocchio scuba skull, natural lighting.
Just took off the tegaderm after 5 days.

One ambulance made last week by Fabien Lejeune (Rapid needle movement) at Longwy (France).
This is the first tattoo of my left leg (area under the knee level only) where I intend to make 5-6 tattoo, all in relation with music songs or video clips from UK band named "TheProdigy".
The ambulance is referring to "Take me to the hospital". I intend to also tattoo the song name beside.
I choose an US model of ambulance because your vehicule are really rock !!!! No comparison with our belgian ambulance which has "no style"

Instagram
took a while and missing some circus kewpies aswell because my girlfriend is so bad at taking photos

I am new to tattoos. I always thought they were cool, but had trouble getting past the issue of permanency.
The funny thing about scars is, they are permanent. Finally realized, a nice cool permanent tattoo is a lot better than an ugly permanent scar.

I am new to tattoos. I always thought they were cool, but had trouble getting past the issue of permanency.
The funny thing about scars is, they are permanent. Finally realized, a nice cool permanent tattoo is a lot better than an ugly permanent scar.

Update picture of my Dan Trocchio scuba skull, natural lighting.
Just took off the tegaderm after 5 days.

I have a big nasty keloid scar on my shoulder from surgery. It's an old scar, but still big, ugly and raised.
You can still see it, but it's totally covered by the sharks tail. I did make the artist shift the tail to fully cover the scar, so the tattoo does look a little off. This picture is immediately after getting the tattoo. The scar is a little less raised now. I'm happy with it.

By "take responsibility" I mean "be mindful" or something to that effect. Like, don't get a potentially controversial tattoo (yes, I know that all tattoos are controversial to some people) if you're not ready to deal with the fallout. I'm not, so I won't. Some people are, so they can.
"Too bad if people are offended" sounds good in theory, but it's really hard in practice.
Just trying not to be a douchebag/stupid.

I have a big nasty keloid scar on my shoulder from surgery. It's an old scar, but still big, ugly and raised.
You can still see it, but it's totally covered by the sharks tail. I did make the artist shift the tail to fully cover the scar, so the tattoo does look a little off. This picture is immediately after getting the tattoo. The scar is a little less raised now. I'm happy with it.

Octopus by Yoni Zilber. Outline done, black & grey pattern and shading starting on Monday.