RockelMan

My predictions for the top 3 tattoos for 2011 are as follows:
1) Sea creatures.
2) Script on the ribs (mostly for girls)
3) Usage of the bellybutton for an animal anus.

I always get the same questions...
Q: Do they hurt?
A: Only when my mom sees them.
Q: Where is the worst place to get tattooed?
A: Prison
Q: Why would you go do and do that to yourself?
A: The same reason you wouldn't
thats just a few.....

Hey everyone, Now I am sure we have all had people come up to us and have some negative comment thrown at us about our tattoos. What have been some actual quick thinking comebacks you have used to sort of defend/make the idiot go away.
I'll start it off:
My wife and I were in a clothing store and this lady comes up to us and said "Look at that awful tattoo, I don't like to see that on a woman". My wife's zippy comeback was "Ya well I don't like to see a mustache and a beard on a woman either but there is nothing I can do about yours..." We laughed and she walked away all frown faced LOL

Just finished up about 30 minutes ago. Now enoying a nice cold pint of Perroni.

Probably the best reason/way to be broke!

That bear tattoo just makes me think, "Ms Rad by name, Ms Rad by nature", haha.
Here's a new one from me! This was done just yesterday, so my arm is pretty swollen. It's by Thomas Morgan, who is just finishing a guest spot in Inkslingers in Newcastle. I think he told me he'll be in Paris next, so if you live near there, I'd recommend getting some work from him!
Oh yeah, and I kind of thought this was obvious (I'm sure it will be to you guys), but since a couple of friends have asked me- the gypsy head isn't from yesterday- Ian Parkin did that, and it looks FAR better when my arm isn't at a funny angle :P
Anyway, here you go, sorry for the bad picture. I never did put that picture of my tattoo from Charlie on here, did I? If anyone wants to see it, I'll gladly put that up too :)

Ok this is part of my leg after two days with Shige. Got two sessions in November for the next stage,colour!

Chris Smith, Deluxe Tattoo in Chicago. The ship itself was done last year, just finished the background and flowers this time around ... Last Thursday.

While I was at Frith Street my beautiful squeeze had her second session. A really stunning Day of the Dead Girl, tattooed by Stewart Robson.

I really enjoyed the last 2 sessions on my arm, so I'm definitely feeling that "must continue!" urge. The pain, I always dread. But the conversation (the "zen" thing is not my style) and the overall... experience? That, I really look forward to. So much that now I don't want it to ever be finished.
The idea of getting a small piece in the weeks between sittings has crossed my mind a few times... thank goodness for money, limiter of all impulse decisions.

it's rough waiting for that next session but once I"m finished with a multi session piece I wish it weren't done already!

I have many unplanned tattoos due to sometimes just hanging out at a shop and/or swinging by to say hello with a few hours to kill and before I know it I'm getting tattooed. Way different from how I thought getting tattooed was supposed to be when I started. I thought you had to plan it out and it had to mean something but soon learned this was societies myth. At some point I just realized/learned the random tattoo is often times the most meaningful and fun.
For instance, getting out of class early now on Saturday so going down to the SF tattoo convention to say hi to some friends and introduce myself to some LSTers that I haven't met...no appointments like I wanted to do but didn't think I was going to make it due to school so just an idea of people I'd like to get tattooed by and if they have the time I'm going to let them have at it...........try to collect a bunch of small tattoos....

I would say that it is only within the last year that I have finally found myself, at the age of 38, in a job that I feel is the career I want to pursue. I don't think it is a coincidence that my desire to get full sleeve work is in response to that. I feel like I am old enough, ugly enough, and focussed enough to know that tattoos which will be occasionally visible to colleagues and 'customers' will lead people to make judgements but ultimately will not hurt my career. Much.
Fascinating thread.

How awesome is this:

I wear lightweight western shirts in the summer. They are keep me cool and keep the sun of off my tattoos. Since the shirts are so lightweight some sun still comes through them, but a little sunscreen underneath and you are good to go.

That is one good thing about working in a bar. When someone comes in and has tattoos in a visible place I'll polity look at them while they talk to other people or watch tv... Sometimes start talking to them about tattoos, asking who did them and what not. If its a slow day Ill take a few tattoo magazines or books that I have back behind the bar and bull shit for a little bit. But most of the time I'll just look unless they seem like they are cool with talking with strangers.

Im proud to be young and grumpy.

He's all "well shit, I know I left my cock somewhere ... "

I wonder what that kid with strength on his chest can bench, BRAH?

HAHAHA I could not stop laughing at all the pics on that link. I don't think that trend has really hit full force here, and I hope that it stays that way lol. Then again I try to stay out of the downtown as much as possible. I like the serenity of the country.

That kid probably never even touched a cassette tape.

Spent the day at the Nature Center in Austin-last time I went was on a field trip w/ my son years ago. They had completely re-worked it and it had tons of new exhibits for kids (we had my two younger daughters with us). My favorite part is the raptor rescue area with owls, falcons, and hawks-birds of prey fascinate me.

Have a good one!!

I find myself staring at my blank forearms more and more every day. I already have plans for my upper legs, back, and ribs, but once those are filled, those forearms are going to stick out to me even more. Hopefully by then, I'll be self-sufficient/employed; my skin has become a calendar marking down my days to freedom = )