SeeSea

I've been reading along and have both agreed and disagreed with various parts of everyone's posts. There are many good points made all around. But after reading this one, I've reached the point of diminishing returns on this thread.
Everyone has their own body image. It's been developed and grown and mangled and thrust upon them over time and circumstances. Body image is not something many people can completely control. Maybe guys handle it better than girls. IDK. Maybe guys don't see it as a big deal. Some do. Many girls do. But to tell someone else what level of importance their own body image should have is insensitive and uninformed, especially since it's not something that is completely under someone's control.
I could give some f'ed up examples of stuff that's happened to me that affect my body image in hard ways and I've worked on that over time. Some things will never go away. I'm now much less "sensitive" to certain things, especially things I now realize people say out of ignorance and not to be hurtful. Why do I "give a flying fuck" as you say, about what people think about my body? I wish I couldn't give a flying fuck, but the point is, it isn't completely under my control. I don't blame most people for being insensitive (unless they are just being a complete jackass) because I don't put out in public why I MIGHT be sensitive.
The point is, you don't *know* other people's stories. Someone's body image of themselves may mean nothing to you, but affects them in ways they may try very hard not to reveal. So don't challenge people on it.
$0.02.

@Lochli - if you put on enough lotion that you can "blot of the excess with a paper towel" then that's too much lotion and not enough rubbing it on.
I've had many little scabs - generally in places where skin folds or is near the belt line. You just need to take great care in not letting them get caught on clothing or cracking from extreme dryness. But sometimes no matter what you do, color can come out - I was pretty much anal about my healing but still had a couple small spots that needed a touch-up.
Oh, and welcome, @XileBlue!

So cute :-)
Mini Tattoo Machine
https://www.etsy.com/listing/221675690/mini-tattoo-machine-kids-handmade-tattoo


For the child curious about mommy or daddy's tattoos, or for the grown up that loves funny little accessories-the handmade wooden Mini Tattoo Machine! Handmade and hand painted by North Carolina based tattoo artist Emily Rose, she originally designed one for her own daughter to use. Seeing mommy tattooing at work had made the young child want to copy mom so this is what she came up with!
Here is the story and video on the woman who makes them:
Triad couple creates toy tattoo machine for children | myfox8.com
I found this product after I saw this Very Important Public Safety Announcement and started searching around:

Long before pinterest and instagram, we went to libraries, museums, flipped through art magazines. Hell I found a reference for my dragonfly tattoo from a magnet on my mom's fridge. I've found inspiration from old church stainglass, science/biology text book illustrations, art books from asian bookstores, logos, paintings, album covers, etc etc. Used bookstores are great. There is so much in this world that can inspire a new tattoo aside from other peoples tattoos.
We need to remember tattooers aren't mind readers.
I think you need to have a better understanding yourself as to what you want tattooed on you and define it for the tattooer...aside from the vagueness "i just want something beautiful". That conveys the message that you just want the tattoo for the sake of having a tattoo. What do you really want? Flowers? A skull? Hot Stuff riding a unicorn? A shunga demon? These can all be beautiful tattoos...it sounds like the tattooer you've chosen truly wants to personalize a tattoo for you. Which is great! There are other tattooers that will slap on whatever off the wall and do a great job, and that's fine to if that's what you're looking for.
You've got 6 months to really understand yourself what you want and figure out how to express, articulate and communicate that to your tattooer. Good luck!

Welcome!
If she doesn't want you to bring in pictures of other people's tattoos because she wants you to know she doesn't copy, then that's one thing. If she doesn't want you to bring in one to share elements that you like and what you don't, then that seems kind of stifling. What's the difference between showing a tattoo that has elements you like and showing a picture that has elements that you like?
I dunno.
IMO, if you have pictures of tattoos that illustrate some aspect of what you are looking for, then bring them and explain that. But you'd probably better bring in other references too.
The bit about not riffing or those who do aren't good artists is a little black and white. A lot of great flash is variations on a theme. Copying an obvious custom piece is a no-no.

Welcome!
If she doesn't want you to bring in pictures of other people's tattoos because she wants you to know she doesn't copy, then that's one thing. If she doesn't want you to bring in one to share elements that you like and what you don't, then that seems kind of stifling. What's the difference between showing a tattoo that has elements you like and showing a picture that has elements that you like?
I dunno.
IMO, if you have pictures of tattoos that illustrate some aspect of what you are looking for, then bring them and explain that. But you'd probably better bring in other references too.
The bit about not riffing or those who do aren't good artists is a little black and white. A lot of great flash is variations on a theme. Copying an obvious custom piece is a no-no.

So cute :-)
Mini Tattoo Machine
https://www.etsy.com/listing/221675690/mini-tattoo-machine-kids-handmade-tattoo


For the child curious about mommy or daddy's tattoos, or for the grown up that loves funny little accessories-the handmade wooden Mini Tattoo Machine! Handmade and hand painted by North Carolina based tattoo artist Emily Rose, she originally designed one for her own daughter to use. Seeing mommy tattooing at work had made the young child want to copy mom so this is what she came up with!
Here is the story and video on the woman who makes them:
Triad couple creates toy tattoo machine for children | myfox8.com
I found this product after I saw this Very Important Public Safety Announcement and started searching around:

Absolutely. My first thought was: who wouldn't love this? Shop minimum multiplied by 500 tattoos a day ...

Just a note, it's been good! I think when I go back for the next couple sessions, I will have to cover it and possibly skip that first class after, but w/just the outline, it was hardly a blip on my radar the next day, so class went well, no issues w/rubbing or being uncomfortable. When I had the other side done tho, I was really swollen and red/bruised, so if it is like that on this side w/the shading/color sessions, I'll have to either slow down or skip.

Got this done by Chad Koeplinger today!

Finished off my second rib panel today with Dave C. at PSC tattoo. I'll use the royal "we" and say that we knocked this out in three sessions starting in late September, about 8 hours total. I'm super stoked on it, the colour in the tiger really pops!
Dave is a great guy, and his work speaks for itself, seek him out.

Skull "brought to life".... Sooooo happy with this and my Michael. This is on the inside of my forearm. 3rd tattoo over/in the same spot is NOT fun (Esp. with some bad scars)!
From this:

To this:

Latest and greatest- Great guy out of Portland. Dunno if he wants name dropped or not, but Im sure you could figure it out if you wanted.
Almost tapped @7hrs, but a 15m break and 2 fantas later, I was back in action. Had another tattoo re-done on the inner forearm during this sitting. 8/9hrs total.

So cute :-)
Mini Tattoo Machine
https://www.etsy.com/listing/221675690/mini-tattoo-machine-kids-handmade-tattoo


For the child curious about mommy or daddy's tattoos, or for the grown up that loves funny little accessories-the handmade wooden Mini Tattoo Machine! Handmade and hand painted by North Carolina based tattoo artist Emily Rose, she originally designed one for her own daughter to use. Seeing mommy tattooing at work had made the young child want to copy mom so this is what she came up with!
Here is the story and video on the woman who makes them:
Triad couple creates toy tattoo machine for children | myfox8.com
I found this product after I saw this Very Important Public Safety Announcement and started searching around:

Cool @Piha, great to see it done! Wow - full back in 23 hours. I am retrospectively jealous! The Octo is great and I like how you can see part of the tentacle through the wind bar at the bottom. Sea life rules!

9 hours, 1 session later:
Went with the back of the arm for Michael. Ill post a re-worked skull soon as the bandage comes off, forgot a pic.

Last session all done at around 23 hours all up...stoked this is finished !

All tuxedos seem to be mischief-makers!

All tuxedos seem to be mischief-makers!

recent glamour shots of our hell raisers:
the shy one:

the mischief maker:

the turd burglar

Here's my family:

... I was so distracted following the design around and recognizing parts I'd seen before (yay little spider!) that I didn't even realize!

http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-after-care/4795-tegaderm-saniderm-tatuderm-healing-process.html

A couple of pics taken professionally at the London convention, my first professional pics taken, some girl just grabbed me and took me into a room and said strip off lol
Still got two days with Victor as he is not totally happy with my back piece, not sure what he wants to do.
Its for a magazine, cant remember if its skin deep or one of them.
Anyhow here are some stunning shots of my superb body!

decided to go with a japanese background for my tattoos, i liked the idea of a mix of tradtional americana with some nice clouds