sophistre

Peeling full back/upper legs tattoo + norovirus = most uncomfortable, sore, itchy bed rest ever.

There comes a point when you're sick when you have to acknowledge that, even though you have a tattoo in the final stages of peeling...you really need to take a hot bath. A few hot baths. Multiple hot baths, so that you don't die of body aches.

I regret nothing.

(And the tattoo seems fine.)

-I'm sorry there's friction in your life with your family over something you love. It's interesting...there seems to be a very visceral reaction in some parents with regard to the physical bodies of their children, and it has seemed to me at times that it can't always be explained by generational differences. My mother is just about as supportive as any parent can be of their child's tendency to explore fringe cultures; as long as I'm not hurting myself or anyone else, she's pretty much fine with whatever. And though she's always positive with the things she says about my tattoos, a few things she has said have led me to wonder if she didn't have some kind of emotional investment in my personal appearance re: inherited characteristics, or something. I remember telling her early on that my tattooer told me I have good skin for tattooing, and she made some offhand comment about how she hopes I appreciate that she gave it to me, which struck me as weird at the time -- obviously I am grateful that she gave me my skin! Haha. And grateful for everything else she's given me, too.

Maybe some parents can sense that the act of tattooing can be a radical act of self-ideation on the part of their children, and they feel weirded out and threatened by it, as though we're setting out to become different people all of a sudden, and they're afraid of losing the one they've spent so long loving. I don't know. I don't have kids and I can't really say. (In addition to all of the other reasons that parents can object, obviously.)

Thanks for the kind words! My brother is a more than a piece of work @oboogie. Our families never make it easy on us when they don't approve of the choices we make. You can choose your friends but not your family, right? My brother can pound dirt. My mom, I'll love to the end of her days regardless of her perspective. I would assert that having tattoo's have made me more empathic, kind and tolerant. Lessons a lot of people could use. I can't control them but I can control me.  

Tell her that you love her and hug her when you can. Oh, and maybe not post any more photos. :)
Side note: None of my family approves of my ink. When my brother gets mad at me he calls me a "tattooed white trash whore". I, too, have multiple degrees and a great job. My strategy is to kill them with kindness. You most likely can't/won't change her mind but don't let that impact you being an awesome, loving daughter.

My parents don't like my tattoos, either, and my Mom (whom I love and adore completely) actually called me the other day after perusing my Instagram and seeing one of my new tattoos. I'm older than you are, @Morrigan, have multiple degrees, have a great job, and she was still critical of my tattoos and "disappointed" I'd gotten another one. I've lost count of how many I have, and I keep thinking she'll get used to the idea —apparently not. Just try not to worry and keep doing your own thing. She'll get over it (or at least get used to it).

@Morrigan its all good - only your mother has any control over her emotional state and perspectives - I'm 45 and my father doesnt like my tattoos - though he wont say as much to me - you gotta live your life and do what works for you - partly i think there is a generational issue at play - if it was me - i'd be straight forward - 'mom i love you and you dont have to love my tattoos but your frustrations with what i do with body wont have any influence on what i will continue to do with my body' - end of story

I think for most people this won't look like much has been done, but oh well! All of the black/shading, with the exception of some clouds we're going to add, is now done. All of the lining, too. We had to line two more dragon feet and I thought I was going to die. If I never see another liner that size again, it'll be too soon! So now we get to start color after this, and I can't wait. 

Greg Whitehead and all that.
 

My 3 latest...
 

went to Seattle and got crabs
by Jake Whitson @ Liberty Tattoo Seattle
my lady also got a really nice wrist tattoo from Jake. She  liked it so much we went back into downtown on Friday nite and she got a midnite walk-in to get something matching on the opposite wrist. one of the coolest tattoo shops I've been in and really nice folks, great hospitality. can't wait to go back Seattle was an awesome city.

I think for most people this won't look like much has been done, but oh well! All of the black/shading, with the exception of some clouds we're going to add, is now done. All of the lining, too. We had to line two more dragon feet and I thought I was going to die. If I never see another liner that size again, it'll be too soon! So now we get to start color after this, and I can't wait. 

Greg Whitehead and all that.
 

I think for most people this won't look like much has been done, but oh well! All of the black/shading, with the exception of some clouds we're going to add, is now done. All of the lining, too. We had to line two more dragon feet and I thought I was going to die. If I never see another liner that size again, it'll be too soon! So now we get to start color after this, and I can't wait. 

Greg Whitehead and all that.
 

I think for most people this won't look like much has been done, but oh well! All of the black/shading, with the exception of some clouds we're going to add, is now done. All of the lining, too. We had to line two more dragon feet and I thought I was going to die. If I never see another liner that size again, it'll be too soon! So now we get to start color after this, and I can't wait. 

Greg Whitehead and all that.
 

I think for most people this won't look like much has been done, but oh well! All of the black/shading, with the exception of some clouds we're going to add, is now done. All of the lining, too. We had to line two more dragon feet and I thought I was going to die. If I never see another liner that size again, it'll be too soon! So now we get to start color after this, and I can't wait. 

Greg Whitehead and all that.
 

@sophistre that's a bunch of lines!!! can' wait to see the progress! YGG!

I think for most people this won't look like much has been done, but oh well! All of the black/shading, with the exception of some clouds we're going to add, is now done. All of the lining, too. We had to line two more dragon feet and I thought I was going to die. If I never see another liner that size again, it'll be too soon! So now we get to start color after this, and I can't wait. 

Greg Whitehead and all that.
 

I think for most people this won't look like much has been done, but oh well! All of the black/shading, with the exception of some clouds we're going to add, is now done. All of the lining, too. We had to line two more dragon feet and I thought I was going to die. If I never see another liner that size again, it'll be too soon! So now we get to start color after this, and I can't wait. 

Greg Whitehead and all that.
 

This usually shows up for me with strangers asking where I get tattooed, and saying 'your tattoos are really different!' But since they're not very different from other good tattoos, I can only assume this means that most of what they see is not good.

I think for most people this won't look like much has been done, but oh well! All of the black/shading, with the exception of some clouds we're going to add, is now done. All of the lining, too. We had to line two more dragon feet and I thought I was going to die. If I never see another liner that size again, it'll be too soon! So now we get to start color after this, and I can't wait. 

Greg Whitehead and all that.
 

I think for most people this won't look like much has been done, but oh well! All of the black/shading, with the exception of some clouds we're going to add, is now done. All of the lining, too. We had to line two more dragon feet and I thought I was going to die. If I never see another liner that size again, it'll be too soon! So now we get to start color after this, and I can't wait. 

Greg Whitehead and all that.
 

I think for most people this won't look like much has been done, but oh well! All of the black/shading, with the exception of some clouds we're going to add, is now done. All of the lining, too. We had to line two more dragon feet and I thought I was going to die. If I never see another liner that size again, it'll be too soon! So now we get to start color after this, and I can't wait. 

Greg Whitehead and all that.
 

I think for most people this won't look like much has been done, but oh well! All of the black/shading, with the exception of some clouds we're going to add, is now done. All of the lining, too. We had to line two more dragon feet and I thought I was going to die. If I never see another liner that size again, it'll be too soon! So now we get to start color after this, and I can't wait. 

Greg Whitehead and all that.
 

I think for most people this won't look like much has been done, but oh well! All of the black/shading, with the exception of some clouds we're going to add, is now done. All of the lining, too. We had to line two more dragon feet and I thought I was going to die. If I never see another liner that size again, it'll be too soon! So now we get to start color after this, and I can't wait. 

Greg Whitehead and all that.
 

@sophistre totally crushing it.
Friday I went up to King's Ave and finished my tiger/rose morph on my knee. Right now it's impossible to get a good picture of, but I'll try to get one up soon.
Also, when I was up in May, Grez showed me a ton of originals he has. He showed me this sheet of roses that Malone did for him, and he seemed bummed that he'd never done anything off of it. So I told him if we had time after he finished my knee, he could gladly give me one. So after he wrapped me up, he popped a quick little rose into a gap between the top of my sleeve and the swallow on my chest. Fits perfectly, and he seemed thrilled to do it. It's a tiny little tattoo, but I'm really thrilled with it. I may not post that publicly, but if anyone wants to see either of them, hit me up on IG (@andrew.f.white).

@sophistre You're making great progress on it!  It seems like it's coming together super fast!  The sessions might suck, but it's all worth it.

I think for most people this won't look like much has been done, but oh well! All of the black/shading, with the exception of some clouds we're going to add, is now done. All of the lining, too. We had to line two more dragon feet and I thought I was going to die. If I never see another liner that size again, it'll be too soon! So now we get to start color after this, and I can't wait. 

Greg Whitehead and all that.