pidjones

Mine usually lasts only 1 or 2 days, is quelled by a mild slap, and is never as bad as poison ivy or insect sting itch.

That would be so cool! Sailors have historically had tattoos that depicted their travels and ships. My first was my dolphins.

Took that long to build the obsession, I guess. Not sure. Started with an image of my submarine dolphins and patrol pin (earned in the 70s), and grew from there. I'm not going for coverage, just ones that I feel indicate the marks that I already have on the inside. So I'm not a collector, but still enjoy other's collections. Let us know a state or city, and the folks here can recomend some artists. Southern US is kinda broad.

I can like with my older version of Tapatalk, but they apparently don't register on the server and if I go back to the page they are gone. I strongly dislike the newer versions of Tapatalk on the tablet. Ok on the phone, but awful on the tablet.

Trusting people is not a fault. Neither is not having a tattoo. I didn't have any until after age 62. Research on here will help, but so will research on who to trust, not with your money - but with putting permanent art in your skin. Enjoy and study. BTW, you should be able to easily find your state's symbols on the interweb. http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/categories/insect

Watching the company I work for dismantled piece by piece by the BIG company that bought us out when we were a small ~900 person (mom and pop) organization KILLING the competition. They brought in managers with the mindset that we produce appliances instead of unique devices. A good friend's last day is Tuesday. So many have left or been laid off. I just hope I have two more years so that I can retire and not be laid off... Who am I kidding?

I think many people sell their parents short. If you love them, then trust that they will still love you wearing your art. BTW, where did conservative Christian become associated with dislike for tattoos? Too many folks looking for enemies instead of allies.

Everyone spends and lives at their own desired pace. I go to a college basketball game maybe once every five years, I rarely see a theater movie and it has been decades since I've bought concert tickets. I don't have an expensive car, and have over 98k miles on my '06 motorcycle (admittedly a fairly expensive one). All of my computers still run XP because they can't handle anything newer. Our house was paid off in the '90s and our kids are grown. I don't have any expensive hobbies and we have not traveled extensively except for work and missions. We are two years from retirement. Yes, I consider my tattoos a luxury, but they bring me pleasure both getting and having them. Something that will not fail as fast as the rest of me at this stage in life!

For my last tattoo (only ~ 4 hours) I suffered bad cramps in BOTH feet and calves at the same time. Proper hydration had been attended to, but I was a bit tired that evening after a full day at work. I was in agony and afraid I would move my arm that she was working on. I asked for a quick break when she got to a good spot for it, and she needed hand and back relief at the same time. I walked the cramps off quickly and they mercifully stayed away. They did NOT help in taking the pain away from that soft flesh inside of my upper arm, however! The next time, I will drink tonic water a few hours before my session, which always seems to help the cramps.

So sorry about her health, but happy to hear of the planned wedding. Lots of time, and there will be plenty of artists around always. In addition, it will give her more time to study and plan the perfect cover-up.

OK, you really must buy yourself a good USB web cam so that you can admire your art. And from what I've seen of it, your linework is impeccable!

This is why I wear a long-sleeve tee shirt the first night. I stand in the shower and soak it free the next morning, remove it, finish the shower and apply my artist's aftercare. Has worked well for me. I normally sleep in the buff, so I really look forward to getting that plasma stage over!

Welcome! I imagine you may have some aversion to posting your work, as other "artists" don't seem to share these ethics. However if you don't mind - We love pictures!

Welcome! Stick around. Read. Learn. Take your time, the tattoo will be there a long time.

Welcome! Not to pry, and it may be very personal, but could you share a) why you left tattooing, and b) why you are getting back into it? BTW, the drawing look good!

Welcome from neighboring East TN!

You too? I learned to walk around with a rag wiping my tools off like I had just finished a big job. They called me Nate the Skate.

Love 'em both! Mix of styles looks great.

That's pretty great, @AuntTrudie! Looking forward to seeing how you finish it.

You want to see a forum with people run off? Try thetattooforum. Seems to be set up just so about a dozen regulars can berate new folks and run them off. Only a few survive that are not in their click. I've deleted links to them in my browsers. Folks on LST are generally gentle with new folks, but if they don't read the rules and jump right in breaking them and dissing the forum... BTW, what course gives someone a license to open their own shop?

Approval, or grudging permission? Mine lets me get them but doesn't really like them yet. Except for my dolphins and patrol pin.

Chris seems the most talented, but I prefer the ones that just try to make great tattoos.

Not a fan of the three dots.

Gotta say that last night's episode kind of got me. I had a very loving Down's Syndrome cousin, and they did the flash challenge with better taste than I thought they were capable of. They even toned down the couch crap afterward (a little).

To the OP: It's been about 6 months now - has anything been done? Decisions made? Awesome art to share?