Official tattoo thread vol i

[DJ Manyak]

Post anything tattoo related in here. Feel free to pm or post referrals; I'll edit them here.

If you're getting a tribal, I really really reccomend Humble Begginings in San Jo. Homeboy 'Orly' is the best tribal artist out there. His price might be a little high, but you will never ever regret the work he does. The thing is with tattoos, you really get what you pay for.
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._1043505_n.jpg

I usually get all my work done at Last Rites in the NYC.
Best Tattoo Shop in the USA with the best tattoo artist ever who works there, Mr. Paul Booth.
They charge $225 an hour for regular artists and $300 for Paul. Paul has a 2 yr. long waiting list though.
Here's the beginning of my new sleeve. 8 hours in. Done by Little Dragon.
Top class work, worth every penny:
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...Tattoos001.jpg
http://i631.photobucket.com/albums/u...Tattoos002.jpg

CALI

For Vallejo i say go down to Hotink 818 marin St, Vallejo Ca 707-648-2070, thats where ive gotten mine
For San Francisco, i heard Black & Blue Tattoo also Lyle Tuttle tattooing
For San Jose, i have to say Humble beginnings, my freinds got thiers done there and for what they paid, its worth it.

depending on the style, here are a few shops i would suggest if your not trying to travel out of the city
skull and sword
blackheart
tattoo city
7th son (orly also works here from humble beginnings)
everlasting tattoo
diamond club
and there are much more. you just have to get out and go check em out. ull find the right artist if your serious about it.

- BAD
For vallejo, Pops, overcharge you.

NEW YORK

I just saw a few pages back somebody asking about tattoo shops in Queens...
First thing is first.. Monster Tattoo is f*cking terrible and so is every other tattoo shop in Queens.. Real talk.
The only decent, and I repeat decent shop in Queens is Red Parlor and I still wouldn't get tattooed there.
As far as getting tattooed in NYC goes.. There are only 5 shops worth going to..
In order...
1. Last Rites - Hands down the best shop NYC has ever seen. Every artist is reputable and has their own shop.
2. Tribulation Tattoo - Tim Kern is the truth.
3. Smith Street Tattoo - Awesome classic stuff.
4. Dare Devil - Terry Ribera is man.
5. Adorned - Only for guest artists, I wouldn't go to any of the resident artists.
6. East Side Ink - Bang Bang is decent.
Remember, whatever you're getting is going to be on you forever so don't go to some low budget bullshit shop.
If you're trying to get a cheap tattoo why even bother.

I agree... so I took it upon myself to make a Tattoo FAQ post. I AM a tattoo artist by the way.
Does a tattoo hurt?
There's no real answer to this question. Everyone relates to pain differently. What I CAN say is that certain parts of the body are more sensitive than other. From personal experiences and from what I've seen/heard...the neck, inner arm, chest, ribs (esp.), lower back, hands, and feet are the most sensitive areas.
How much does a tattoo cost?
This depends on many things such as the size, detail, amount of color, artist, etc. Most shops I know usually have a base price and/or charge per hour. Just remember, CHEAP TATTOOS AREN'T GOOD AND GOOD TATTOOS AREN'T CHEAP!
"My tattoo is fading. Do I need to get it touched up?"
Not necessarily. Tattoo's will eventually fade over time. Maybe years down the line you might want to touch it up.
How do I choose an artist?RESEARCH. DO YOUR RESEARCH. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people come in for cover ups because they didn't like the way the artist did their tattoo. Ask around. Best way of referrals are word of mouth. Also, make sure the artist has a portfolio.
How long does a tattoo take?
Once again...depends on what you want. Most reasonable sized tattoos can be done in one session/sitting but larger pieces might require multiple seatings.[/size]
TATTOO AFTERCARE
Most artist will give you aftercare instructions but for those who don't listen, here you go.
-After you get your tattoo...leave the bandage on for 1-2 hours. 2 hours max. DO NOT REMOVE IT AT ALL! YOUR FRIENDS CAN WAIT!
- After you remove the bandage, wash it gently with anti-bacterial soap. Don't scrub hard. You can remove the ink if you scrub too hard. Your mainly just trying to get rid of the blood. After it's washed...PAT DRY IT.
- Put a small amount of ointment on it. A&D is the best ointment. You don't wanna cake on the ointment...just a thin coat; enough to make it shine.
- I usually wash my tattoo 3 times a day (morning, evening, and night) and put ointment on following the washing. I do this for about 3-4 days before switching over to an UNSCENTED LOTION. I personally use Lubriderm.
- YOUR TATTOO WILL START TO SCAB AND ITCH! DO NOT PICK OR SCRATCH IT! YOU CAN REMOVE THE COLOR IF YOU DO!
- YOU MUST AVOID PROLONGED SHOWERS, THE BEACH, POOLS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY...THE SUN FOR 2 WEEKS AT LEAST!

I skimmed through and I see a couple of decent ones but that's about it.
Word of advice to people who want to get tattoos.
1: DON'T PICK YOUR TATTOO OUT OF A DAMN BOOK. Flash tattoos never work out.
2: DO YOUR RESEARCH. Make sure you've seen the artists work and that they are familiar with the style you want.
3: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. I understand names/text being cheap, but art/portraits/custom should never be cheap. The truth is, anybody can tattoo but not everybody is a tattoo ARTIST.
MOST tattooers only care about money and not about the art. They will put ANYTHING on you. F*ck, they'll put a dick on your forehead if you wanted. Those are the artists you stray from.
Real tattoos costs thousands, not hundreds.
4: Last but not least. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT BEFORE GOING

[DJ Manyak]

One here Has tattoos ? Start sharing

[Porkchop Express]

There is this guy at my gym, who has to be at least 60. Although I applaud him for exercising, he has a tattoo of barbwire around his arm, which extends around a superman tattoo. Hanging from the superman symbol is a dream catcher. It's 3 horrible tattoos in one.

[Bizdady]

I have 0 Tattoos. At some point I plan on getting something on myself for my kids but Im thinking for my First Tattoo im going to get the medical symbol on my wrist. C
Something like the one below, just with a few changes here and there. Just need to get over my fear of needles first lol

[mikejet]

It's not that bad getting it. Just don't think about it. It feels like a cat scratching you for a really long time.

[pokefan]

Originally Posted by Bizdady

Just need to get over my fear of needles first lol

lol, I know what you mean! I promise no one hates needles more then me but for some reason I'm addicted to tattoos! I just can't help it, I plan on getting one more but I'm sure I'll get more at some point.

[Alexias_dad]

on my fingers i have est. 1984

you cant see it but i have alexia in a banner across a heart above the smoke




and another not picture is a koi fish on my forearm



sad thing is i havent had a tattoo since 2007

[pokefan]

Originally Posted by computergeek

1: DON'T PICK YOUR TATTOO OUT OF A DAMN BOOK.

I made this mistake when I got my first tattoo's, I don't regret them but I am slightly embarrassed that it was so easy for me to find these online. I'll get actual pics at some point but here's what I have.

lol, I've got all the cliche tattoo's but I love them all!

August '01 (fresh out of bootcamp - Music Box, Amarillo, TX):
The sun is designed like this and it's yellow and orange with added tribal "wings" extending from the sides. It pretty much extends mid shoulder blades on both sides. I've got Honor(left of sun), Courage(inside sun), Commitment(right of sun) in Chinese symbols on it.


September '01 (MCT San Diego):
I wanted something on my ribs (for no good reason other than the pain) but didn't want the meat tags everyone else got. I walked in the shop flipped through the books and picked a tribal spider done in red to black. Almost identical to this but a little smaller


July '02 (Kailua, HI):
Added my last name, "POWERS" in old english above the sun tat

March '04 (Waikiki, Clean Sting Tattoo)"
Oklahoma State Brand on my left calf (just the OSU in this pic) Best I can find online and I'm too lazy to upload it right now.


September '05 (Waikiki, Clean Sting Tattoo):
Brought in a lot of business to this guy including my wife's full back wings that cost me $1500. Two other pieces I brought him were my 2 best friends there, we all got the same kind of tattoo but with a different design, about $1200 for both. In all I brought in about $3500 for this guy so this was free for me. Although I tipped him $300. He did this completely free hand and it turned out awesome!


I'll get pictures of my others and replace all the stock images soon.

The wife's wings (Waikiki, Clean Sting Tattoo):
This was before the final stage so there's a bit more shading added but it's all I have access to right now. He did some amazing work!!

[mikejet]

Here's a picture of my tattoo. Got it in 2008 in Maui. 3 1/2 hours for my first tattoo!!!

[pokefan]

Sweet tat Mike! I love the polynesian designs and since I'm back in Oklahoma now I don't have to worry about anyone having the same style as me! lol

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by pokefan

Sweet tat Mike! I love the polynesian designs and since I'm back in Oklahoma now I don't have to worry about anyone having the same style as me! lol

Thanks, the guy did it free hand, you can see the Filipino sun in the middle. I want to add another panel above it and then get either a shoulder wrap or something around one of my arms.

My wife has a celtic knot on her back and wants to get white koi fish swimming up her side. all white ink too.

[Blu-Benny]

gonna be getting my 1st one in a couple weeks.

an ambigram of my kids' names: bridget/grant

looks really cool.

i'll be sure to post pix after it's done.

[BStecke]

Question for some of you tattoo peeps . . . my birthday is coming up and I'm probably going for my first (and probably only) tattoo. I'm between two things, but I'm leaning toward this:



The other option is the standard logo. Before anybody says anything about it being unoriginal or whatever . . . I don't care. That being said, I'm concerned about the fine lines in the design as I, and the tattoo, age. Will the intricate parts eventually blur into a nasty mess?

Also . . . I'm going on a cruise three weeks after the day I plan on getting this done. Will sun be a problem at that point? I'm not going to be out in the sun all the time . . . not a sun person. But, if we do the excursions, we will probably be in the water/sun for a bit. Just want to make sure I have enough time to heal.

Thanks for any advice!

[BeardedNinjaGuy]

Not sure if these will work.. Here goes..






The Big Lebowski (Great movie). Its evolution, with them all bowling, and the dude at the end (dance scene when he gets the rug back)


Moth and skull illusion.




All is Vanity.. Lady sitting at a make up mirror, and also a metamorphic skull.


Profile view of a metamorphic skull, or a lady kneeling on a blanket. Her shoulder area is the eye socket, her arm and the blanket is the jaw her back is the top of the head.. Look at it further away, its prob easier to see the skull at first that way.

[proxpilot]

i was thinking about getting something like this.

[TylerDurden]

Just got my first tattoo. A word to the wise invest in some Aquaphor you won't regret it.

[master_8ball]

Originally Posted by BeardedNinjaGuy

Not sure if these will work.. Here goes..

Amazing work man, love the metamorphic skull illusions.

[BeardedNinjaGuy]

Originally Posted by master_8ball

Amazing work man, love the metamorphic skull illusions.

Thanks, im real happy with them.

And to the above poster asking about the lady/butterflies one, it has a meaning, but not one everyone immediately jumps to. Its a positive one though, nothing negative.

[wilky61]

Just got my third tattoo yesterday ($80), the Eye of Horus on my left shoulder blade.

Previously I had gotten the horseshoe ($120) on my left ankle and the WYWH album cover ($160) on my right ankle, all three from the same shop in Atlanta. I always tip the artist generously (~25%) on top of these prices, of course. The same artist did the Eye of Horus and the horseshoe. The shop owner did the Pink Floyd tattoo, which hurt like a mother****er, but I was/am very impressed with his ability to duplicate the shading on their clothing.

Each tattoo has special significance to me and was inspired by a particular episode in my life. This quote that I read in a baseball article the other day kinda sums it up:

"The secret to surviving anything that traumatic, though, is not to pretend to forget it. It's to use the pain as fuel, to use the mistakes as teachable moments, to use those times of weakness as a reason to summon more strength."

[Phoenix Theory]

One of my tattoo's got this a wile ago.