Hi I think it is a very nicely executed tattoo and I love the use of colours on the roses.
There is also much room to keep adding to it if you wanted to expand it further which is also a bonus.

That is a nice piece – I am not a huge tribal fan but that was very nicely done and well filled.

Take care
Matthew

PS The thing is a lot of ppl just…[Read more]

Hi

The tattoo should not effect the area as it will not create any nerve damage as does not go deep enough. However you need to check with a Dr about the circulation in the area as this can effect healing and lead to a serious infection if there is any circulation issues.

Take care
Matthew

Hi

Just as a side issue I have seen some Russian and Polish tattoos of a similar dagger – the dagger by itself (plain) sometimes used to represent a sex offender (usually a rapist).

However if the dagger was endorsed by a reaper image or skull/skeleton on the handle it was a msg to ppl to try and rape, injure, or humiliate the wearer would…[Read more]

Hi Dan

I studied this as part of my research the use of the cream would take years of use to get to the level that you are talking about on solid black pigment.

In essence the cream are a weak chemical peel of the skin and you then abraid (scrub really hard with a pad or similar and it will hurt like a bastard). This can take months of daily use…[Read more]

Damn what bit you 2 on the arse this morning…?
Anyhow all fonts and colours aside :p

The idea for adding to the buddah really depends on the representation of the budda figure.

You can extend the imagery to include the male or female aspect of budda, there are a number of fans (to bring good fortune or wishes) or the ball which is associated…[Read more]

Hi I would recommend visiting Outlaw’s Tattoo forum as the first drop off place where you will find some of the answers you want.

That said an apprenticeship with a respectable artist is usually the best way to go.

Take Care
Matthew

Hi Iz

Yes you are doomed to never go back to that job you most prob hated and give up the profession you rock at.
I am thinking of going hobbit hunting can I call by your studio?

Good to see you back on boards and hope you are well.

Matthew

Hi

I love rose tattoos and you have many options.

There is the old school option of roses with banners with the name of your grand mother and dates.

Alternatively I have a few suggestions;

You could get a rose bud (showing the birth) a partial opening rose (the growing up of your gran) a rose in full bloom (your gran in life) and then finally…[Read more]

Hi and welcome.

Did you find that your tastes have changed over the 20 years? I always loved eastern art and portrait (black n grey) but have recently been looking at some old school stuff and been tempted.

Take care
Matthew

Hi and welcome.

You have an interesting blog – my main interest is tattoos but I also enjoy art and photography.

What inspired the chest piece?

Take care
Matthew

KH

I swear when I think that the barrel of self respecting decency has been scraped to the wood you manage to dig that little bit deeper. I am in awe of a master here.

‘Also, I would fuck the shit out of Miley Cyrus. Just sayin.’ <

This here is some nasty shit.

Hang your head in shame – that is possibly the nastiest thing I heard since my…[Read more]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
Looking forward to sharing your ink.

What do you have planned for your leg?

Take care
Matthew

Hi Geordie

The issue is really that many ppl have pre-formed ideas about what a criminal looks like. For many it is linked to hands. face, and neck tattoos.

Does not mean they are always right but that is the prejudice that is there. The love/hate is a common diy tattoo in prisons – lets face it you got nothing but time to kill many will tattoo…[Read more]

Hi Geordie

Yes I meant employers when they ask about prison sentences.

As for going to prison being worse than a facial tattoo it really depends on a few factors – what you went to prison for, why you committed the crime, how serious the crime was and whether with time the offence becomes spent and you do not need to declare it.

Mine is spent…[Read more]

Thanks for that – really like his work.

It has been a few years since I was last in NYC and I am planning another trip to california (might as well blow my redundancy money on something fun when it comes through :p).

Matt

Hi and welcome.

Looking forward to seeing you on the boards and sharing your ink.

Take Care
matthew

Hi

The first that springs to mind for realism animal portraits or portraits is Shotsie Gorman -awesome artist not sure where he is based at the moment but well worth checking out.

I rang up a friend in NYC and she swears by this artist at Superstition Tattoos in Brooklyn.

I checked him out on net and seems a good artist May not be exactly what…[Read more]

Hi.
Yes I see what you mean you are looking for a very positive image.

There is a huge amount of imagery depends on taste but have you considered any of the following;

Phoenix – rebirth and renewal no matter what the trails of the day are they born anew.

Charm bracelet style tattoos – each charm or totem represents an element of what you want…[Read more]

Hi Geordie

If I saw the guy in the UK and he had a spiderweb on his face I would prob think he had done time – simply because here it is still one of those legacy tattoos that means done a lengthy sentence.

That said it would not particularly bother me because I have done time and know how irritating it is for ppl to keep asking about it. That…[Read more]

Hi and welcome.

You are making me feel vaguely guilty about all those goat curries I have had but to be honest the goats we used were big smelly and bad tempered. 😀

Having been butted/gouged by a goat I can understand the pain.

Take Care
Matthew