Hi Dine

Welcome to the forum and looking forward to sharing your ink and ideas as well.

No it is not shallow to enjoy art purely for that reason. That is what my backpiece is about I just like it.
I do have some other ink that has personal reasons to me but again that is because I like them.

Take Care
Matthew

Lmao

At the risk of offending millions of adoring fans – Elvis doesn’t do a damn thing for me.

My mother was a huge fan and I have heard just about all of his work and it just never influenced me the way artists from a similar(ish) period such as bob dylan, leonard cohen, hendrix etc did.

That said the funky colouring I can see working very…[Read more]

Hi

You could as suggested have the tattoo redone in the form of a lattice or celtic knotwork which with a bit of thickening will prob work well.

Alternatively you could go for some heavy floral pieces such as roses, tulips or other that form a circle with the thorn stems and petals.

Tribal and Celtic runes would also work.

Biomech or steampunk…[Read more]

Hi Goldfish

In answer to your question the answer is not straightforward.

You can mix pigments that will come reasonably close to skin tone but since the skin changes colour quite a bit with exposure to sunlight, age, temperature etc the match will always be different to that of your own skin.

Also tattoos fade with age so the difference will…[Read more]

Hi

The best advice I can give is check out google images there are several hundred different types of symbols.

Many of the most common are;

2 swallows facing one another
http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/product_images/c2803r.jpg

Celtic Knots
http://www.seawear.com/images/irish/celtic-knots/eternal-life-1100~100.jpg

The mobius…[Read more]

Hi

You are best to let the dermal settle in for at least 3 months before you tattoo the area as there has been a lot of trauma beneath the skin.

As for what you can add it can be anything really.

I have seen them form part of an eye on an animal (from lizards, fish, birds etc).

The shooting star has been mentioned, there is also rainbows,…[Read more]

Hi a nice collection.

As a small constructive criticism I think that your cross would really shine with some re-work on the outline and more use of shading and highlights – will really make it shine better.

I would also suggest the same on the diamond – nothing major but will make the ink so much more detailed.

Take Care
Matthew

Hi

The image of the woman in abstract would make a great tattoo. If you start to add the pasiley effect it will look far too busy.

Maybe have her wreathed in some smoke or holding an opium pipe :p

Good band btw – I checked em out and always on the look out for new music.

Take care
Matthew

Gratz on getting it done.

It was something I considered getting about 15 years ago but was advised it would be the first thing I would have ripped out in a fight.

How long does it take to swap from stud to a spike or can you have it done straight away with a spike and barbell?

Take Care
Matthew

Hi

My friend recommended Greg at Skinworx Bessemer Alabama not been in person but looking at their site he seems to be a decent artist.

http://www.skinworx.net

In answer to your question about dad tattoos in prison there are plenty of people sporting mum/dad across the knuckles or have it in a love heart.

In fact I paid a fortune for my uncle…[Read more]

Hi

In answer to your question I have not been able to locate the tattoo as they tend to be very careful about their copyright etc.

That said I would recommend The Doré Illustrations for Dante’s Divine Comedy by Gustave Doré) possibly one of the best collection of classical drawings linked to this work.

There are 135 illustrations which really d…[Read more]

Hi

I checked into this issue before and it will take around 3 months for the holes to shrink naturally (if you are in good health) my only other advice is suturing by a professional medical.

They can sew the holes up but you run a risk of scarring and lumpy tissue in the effected area. Do not get a friend or try this yourself I have seen the…[Read more]

Hi

In answer to your question no it is not taboo to ask an artist to draw something up for you.

The reality is that few on these forums or other forums will draw something up because of the following;

They are pro artists and do not do things for free – it is purely business and should not be taken personally. Even them giving out advice is…[Read more]

Hi

In answer to your question it depends how dark your skin tone is. If you are medium to dark then the blue that shade is simply not going to show up against the skin that well.

Dark reds, black, dark blue (midnight blue), black and green may show up against darker skin but lighter colours do not tend to.

I would suggest a tattooist who has…[Read more]

You could have the demons and demi-gods of Japanese mythology.
There are several many of which are tied to the elements.

Take Care
Matthew

That is one seriously well executed tattoo on the line and detail.

Personally not something that I would get done but I can appreciate the artistic work that went into it. As long as you love it all that matters.

Kudos to you and the artist.

Take Care
matthew

That is one awesome piece of ink. Serious respect on the shin area not one I would do if i could help it.
I broke my shins and the pain from that was enough for me to leave well alone in future.

What inspired the design?

Take Care
Matthew

Hi

Just wanted to say some great ink!

In answer to your question Geisha were not warriors but were skilled in pleasure music, dancing, poetry and some were courtesans.

Female samurai did however exist during the Kamakura Period (1185-1333) women were allowed to bequest property and were often called on to teach their male children bushido.

In…[Read more]

Hi

If you have it on the inner ribs away from the stomach it will not be effected by stretching but that said the skin is very supple and with moisturisers it will usually return to normal shape quite well.

Can I ask the meaning behind the octopus?

Take Care
Matthew

Hi

Just wanted to say a sweet tattoo and is it the passage that refers to flowers in bloom fading but the word of G-d still stands true?

Very poignant and I see how the imperfection works well within the meaning.

Take Care
Matthew