Tattoos...Almost got one this week

Mobilemuscle

Walked by a local polynesian tattoo shop and stopped inside.... found a really cool tat that I liked

Ive never liked any tattoo before

Thought about it, then realized Im not polynesian so it may look stupid

And one dude it there getting one looked like he was going to die

So I left

Discuss your own tattoo experiences

ThePlight

Uh.. No experience here.
I want one, but I can't find the design I drew out. Until I find it, I won't be getting one

Mobilemuscle

Uh.. No experience here.
I want one, but I can't find the design I drew out. Until I find it, I won't be getting one

Its a pretty major undertaking

Spaghetti_Bender

Never had a bad experience getting mine. My first one (panther head) was when i was 19, and i just got out of a bar feeling really buzzed, but a couple of weeks before i went to the same shop with a co-worker at the time, and actually picked out what i wanted, so it wasn't done based on my alcohol consumption that night. The others were done with me being sober................and as an adult. I'm hoping to get a new one since it's been a few years since my last one (good/bad girl)

rayfu75

I am itching for new ink. I've had homemade work with a needle and ink I did myself at 15. Some work a friend did for me using a homemade gun that still looks good today (done when i as 18) Two half sleeves, my back is done with wings that cover from my shoulders to my waist. My chest is done and a collar shot of my wife's name. One lone scorpion tattoo on my right leg also. All except the wings and scorpion have my kids names..oh and my left forearm has my youngest sons foot prints and his name under in a banner....I have issues because I love the pain. Sober 100% for each and everyone. ;-)

rayfu75

I've been wanting to do both my hands lately and a rib shot of a huge koi fish .. just broke though *sigh*

Mia_RagazzaTosta

Four with more to come

TheFairyJester

I have 4 now, i have a couple designs i want, infact i know what i want my next to be. but its all a matter of spare time and spare money.
its sucks being a responsible adult.

rayfu75

its sucks being a responsible adult.

#Truth

tinyzombie

Four already, and seriously wanting more. It's no matter of a lack of design ideas, just the lack of money. Hmph. I don't mind the pain, almost fell asleep during my chest tattoo.

WeepingAngel81

I have one right now with 3 more designed. My first one hurt like hell. I have had 2 kids all natural, and the tat hurt far more than that lol. I love the ink though so I'll be getting the first of the 3 in January.

oroblar

I have always felt that picking a tattoo out of a book is too impersonal for something you will have for life. I have always wanted one, but lack of artistic ability and the goal to find something meaningful has left my body free of ink. Except when I accidentally get pen or marker on my fingers.

ThePlight

I have always felt that picking a tattoo out of a book is too impersonal for something you will have for life. I have always wanted one, but lack of artistic ability and the goal to find something meaningful has left my body free of ink. Except when I accidentally get pen or marker on my fingers.

The bolded text.
I drew mine out myself. Luckily, I can draw.. So, it was no problem. But I like the design I originally made, so it would be a shame to have to redo it, I won't love it as much.. So, until I find it, no cigar here for me

aelphabawest

I have sixteen hours of ink on me. I've never done flash though - I think about what I want and what it means to me, then I go and talk to the artist. I've found one I like a lot who has done most of my work at this point. We make a consult, I bring her or e-mail her some pictures that are close to what I had in mind, then talk to her about the placement, size, color or not, what's important to me, etc. Then we make an appointment 3-4 weeks later and she'll draw something before then. The day of our appointment we make any changes I want, then get started.

This is my most recent one -


and this is my biggest -

oroblar

ThePlight, I think it is awesome that you drew your own! My post is my opinion and I mean absolutely no disrespect to those that get any type of tattoo. That is a personal choice that I would never interfere with, unless of course my daughter wants something outlandish, then I may have to step in. But I have 6 years for one and about 16 for the other, so I got time to plan my course of action!

aelphabawest

I have always felt that picking a tattoo out of a book is too impersonal for something you will have for life. I have always wanted one, but lack of artistic ability and the goal to find something meaningful has left my body free of ink. Except when I accidentally get pen or marker on my fingers.

You shouldn't necessarily draw your own tattoo. I mean, you can, if you have that ability. But tattoo artists aren't xerox machines - they're artists. Find one that is good, that will work with your idea, and talk to them about it. I can't draw worth ****, but my tattoo artist is amazing.

cmsimpson74

Was thinking of getting a symbolic one on my lower back when I hit 40, and a small one on my hip when I hit goal weight. Have had 4 kids naturally, 2 of those with pelvic problems, if the pain is worse than that maybe I will think again lol. My 9 year old daughter does not approve :laugh:

RissaG21

I got my first one last year on my birthday, its a butterfly with the words Keep on Believing in Spanish on the inside of my left ankle. It didnt hurt me at all, more like tickled. My room mate got a Lion on his calf and he said that one hurt. It all depends on where you get your tattoo and how big it is. I'm already thinking about my next one I want.

anwylyd_un

I'm up to seven so far, collected over 16 years or so. I suspect I'm probably not done yet lol. Good think the ink doesn't add to body weight

Iron_Lotus

Love them can't wait for many,many more! Going to get a tattoo is therapeutic for me.

dynamitegalxo

I have sixteen hours of ink on me. I've never done flash though - I think about what I want and what it means to me, then I go and talk to the artist. I've found one I like a lot who has done most of my work at this point. We make a consult, I bring her or e-mail her some pictures that are close to what I had in mind, then talk to her about the placement, size, color or not, what's important to me, etc. Then we make an appointment 3-4 weeks later and she'll draw something before then. The day of our appointment we make any changes I want, then get started.

This is my most recent one -


and this is my biggest -

if you don't mind my asking, where is your artist located? i'm taking a trip to the east coast this summer and i'd really like to get in touch with her. these are amazing.

LadyZephyr

Everyones pain tolerance is different, but according to everyone who has tattooed me, mine is abnormally high. My first tattoo was on my chest, when I was 17, and I didn't realise the tattooist had begun until he asked me how I was doing. He said I was the best first timer he'd had sit for him, and his client before me was "a body bulding bloke built like a brick sh*thouse who fainted three time having a tattoo the size of a small biscuit done." Just goes to show you can't judge someone's pain tolerance on their appearance! Women are better at being tattooed as we have a naturally high tolerance for pain.

I had the same tattoo covered this year, and except for a few sensitive spots that had me wincing, spent much of the over 2 hours I was there in a meditative state. I find being tattooed to be incredibly relaxing for the most part, though as I practice meditation, I may have an advantage in rising above pain. I also live with a few painful conditions that plague me on a daily basis, so I think that's upped my tolerance too!

So that's two I've had, the other is at the top of my back, over my spine, simple scripture and black paw prints. That was a doddle, considering it was on the spine, but my chest is pretty bony and the only part that really bothered me was by my clavicle and near my armpit (baby skin is a b*tch!)

You don't have to be from a particular culture to be tattooed in their style. I'm planning to get a Polynesian tattoo, a Sak Yant tattoo, and another style I can't recall the name of, because I love art and respect the diversity and beauty of other cultures. To me, tattoos have a spiritual quality to them - not just the experience, but the outcome. I love body art. I think it's beautiful.

LadyZephyr

I have sixteen hours of ink on me. I've never done flash though - I think about what I want and what it means to me, then I go and talk to the artist. I've found one I like a lot who has done most of my work at this point. We make a consult, I bring her or e-mail her some pictures that are close to what I had in mind, then talk to her about the placement, size, color or not, what's important to me, etc. Then we make an appointment 3-4 weeks later and she'll draw something before then. The day of our appointment we make any changes I want, then get started.

Honey your tattoos are beautiful! I adore the tree, it's wonderful!
(I deleted the image links to stop the thread getting too bulky)

emmawoolf84

I have a full sleeve & a half sleeve. Pain around my elbow was brutal - however I never stopped - so clearly bearable.

More then anything getting a tattoo feels obnoxious. That said everyone has different pain tolerance varying from none to tons!

aelphabawest

@LadyZephyr - Thank you!

@dynamitegalxo - The studio is Cirque du Rouge in Washington, D.C. (they do tour for some conventions as well). However, Cyn, my artist is the owner of the studio as well and is so busy she's not taking on new clients at the moment.

sloth3toes

Can't think of anything to top this... so it's my only one. I'm thinking about getting the background leaves and stuff colored in, though.

guroprincess

Been throwing around the idea for about 5 yrs or so now and never could decide on something. I figure that means I'm not cut out for tattoos haha.

LadyZephyr

Been throwing around the idea for about 5 yrs or so now and never could decide on something. I figure that means I'm not cut out for tattoos haha.

When you find something you like, put the picture in a place you see often - computer background, pinned to your mirror, etc, so you see it all the time. If you aren't sick of it after 6 months - a year, it's a fairly safe choice! People regret tattoos often and there is nothing wrong with changing your mind - we change as people as we grow. I had my first tattoo covered this year.

usernameMAMA

Good thing you didn't get it if it was just flash. You'd regret it.

ETA: I have 9, all good experiences:)

ladymiseryali

One of my exes gave me a tattoo. He was a scratcher, meaning a non-professional. Although he kept his equipment clean, I kind of regret him doing it because it doesn't look so good anymore to me. It also hurt a lot. I want to get another tattoo with my husband. Something to symbolize our new union.

pandorakick

I have a tribal on my lower back and a half finished piece on my waist. Not in a hurry to get the other half done though. All of it is original art. Over the ribs was a bit sensitive, otherwise it wasn't too bad.