Tattoos

[Tusitalo]

I have two, one done in 1972 and one in 1973. In '72 was done in Hong Kong and has held up very well, except the red has faded though the green is still there. The one in 1973 was done in Long Beach CA at the "Pike", which I hear is not there anymore. The tattoo is though. I was int he Navy and it seemed to be a requirement at the time :>
It is common for them to be done now, and the only suggestion I have for those that get them is (to quote the Hong Kong tattoo artist) put them where you don't see them all the time or you get really tired of them quick...

[lennythexdca]

Originally Posted by ianuk

I expect you're running out of canvas too

Yes, canvas availability complicates things, because right now the ones I have are unrelated - stand alone pieces. Would have to devise a way to tie any new ones together with the older ones. The oldest one is 34 years old, the newest one is 9 years old.
The ones I have taken care of are still colorful and still look nice. But I do have one I allowed to get sun burned and it has faded... Keeping them out of - or protected from - the sun, is critical...

Navy man as well... 25 years

[ArtsyCakes]

I have a total of five right now.
All my own designs. I refuse to let other design my tattoos
I actually wanted to be a tattoo artist for a long time. Started it, but life got in the way. So Now I get paid to design them for others.
I have the local cops tatted up with my designs. haha

[ianuk]

I quite like the ones that speak a message in writing rather than images. I like small writing in places that are hidden and yet, at times visible. I think it's cool.

[laf.art]

My Japanese students tell me that tattoos are still pretty much taboo in Japan and that if you have one you will never be offered a job - unless of course you belong to the yakuza

[ianuk]

I suppose it's a question of culture and what's right for each country. Here in England I'm sure there is still a stigma among many regarding tattoos. However, there will always be, whatever the culture.

[Sixoclock]

I have quite a few of them myself. I have a small flame tribal on the back of my neck, a yin-yang on my inner left forearm (going to get it covered by a rather larger piece), a wolf's head howling at a red moon on my right calf, a large almost old-school rootish looking tree on my left calf that takes up the entire outer calf, a sketchy looking two tone star on the top of my right foot (was artist inspired when I went to an art workshop in Arkansas and three of us all got similar tattoos), a mask looking tribal on my right shoulder blade and on my left shoulder blade is a cover up that contains a rather large mum, a pawn chess piece and ribbons with the wording "And if I fall, give me the strength to rise unborken". These are lyrics from a band that often inspires me with their work. I am planning another piece to go on the right side of my back kind of diagonal to the mum piece, that will be a continuation of the journey that inspired the piece to begin with. (7 tattoos in total)

[Lyall Brownlee]

I like tattoos a great deal, and I'm covered in them. I love that they are permanent. I have some that are done well, and some that are really bad. Some that have personal significance, and some that are silly. They all connect me to a moment in my past. Everyday I look in the mirror I don't just see where I'm at but where I've been.
As for what's good or bad, I appreciate them less as purely body art, but more of a badge of honour. It takes a certain kind of free spirit to indulge in them. And they can tell a lot about someone. Any 20 year old with some money can walk in to a good shop and get a well done sleeve. It makes me smile when I see an old guy still proudly displaying a faded pin poke eagle tattoo.

[nyartist]

I have some art tattoos.. Here's a self portrait showing two of them
http://www.phillevine.com/paintings/...ith%20Flag.jpg

[Joshua_Miller]

I have an Iron Cross Tattoo on My back. I got it due to my love of WW2 History. I also have a German eagle on my chest.

[Yellow Ogre]

No tats here, not even an small ID on the torso.

[Bathsheba]

I have a celtic cross on my sternum, I designed it myself, 14cm long by 7cm wide. It's 20 years old now and starting to blur but I still like having it there.