cjmahone66

@Jester wrote:

O.K. – My neice wants me to tattoo tiger stripes over some stretch mark
under her belly button, along with the words “every tigress earns her stripes”.

Is it hard to tattoo stretch marks? What should I expect?

stetch marks are essentially scars. scars are very tough and it’s hard to get them to take color- sometimes impossible.…[Read more]

@giliegil wrote:

looks cool – do you just be drawin for the love of drawin? or r they headed into someone’s skin?

both. the eagle i did last week is for a tattoo someone wants me to do.

this piston started out as for fun, but i think i like this one a lot, may have to get this done on myself.

Johnny- who needs a 3rd piston ring? two should do the job just as good. and the connecting rod is held on by JB weld. but maybe that’s why it’s broke? :lol:

i get mine at the Chinese grocery store. you could look up butchers too. also, they don’t keep it out at most regular grocery stores (scares the white-people) but almost all grocery stores with a meat counter will have it in the back. they can sell you a nice slab of ‘back fat’ for pretty cheap if you ask for it.

is the feather a design from a recent TV show? it looks familiar.
how long have you been tattooing, what’s your background?

overall i think most of these are pretty decent. looks like there could be some lining issues in the rabbit, but otherwise most of the color fill looks decent. these look like fresh pics though, pics after they heal will…[Read more]

you must have a huge family, or be a REALLY freindly guy.
if i include my family and freinds, that might be 100 people- and only a small percentage of them would/or have gotten a tattoo.

@Johnny wrote:

…..If you are unsure about how to tattoo, then don’t. Its that simple. Practice on yourself and on practice skin. And try to get an apprenticeship, or some type of legitimate mentor. Not trying to be a dick. Its just the way it is.

AGREED. pigskin will help you learn needle depth better than fake skin IMO. check it out.
i have…[Read more]

@Johnny wrote:

For most parts of the body its 3-4 mm. Most new artists set their needle/tube up so the needle sticks out of the tube a nickels width with the armature bar pressed down, and work off the tube tip.

this can vary a bit though. even within the same tattoo if its larger. always error on the shallow side- if it doesn’t take you can…[Read more]

thanks for linking nice big pics.

these look like a beginners work. not horrible compaired to a lot of stuff we see on her, but still looks amature. we have all been there, but design choice will really set you apart from other beginners.
start choosing simple, small designs to work on as a beginner. tribal, kanji, small simple emblums,…[Read more]

@Jester wrote:

I like it. What is the significance of the purple ribbon?

my aunt specifically requested the purple sash, it’s usually draped on the cross during lent. Catholics are big into the different colors representing different seasons, but some Protestant churches use them too. the purple has something to do with “repentance” i think.

@609andrea wrote:

thanks! and should pull up a bigger pic if you click on the image.. at least it does when i click it

i just get a red X when i click on it.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/303315_454753961217324_100000481710509_1706454_1794077168_n.jpg

i decided to add some back ground.

generally, it’s a bad idea to tattoo on imperfections like burns, scars, skin issues, ect.
but some tattoo artists with LOTS of experience can do it.
that’s not me, i’ld stay away.

some nice looking machines.
on the aluminum machines, are you using any sort of plate under the coils besides the frame its self?

i didnt have much luck with the superior machines i bought. just never could get them tuned right and they over heated quickly. i think the coils are cheap.
Kylin (on ebay) makes some really decent machines for great prices. when i run those next to the Superiors, it’s like night and day difference.
the Kylin’s run for several hours without…[Read more]

for me it is a matter of practicality…
can a cheap Chinease machine be rebuilt and customized to run ok? sure. the question is do you have the time/energy/money to do that?
if you get a cheapo machine for $70, then buy some decent coils for $30, then a few various springs and capacitors, a-bars, ect- then you’ve spent $100-$150 (don’t forget…[Read more]

i can’t imagine a tattooer with no tattoos showing. ever heard “don’t trust a skinny chef”?
most tattooers learn a lot by getting tattooed. i’ld start there.
the only thing you should use that machine for in the mean time is to draw with it. i mean attach it to a pencil and draw until your fingers bleed. it will build hand strength. good luck.

you are in one of the right places. try asking questions extensively BEFORE you make mistakes. most of us dont know all the answers, but some of us can at least point you in the right direction.

smart design choice for your first tattoo.

isn’t it really hard to get a tight stretch on your own arm? that would mean you are tattooing one handed.
have you tattooed on your legs yet?