For those with Tattoos...

[shredalean]

I have both my arms in half sleeves, I like em, no regrets I could give a shit what they lookk like when I get old!

Think about it though bro, be real sure it's what you want, then find the best artist you can, look at their portfolios and don't ever go for the cheaper artist, go with the one who's work you think is the best.

 

[fatboy]

I have over 80hrs of ink on me, and to tell you the truth after a while you don't even notice you have them.I have no regrets, but I do have to wear a long sleeve shirt sometimes even in the summer because of work.as for the pain, of course they hurt, your getting drawn on with needles, not just one but several, depending on the artist, and what he's doing. most tatoo artists have some sort of portfolio showing thier work. it is important to look at this, you wanna make sure the guy is good at the type of tat you want. also it is important to make sure all needles are only used once, and all equip. is sterile by way of an autoclave. and lastly beware, they are addictive, I now love the smell of surgical soap.
good luck,
fatty.

 

[FTW]

I kinda pictured you being delivered into a pair of pink Speedos

LMAO damn i missed this board.

 

[la_triathlete]

my 2 cents

Hey Mark,

I have a tat in the exact same place you are describing as being where you want yours. I don't remember it being to painful (I got it about 8 years ago). However, I was young and went to the first tat parlor I could find. Like others in the thread, I highly suggest that you find a VERY reputable artist. It might cost you a bunch, but you certainly get what you pay for. Right now, the one I have is of an Incan Warrior. The idea was nice, but the tat artist did not do a very good job. Over the next few months, I will be having my current tat covered up with one that I find more appealing, and done by a true expert!

A few other things to think about_:
1. Sometime I feel like I can't enjoy my tat as much as I would like because it is not in my direct line of view. I have to consciously twist my torso to look at it. If you want to have more visual gratification of your tat, I suggest putting it in a place that might be easier for you to see.

2. I had mine done in color- big mistake. Some tats look good in color, mine would have been better in black. Personally, I think solid black tats are much better and fad better than color.

3. If you really want to be sure you will be OK with the permanence of the art, maybe get a henna tat of your piece and live with that for a week or two. If you like the way it looks and its location, then get the permanent tat. Some folks might say this is a stupid idea, but its better than getting the permanent tat and then not being happy with it.

4. A good tat artist will work with you to design the tat you want. Even though it seems like you know exactly what you want, you should still talk with your artist about it. They may have some good ideas that you have not thought about.

Anyway, good luck with your tat and post a pict after you get it done.

 

[CyniQ]

There's some good advice here. I too have a few tattoos. I'm 26 now and I've had mine since I was 16. You're extremely mature for your age but still young, make sure it represents something you will still appreciate in 20 years. For example, I have a tattoo of the "man in the moon" smoking a joint on my right shoulder (very painful btw). At 16 that was very cool, now I just laugh when people ask me about it. I have no regrets though, my tatts are my reminder of how far I've come and how much I've grown. Oh yeah that reminds me, when I got my tatts I was 6' 1" and 140lbs now I have that beat by about 60lbs and still growing. The Griffin on my chest now bears more resemblance to an amoeba than a mythical winged creature. Make sure you don't plan on growing too much more.

 

[AirBorne]

Mark,

That is a sweet lookin eagle bro. I would go with it but without the shield around it. Its cool that you are thinkin about getting one that means somethin to you. I am only 21, but I have 4. My family is cherokee and the first 2 i got have run in the family for over 80 years...one on the right shoulder blade and the other around the left calve. I have one on my left pec- a patriotic deal with an eagle and the 6th article of the code of conduct. I dont regret any of mine and i dont think i ever will. just be sure that it is meaningful to you. that way, when people ask you about them, you dont have to make up a bullshit story about the monkey shooting lasers and smoking a cigar that you have inked into your arm (that is a real tattoo on a real buddy of mine- he is a frickin assclown)

peace bro

 

[MassiveMike_576]

I have two and I hate the first one I got. I was young and thought it was cool. Now I have an eagle ripping through my right pec, that all my friends call a chicken hawk. The other I got just a few years back and I'm happy with it. It's an arm band with my son's name on the inside. The work was alot better on the second one. Just make sure its something that your still gonna like in your 60's.

 

[conan]

my friend has the worst tattoo i have every seen.....its a hundred dollar bill with his face in the center were franklin is normally.....when he got it i thought it was fake.......everytime i see it it makes me laugh how corny it is....