I gave my artist a concept, and then I let him run with it. When he was done outlining, he asked me about color, and I told him it was his art so do whatever he felt.

And on my cover, the artist made a decision that I hadn’t thought of, and I let him run with it.

As others have said, the key is to do your research and find the right artist – a good one.

@yodaddynukka 128503 wrote:

Metalman is a true success story. Yeah he got bashed a little bit in the beginning but he also listened, stuck around and now he gets it.

Thanks. I have come a long way. I’m glad I was “bashed” here and on the other forum. It taught me a lot about the industry forcing me to research and do my homework, and I saw far…[Read more]

@buttwheat 128494 wrote:

They are also very well done tattoos.
For future reference it is black and grey not black and white.
I’m really not trying to bust your balls I just think there is way to much talent out there for people to walk around with mediocre tattoos. If you stick around we can help make your next tattoo a kick ass tattoo.

Trust me…[Read more]

I left decent sized deposit for Gunnar. He only books a few months out, so the wait wasn’t long.

To the O.P. I chuckled at the back and forths regarding your reluctance to give out an artists name. I side with Wardy on this one. Any respectable tattoo artist wants his/her name spread. That gives others a chance to browse that persons portfolio,…[Read more]

@Wardy 121865 wrote:

What is it?

Boston Bruins logo (NHL team from Boston). The black dripping is not part of the logo – that I’m curious as to it’s meaning. If it’s “I bleed Black & Gold”, then I would think the dripping would be red. BTW, I’m from Boston.

You should change your name to Walking Art Gallery. Really sweet work you have.

Opeth – Ghost of Perdition
Heathen – Fade Away
Grip Inc – Hostage to Heaven
Meshuggah – Future Breed Machine
The Tea Party – Fire in the Head

And a few “older” tunes:
Emerson Lake & Palmer – Karn Evil 9
Deep Purple – Rat Bat Blue

I have way too many songs I consider excellent, so this is truly a very short list.

I don’t want to sound like an a-hole, but just by admitting you’re scratching is the type of thing that really hurts the reputation of this industry. There are many great artists out there who have taken the time and expense to learn their craft in the proper way. #1, as Sam-I-Am stated, you need to become an apprentice and learn from a real…[Read more]

Happy New Year

Personally I am not a fan of lettering in tattoos, but that’s just me.

From what I’ve learned about the tattoo industry, I give the same response to every singly “I need help on an idea” question regarding getting a tattoo.

Step 1: Come up with a “concept”, not necessarily exactly what you think you want, but just the idea behind it.
Step 2:…[Read more]

@Dipland 121594 wrote:

I like how he subtly removed some of the sharp lines in the eagle. The wings extensions and white neck transition also look good. The smoother muted colors look much better. I also like the color contrast between the blue sky and golden desert.

I recall my experience with him, and was actually surprised that you did not…

[Read more]

The before/after:

@yodaddynukka 121573 wrote:

Wow the eagle looks like a totally different eagle!

That’s what surprised me the most. He really fixed it up, giving it wings and a more proper body. And as I said, I went in thinking the eagle itself would come out looking the same. I’m happily wrong.

Mines broken

Got my first tattoo a year and a half ago. I thought it was the shit….the best eagle ever. I had my touching story to go along with it. It just felt good to me, and I dumped the story on the forum. So I think I know where you’re coming from.

Fast forward the next 1.5 years. After going through the wringer with the feedback I got with me spewing…[Read more]

@ArniVidar 120900 wrote:

I’m sorry metalman, but I don’t think the parenting bit is the issue here. Anyone caught tattooing an under-age person SHOULD be ousted, regardless of the reasons behind that ousting.
Kids at that age are almost always idiots that believe they know everything best (we’ve all been there), and will almost always regret their…

[Read more]

It’s obviously not my place to tell anyone else how to parent their children, because we each have our own set of circumstances, and each of our children are unique. We’ve developed parenting skills along the way based upon our surroundings. In this particular case I can only be an armchair quarterback to an event that already took place, and I…[Read more]

Well I guess my comments are only in hindsight and retrospect then since what is done is done.

Let me ask you something now (rear view mirror look). What did closing the shop etc. teach your daughter. What point was made? Who was taught a lesson? You think your daughter cares that a tattoo shop was closed? Was she reprimanded?

Again, as you…[Read more]

As a parent myself I understand your anger and concern. I don’t necessarily disagree with your feelings and/or your attack on the shop. But I, as a parent, many times have had to stand back and look at myself in the mirror for things that my kids growing up did regardless of what I told them. No, my issues were never of getting something permanent…[Read more]

@yodaddynukka 120872 wrote:

I never understood why people needed to draw something and take to a tattoo ARTIST. The tattoo ARTIST should be the one drawing your tattoo. Research the artists style and portfolio and tell them the concept of your idea and have them draw it.

X2, and then some