got a tattoo?

[madman79764]

I myself have been getting tattood for 23 years full sleeves, waist to knees, and a complete back piece. As I have told people in the past when they go to get their first piece of art. First make sure that you eat something, and do not go into the shop all pshyced up that it's going to hurt. Also get to know your artist ask questions if you are unsure of anything your artist will answer them. My own personal artist of over 10 years has said that (no disrespect to anyone) if an artist will not answer a clients questions to walk away and find another artist. Pain is relative to the individual. Me personally going in and getting work done I don't feel it the same as someone who is getting their first tattoo.

My wife only has a few pieces and she said that the only time that it hurt her was right on top of bone. Which goes back to what I said earlier. I'm sure that there are other's who might provide other information I know that we do have an artist here and if memory serves is also a mod who can probably provide better information than I can.

You will more than likely be a little sore for a day or two, and as you heal you will go through what I call bleed and peel where it will leave excess color and dead skin the dressing that is placed over your piece and what ever you do, do not scratch when the piece starts to itch. From long years of personal experiance I can advise that when you go to apply the ointment per your artists advise make sure that you clean your piece with mild soap and water and pat dry and wait about 30 minutes before reapplying ointment and dressing.

Do I regret any of my art no I don't because my art tell a personal story through good times and bad. And at the moment I am unable to post any of the photo's of my work due to the subject matter and location of some of my pieces. Eventually I would like to get the family crests of the 4 lines of my heritage that being Dutch, German, Irish, and Scottish.

[nh_maclean]

A few years ago I got my mother's family crest on my upper arms/shoulder. But I modified/designed it to represent my hodge-podge heritage



Excuse the blurriness - awkward angle.

Maclean coat of arms with tower crest and motto "Virtue Mine Honor" below
Blue & Gold: around shield represents my Swedish side
Hungarian Flag (Red, "white" Green) and Polish flag: Hits my dad's side of the family.

I second the eat first... but also to talk to your artist and really make sure they get a feel of what you're looking for and you like what they've come up with. I designed this with a friend and then my artist cleaned it up and tweaked it/modified it for where i wanted it with size considerations, etc.

As for it hurting, the top-most part and the bits that are on the softer underside of my arm hurt, otherwise, I just got used to it.

Cheers and good luck!
-Noah

PS - not sure if I'm using "crest" and "coat of arms" correctly...