Category / Tattoo

by theremonster

Backs on Backs on Backs

Another appointment is in the books.  With this two hour session, I have hit the 50 hour mark on my back.  I would say “time flies,” but that really only applies to when you’re having fun.  It definitely feels like 50 hours.  The process isn’t usually the fun part of getting tattooed anyway; the results are the fun part (I am 100% certain I will never feel totally comfortable using a semicolon).  As you can see from the photos below, Horizakura continued working on the back of the dragon on my back in the back room of his studio.  That last bit was only for the sake of justifying the title of this post.  We’re through here. Move on.

by theremonster

Don’t Get Tattooed Over Sunburn

Sounds like a no brainer right?  Well just in case there was any question, I went ahead and confirmed this sage advice for you.  I spent last weekend in the Bahamas for work.  On my one day off, I started strongly applying sunblock and using shade, but by the end of about 8 hours of outdoor sun, my shoulders were cooked.  I blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol.  Fortunately I had two days for it to heal before my appointment, but it was definitely a little more tender than it should have been.  Don’t do it.  Lesson over.

Horizakura picked up right where he left off.  He continued up the dragons back and did the scales on one wing.  I haven’t confirmed with him yet, but I believe the feathery parts of the wings will be color.  Not much else to report here.  Carry on.

by theremonster

25th Appointment, 10 Year Anniversary

Yesterday marked my 25th appointment on my back and the ten year anniversary of my first ever tattoo appointment (details on that can be read here).  I’m inclined to think back to the start of all of this and wax philosophical.  I had some pretty ridiculous ideas in my head about how all of this would pan out.  In the end, I don’t feel it would be terribly kind of me to subject my 3 readers to that.  The next time we meet, feel free to thank me for sparing you any more overwrought exposition.  ON TO THE BUTT STUFF!

The joy I felt at finally being tattooed above my waistline left as quickly as it came.  Horizakura started shading the tail of the dragon (euphemism not intended) on my hip and butt.  This would have been an incredibly easy and relaxing session if not for the fact that I am getting old.  By the end of our two hours together, my hips and knees hurt so much from being in the fetal position that I wanted to scream.  I was determined to not interrupt him to stretch out though because the tattoo was feeling really good and I didn’t wanna disrupt his flow.  Worth it!

 

If I’ve held your attention this long, I also wanted to make a book recommendation if you’re interested in learning more about Japanese tattoo.  Japanese Tattoos: History * Culture * Design by Brian Ashcraft with Hori Benny, is a really great look into the symbolic and thematic elements of Japanese tattoo.  I have quite a few books on Japanese tattoo and none of them has as clear an outline of the symbolism behind this art form.  The introduction is a brief history and assessment of current tattoo culture in Japan.  Factually, it is accurate based on what I have read elsewhere, but it is by no means the most exhaustive or thorough source of that information.  The real meat-and-potatoes is in the chapter by chapter breakdowns of Japanese tattoo elements.  In some ways, I really wish I had had access to this book 10 years ago when I began planning out my tattoos.  It would have been amazing to have.  On the other hand, not having this resource forced me to really lean on the artistry and talents of my tattoo artists, which I believe has its own merits.  If you’re interested in the book, you can read the Table of Contents on Amazon to see the breadth of content covered.  Let me know what you think!

by theremonster

Session 24

Session 24 was all over the place!  This really shows the difference in speed between fatty areas and more muscular areas.  Just compare what Horizakura accomplished in 2 hours here vs any of the two hour appointments on my butt.  He got a lot done and as usual, I’m thrilled by the results!  Every month we get closer and closer to having the background finished.  After that, it will be on to the dragon and koi scales!  I am PUMPED!!!

by theremonster

Session 23

I took these after my 24th appointment, so you can see some of that on my back.  This session was more background on my leg up to my waist.  You can see it’s still very much in the healing process.  This area is the worst to heal through because of where my pants fall.  Pretty sure I mentioned this when the left side was done, but I recommend soft waist bands and stretchy pants.  Yoga pants would be ideal… but I’m not sure that would be a great look for a me.

by theremonster

Twenty Two

Here are pictures from last night’s appointment.  Horizakura covered a good amount during this two hour period.  I suspect the reason for that is that it was mostly solid black.  I think the gray shading of the waves is more time consuming because of the mixing and blending he has to do.  That’s just a guess though.

The most exciting part about this appointment was that he has finally traveled north of my waistline. Typically when people ask about my tattoo, I have to just tell them about it because wherever we are at the time isn’t the best place to drop my pants.  Now, I can just lift my shirt a little.  It’s a small thing, but it’s a win in my book.

BEHOLD!

by theremonster

My Tattoo Can Drink!

Ok I guess it’s 21 appointments old… not 21 years.  Shut up.  Also maybe you aren’t in the US and the legal drinking age is lower by you. You can also shut up.  It’s just a title.

This hour and a half was spent on the waves on my right leg.  You can see it’s still healing (as is the previous session), but I had another appointment tonight and wanted to get these pictures before that happened.

In fact, I’m so stoked about how much got done tonight that I’m going to break my habit and take pictures of this tomorrow morning after I take off the wrap.

Without further I do…

(Yes I know that’s wrong, but I don’t speak French.)

by theremonster

Nineteen.

My nineteenth session spanned from my left thigh to my fleshy love-handles.  There was some really odd gastro business happening while he was railing away on my side.  It felt really strange… like he was pulling my skin away from my guts and making pockets of air. It’s difficult to explain the feeling.  When I left the studio I let fly with a pretty enormous burp so something was definitely happening to my guts.  Wacky and wild stuff, folks.

So far, this has been the absolute worst area for healing.  Having jeans tight-ish around my hips and waist made the process absolutely brutal.  Without exaggeration, for two weeks after this appointment I would be limping by the end of the day.  Even after the tattoo was no longer raw, the scabbing was much worse because of the contact from my clothes.  My clothes then would rub on those scabs creating a fairly vicious cycle.  When the opposing area is tattooed on my right side, I’m going to be investing is a few pairs of sweatpants in an effort to mitigate my suffering.  The healing was so much worse than getting the tattoo.

If anybody has tips on how to wear sweatpants in public without looking like a hobo, please let me know.