Getting my first tatoo.

[tipptruck1]

Well within the next few months I will be getting my first tatoo. Its going to be a memorial to my dad. Iam hopeing to have both arms covered one day and a good part of my back. I have to wait at least 3 months the shop is so busy. I cant wait intill i can get it.

[Top]

memorial tats are great... just take your time and make sure that what you get is EXACTLY what you want... when I was getting this one the guy I first went to didn't want to do what I wanted.. he was an "awarding winning artist" and he KNEW better than me on what I wanted to put on MY body for the rest of my life... needless to say I went to someone else... I want to the shop in Tomah WI .. they did an AMAZING job IMHO...

AL

[Guest avid]

I got my only tatoo about 20 years ago.

My wife got her tenth today.

Be advised they can be addictive.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I always wanted a tribal armband but I want it made of fish hooks. So far, 2 artists have told me it can't be done. Then, one day watching saturday morning fishing, there it was. Some guy in Fla had the exact same thing I wanted but supposedly can't be drawn.

Any artists out there that think they can draw one up for me?

Tipp- Honorable idea, take your time.  However, always remember that the best way to honor your dad is to be the best you can be in every way, every day.  I bet you sure miss him and I feel for you.  Dad's are special, TELL them before they move on!

[Panamoka_Bassin]

Tipp- Honorable idea, take your time. However, always remember that the best way to honor your dad is to be the best you can be in every way, every day. I bet you sure miss him and I feel for you. Dad's are special, TELL them before they move on!

LBH, you sure got that one right.  My dad is gone 10 years now, and I miss him just as much now as ever, maybe even more so.  I wish I had been more connected with him before he died, but you know how young men in their early twenties can be, all aloof and acting like they know everything.

I don't have any tats or piercings (I know, I am about the only one in the world), but I think for memorial purposes they're really cool.  Just make sure you are sure about it, since they are relatively permanent.

[JiggaMan512]

awesome dude, bet yer pretty excited. be sure to keep us updated with some fresh tat pics when you get it.

[BassChaser57]

I am not a fan of tattoos at all but your reasons are the most reasonable and understandable I have ever heard. The sad part is that I have never seen a tatto that has been around a few years (20) that is still where it was put. Butterflies get droopy wings. I never thought I would say this but--as an honor to your dad -- good luck and God bless.

[K_Mac]

Tipptruck

I have avoided responding to this thread because I am also not a fan of tattoos. I am too old, too traditional, too conservativeand though I hate to admit it, often too judgmental. Tattoos and piercing have become increasingly popular over the years, and I could go on at some length why I think this is a bad idea. With that said, I have finally reached a spot in my life where I begin to understand what Martin Luther King Jr. was saying when he talked about judging men by the content of their character. Just as men are still sometimes judged by the color of their skin, they are often judged by what they wear, how they're groomed, how they speak, etc; it is a poor way of doing things, but cannot be ignored.

If you want a tattoo, that is absolutely your bidness (as our President might say). If you want to do this to honor your father's memory, I can't think of a better reason. I lost both of my parents a few years ago, and it will always hurt. I was touched by Russ's comment and completely agree; a life well lived is the best way of honoring them. Good luck.

[tipptruck1]

Thanks guys. I do know that my tat will sag in the future. I can deal with that. But its easier for me to get a memorial on me then driving 6 hours to vist his grave. I a couple of weeks iam going to take in a ruff drawing and see what the guy can do. So when he gets it done I will post it.

[Tom Bass]

Tiptruck,

I got a tatoo of a pelican on my right upper arm when I was in the Navy. I got it because I wanted it and it looked cool. I have never regretted getting it and that was 26 years ago. I have thought about getting others but haven't. I have tried to have my pelican recolored but many of the tatoo artists in CA wouldn't do it or they wanted to modify it with their style.

If you get this tatoo, make sure that it's what you want, not what the artist thinks it should be. If you walk into a Goth parlor your tatoo will have a Goth theme. Choose your artist well. Also, light colors fade fast. Unless you have an agreement for recoloring with the original artist you may not be able to find someone to recolor it, in my experience.

Think well and choose wisely. You will wear this for a very long time.

[edbassmaster]

I am a pen and ink artist. I use to draw designs for Philly tattoo shops but I stopped because they would give me $25 for my art and charge someone $200 to put it on them. I didnt get into doing the tats because my wife wouldnt let me and honestly I didnt want to be around the lifestyle. Ive done some nice designs for freinds too. Ironically I have 7 tats and three of them have had three laser surgeries on them to be removed...very expensive but painless. Three of mine I designed...my daughters name and d.o.b. and my sons name and d.o.b. and a cross in the middle of my back. Research before you go to just any tat shop...and always look at the work of the artist who is doing yours not just some random pics

[Fishin Phil]

First tattoos are great!  Bring somethig to drink(gatorade, vitamin water) and tip well.  You won't be forgotten.  It was 2 years between my 2 last tattoos (been going to the same place 10 years) and after the last one, my tattoo guy invited me to see his band that night and put me, my buddy, and my girl on his bar tab.  It was a lot of fun.  Good luck.

[buckthefisherman]

remember it will be there 4 ever.

[tipptruck1]

Well guys its getting done in a little over a month. I sat down with the guy and told him the basics. I drew a quick drawing of what it will look like. Its going to be sweet. My tattoo guy thinks it will start a new trend with gear head. I don't want to tell you guys what its going to be but you guys will like it. My buddy was with me and he loves it.

[RottManK9]

I'm WAY into tattoo's.  I have both arms done from the shoulder to the elbow, inside and out, 2 on my chest, 2 on my back and I just had my ribs on my right side done 3 weeks ago.

Just a few tips:

1.  Make sure you see what the final drawing PRIOR to the day of the tattoo.  This way you Pricecan have changes made to make sure it's exactly what you want.

2. Make sure all the equipment is clean, hospital clean.  Needles opened in front of you.

3. Price decided up front, either by the hour or entire piece.

4. Good tattoos aren't cheap and cheap tattoo's aren't good.

5.  Tip your artist well!   ;D

[Hale]

Im heavily tattooed and its a side of me most people dont see. (Sleeves, chest, legs, whole gambit). The only advise I can offer is make sure you an cover them up. Its eay to think that your life will never take you to a place that would require that or if they dont like it f**k em. Lifes not that easy. I started getting my tats about 12 years ago and I started going crazy until  I landed a job (10 years ago) that would make or break me because of my ink. Ironically, no one tells me to not have them, they just treat me differently when they see them (like im a laborer). I still get them, but clothing covers them and life is much easier that way.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Im heavily tattooed and its a side of me most people dont see. (Sleeves, chest, legs, whole gambit). The only advise I can offer is make sure you an cover them up. Its eay to think that your life will never take you to a place that would require that or if they dont like it f**k em. Lifes not that easy. I started getting my tats about 12 years ago and I started going crazy until I landed a job (10 years ago) that would make or break me because of my ink. Ironically, no one tells me to not have them, they just treat me differently when they see them (like im a laborer). I still get them, but clothing covers them and life is much easier that way.

I hear ya...I definitely recommend getting it somewhere you can cover it, for this reason alone. Nothing to be ashamed of personally, but you do have to realize how others "perceive" those of us with tattoos.

I have a memorial to my grandparents on my arm, some of the best money I have ever spent.

Wayne

[utser]

one other thing nobody else hit on, make sure you take care of it once its done. read and listen to the instructions the artist gives you. seen too much ink ruined by people not taking care of fresh ink. have over 30 hours work done, lookin forward to the next one. ;D ;D ;D

[RottManK9]

one other thing nobody else hit on, make sure you take care of it once its done. read and listen to the instructions the artist gives you. seen too much ink ruined by people not taking care of fresh ink. have over 30 hours work done, lookin forward to the next one. ;D ;D ;D

Yeah, what UTSER said.  I've got about 50 hours in my skin and I NEVER skimp on after care.  Worst thing you can do.

Jon

[justfishin]

No Tat's for Ol Jim,period.