It’s hard to believe I’m not writing another Laser Tattoo Removal post, but it’s true. After my last session, I went to see Dave Scearce at Blood, Sweat and Tears Tattoo to get an opinion about the status of my laser reduction. He astounded and cheered me with the statement “I can cover it now,” but I didn’t get my hopes up too high. As the date approached for my... [Read more]

A few weeks ago, I went back to Immortal Images in Charlotte, NC for my sixth battle with the Emperor’s Light Saber. I’d love to say you get used to a thing like this, but you don’t. What made this trip a little different was that we started talking about my cover-up plans. As you may recall, Steve the Laser Guy’s ink work is truly magnificent as is Sandy’s who works the... [Read more]

Yes, five! It’s starting to get routine, if you can consider a 7 hour round trip with 20 minutes of agony under the Light Saber routine. I again used my Super T topical anesthetic, but it didn’t seem as effective this time. No worries though, I know what to expect and just grin and bear it. The tattoo is being very stubborn and I’m a little frustrated and disappointed. But this is... [Read more]

Here’s a couple of my tattoos featuring images from my favorite band, Pearl Jam. Riot Act Skull by Margo @ Blu Gorilla, Charleston, SC. Alive Guy was actually started by some else, but Margo did the color for me. She also added the Chinese character for Tao. Anyone else have tattoos inspired by their favorite bands?  Read More →

I’ve updated my half sleeve to complete the Taoist theme I wanted. It needs one more session to touch up the black background and perhaps a few touch ups here and there, but it is basically complete. The Yin Yang represents the balance in all of nature The 5 elements of nature are all represented; Wood, Fire & Water are here Another of the 5 elements; Earth. Metal is the 5th element... [Read more]

Barbie has been around the block a time or two, turning 50 this year. Like all of us, she’s had her ups and downs. When she first hit the big time in 1959, she wore a one piece black and white striped bathing suit with her hair in classic 50’s style. Barbie was always trendy, but she skipped the 60’s counter-culture and avoided the hippy look. She was very colorful in the 70’s... [Read more]

I’ve learned a valuable lesson that I want to share with as many people as possible. My hope is to prevent anyone else from having to learn this painful lesson. Impulsive, impetuous tattooing is dumb. This may sound obvious, but if you’ve ever been bitten by the ink bug you’ll understand how easy it can be to be caught up in the moment and want a tattoo right now. My situation is... [Read more]

So you’ve just watched LA Ink and you’re fired up and ready to go get tattooed. If you’re a veteran, you don’t need my help (or maybe you do) but if you’re a newbie, you will find that healing your new art is an art in and of itself. Your artist will probably give you healing instructions, and you can certainly use those. But if you’re like me, you’ll find... [Read more]

If you’re like most folks, getting a tattoo is an emotional experience. It may be your first tattoo or your fifth, but you still get a little nervous and apprehensive. Excited yes, but there’s lots of other emotions stewing around in there. You may have been thinking about this for a long time, and you had to do your homework too. You’ve found your artist; you know what you want and where you... [Read more]

Your tattoo artist is the most important choice you will make, once you’ve made the original choice of getting tattooed. The tattoo shop itself doesn’t matter nearly as much as the person who will actually be doing the work. Inked Nation features an artist search function which will help. Check the artists work online, but also go in to the shop and see their book. Talk to them, tell them... [Read more]