Hi guys, nice stuff in here for sure!! I was wondering if any of you know a good and natural alternative to conventional ink in view to avoid putting heavy metals or chemicals under the skin? Have had the experience with it or any of yours friends? I heard about minerals but I'm not sure really, and i've been thinking about natural substances like spices or even Ayahuasca!!

Thanks for any idea or maybe a nice brand that can be trusted in using safe ingredients for the pigments and carriers?

the molecule is reallly awesome i dig that alot esp were your cat put it

my artist is one of my good friends and only uses top brands of ink that have been used for over 20 years most inks are safe dont forget in russian jails they burn the rubber off their boots for the ash soot and mix that and use single needles and some of their work is beautiful

Wow all the tatts look great! I should be having a few coming up that i will post

Holy moly! Some amazing work here! Almost makes me want to get some work done! Maybe one day... There's no hurry...

owl on left side of neck...he turned my collar bone into a branch! so rad...color next month!

Im curious to you guys draw these up yoursleves? or do you find images through the internet

the majority of my tattoos are all custom, most drawn up from the artists imagination right before they tattoo me. in fact, most of my favorite pieces, i had little to no say in it! i only deal with a select few artist, that i personally know well and like what they're about...

if i know we're on the same wavelength, i just tell them to do whatever they feel like doing and it's always a killer piece. or, i give them a general idea and let them go nuts with their own interpretations.

the more original the tattoo, the more fun the artist will have, which will lead to the best tattoo they can crank out! artists love breathing room. like my owl...i told him i wanted a mystical/magical owl on the side of my neck...the rest was drawn on with sharpie marker from the top of his head.

i only have one, maybe 2 tattoos that you will ever see anywhere else. i'm covered in almost all original art.

here's a picture of what it looks like when they're done drawing on me and laying out the tattoo idea.

Wow I am thats such a sick owl!! See i also want very intricate pieces but its probly best to do some reseach and find a great artist. Are most artist this gifted? to free hand an owl like that .. unbelievable

The ink in this thread really is phenominal i just hope whatever i get is of quality. I have a few ideas as of now but most likely will have something within the next month.

honestly no...most artists are not this good. the majority of my work has been done by award winning artists. the guy who did my owl is internationally known and loved. you should definitely do some research into artists.

a good tattoo isn't cheap and a cheap tattoo isn't good (one of those common saying in the industry). i live in atlanta, ga...there are a couple of shops around here with ricockulously talented artists. but depending upon your location, there may not be a decent artist anywhere around. if you happen to live in the US and feel like sharing whereabouts you live (on here or PM, if you feel so inclined), i can see if i can find any really talented artists around you. if you live outside of the states, tell me the closest big city you live in and i might could find you a good shop.

artists don't always gravitate towards big metro areas, either. some of the best artists around work in small cities. it definitely pays to do some research. i typically befriend artists before i ever even let them touch me. i am very picky about artists. i am picky about not only their skills but also their energy as a hole. i've met some bad ass artists that i wouldn't let touch me with a 10 foot pole. luckily i've been able to make friends with some really amazing artists who are also awesome people outside of the shop. i really only use a couple of artists now. once you find one (or a couple or a shop) you like, it pays to develop a relationship with them.

This is all great advice. Ive got a pretty well done half sleeve, and once at a party a guy started talking to me about it and tattoos. He asked me how much I paid for it, and I told him a little more than a $1000. He gave me a "oh you got ripped off" look and proceeded to tell me had had spent $20 on one of his tattoos, $50 on the other, and the rest were free. He showed them to me, and they looked like a child had drawn them on with a sharpie a week ago.

I am- sorry about the wicked late reply.. I totally forgot about this thread. I live near Chicago. IF you know any shops in the area brother let me know.

Thanks- Dan

check out deluxe tattoo my friend!

got this done at the atlanta tattoo convention a couple weeks ago

The artist you go to should also specialize in the style you want. Deluxe tattoo is for sure the strongest overall shop in the city... And there are a variety of styles being done. Most of the better artists in the industry are specialists... And you'll get their best work if you ask for something that they naturally do the best. Almost every working tattooer has an online portfolio, so that's a good place to start. Or walk into the shop, look at the photo books there, and most likely you'll be able to narrow it down to one or two artists whose work you resonate with the most.

Incidentally, my sister Hannah works at Deluxe. She does amazing illustrative work, although her true specialties are faces and figures.

Most of the better artists will also have a waiting list, possibly weeks or even months. It pays to wait, trust me.

Also... The big apocalyptic crucifixion painting in the back of the shop is one of mine. Painted 19 years ago...

owl, finished product

Very nice work.

I like the Mushroom very much - it gives the whole picture very particular meaning, I guess...

this thread is incredible, it really makes me want to learn how to tattoo so i can give others the pleasure i have by simply looking at them!!!

I totally agree regarding this thread. It's amazing. Just skimming through the pictures and people's responses has improved my understanding of how meaningful and how personal a tattoo can be. I don't have any tats myself. Maybe one day...