The Tattoo Thread

[King Rudi]

I've mentioned several times about creating a tattoo thread. I'm not as covered as I would like to be, but as a former tattoo artist, I always like checking out what people get tattoo'd, the style of their artist and as an artist in general, I always like seeing how other artists represent the imagery they depict.

Let's see what you've got BP family. I'd prefer to keep this based on tattoos of forum members, but if you have pics or know someone with a cool tattoo, post'em up. Back stories of the origin of the tattoo or horror stories of bad tattoo experiences are welcome as well.

If you are against tattoos, don't have any or like to judge other people for expressing themselves, go create your own thread about how people don't like you.

[hooligan_G01]

My right arm is sleeved, my lower left leg is sleeved. The tops of my feet are tattooed.














Don't have any really good pics at hand, strangely.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by hooligan_E84

My right arm is sleeved, my lower left leg is sleeved. The tops of my feet are tattooed.

Post up some pics sir. I have one on top of my right foot, not the easiest place to get one. Second most uncomfortable place was the inside of my right bicep.

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by hooligan_E84

My right arm is sleeved, my lower left leg is sleeved. The tops of my feet are tattooed.

Tops of your feet? "Left" and "Right"?

[UncleWede]

Lakota Circle of Life, outside left shoulder. Not the most original of locations, but I can still recite the circle. I spend a far more time in the sun than a color tattoo would allow, so the feather tips no longer retain the original art.

Same image is on the top of my motorcycle tank.



Irish and German decent. . .

27 years would be my guess on time in the sun

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by hooligan_E84

My right arm is sleeved, my lower left leg is sleeved. The tops of my feet are tattooed.

Don't have any really good pics at hand, strangely.

That's some solid classic traditional right there! Quality pieces! The saturation and line work on all of those are super clean!

I have to ask. What's the story with the pig and rooster on the feet? That's some hardcore shit on top of the feet. I met a girl once who had the bottoms of her feet tattoo'd with some demonic black and gray work. Yowza!

[KenB925]

I have no desire to have a tattoo an they just don't make sense to me (not that it should or does matter to anybody, enjoy!)

But, I am amazed at the quality and detail that some tattoo artists are capable of. I couldn't make those drawings (or anything half as good) with the finest art supplies and a perfect canvas, let alone a needle and somebodies skin.

Much respect to the artists.

[upstatedoc]

Make sure y'all get tested for hep C.

[Suds]

I used to bicycle road race USCF, worst was 47 stitches in my chin. I’ve got the scars, don’t need tattoos.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

Make sure y'all get tested for hep C.

A went to a new Dr once. Somehow he saw the ink and checked that box on the test sheet he was sending for blood. Negatory Captain

[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by Suds

I used to bicycle road race USCF, worst was 47 stitches in my chin. I’ve got the scars, don’t need tattoos.

I raced most of the national NORBA circuit in the mid-'90s (XC, Dual Slalom). Most of us had zippers aplenty to serve as conversation starters. Only the posers needed tattoos.

[DETRoadster]

Nice ink, hooligan_E84 !

[nyalpine90]

still deciding on first one

[hooligan_G01]

Originally Posted by King Rudi

That's some solid classic traditional right there! Quality pieces! The saturation and line work on all of those are super clean!

I have to ask. What's the story with the pig and rooster on the feet? That's some hardcore shit on top of the feet. I met a girl once who had the bottoms of her feet tattoo'd with some demonic black and gray work. Yowza!

Old sailor superstition - depending on who tells it, pigs and chickens are the two farm animals that like water the least and/or pigs and chickens were shipped in crates, if the ship sank the crates would still float. Either way, it's supposed to be protection from drowning if your ship sinks. I almost drowned when I was a toddler, so.....

Way back in '08 when it was just a half-sleeve and it was freshly healed:

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by hooligan_E84

Old sailor superstition - depending on who tells it, pigs and chickens are the two farm animals that like water the least and/or pigs and chickens were shipped in crates, if the ship sank the crates would still float. Either way, it's supposed to be protection from drowning if your ship sinks. I almost drowned when I was a toddler, so.....

Way back in '08 when it was just a half-sleeve and it was freshly healed:

I didn't know that, re: sailors superstition. Interesting. Again, great traditional work there!

[UncleWede]

How many drinks were under your belt when you got your first ink?


Me: 0. Artist told me if he smelled any alcohol, we'd have to reschedule. Did I mention I'm ALLERGIC to needles?

[hooligan_G01]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

How many drinks were under your belt when you got your first ink?


Me: 0. Artist told me if he smelled any alcohol, we'd have to reschedule. Did I mention I'm ALLERGIC to needles?

Same here - I was 18 years old, back in '93 and sober as a judge.

[hooligan_G01]

Originally Posted by King Rudi

I didn't know that, re: sailors superstition. Interesting. Again, great traditional work there!

https://www.military.com/undertherad...ly%20survivors.

#11.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

How many drinks were under your belt when you got your first ink?


Me: 0. Artist told me if he smelled any alcohol, we'd have to reschedule. Did I mention I'm ALLERGIC to needles?

None on any of my tattoos. As an artist, if I smelled alcohol whatsoever, there was no work being performed. Turned down a ton of work and upset a lot of people this way. Honestly, I could care less about people getting stupid tattoos while drunk, almost seems like a rite of passage to a degree. My issue was bleeding. Alcohol thins the blood. If I'm trying to lay down some clean lines, I already have to contend with not being able to see the needle as it penetrates the epidermis. Anyone ever try to write or draw and not be able to see the end of the utensil you're using? Not an easy feat. Add alcohol and the problem gets worse....way worse. Now add never-ending bleeding to the process and a person who can't sit still. Again, couldn't care less whether or not you drink or are drunk or what your decision making abilities are while inebriated; if you're so impaired that my good name will be tarnished by not being able to perform my job well.....no way. Tattooing is a business just like any other. Ruin your reputation and you might as well close up shop.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by hooligan_E84

https://www.military.com/undertherad...ly%20survivors.

#11.

Finally had the time to look at the link you posted. Very cool! I love shit like this. You'd think that I'd already know this stuff. I've heard so many tattoo meanings throughout the years I've forgotten most of them. Most of them are all jail-house tattoo meanings, but if a person is legitimately into tattoos and traditional tattoos, sailor tattoos are the way to go. Very cool meaning and story behind yours. Most people, these days, go into a shop, pick out a piece of flash or bring in something they've seen on the internet, etc. and get it put on. Those that have meaning behind them are the true essence of getting a tattoo in the first place.

I have 2 that genuinely mean something to me. On my left calf, I have a tattoo machine that was a colab of two artists. To get a tattoo machine tattoo'd on you, a person has to be a tattoo artist. Other tattoo artists will not put a machine on you if you are not in the club. the person that taught me did the line work. The person that inspired me to be a tattoo artist at the ripe age of 4 did the color. I'm proud of this one, but it's showing it's age. I'll post up a pic at some point. The other tattoo that I have that actually means something is the one on my foot. The boys' mother has the same tattoo. We were young, stupid and taught each other much about life. As badly as I can't stand her now and who she has become, that imprint in time is what's important. The memories of a young Rudi flood my mind every time I notice it.

[Maynard]

Some very cool art. I can't imagine wanting to live with art that is as bad as a lot of what I see, even hanging on your wall. But I don't think anything is quite as hard core as your name and numbers on the bottom of your foot.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

How many drinks were under your belt when you got your first ink?


Me: 0. Artist told me if he smelled any alcohol, we'd have to reschedule. Did I mention I'm ALLERGIC to needles?

My first tattoo was in South Padre on spring break.... my second was in Las Vegas.