Tattoos... advice from those so adorned

I am 58. I am considering getting my first tattoo(s). Frankly, I think it's a done deal but for the decision making.

Probably this won't happen until early summer. I have a surgery to go through first, and any tattooing would have to happen in Anchorage, so I actually have to travel to get it done.

My bestest hunting buddy has a bunch, and has been trying to talk me into it for years. My recently divorced ex was not a fan so I held off. Now? I think I am ready to take the plunge.

I do plan for whatever I get to be in locations I can cover - these are being done for me, not for a general viewing public. I have nothing against ones that can be seen; that's just not me.

I have ideas: my college mascot with a "Class of" attached to it... a number of hunting related ones, many tied to Africa and my hunting life in Alaska. And maybe a Bible verse and a possible quote. I want whatever I put on me to have meaning to me. For example, my college? I have been a proud Tiger for 35+ years and I will go to my grave a proud Tiger.

Those of you who have tattoos... can you relate to me your experiences? Things you like? Things you'd do different? Advice to a late-in-life first timer?

Thanks in advance.
Here you go @Tundra Tiger. Talk about life's lessons (and along similar logic), Africa has monkeys, makes sense to get a monkey tattoo...
Screensho002001.jpg
 
I got the comic book characters my kids were named after on one arm and a tattoo commemorating my military service on the other arm. I thought about it for around ten years before I had it done. No regrets so far.
 
I am a paramedic by trade. Recently went on a mid thirties year old female with a new onset medical issue. Tatoos covering her body, random stuff and everywhere, even small ones on her face, as well as random piercings. During the transport I asked the significance of the works. She told a story of becoming a heroin addict as a teenager. Torched most of her twenties and then through a series of “life happens” she got sober. Part of her process was getting a tattoo when her drug cravings got too much to bear. The needle in her skin and the pain and the healing process had gotten her through the worst of the addiction.
She looked awful rough and would be harshly judged anywhere she went, but I was impressed by her resolve and proud of her for her ability to fight her way out of the dark. I was grateful to have met her.
I’m in the “don’t do it” category, but these days, ink doesn’t carry the same stigmas as it has in the past, go be yourself.
 
You get what you pay for.
My tattoo artist was $200 an hour for instance. He only does realistic black and grey and nothing else and is booked out over a year.

Artists normally specialize in a certain area, some only do traditional, some only realistic black and grey, some full color, etc. They're artists so once you decide what you want look for an artist that does that style. The good ones can be booked out for a LONG time.

Here's the backside of my arm. Canoe on Jackson Lake in front of Mt Moran, took about 5 hrs. Also have a 400" bugling bull elk in front of the Tetons, an old school map and compass Rose, etc. on the other side.
Screenshot_20250210_040651_Instagram.jpg
 
I am 58. I am considering getting my first tattoo(s). Frankly, I think it's a done deal but for the decision making.

Probably this won't happen until early summer. I have a surgery to go through first, and any tattooing would have to happen in Anchorage, so I actually have to travel to get it done.

My bestest hunting buddy has a bunch, and has been trying to talk me into it for years. My recently divorced ex was not a fan so I held off. Now? I think I am ready to take the plunge.

I do plan for whatever I get to be in locations I can cover - these are being done for me, not for a general viewing public. I have nothing against ones that can be seen; that's just not me.

I have ideas: my college mascot with a "Class of" attached to it... a number of hunting related ones, many tied to Africa and my hunting life in Alaska. And maybe a Bible verse and a possible quote. I want whatever I put on me to have meaning to me. For example, my college? I have been a proud Tiger for 35+ years and I will go to my grave a proud Tiger descargar spotify premium apk.

Those of you who have tattoos... can you relate to me your experiences? Things you like? Things you'd do different? Advice to a late-in-life first timer?

Thanks in advance.
Research an experienced artist in Anchorage, especially for wildlife and lettering. Test the design placement beforehand. Allow full recovery post-surgery. Start small, choose meaningful designs, and ensure proper aftercare. Enjoy the journey!
 
I just hope that is supposed to be a muskox instead of a cape buffalo. ;-).



seriously, work looks good.
Well my wife has a pterodactyl that used to be a butterfly....
 
From someone with more than a few, in my opinion there are two routes to go but they eventually converge. If you get multiple you’ll usually go route 1 then eventually route 2

1) go with a style you like, research and find ideas for something in that style that really sticks out. Then research your area for a great (don’t settle for good) artist that specializes in said style.

2) the second option is find a great artist you really trust and appreciate their work and brainstorm ideas together. Once an idea is solidified, and a price is set you are good to go!

But that’s from a younger guy that had little impulse control with tattoos in college haha
 
Tundra Tiger did you get inked. I did a 4 year stint in the Navy and left unadorned, although I did by a few in my service years. A cobra on the arm of a girl that had led me astray and a revenge tattoo on a shipmate that needed to learn humility. In Naples Italy my shipmate Scott ( The gentleman that needed to learn humility) got a picture of a giant black rose on his forearm that had the caption “The black rose of death” this was the stupidest tattoo I could find and paid for the implant of pigment. The next day Scott was not happy with the new image and removed it with sand paper and bleach, I was afraid of him after that. The cobra girl was giddy with her artwork and gave me an enjoyable month before returning to the briney deep. Well that’s my tattoo experience I look forward to hearing of yours.
 

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