Lady Mika--The Locs Start HERE. (lol) Leaving the interwebs for a while.

Hi Lady M!

I saw your post about tats in another thread and I had to come and check you out! Loved the pictorial, Gypsy came to life! Seffy is the same way after she's been trapped under a headwrap all day (that is when I know it is time to do something)! Can't wait to hear more about the expo. Missed the one our here. My GF and I are getting matching ones in June and are looking for a female or female identified artist. It'll be my third and my GF's first. Why is it so hard to find female tattoo artists?

Have a great day!

Loved the pictorial. Super simple....easy to follow. Gorgeous curls!

We want pics....we want pics....we want pics!!!

I'll be back to see the tatt pics. Hope you had a great time!

Love the slide show! and the curls looked so happy in the end. Next time let's see your cat in the background getting into trouble for a comical effect! Cause I cannot take a pic with out my cats Aioki and Bentley doing something in the backdrop spelling trouble.

See why am I gonna have to come to the city to hold you down and take pics of the tats???
Lol!!
GM, now where are the dang pics???

What's up LadyM

I've been MIA but I just wanted to stop by and hollar at you!!! oooops just let your cat out!!! Dang it!!

I'll check back later...maybe you will have pictures posted by then!!!

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!!

KNH

Hello all!

Unfortunately..................I didn't take any pictures.

The reason for that...WHAT HAD HAPPENED WAS............I was spending a lot of time with one of the few good friends I had from high school! We met up for the first time in TEN YEARS yesterday at the convention! I was really glad to see her. She said I still looked 17. ...Well, might as well run with it. Cuz if I'm near 30 and I look 17, that means I'll look 25 when I hit 40! Word son. Straight hip hop.

ANYWAY.

We brought each other up to speed on life, and I met her husband (who came with her)--REALLY nice guy. BOTH are into tattoos, which is awesome. Back then, I didn't think she'd be the type. Not even a piercing beyond her ears. But she was REALLY into the convention, jumping from table to table--I even lost them at one point! Turns out, she was looking for ideas about her own tattoo, as well as her husband. I spent about $100 on artbooks, magazines, collected a bunch of flyers, and bought a t-shirt for my boyfriend. Some regulars of the convention were absent this year: Paul Booth, Vincent Castiglia, this table from Belgium that does AMAZING tribal work (I can NEVER remember the name!! ) and a few others. BUT! I do have pics of a PREVIOUS year's convention if any one is interested in seeing those. All in all, it was a good day! I was EXHAUSTED (because I had to work early yesterday as well). Came home, took a shower, crawled right into bed. Today I have to work, so I'll spend it flipping through the books and mags that I bought. I get A LOT out of looking at another artist's work. So much inspiration and ideas!

Which leads me to wonder if I should start my own thread in the Creativity forum? I don't draw nearly as much as I USED to, but I don't think I'm horrible. At least OTHER people who've seen my work don't think so. I dunno. Maybe another time.

I signed up for more guitar lessons and those start on Tuesday. AND I'm planning on going to see the King Tut exhibit this week as well! Now to call a couple of tattoo artists and see what their schedule will be like for the next two months.

Have a great day everyone!

Aaaahhhh no pics. Sounds like you had fun though. And ummm yeah, you look really young. That's a blessing. Black don't crack girl..lol.

I'd love to see your pics from last year. I need to find a good tatt artist in my area. It's been over 10 years and my color on my Ankh is fading. I'd like to get it recolored and get a couple of new ones. I'm thinking one will be an Adinkra symbol.

The King Tut exhibit sounds like fun. I went to an Egyptian museum exhibit, can't remember if it was a King Tut exhibit or not, years ago. Actually drove to Richmond, VA to check it out. Very interesting/educational/amazing, etc. IMO.

giiiiiiirl u are ON IT!! yes i'd want to see the old pics too. sounds like u had a great time!

That convention seemed like it would have been a lot of fun. I am actually looking for an artist to do my LAST tattoo. I have two and I want one more. I am such a baby when it comes to tattoos, I have no clue why I keep doing them. I mean DRAMA when I am in the chair and that needle hits my skin!!

I love the Tattoos that look like a real work of art. That is how they are in Singapore. A tattoo take around 8 hours to do (that is what he said for the one I wanted). I then told him that is ok because he talking out patient surgery time frame.

I am happy you had a great time honey and you do look great for your age.

NO PICS.....NO PICS.....



Yes, I love to see pics from last year....sounds like you had a great time. Yay for more guitar lessons!!! Your hat is gonna fill up at the train station now...

good morning!!

I love looking at tattoos. I have an ex who does tattoos and my hunnys cousin does as well. I used to like watching Miami Ink and seeing the stories behind why people got certain tattoos. I'm for them as long as they have some meaning. I have 3 but this is my favorite: My family crest on my right side

@ ALatina - I use to watch Miami Ink religiously too.

Good morning everyone! For those who asked, I'll dig through my files and find the pics; I'll post them either tonight when I get home from work or tomorrow afternoon before I head off to my lessons.

@Dva: I still get asked what high school I go to, and little 14 year old boys try to pick me up all the time. I'm like "Uh, when I graduated high school, YOUR MOTHER WAS STILL CLEANING YOUR EARS FOR YOU." But yeah, looking like I'm still 12 has its advantages. Student discounts WUT!? I was thinking about getting an Ankh on the back of my neck sometime. I think there's quite a few artists in the DC area. A girl I was stationed with said that's where she got all her work done.

@Ktoliver: YEAH, I know about the tattoos in Singapore! And in Thailand and Japan too! Those are actual art forms, not just designs you can get nilly willy. I always wanted to get the Japanese sleeves the traditional way with the stick and the ink. It's amazing to watch. They do it that way in the Polynesian Islands too, AND in certain tribes in Africa as well. It's amazing how tattoos are such an ingrained part of HUMAN history! It gets a little annoying that I have to shop at stores like...Forever 21 (ew.) because those are the only places I can find clothes that fit. But, I make it work.

@Lynnie: I'm not great, but I do love to play. Taking lessons just helps me be around others who like to play as well. (It'll also get my tail BACK into the habit of practicing. Give me room to slack off and I WILL. I have yet to learn. )

@AL: Oooohhh, I like that! I always said that tattoos on a woman's hips and sides make for lovely accents on our bodies. Girl, I loved Miami Ink. But I'll be for real, I only watched it because I think Ami James is hot with that SEXY. BALD. HEAD of his. It's PERFECT, just so damn symmetrical.

Hi Lady Mika! I have no ink (YET) truth is I see so many hood girls with bad ink til I want to make sure I have a good tat when I get one. Hubby has some and they came out well, But that is him and not me, I dunno I guess I will never find the right tat artist.

Hey Mika, your tattoo convention sounds phenomenal. I don't think I could have walked away without getting something major! I feel like I should go to one next time I hear of one locally; I'm glad you shared.

Curly_Aquarius wrote:Hi Lady Mika! I have no ink (YET) truth is I see so many hood girls with bad ink til I want to make sure I have a good tat when I get one. Hubby has some and they came out well, But that is him and not me, I dunno I guess I will never find the right tat artist.

That's because hood girls get generic tattoos: lower back, some dude's name, silly acronyms (Money. Over. Men. ...Yeah. I know.), same shite as everyone else up the street and around the corner. A lot of girls don't put ANY thought into what they get. Nor are they serious about finding a decent artist: they just go WHERE EVER, and WHERE EVER IS CHEAPER. Stupid girls. You'll find the right tattoo artist, FOR YOU. That'll be someone who can help you decide on something you'll WANT to wear forever, as opposed to something that sounds cool for the moment and later on you're like "WHY did I get this...?". I'd rather it take TIME to find someone who'll do you justice, rather than go to just anyone.

poeticlyspkng wrote:Hey Mika, your tattoo convention sounds phenomenal. I don't think I could have walked away without getting something major! I feel like I should go to one next time I hear of one locally; I'm glad you shared.

I've only been tattoo'd once at the convention (two cherry blossoms on my right hip back in 07), but I usually stay away from that because the artists are usually BOOKED well in advance. (Yes, some artists actually let you book an appointment AT the convention.) But you should DEFINITELY check out a convention. If not to get tattoo'd, just to check out the awesome artwork!

And if you can't already tell, the Multi-Quote is working again!

I have no tats either. But I would like to get one. But when I do I want it to be awesome and meaningful. I want it customed desigend. Curly Aquarius, there's a really good female tattoo artists at the Electric Chair in Houston. Her name is Stephanie. I've seen her work online. She's also an artist. I plan to go to her when I decide to get inked.

Here are the pics of a previous year's convention (I think it said '08? '09 I didn't have a camera.). Please excuse the blurriness of some of these pics, the camera I had BACK THEN wasn't very good. The NYC Tattoo Convention is held at Roseland Ballroom, on 52nd St and Broadway, ALWAYS in May and runs for three days on a weekend.



This back piece was actually AIR BRUSHED, which is also offered by some artists in case you get cold feet about an actual tattoo. (There's also TEMPORARY tattoos that wash off; very cheap. No more than $40, depending on the size.)



A massive Star Wars back piece. The model was very cute, and very flirty.



This guy came to NYC, ALL THE WAY FROM ITALY. Notice the detail of the webbing from shoulder to wrist, and the incorporated skulls. Frickin' BRILLIANT, whoever this guy's artist was!



This cute couple works/ed at a shop in Brooklyn. (I forgot the name, sorry.) So in love with that half sleeve.



The young lady is my homie/co-worker. The gent came all the way from IRELAND for the convention. Gorgeous facial work.



Notice his left arm (far right): THAT, is what I'm aiming for. These tattoos are the "Horimono" traditional tattoos from Japan. The shop or artist is usually named after the style itself, i.e.: "Hori-yoshi" or "Hori-sei", etc. These are done with a stick with a wooden handle, and the needles to be used are attached to the end of it. The stick is then dipped into the ink, and then applied to the body in quick stabbing motions. The same method is used in Thailand and Singapore. In the Polynesian islands, a similar method is done with TWO sticks: one with the needle and ink, the other to help drive the needle into the skin. In other tribes and countries, something as simple as a CACTUS NEEDLE or a SHARPENED TWIG is used to do tattoos--typically reserved for rights of passage and ceremonies. Didn't mean to ramble a bit, just wanted to share about this underestimated/under-appreciated art form.



For Femme: This is Betsy Rose, a FEMALE (clearly) tattoo artist at a local shop called Red Rocket Tattoos in Midtown. One of the tattoo artists I'll be speaking with is named Becca, another lady artist currently based in the Lower East Side. So, they're out there Femme!

Aaaaaaand this is all I can find for the moment. But, this is pretty much a good gist of what's seen/walking around at a tattoo convention. There are also live demonstrations of Horimono tattoos, live shows, a CONTEST for BEST TATTOO on certain body parts (back, arms, legs, chest), bands, and music played throughout. Books (sketch books by the artists, book and magazine VENDORS), t-shirts, art prints by the tattoo artists themselves, posters, flash cards for the parlors, tattoo aftercare products, PIERCING BOOTHS, collars, wrist bands, ladies clothes, baby clothing (I'm serious! Cute stuff too!), tattoo machines and ink, you can get a pair of fangs if you want (I'm serious about this one too), and all sorts of other goodies are also sold.

For a first timer, it's pretty overwhelming but it's definitely worth going to. This was my third time in a row, and I had a blast. By NEXT year's convention, I WILL have ink to show off.

And that, is my update for tonight. Off to bed with me, because tomorrow is wash day, laundry day, and my guitar lessons start tomorrow.

Goodnight everyone!

Juices-n-Berries wrote:I have no tats either. But I would like to get one. But when I do I want it to be awesome and meaningful. I want it customed desigend. Curly Aquarius, there's a really good female tattoo artists at the Electric Chair in Houston. Her name is Stephanie. I've seen her work online. She's also an artist. I plan to go to her when I decide to get inked.

Take your time, no rush! The more solid your ideas are, the easier it'll be for the artist to translate what you want into a design you'll be happy with.

LadyMika wrote:

Curly_Aquarius wrote:Hi Lady Mika! I have no ink (YET) truth is I see so many hood girls with bad ink til I want to make sure I have a good tat when I get one. Hubby has some and they came out well, But that is him and not me, I dunno I guess I will never find the right tat artist.

That's because hood girls get generic tattoos: lower back, some dude's name, silly acronyms (Money. Over. Men. ...Yeah. I know.), same shite as everyone else up the street and around the corner. A lot of girls don't put ANY thought into what they get. Nor are they serious about finding a decent artist: they just go WHERE EVER, and WHERE EVER IS CHEAPER. Stupid girls. You'll find the right tattoo artist, FOR YOU. That'll be someone who can help you decide on something you'll WANT to wear forever, as opposed to something that sounds cool for the moment and later on you're like "WHY did I get this...?". I'd rather it take TIME to find someone who'll do you justice, rather than go to just anyone.

poeticlyspkng wrote:Hey Mika, your tattoo convention sounds phenomenal. I don't think I could have walked away without getting something major! I feel like I should go to one next time I hear of one locally; I'm glad you shared.

I've only been tattoo'd once at the convention (two cherry blossoms on my right hip back in 07), but I usually stay away from that because the artists are usually BOOKED well in advance. (Yes, some artists actually let you book an appointment AT the convention.) But you should DEFINITELY check out a convention. If not to get tattoo'd, just to check out the awesome artwork!

And if you can't already tell, the Multi-Quote is working again!

Thanks for the advice, Mika! everybody think I am crazy for waiting but I feel if I wait I will find that ONE tat artist that I will be proud to wear their work

Juices-n-Berries wrote:I have no tats either. But I would like to get one. But when I do I want it to be awesome and meaningful. I want it customed desigend. Curly Aquarius, there's a really good female tattoo artists at the Electric Chair in Houston. Her name is Stephanie. I've seen her work online. She's also an artist. I plan to go to her when I decide to get inked.

JnB, Thank you for the info I will def check her out! And I feel the same way you do

I agree with LM on that JNB. Take your time and if you get one get something you will be happy with or something that symbolizes you as the being you are.

Hey LM just dropping by to say hello beautiful.

Awesome tattoo pics! Although, the face tattoo is a lil . I wonder what he does for a living. Lol.

Yes, that's why I've waited so long to get one. Most people rush out at 16, 18, or 21 to get one and regret it at 40. I would only get something that's a true representation of myself (whoever that is, lol)

i was amped for the new tattoo conv. pics but i guess the old ones will suffice lol. i agree with yall on tatoos having meaning...this girl i went to school with has her name on her back twice (she said the first one wasnt big enough) her exboyfriends name starting on her stomach and going around to her back (smh), some crusty stars on her wrist and some flowers on her stomach and probably more that idk of...and they all look cheap b/c she went to the same guy in the hood for $30...and then this dude i know has real G's on one arm & get G's on the other like "real G's get G's" or real gangsters get money smh...and cant forget the FBGM or MON/MOB tats...or tats like this: