Sorry for the long delay! The last month has been hell. 
Moving into my new apartment was a huge pain in the ass, so I've spent my days either moving future and boxes or dealing with completely unreliable brokers / supers / managment / movers / etc. I also had to take some time off from tattoos to let my body heal. My left arm was absolutely not happy, at one point with a month and a half's worth of healing tattoo, rashes, minor infections, etc. My theory is the stresses of moving and my upcoming unemployment did a number on my immune system. Anyway, I'm finally feeling normal and fully healed. I have an
appointment today so I took some picture before the new work is done. Last time we did more work on my arm, and I believe we'll start on my leg today.
7 comments:
hey, never posted a comment on a blog, so not sure if that will work :) But I need to say that your process is the most fascinating and artificually fantastic tattoo story I have ever read. I am looking forward to getting my body suit started myself. So i really hope that I got much confidence and design ideas from you. I like mine to be done in Japanese style too - not much more collor than you got. I like it simple. Did you ever thought to get that much when you started your back? Let's here more from you - Nick (Germany)
Hi Nick,
Thanks for the comment. No, I didn't think I'd do more after my back was done. It just sort of turned out that way. In a year or so, we'll see if I do my legs too..
hi Mike
I just have to agree with Nick; it's a wonderful blog and the whole thing is looking great. Congratulations on the new work too and thanks for the latest update.
Mark
Hi Mike,
Your tattoo is so awesome! I tried to email nyadorned but they told me Shinji are fully booked throughout the year. I am an international student from Malaysia and currently in Oklahoma. I am looking to get a full back piece by either Shinji or Horitomo from State of Grace but i am not too sure what are their price range? Could you please enlighten me?
I really want some works from these great guys before i leave the country for good. I still have a year before my graduation and i need to know how much do i need to get every things done! Hope you can help me out...
Shin,
Thanks for the comment. As far as price range goes, that's really something you work out with the artist. And for such a big project, it is hard to know what the final price will be so you just settle on an hourly rate and charge through it. But I can help you guesstimate: my back (which extends down past the buttocks and onto my thighs) took about 80 hours. That would be shorter if you get a smaller design, or go to an artist who works with a machine instead of by hand, or if you're physically smaller than me, etc. An in demand tattoo artist probably charges at least $150 an hour, but it could be closer to $200. So, do the math. Not a small chunk of change. I could have never afforded that as a student. Best of luck to you!
Hi Mike,
Thanks for replying! Now i kinda know about the price range and how long to get a back piece done. I wanted a dragon and tiger on my back but not over my waist line. I will be working over here once i graduate just to earn the money to get the tattoo.
I have some more questions again, it's seem like you can get an appointment with Shinji fairly easy but i were told that he is fully booked a year before. Is there any tips to get a faster appointment?
Hi Shin,
I wish I had some advice to get you an appointment faster, but I don't. I've never really asked how the scheduling works, but my understanding is that it's something like this: even though there is a year waiting list, every single slot on every shift that Shinji works is probably not filled up for a year. They need to be able to have some flexibility since he travels and needs days off, and those who want work done also cancel and reschedule, etc. Instead, they probably do some sort of a estimation like "ok, there are about 15 guys getting big pieces done; if we want to get them finished up in a reasonable amout of time we probably can't take on any more big work for about a year." I'm just tossing a number out there, but you get the idea. And even though I'm one of those people getting work done now, I can't call up and expect to get an appointment whenever I want. If I don't keep up with making appointments a few months in advance, I can get stuck without an appointment for a month or two. Make sense? So the only thing I can suggest to you is to get your name on the waiting list and hope for the best. Perhaps someone will drop out and you'll get in there faster.
-M
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