Been saving for some new ink, and my guy has left town! Now traveling won’t hold me back, but the in the bay area would be nicer., so who does the RFSO recommend? Oh yeah thinking on Japanese art style, Oni, in particular, and also looking for someone good at, flowers, birds, any style.

i really like Gunnar's artwork and tattoo style.
he is good friends with Craola, and his stuff is just plain sick.
he tattoos down in southern california, but i know that he does travel now and again to do stints in other shops.
you might hit him up and see what the deal is. i believe that his price is something like $150 an hour

sorry, just read you are interested in japanese style. all of Gunnar's stuff is very character based. he does awesome animal characters and stuff, but it might not fit in with what you are after

the san jose tattoo convention is in a couple of weeks....
three tides from japan will be there

http://www.threetidestattoo.com/index2.html

i'm contemplating heading up there myself

That is some sick work! Was planning on going, but make sure to stop by these dudes!

How does it work at a tattoo convention... do you cruise around and just make an appointment with the artists later in the day at the show?

generally it is best to make appts before the convention. if you cant make one before i suggest showing up the first day and to try to make an appt. the sooner you make an appt the better. obviously.

i believe Spotlight Tattoo from here in L.A. will be there as well. Juan Puente, Brian Burk, Bob & Charlie Roberts etc.

I'm partial to Lucky Devil in Seattle....

tats are too trendy have you considered getting branded?

We used to do that at boy scout camp... we'd get a fork from the mess hall, heat it up with a lighter and "brand" people who fell asleep first.

That is so modern primitive. (throws a Re/Search book at you)

i'm still waiting for the next big trend to catch on... AMPUTATION!

I thought it was going to be designer Leprosy...

when in Seattle you should visit Liberty Tattoo

when in L.A. visit Spotlight Tattoo

Hit Temple Tattoo in Oakland, Black Heart Tattoo in SF, Everlating in SF, and Art Work Rebels in SF. Tim or Jeff at Black Heart would kill the ONI. Drive around and check out the different artists work.

You should go see George Long at Laughing Buddha in Seattle, WA. He specializes in Jappanese style tattoo art. Check out: GeorgeLongTattoo.com ! I've seen his work and it's FANTASTIC !

SHAPE

Amputation is coming back? A few years ago I saw an article in the Face about people having half fingers removed being reported as a body modification trend. Then of course there are the people who believe they will not be complete unless they have a limb removed, and can be seen hanging around railroad tracks.

Anyone know if Usugrow tattoos? His website has a link that says "skin" but it's never linked to anything. I would travel to Japan to get tattooed if he does.

san fran has more good tattoo artists per sq mile than anywhere in the US. I second blackheart but if you want the man..

grime.
the best.
at everything.

grimemonster.com

Grime's the man.