The Tattoo Thread

I thought I'd just mention it. Both my parents hate me for the ink I have. But I've learnt that they're the last of a dying breed. The Verwoerd mentality ones. They absolutely adored Apartheid, and when the ANC came to power it grated them, as in every waking hour of their lives. I stopped speaking to my dad years ago on Skype because every conversation ends up with him bitching and uttering "The k******s have broken this country, the ANC this, the ANC that".
Both of them f**ked me up mentally and emotionally while raising me which eventually has seen me spend years in therapy, not just because of low self esteem and being told I am worthless all the time but because their narrow mindeness, their PW Botha admiration just makes everyone sick.
 
PaulMurkin said:
I thought I'd just mention it. Both my parents hate me for the ink I have. But I've learnt that they're the last of a dying breed. The Verwoerd mentality ones. They absolutely adored Apartheid, and when the ANC came to power it grated them, as in every waking hour of their lives. I stopped speaking to my dad years ago on Skype because every conversation ends up with him bitching and uttering "The k******s have broken this country, the ANC this, the ANC that".
Both of them f**ked me up mentally and emotionally while raising me which eventually has seen me spend years in therapy, not just because of low self esteem and being told I am worthless all the time but because their narrow mindeness, their PW Botha admiration just makes everyone sick.
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This country was filled with people like that. Really glad you stopped speaking to them - you are way better off now. Even with therapy, you are in a better situation. I was lucky that my parents weren't racist at all. But some of their friends were. So I can imagine what you went through and how that affected you. You will always find people like that - but you do not have to give them your time. Spend it with people who have the values you do or those you want to have.
 
Does anybody know of a tattoo artist in CT area that is an experienced hand at doing traditional Japanese style tattoos? So far I have only found one, Matt @ Metal Machine. He is very capable but I like shopping around at at least 3 shops before deciding who I plan to go with.

Apart from him, I have only seen 2 or 3 other guys that have done a couple of trad Japanese tattoos but it is definitely not their specialty. Is it just not a very popular style round these parts?
 
8BitLife said:
Does anybody know of a tattoo artist in CT area that is an experienced hand at doing traditional Japanese style tattoos? So far I have only found one, Matt @ Metal Machine. He is very capable but I like shopping around at at least 3 shops before deciding who I plan to go with.

Apart from him, I have only seen 2 or 3 other guys that have done a couple of trad Japanese tattoos but it is definitely not their specialty. Is it just not a very popular style round these parts?
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Yeah man not many people do that over here.

When I expressed interest in Japanese, my own tattoo artist recommended to me the oke that is doing his back: David Chaston.

He is certainly capable but like you said there aren't a lot of examples but he does it from time to time. Good luck and take your time.
 
8BitLife said:
Does anybody know of a tattoo artist in CT area that is an experienced hand at doing traditional Japanese style tattoos? So far I have only found one, Matt @ Metal Machine. He is very capable but I like shopping around at at least 3 shops before deciding who I plan to go with.

Apart from him, I have only seen 2 or 3 other guys that have done a couple of trad Japanese tattoos but it is definitely not their specialty. Is it just not a very popular style round these parts?
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So, Derek from MM did my back and leg sleeve. Matt is relatively new to the studio. I don't know what his work looks like, but Derek is really good. Gareth and Doker Irie from Cape Electric are also really good. There is another guy here in CT, but I can't think of his name right now. As mentioned we don't have tebori or traditional artisits. Its more western or neo traditional, but the quality still slaps.
 
Nickster said:
So, Derek from MM did my back and leg sleeve. Matt is relatively new to the studio. I don't know what his work looks like, but Derek is really good. Gareth and Doker Irie from Cape Electric are also really good. There is another guy here in CT, but I can't think of his name right now. As mentioned we don't have tebori or traditional artisits. Its more western or neo traditional, but the quality still slaps.
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Sorry. I meant Derek and not Matt 🤦
 
8BitLife said:
Sorry. I meant Derek and not Matt 🤦
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All good mate!

Derek is really decent. You should be able to find my back piece on his insta. He is busy with a tiger back piece. What are you thinking of doing? Just a heads up, it hurts a ton. Not sure if you have any tattoos, but the back was horrible :ROFL:
 
Nickster said:
All good mate!

Derek is really decent. You should be able to find my back piece on his insta. He is busy with a tiger back piece. What are you thinking of doing? Just a heads up, it hurts a ton. Not sure if you have any tattoos, but the back was horrible :ROFL:
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I have a few tattoos including a blackout tattoo on my leg. I know the pain. I even told Derek that once we get to shading I might not necessarily come for full day sessions and opt for half-day sessions instead cause f that s****. The receptionist got her back done the day before and she also just shook her head and warned me.

I am looking at doing this.

I think I might have seen the tattoo he did for you. A few months ago he uploaded a video of him doing a backpiece. Was that you?
 
AlmightyBender said:
Yeah man not many people do that over here.

When I expressed interest in Japanese, my own tattoo artist recommended to me the oke that is doing his back: David Chaston.

He is certainly capable but like you said there aren't a lot of examples but he does it from time to time. Good luck and take your time.
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Thanks for the David Chaston recommendation. I saw he gave Tarryn (owner of a great tattoo shop in Jhb) a traditional Japanese sleeve. If he gets the vote from capable artists to do their tattoos, he is good enough for me.
 
8BitLife said:
I have a few tattoos including a blackout tattoo on my leg. I know the pain. I even told Derek that once we get to shading I might not necessarily come for full day sessions and opt for half-day sessions instead cause f that s****. The receptionist got her back done the day before and she also just shook her head and warned me.

I am looking at doing this.

I think I might have seen the tattoo he did for you. A few months ago he uploaded a video of him doing a backpiece. Was that you?
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Yeah that must be mine!
 
PaulMurkin said:
Both of them f**ked me up mentally and emotionally while raising me which eventually has seen me spend years in therapy, not just because of low self esteem and being told I am worthless all the time but because their narrow mindeness, their PW Botha admiration just makes everyone sick.
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images.jpeg
 
Nickster said:
Yes sir! That's mine.
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Low-key wish I had another back. It's the perfect spot for a big powerful piece. Your idea is great and will look fantastic.
I am going to do my chest and stomach next. I just need some time to forget how rough the back was :ROFL:
 
Nickster said:
Low-key wish I had another back. It's the perfect spot for a big powerful piece. Your idea is great and will look fantastic.
I am going to do my chest and stomach next. I just need some time to forget how rough the back was :ROFL:
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Yeah man. Good luck with the stomach. I haven't done it myself but everyone I know who has told me it is the most painful spot. Get numbing cream or something. I think after you sat through a whole back piece you have earned it.
 
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The_David said:

South African International Tattoo Convention – Cape Town 28 – 30 March 2025

www.southafricantattooconvention.com www.southafricantattooconvention.com

go check here for artists going to the convention next year. There are a few there that look like they do Japanese style from CPT. Also a few international artists, maybe you can book one for the convention. March Next year.
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Thanks. But a lot of the artists who go there are not from CT. They are only here for the weekend and then they head back to Jhb, Pta, Dbn or wherever else they came from. And unfortunately you can't get a back piece done that quick. The one consultation I did already told me it will take 5 sessions and you can't necessarily go 5 days in a row. You have to give it time to heal. With my last tattoo I had to take a one month break between sessions for it to heal properly.
 
8BitLife said:
Yeah man. Good luck with the stomach. I haven't done it myself but everyone I know who has told me it is the most painful spot. Getting numbing cream or something. I think after you sat through a whole back piece you have earned it.
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Definitely considering numbing cream or maybe shorter sessions instead of full day ones. I find around 2 hours is fine, but after that its starts becoming quite uncomfortable. I also find it actually takes a lot out of you when sitting full days. I did it with my leg and now my back and don't think I will do it again. Also agree with you about not trying to rush it in a week. A mate of mine did that with his sleeves when he was in Taiwan and mentioned it was horrendous with the healing and back-to-back sittings. Derek is really good with time imo and gets a ton done in the time he uses.
 
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