So, who's got reptile ink?

Never in a million years would I, or anyone in my family for that matter, have thought I would ever get a tattoo. My standard response through my first 38 years of life was "I'm not going to intentionally scar my body for life!" Well, my beautiful wife got a couple, my bro-in-law (my wife's brother - might as well be my brother from another mother!) got a couple, so on and so forth, and I succumbed to peer pressure (young members - let this be a lesson for you!).

So, here's a blow by blow of my first tattoo going on 3 years ago (by the way, have I mentioned that I like Knight Anoles?):

















Art is based on a pic from the internet and a sketch I did for the artist. Three years later I might need some touch up since it's looking a bit faded to me. I got my second tattoo last year, a small Irish harp of Guinness fame on my other leg, and that little bastard hurt more than the lizard! My next will be something with my wife...but I'd also like a nice tattoo of an Undulated Triggerfish (I love their colors - green being my favorite) at some point as well. Anyway....watchoo guys (meant in a purely gender neutral manner) got?

Chuck H.

I like it. Interesting angle. I love animal tattoos, but I have no tattoos myself.

They did a good job. I like the angle too. I don't have any, but I want a great white, a horrific jack-o-lantern, and so much else, but they cost money, which I don't have...

I've been wanting to get a ball python done but they aren't easy to capture in drawings

I have a lizard on a brick wall on my leg, I'll try to picture it.

I have 2 with hopes of getting more... my next one I want is just a small black snake on the back of my neck but Id really like to get a ball python (a bee of course) somewhere (maybe my foot/ankle area?)... all of the ones I have/get are/will be easy to cover it needed. My work doesnt really care as long as they arent too trashy. My bosses cousin is actually a tattoo artist and was going to do my most recent one the last time he was coming here and visiting but his trip got canceled for personal reasons... he is COVERED from head to toe... i used to really want a sleeve but decided against it as one it would be REALLY expensive and two, its probably not good for jobs that i do since i work in an office lol. and i wouldnt know what theme i wanted to go with. But here is what I have. Each of my tattoos were the house minimum of $50 and each took less than 5 minutes to do. I love the guy that did them... he did them so quick I couldn't believe it was over that fast...

I got my first tattoo back in 2007, its my daughter's name on my left back/shoulder blade area.... let me see if i can find a picture -- well cant find one right now, not sure where they are posted on this computer or my old one... anyway it didnt really hurt until he got closer to the bone and it was like a pinching feeling

I also have this one that I got in March of this year.. its on my wrist/forearm area and says "no regrets" with a little heart and this one really was nothing major, i think this one actually took less than 2 minutes to do. everyone said it would hurt because of the area it was going but i didnt feel anything.

this was the day I got it


and this is more recent

Tats can be like snakes never can have just one, I have four now and would get more, but the wife don't like that idear to much.

I'm with Nick. I do not have any tats now but I've always wanted one but never really found anything I wanted to have on my body forever. But I really want to get a ball python but trying to find an artist to do that kinda work and make it look real will be tough.

Yes it will I've seen some ball python tats before maybe 5, and only one came close to real looking. it may have been posted on BP not sure. No matter what you get make sure you really want it. Ink use to be forever not nowadays, but removal cost. If your young get it where it covered for the most part, because you need a job. And no matter what they say the guy with the ink free face will most likely get the job over the inked face.

I'm fairly covered.... Tattoos are an obsession almost as bad as reptiles. I'm in the process of having scales tattooed across my shoulders. When the project is finished I'll put it up on here. Right now I have a few finished dragons, several horses, a raven, hieroglyphics and more stars than anyone could count.

Ok, I can't find a google answer. Are dragons reptiles?

I think that's a topic of much debate. They do strike me as rather reptilian

Well I have a dragon tattoo if it's a reptile . But I did start this thread on the dragon /reptile discussion

http://www.vaherps.com/t676-dragon-reptile-or-dinosaur

you need a picture nick. duh. i know mine werent reptiles but oh wellz. I dont follow rules or instructions very well.

I am very seriously considering a sleeve with the primary focus being a ball python.

I'm a professional (with a Bachelors degree and an MBA). So, the sleeve will have to start a little higher on the arm than usual, so I can hide it at work with a long sleeve shirt. Would love to see ideas and suggestions from anyone with input.

I'm taking my time to locate the best artist and design. Since it is going to be with me the rest of my life, I want high quality and a killer design. I know it wil be expensive, but since it is permanent, I'm going for quality.

So far, I'm really impressed with the work of Greg Piper in Manassas. Though, that would be a long drive.

The best tattoo artist that me and my wife have come across was in chicago. His work was phenomenal. He did my wifes latest tattoo and it came out great! it took nearly 11 hours and he only charged us 650. i can honestly say that it is one of the best tats i have ever seen. i plan on going back to chicago just to get mine done..... not that im suggesting that you go all the way there don, just saying hes awesome ive been looking for a very long time for an artist that i trusted with "scaring" my body, lol. like you said its permenant and i want to be happy with it cause ima have it for a bit.

Don along with the things on your list already, make vary sure that they have a vary clean environment and that there needles are new and unopened. I have a few tats all from one person he's not working anymore. I got one in Singapore from Johnny two thumbs. Too much to drink that day. It's a cover up now. I haven't seen many good real looking snake tats but I like the idea of a 3/4 sleeve with a snake. When I got my tats I spent a lot of time on the net gathered up everything I like ie... Type of art, colors .... Took it to my guy and he made up drawings to look at. Good luck, and remember like you already said it's forever so do it right the first time.

I like this, but it isn't a ball python. Something like this quality and design, but with a ball on the arm would be nice.

Thats not bad at all.

I got both of mine done by the same guy at Ancient Art in VA Beach between Cleveland & the Blvd.. his name was Steve... he is probably the only person I will let do any ink on me... he just made the whole experience enjoyable... I have gone in other place and looked and talked to different people but feel the most comfortable at Ancient Art.

After looking at artists all over the eastern half of the country, I've sent an email to Greg Piper in Manassas for a consult. If y'all want, I'll start a separate post and give the step by step. I suspect this is going to cost me a few grand for the quality I'm looking for, but it is forever so I'm looking for the best quality I can find. Also, I suspect this is going to take a long consult or two and several sittings to complete. so it looks ripe for a thread of its own.

Right now, I'm thinking of a couple of ball morphs entertwined around my arm. Once I hear back from Mr. Piper, I'll let you know where we are going.

Do it I've seen them before and the progress is cool to watch.

Sounds awesome Don! Can't wait for you to get it started!

So are you going for color or black and gray? what morph of ball?

Well, I think one morph will be a Superblast. I like the orange in that snake. Was thinking of an Albino pied for another, but am not sure about the white ink in a tatto. If there is a third, it may be a caramel spider or something as colorful as that. Thinking full color, realistic. Also may ad a small spider (U of R grad) and/or a small ram (for VCU).

I want a real full sleeve, not just a large tat. Still have not heard from the artist. But, it is the holidays, so I'll try to get a hold of him after the new year, if I don't hear from him. That just gives me more time to look and think of the designs.

OK, I've swapped emails with the artist and will drive up to Manassas, if he confirms, just after the new year. Looks like we are moving forward.

That's cool! I look forward to watching the progress

Went up to Manassas and talked with Greg today. We worked on the concepts and I showed him some of our snakes (on the web). We set up appointments starting at the end of July. It is going to take five sittings of four to five hours each. Unfortunately, I've gotbsomevwaiting to do.

About 30 days from he first appointment we will finalize the design.

Awesome Don! Looking forward to see the ink

That's great, this is going to make me want another.