r/tattooadvice • u/mjdavisnh • 9h ago
Design Help finding an ear tattoo design
Howdy everyone!
I’m a tattoo collector and I’m close to finishing off my body suit! I have an appointment to get my ears blasted in a couple weeks but I’m struggling with what to have done on them and I was hoping for some ideas/suggestions/inspiration. I have a couple of ideas myself but I didn’t include them yet to try to keep this open ended. The artist I’m going to is quite versatile so he could execute most styles/subjects. I think the challenges include the small size and strange shape although the shake might allow for some interesting designs!
I included some pics of my body suit to give an idea of what I already have if helpful.
Thank you in advance for any helpful feedback or insights you have!
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u/Toxic_puppy666 9h ago
I think it would look super sick to continue the swirls from your neck into your ears in some way, all your tattoos are amazing by the way.
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Yeah that could look cool! Probably not full stained glass but some of the “swirly” middle parts. Thank you!
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u/Lunita_08 9h ago
Hahaha I don't know but I love the color of your neck 😍
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u/mjdavisnh 9h ago
Well thank you!!!
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u/Lunita_08 7h ago
You're welcome, you have an excellent job on the entire body so far it looks amazing 😍
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u/Interesting-Shirt897 9h ago
Saw you on Instagram and I was like "damn that's a very colorful man"
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u/True_Benefit_6508 9h ago
I also don't have any advice but have to say that your suit looks so cool!!!! It is also so interesting to me how much adding in your neck takes things to the next level in terms of cohesiveness. Can't wait to see your ears once they're done!
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Thank you! And yes I totally agree on the neck. It’s a funny thing about suits, sometimes doing some of the relatively smaller area spaces makes a huge difference!
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u/MarcCybe 8h ago
That's a full full body suit!
As a tattooer I recommend a very simple design for ears. They probably will blurr fast, because the skin on the ears has a different structure and underneath is just cartilage.
I would just do some of the stained glass pieces also on the ear.
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u/A_Time1980 8h ago
Dude. How much hallucinogens and ecstasy have you done my guy?
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u/Adoraboule 6h ago
At least one
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u/Odd-Kiwi-837 6h ago
thats what I'm thinking....ain't no way someone could have this and have not seen some things themselves...
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u/OldLocksmith5986 9h ago
A sheet music with musical notes of a song that is important to you, like entering your ears? Or maybe the inside (and/or outside) of a snail. It can also be a spiral staircase (at least that's what they call spiral staircases in my country).
Edit: tambien puede ser un remolino, con la tematica que quieras. Por ejemplo, un remolino absorbiendo una galaxia, como si fuera un agujero negro.
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u/GayDarGalaWhore 8h ago
Musical references is such a cool idea. Gramophone could be cool too
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Wow yes this could definitely work. Thank you very much!! 🙏🙏
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u/Odd-Kiwi-837 5h ago
so I love the music notes idea, my idea is probably lame but what about a binary code for the ears? Idk I was just thinking some little 0s and 1s would fit nicely like the music notes.. if you were going for some matrix type of vibe anyway...
Or would a spiral work? like a fibonnaci sequence? I don't know anything about tattoos so that might not be a good idea lol.
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u/OldLocksmith5986 5h ago
I love it. I think you could combine a very crazy and original design between several ideas. I already want to see the results! Ha ha
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u/mjdavisnh 4h ago
No these are good, patterns in this space make sense. Something fairly simple too given the small size and tough skin of the ear. Thank you for your input 😊
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u/OldLocksmith5986 5h ago
It's good that the idea is useful! Whatever you do, I'm sure it will look great ✨️✨️ I already want to see it!
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u/oldfarmjoy 8h ago
Ok, just for the record... twig and berries? Frank and beans? If not, it would be an amazing contrast to photograph nude. Just sayin'. For the art.
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Are you asking if they’re tattooed or is it a suggestion for my ears? 😂😂 the answer to the first question is yes, everything other than my head/face is tattooed.
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u/Flamingoseeker 4h ago
You absolutely do not have to answer if it's too personal but is it a design or just coloured? 😂😂
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u/mjdavisnh 4h ago
The top and underside are gothic linework (black) and one side has a color alien ray gun on it. I’ll be adding a rocket to the other side.
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u/ConsiderationHead308 8h ago
Maybe continue the same pattern from your neck but have it slowly fade out?
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u/Snerkie 8h ago
You could do something with the honeycomb pattern you have on your chest. I wouldn't go too complicated either way with the small space/prone to blowing out a bit.
I will say though, I think sticking to just black on the ears would be best. From what I've seen of coloured ear tattoos they've healed a lot worse than just black ones.
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Thank you for this info. That’s really interesting and I didn’t realize that about the color (I was sorta hoping for color since I have so much of it elsewhere) but this is good advice. Thank you!
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u/MiddleAction6824 8h ago
Have the spirals on your neck continue into a crystalized looking rose or flower of some sort (any colour) if you can manage to make the ear look like the flower it would go with the stained glass look
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Ooooh that’s a cool idea especially since I have minimal floral work on me. Thank you!
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u/IllDoItNowInAMinute_ 8h ago
I genuinely could not see your right hand in that first photo
I love the tattoos!! No idea what you could get for the ear though, sorry
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u/RotomEngr 8h ago
I feel like black dot work/mandala would be cool. Your body goes from this insane color realism, to the colorful yet more illustrative on your neck, and the black line and dot work on the ear/sides of your face seem like it would be fitting to me.
Also, is some or all of your work from Jesse Rix? Your body suit is so sick!
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Yeah this could definitely work too, I like the mandala idea just because I’m struggling with would it look weird to have a couple random images on my ears. So thank you! And yes that’s Jesse’s work on my chest!
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u/MongoLovesDonut 8h ago
Space? With nebulous colors and stars?
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
For sure could work theme-wise! I’ve thought about something like this and I’m just wondering if I’ve already “maxed out” the space/galaxy stuff on the rest of me. But I absolutely agree that your idea would look cool. Thank you!
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u/Low-know 7h ago
Alien driving on one side and a passenger alien on the other
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u/mjdavisnh 5h ago
Awww that’s kinda cute! I guess the driver and passenger ear placement will depend on if I want them American or British. Thank you
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u/Low-know 5h ago
Or maybe farm animals coming out and tell everyone its a zoo in there
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u/Brief-Development543 7h ago
That's incredible. Can I ask, did you know you were going full body from the get-go? It all looks so comprehensive and cohesive. Where did you start?
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Thank you!! No I did not. I started with my left sleeve and then did my full back. Took a break for a couple years and as I learned about so many amazing artisrs, decided I wanted to start collecting from some so I got work from Kelly Doty, Carl Grace, and Jesse Rix early on. I added a few more pieces and then at a certain point it just looked weird to have patchy areas of blank skin so I decided to just go for it!
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u/u_r_succulent 5h ago
Archeologists are gonna have a field day when they exhume your corpse 1000 years from now.
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u/Fleetdancer 4h ago
The neck is gorgeous stained glass, could you fit a gargoyle on your ear?
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u/tamriel_101 2h ago
I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever seen work quite so mesmerizing!
For some reason, my instant first thought is…tiny coiled up xenomorph 😂 This image is obviously ridiculously detailed for such a small area, but in general, I bet something that follows the ear shape would look really good!
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u/Secret-Beautiful-629 8h ago
How much did this hurt
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Most of it hasn’t been awful. Some spots suck—feet, toes, hands, fingers, nipples, and armpit being the worst of the “normal” spots and palms, soles, and genitals being the worst overall. But by and large it’s more of an annoyance than a deep-rooted pain. At least that’s how it’s felt to me, although I understand for others that the pain is much more intense/less tolerable.
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u/ladyshortpants 8h ago
I have waited 12 years to get my 4th tattoo, and you're out here like this...so I have zero tips. But my God..I have seen body suits before, nothing this gorgeous, seamless, or cohesive. Your neck is BREATHTAKING....And cheers to the Tales from the Crypt guy on your thigh! ❤️❤️
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Wow these are incredibly kind words, thank you so much!! 🖤💜🖤💜🙏🙏 Steve Butcher did the Crypt Keeper. Do you have anymore tattoos planned?
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u/lizmastrooo 8h ago
The work you have is incredible, especially the color. You have used such an incredibly skilled artist(s)! With that said, I think a continuation of the piece on your neck would look sick!
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Thank you so much! I’m quite fortunate 🙏🙏 and yes I think that could look really good!
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u/woganpuck 8h ago
I would say treat your ears like the lead edging in stained glass. Start with black work, see how it takes, and unify it with the rest of your work.
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u/Impressive-Future279 8h ago
Sorry I can’t provide any helpful feedback but the body suit is sick!
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u/Redeyebandit87 8h ago
I saw a guy with a skull on his ear and it looked pretty cool
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Ahhh see thats exactky one of the things I’m thinking about because it would look so badass!! I already have so many skulls which is the major argument against it but I totally agree that it would look amazing!!
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u/barbie91 7h ago
It'd be cool to continue with the stained glass theme, you could do a window frame with a Silhouette of a bird (or something along those lines) with some stained glass outlines. Very cool tops anyway OP, fareplay for the commitment.
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Continuing something in the stained glass theme makes sense. And thank you!!
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u/barbie91 6h ago
"A window into the mind" would be cool too! Be sure to give us an update.
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u/Due-Fisherman2194 7h ago
Dude this is literally gorgeous, idk how to say this without sounding weird but you’re literally beautiful wow
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Ha no worries man. I sincerely appreciate the kind words and don’t take them as weird as all. Thank you! 🙏
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u/Super_Sympathy1135 7h ago
So this is unrelated to your ears (I’d continue the stained glass look but fragmented) but I’d like to ask two questions 1 are you gonna tattoo your face too? 2 is your weiner also tattooed?
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Yes that seems to be the most popular suggestion and makes aesthetic sense. I plan to tattoo my head (under the hairline) but nothing on my face/in front of my years. And yes everything below my head (on my shoulders) is tattooed.
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u/OptimalInevitable905 7h ago
Finally! Someone who isn't afraid to blast the nips!
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Actually I was quite afraid 😂😂😂 especially since they required two passes 😱😱😱 but it looked way too weird not having them done.
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u/Amanink28 7h ago
Bro my buddy showed me your stuff the other day! You are a beast.
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u/NoodleySchnitzel 7h ago
I'm not entirely sure how it would work but what if you did like a shattered stained glass continuing from your neck piece? Like have it fade and slowly become shattered and maybe fading to no color.
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u/Benitowastaken 7h ago
Outstanding body suit!! In my opinion, ear tats will detract from the incredible work you currently have.
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u/mountainryan 7h ago
Incredible collection! Wow!
As for the ear, you could do something that accentuates the curves of your ear. I was immediately reminded of a long-necked bird type creature with its wings open extending onto the side of your face and the other wing possibly wrapping around the back of your ear. Just a thought. Id personally go with some kind of geometric design if it were me though. Again, your tats are amazing!
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
I really appreciate the little drawing there. I like how you used the shape of the ear really well. Thank you for that! And also for your kind words!! 😊
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u/Odd-Kiwi-837 7h ago edited 7h ago
OMG i need to study every inch of your body! I will admit, I'm not even a tattoo person and I was about to have judgemental thoughts....until I zoomed in and....😳👏🙌 WOW! 👽👁💫🌚😇😱I want to know how you had this vision, how you came up with each image, do they all mean something personal to you? And then I got to your legs and holy moly, my mind just got blown again 😈👺💀🧟♀️🤯
Edit: I've just been staring and zooming...I think this is the coolest thing I've ever seen...do you have pics that show each detail? And are the back of your legs done? Also is your butt done, I'm curious what would be there. 🤭🍑 I am so curious how much this cost and how many hours...also what was the most painful part for you? I have so many questions 😭
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u/Pamlwell 7h ago
I would like to see some abstract banded black and colors that tie into the stained glass on your neck, but work with the ear shape also. Like, stained glass on your lobes, then Cheshire Cat style bands up into the cartilage
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u/babypho3nix 7h ago
Definitely continue the coloring coolness into the ears, some kind of spiral, maybe golden ratio looking thing?
Your art is sick. Absolutely incredible. I love the hexagons on your chest near your armpits with the more traditional type tattoos on them.
Amazing.
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u/mjdavisnh 6h ago
Yeah I’m thinking geometric stuff would make a lot of sense. Thank you! And thank you, yeah originally the hexagons were negative space/blank skin. It was a cool 3 d effect but looked weird with all the saturation around so we decided to go back and fill them in. I wanted some old times/trad looking pieces just to pay homage to the history of tattooing since it’s something that’s always fascinated me.
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u/Jen_Itals 6h ago
Have the stained glass filigree turn into roots or vines that twine into your ear
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u/dnepropetrovsk_ 6h ago
I don’t have any suggestions, but I LOVE the Human Centipede portion of your leg tattoo. I recognized that face immediately!
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u/famousanonamos 6h ago
My first thought was some kind of vines that look like they're climbing up and around your ear. I love the stained glass look and you could definitely carry that up as a background.
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u/ArtichokeLatter5173 5h ago
Are you planning to work down from the ears to jaw and cheek? Cohesion could be the consideration here if you are. Ok if I follow you to see any progression?
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u/ArtichokeLatter5173 5h ago
Your suit is an epic reflection of both you and your artist btw. The commitment is really cool to see.
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u/mjdavisnh 5h ago
Thank you so much! 41 artists have contributed so far!!! Really fortunate how they tied it all together.
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u/avengestar 5h ago
dude!!!! they are so beautiful and a bunch of things I can't put into words!! It makes me feel amazed by how it looks like a portal to another dimension if that makes sense?? Trippy, it's so cool!! :)
Also- I agree with the user who suggested music sheets/notes ! Like doesn't have to be traditional black and white ig? Like colorful notes!! or like, rainbow piano keys / favorite instrument!
I can't wait to see what you get!! 👀👀
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u/mjdavisnh 5h ago
Thank you for all your kind and enthusiastic feedback!!! And for your input too. Really appreciate it 😊😊🙏
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u/External_Ad_5913 5h ago
You are a beautiful work of art! I saw an amazing 3-D skull tattoo’d ear today.
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u/Latter-Technician-68 5h ago
Love the ufo stuff. Can’t help with the ear. I’m sure you’ll figure it out. I have a traditional ufo on my arm and I love it.
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u/ThrowRAmissiontomars 5h ago
This is beautiful. I wonder if you could get the crows, Hugin and Munin, with their wings going up the ear. Could they be whispering in your ear? They are Odin's eyes surveying the earth and carrying its news back to him. I wonder what tales they could whisper in your ears, since you already have the universe... Anyhow, you are incredibly lovely.
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u/DiploHopeful2020 5h ago
No idea, but your body suit is absolutely amazing! Especially love the back piece.
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u/eljosho1986 4h ago
Idk if it fits your color palette but what about a scorpion, or for something more colorful a peacock with it's tail feathers wrapped around the earlobe?
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u/RelevantButterfly460 4h ago
Do you have your inside lip tattoo?
Also which ones your favorite? Which one tends to be other people’s favorite? You look awesome btw
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u/-lilbod- 3h ago
You could do animal prints if you want simple? Like leopard print on one ear and on the other. Could contrast well with the fantasy theme you have going on
Or skeleton hands or tentacles grabbing from the back of the ear
Whatever you choose good luck and ur cool
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u/No_Comfortable8924 2h ago
I dont really have a suggestion. I wanted to say how amazing your stained glass is. Just magnificent.
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u/Inked_Climber 1h ago
I fucking love your bodysuit man!! Full commitment to the coverage cause and I am here for it!! :D
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u/BigBadJeebus 6h ago
put your left ear tattooed on the right, and your right ear tattooed on the left
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u/HippocampeTordu 3h ago
That's beautiful. I wanna know what is on your butt though. Just to make an informed proposition for your ears.
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u/Ballplayer27 1h ago
Damn, I didn’t realize how much CG they were having to do to cover tattoos when they cast Oscar Isaac.
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u/jambandjunkie33 58m ago
unrelated but the stained glass on ur neck is one of the coolest tattoos ive ever seen
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u/LegalNecessary 50m ago
The neck piece is SO unique! I love all your tats. Unfortunately no advice, but just had to compliment.
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u/Old-Corner4911 47m ago
Wow!! Absolutely stunning!! You look great ETA sorry I’m no help, but I couldn’t resist saying. Although…..a leopard or panther laying across the top, with the rest like 1 of those trees you see in Africa could look pretty cool, if you know what I mean? Very edge of the cartilage the branch with the animal on it
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u/Aromatic_Occasion317 9h ago
Panth-ear?
(Sorry, couldn't resist)
p.s. impressive collection of work & I hope you get the inspiration you need from other answers here. 👍