By the time I went to Igor, my torso was starting to fill up. I wanted masks on the two chest panels. I think I asked for something hannya-style, and he showed me an Oni and a Kappa. After he gave me some background on the Kappa, that was the one.
He knocked it out in one session. When it healed, I kept comparing it to a sticker. It was so clean that I knew I wanted him to do the other chest panel too. That became the Tengu.
During one of those chest sessions, we listened to stand-up. I don’t know if suppressing laughter while someone tattoos your chest is recommended, but I definitely recommend the experience. I don’t wear headphones or try to dissociate during tattoos. Having something to laugh about and talk about during the torture was welcome.
Igor was also the person who convinced me to go to my first MLS game in Portland. The crowd, the chants, and how welcoming everyone was stuck with me. I went in for tattoos and ended up getting introduced to another part of the city.
A closer look at the Kappa.
Both chest panels, healed. Kappa and Tengu by Igor Mortis.