It's been a while coming but you've reached the decision that you want a tattoo. What's your next step? How do you go about this? What? Where? Who? So many decisions!!
In prior articles I've discussed safety issues in body art in detail so this month I want to chat about the art side of the process. Health safety is still priority #1!!! But let's look to the decision process this month.
You've seen tattoos nearly everywhere you go. There are many that have caught your eye and you think....I like that idea! Ok, now what do you do? The possibilities are endless and it can be quite overwhelming if one doesn't organize their thoughts and desires.
When people come into our studio as 'tattoo virgins' we start to ask questions. What appeals to you? What do you want to say with your tattoo? Some people simply want something pretty/fun or maybe cool/masculine. A deeper reason is to think 'what am I?' 'what do I want my tattoo to say about me?' The old adage 'every picture tells a story' is never more true than with a tattoo! What story is yours? It's a puzzle that you supply the pieces of...a good studio and tattooer will help you put them together.
As we ask questions we hope our client begins to review their reasons for getting a tattoo. Is it to mark a time and an event? A serious memorial to a person passed or a fun reminder of a beloved one? (and please, dont' even think of a name unless it is Mom, Dad or your kids!) Or maybe it's a statement of this is what I am. (hummm...I keep repeating that don't I?)
Some choose to illustrate their passions. Ethnic tattoos open a window to the person. Shamrocks, claddaghs, crosses....Irish, anyone? Aztec designs are most popular with Hispanic clients. And of course the beautiful polynesian designs of our islands abound saying 'this is who I am'. People wear these types of tattoos with particular pride.
A beginning project.....working into a full sleeve
We work with a tremendous amount of tourists who want a reminder of their trip to paradise. Lots of honu, hibiscus, plumeria, tikis and tribal go home with those clients to say 'this is where I've been, this is what I fell in love with'. I've seen people come in with wonderful pieces done in other travel destinations...kinda like their private little travel log! More puzzle pieces!
Many people want to remember deceased family members. Some may chose a simple cross and banner with 'Mom'....it's such a personal issue that only the client can answer. I wear a Rosie The Riviter in memory of my mother who worked in an aircraft factory in WWll.
Rosie...symbolizing the real women's movement!
I also have a lady dragon on my leg stepping off a branch....just like my Mom taught me to do as a young adult. 'Get out there, take chances, the sweetest fruit is often at the end of the branch!' she would say! I was born in the year of the dragon....see how it goes? The puzzle pieces are starting to fit, eh?
With the return of so many of our troops we have been overwhelmed with their stories and their ideas to commemorate their duty served. From memorials of comrades lost to pride in serving their country these tattoos touch the heart and soul of our staff.
When an artist is drawing a design layout for a memorial it gets into your head. You think of this person being remembered, the impact they had on your client's life, yes, the feelings can be overwhelming. I remember a young man from our Chicago shop. He had just received a full ride scholarship to Notre Dame and was getting a portrait of his mother. As my husband was doing this portrait I thought of this lady who died when the fella was but 12. Here he was, on his way in life. How proud she would be of him! I'll never forget his face when he saw the tattoo finished. Puzzle completed.
A quality studio will talk with you and walk you through this process. It is the hardest part of getting a tattoo as there are a gazillion ideas and which one is right for you? Take your time, do your homework. Visit a few studios to see the images available. Hint: tattoo designs on display at shops are called 'flash'. Many are available in every shop....Cherry Creek Flash are the widest sold tattoo patterns in the world! Beautiful, but do you want to look like 1 million other people? A quality shop will help you tweek a flash idea into YOUR idea. Don't be afraid to ask and if you don't like the answer....WALK. Some shops and tattooers do not want to bother (??) with custom work and will only do flash work. This limits you to what everyone else in the world has done or will do.
You can do a little prescouting online. Visit www.cherrycreekflash.com or www.johnnytattoo.com or www.liquidskin.com for starters. The more you look, the more the ideas roll in your head and the cream will rise to the top! Take that cream into your studio of choice!
Chosing the right tattooer is the next major step. Review their photo portfolios. Make sure the pictures are of work THEY have done and not cut out of magazines. If they don't have a portfolio, immediately walk out. Ask questions about their sanitation and sterilization methods. Check my prior articles on safety and health issues....DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND ASK QUESTIONS. Do NOT assume they do things right!
While talking with the staff at your chosen studio you should feel a rappore establish. You are trusting this person/facility with your skin, your health, and your tattoo. Make sure all the parts of this puzzle fit PERFECTLY. Don't put up with rudeness, aloofness, late deadlines, delays, etc. Chose a professional who takes your work as serious as you do. Expect to pay a deposit to have any artwork drawn. Most studios will apply that deposit toward your tattoo. Because it involves the artist time, it is generally a non-refundable deposit. And no, don't expect to take the design home to look at it! Artwork remains in the studio for that studio's use only.
As your puzzle comes together and you review your final design you should feel a satisfaction that says 'yeah, this is right.' If you have hesitations, a part is missing. Stop, rethink, review, and don't continue until all the pieces fit!
Next month: The Do's and Don'ts of visiting a studio. Questions we welcome, customers we don't.
