Hi Guys

[suze]

I'm new here (obviously) as well as being new to the tattoo experience. I finally got my first tattoo on 31st May (yes I will always remember the date) in Byron Bay on holidays, after 15 years of going in and out of tattoo studios. I'm 55 and it wasn't actually the courage I needed I just hadn't seen anything I loved. So on this particular Friday I saw one on the net I loved and off I went. I opted for angel wings + halo on my wrist. I thought it would hurt a bit but was not quite prepared for the extent of hurt. Anyway I survived, don't regret it. Maybe would've liked a more considerate artist (he was quite opinionated). Can I show a pic? Ok.

This was what I showed him

This is mine straight after

And this is how it is today

I'm hoping it becomes more defined as it heals. Otherwise I'm thinking I may visit a local studio for an opinion on giving a bit more depth. Thanks for reading. Long intro I know and already thinking of my next tatt.

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[el twe]

1. Welcome to LST, hope you enjoy it and learn a thing or two about good tattoos.

2. Give your tattoo a few weeks to heal before you start worrying about how it looks - the body does funny things to it before the ink really sets in.

3. Your artist's brash opinions may have stemmed from you asking for a copy of someone else's tattoo placed upside-down on your wrist. Typically the tattoo should be "right-side up" to the viewer, not the wearer.

[suze]

Thanks el twe. I'm not freaking out yet. He wanted to put it the "right" way, even did the stencil and made me look in the magic mirror but I felt sick looking at it upside down - to me. I would rather not have it. I know, I'm one of those painful clients. He was just trying to give me his professional opinion and I accepted most of it except that part. We had some good laughs, said several swear words together lol. All in all it was a good experience. I am loving reading all the stories on here.

[Diehardonvhs]

Insisting on having a tattoo upside-down is like insisting on having a tattoo spelled wrong - of course the artist will be opinionated on the matter, as it will reflect badly on them as an artist, even if the client is adamant they want it that way.

[suze]

I wasn't aware there was an upside down as I had seen so many photos of wrist tattoos in the position I wanted mine. I didn't mind him having an opinion, I wanted his opinion, just a bit surprised by how strong (or maybe passionate is the word) it was. In the end, I have to live with it, for me it's exactly the right way up.

[HaydenRose]

Don't worry about it if you're happy with the tattoo. I also have an upside down tattoo. Its my dogs paw print on my foot. i wanted it to lay with my foot, going the same way, not thinking about it being upside down to the world. Part of me wishes I got it done the right way. The artist told me why it should go the right way, but I was a picky client too. I still don't regret it and I still love looking at it thinking about my puppy :) Since both of our tattoos are fairly small I don't think it's a big deal. When/if you start getting larger works and want me upside down, then it's an issue :)

And like every one else said, let it settle in, then think about getting it fixed up. See how you feel about it in a month or two. Also if you want to let us know where you're located, we can suggest good shops to add to it or for your future tattoo needs.

[suze]

Thanks HaydenRose :) I'm in Newcastle, Australia. I have the name of an excellent girl at a nearby studio called Alien Art. Her work looks outstanding. So I will give it a month and see how I feel then :)