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It's not so much name-dropping or that we want to be "part of it" We all get a lot of time-wasters who just want to talk about tattoo ideas, you know, just shoot the shit a little via email. When someone emails me and lets me know that they have travelled or put in whatever effort and are serious about getting tattooed, if I can tell that they have selected me based on my previous work and understand how much a tattoo of that size will cost - then they are way more likely to get a timely response. Remember that if whoever you are emailing travels a lot they may not have enough time or internet connection long enough to give you a considered response. Before we can email you a time/price/day/location for your tattoo, we need to figure out all that stuff first. Sometimes even have a couple of extra options of dates/times/tattoo subjects. Personally I don't like being given "total freedom". Some days that may mean a portrait of Austin Osman Spare, other days it may mean a Baku backpiece or dagger and rose. I guess if your chosen tattooer is known for a specific set of subjects, it's a no-brainer, but it's something to consider. A couple of alternatives won't hurt either. Something that comes to mind whenever I see/hear discussions like this, I wish I could remind collectors/customers/whatever that just because you see a tattooer post to instagram or whatever else on the internet, that doesn't mean they are also checking and responding to emails.

Bonus segment with Lal Hardy is up: www.vice.com/tattoo-age/valerie-vargas-bonus-a-visit-with-lal-hardy

Hey Mitch.... I returned your email... Sorry, I'm so overwhelmed with more work then I can deal with at the moment... I may be late but I always show up... ha. like a slutty girl and her period.

Don't overthink it.

welp, that one's tiny, so here's a link to a really big picture of it. computers hate me today. http://www.freeimagehosting.net/dp42d

More dogs less people who are not either tattooing or getting tattooed should be in tattoo shops.

Just don't be this guy , from Bob Done Magnum Opus , Brighton . "This is the majority of tattooers in the U.K. under 21 right now . Bare shambles bruv "

I got upper arms done first, then chest plates, then started working on my legs. I started and finished my back, and this year I have brought one arm down and will start filling in the rest of my front. Next year I guess I'll bring the other arm down, chip away at the front piece and maybe add some filler to my legs. I don't really regret the order I did things in. Like David I would probably choose to do things in a different way if I had another shot at it, but this is a little like wishing that you could go back in time and study a different college course or take a different career path or something... The grass is always greener in some respects. When I got the chest plates I never thought that I would want to fill my whole front in within a couple of years. Funny how quickly your ideas about where you draw the line change. I guess someone raised above that the 'ideal' in one POV would be to do legs and all the very private space first, and only then move onto the arms and the public space. Reallistically, however, I think there's a minority of people who want to invest all that time, pain and money to have an almost entirely private collection of tattoos for a good number of years. I think people want to 'look tattooed' without necessaryily being an exhibitionist.

So far I have 100% return rate on my contacts with artist. That being said, some took a decent amount of time to get back. One I waited 3 months for first response and another 6 until I heard again (then got tattooed shortly after). Another 3 months later second contact (more serious) and then finally another 6 months later I got my final REAL response back with dates. (still gotta wait till the middle of next year for my first in person consultation!). It does take time, especially for artists that are in demand and busy. I know from my own job (I'm probably get 1% of the emails) that I get people reaching out all the time, and it becomes hard to get back to everyone. This with the fact that probably 80% are just testing the waters, maybe 10% will actually get work done. My suggested approach (that has worked) is start with actually going to the shop (if you can). Some don't like this but do it anyway to show face. Then try to get them on the phone. 90% of the time they are never there or are busy working (they are at work!) Last resort is email as knowing my own email habits (read a couple, scan through a bunch, then never read the rest). @David Flores nailed it pretty good already but thought I would throw in my $0.02

Right now the tattoo I am working on means about a 360 mile drive each way...I did the same drive for the consultation. I have absolutely no regrets about it because it's a tattoo I am super stoked on and get excited to look at by an artist who I greatly admire and who if I could choose anybody to tattoo me, with no financial or travel constraints, I would still get tattooed by. I'd hate to settle for something less and then regret later on that I could have gotten tattooed by people I REALLY wanted to get tattooed by but didn't because it was inconvenient. I also totally understand feeling a real need to get tattooed--my wife's tattoo artist actually called me a "bitch in heat" once (not to my face though...if she had I would have found it hilarious...and true) because I was climbing up the walls being in a tattoo shop not getting tattooed. But still, tattoos are worth waiting for.

I was in bed before 1am last night... it's amazing how well the filth rolls off the fingertips sometimes... - - - Updated - - - FUCK NO. When I opened up my laptop and setup a facebook account for him, OMG, it was like TV being invented all over again. Just amazing. Before we hooked up, he had contacted me about wanting me to build him a website, which I immediately went and got him domain... But that was just an excuse to talk to me on the phone, he said.... He now knows how to work a MAC, and check his daily cheat sheets when he's needing a break from looking at something else. Oh and reference... BUT NO... he has no real want to actually geek out online. He does like to shop though. For shop stuff... Back ontopic... Yeah, the only time I don't respond at all is if I know who it is and deliberately don't respond... which there are only two people in the world that would be. And I doubt they have the balls to get tattooed by Richard.

Internet and reality just collided!

It's worth a $20 cab ride (or whatever it is) to get a $500 tattoo (or whatever it is). Shit's permanent. Take this from someone who dropped some cash on a tattoo that will cost x4 the cost to remove/cover. Funny thing is it isn't even all that bad! When (if) you make the mistake to get a sub-par tattoo, you will regret it. Now that my bad work is sitting next to amazing work it makes that regret tenfold.

I think most people on here understand the struggle you are going through, but I understand why you don't name names. I hope the search features can lead you to someone who can give you some advice. Unrelated, but back in late 80's my friend wanted to get tattooed by Henry Goldfield, but Henry kicked him out for looking around and every time he came back Henry would kick him out when he walked in the door. So he asked Henry's wife how to get tattooed by and she said to write him a letter, and put some cash in it and enclose your phone number and he will call. It worked. Now I don't think it really pertains to your situation, but it just reminds me that trying to book a tattoo by some has always been a trying process in certain situations, but he still talks about that day he spent in Henry's shop and meeting Bill Salmon to this day.

Hannya Mask, Chest Panel as part of a sleeve. Did the outline about two months ago, color yesterday. Done by Jesse Tseronis at Sakura Tattoo in Winchester, VA. We've been working on the sleeve since February. One more session!

I am super stoked that Lal Hardy is a greyhound guy, because greyhounds are the best dogs.

getting work from richard/jen was pretty simple for me send an email or msg to let jen know my interest watch the internet for when they would be in town wait followup to the email at the right time go get a badass tattoo richard is a nice dude btw

i'm super allergic to cats so if i went to a shop with a cat around it would drive me nuts.

Just to close the loop on this - I have reformatted the interviews page to make it load much faster. thanks again for your feedback - we greatly appreciate it.

@ChrisM, see you there. We should have a LST shindig, somehow. Even if it's just drinking a 40 on the side of the road. It's pretty typical Richmond.

This is why I stopped, stopping by when my buddy was getting tattooed, even though I was going to be sitting in the chair the following week. Gets bad! I always almost jump in my car and drive to Perfetto in Brooklyn knowing I can get a cool tattoo in a few hours. (Soon I will lose willpower!) Already got 1 huge tattoo going on and another huge tattoo mid-next year...must...stay...calm

I spend $15 in tolls and $15+ in parking plus a quarter tank of gas every two weeks to get tattooed. Its a small amount compared to the satisfaction I get from looking at my killer tattoos. You dont have to travel the world as some do but don't sell yourself short to get immediate satisfaction.

along the same line as what @David Flores said, you can keep an eye out or search for folks on this forum who've been tattooed by the artist you're hoping to get tattooed by and send that LSTer a private message.

Did you try calling their shops? Even if you don't reach the tattooer in question, you may get some info from shop helper or another tattooer who answers the phone that could give the inside track. Tattooers are weird, I know some people who won't return phone calls and others who ignore emails, and others who want you to come into the shop, I know the shit can get old. My advice is always to ride the line between being persistent and pushy. I am not saying name names but is there any one on the forum that has been tattooed by the person you are looking to book? Maybe they know a trick or two.

Not sure if this is where I'm supposed to introduce myself or if I'm blind! Anyway I'm Luke I'm from the UK, I'm 22 currently working on a full sleeve of traditional bits and bobs, here a couple of pieces I've had done for those interested.

Because I can think of nothing that better speaks to the conservative Republican base than a face tattoo. Great work all around!

@Deb Yarian posted a scar coverup recently on her instagram that was nothing short of amazing. Which, I guess, proves the point that people have made here that you need to go to somebody good for this.

Have you actually done a portrait of Austin Osman Spare? Cause that would be incredibly rad. - - - Updated - - - I email Jennifer on average 40 times a day with design ideas, looking to get advice about dating and sending her 'tonz of nudez'. Weirdly enough, it takes me an average of three minutes to get a response.

I think most of us were guessing Richard or Chad K even though they both technically do have shops. I can't think of anyone else that travels that much.

yikes. i didnt even know what you really meant at first.

Key word almost. Now time to plan a backpiece!

Jon Mesa

i probably got a few visible guys done too early, by accepted considerations, as i have one hand and my knuckles done with one forearm and loads of huge spaces still bare. those large areas are spoken for (waiting for money and/or ability to travel for most). my parents have been getting tattooed well before i was born... i was around shops since preschool, knew of the negative mindset that some have towards tattoos, and thought over those tattoos for years. i know those factors led to the tattooer doing them, since he had known me and my parents, and knew i wasn't just after the tough guy look like a lot of people my age. that being said, i also knew that in the art-based lines of work i was considering when i got them done, visible tattoos wouldn't be an issue for most. seeing sculpture professors with big tattoos on their necks, and Tom Huck (the printmaker) covered from the fingers as far as i could see, i could still make it with hard work. once tattooing became the goal for sure, i knew it was a similar situation. i wouldn't advise anything visible or too crazy for most, unless they're dead set on a path where it's no issue.

AG will do anybody right.

Thanks. My artist just did the outline of a Medusa on someone last week. Good luck with yours! Also, just got my chest panel colored and my elbow done yesterday. Not too bad today, but it was uncomfortable to say the least. I've been working on the sleeve and chest panel since February, probably 8 sessions. One session to go. I'll be so glad to be done. Next up is a ladyhead and wolf on my calf.

Thanks everyone for giving such good advice. Maybe it would be a good idea to have a good amount saved up and then start approaching the tattooers? That way I can do things on short notice.

Got this outlined Sunday. It's off a Dan Higgs original painting that hangs in the shop. Healing this has been such a pain in the ass for me. It's only been a couple of days and I've probably lost 4+ hours a sleep a night. Does anybody else get that weird goosebump/chills/itch combination thing, or is that just me? It's very strange. Aaron Francione, Rumi Tattoo.

3rd session on my back,6 hours of background.

I just got this tattooed at the Montreal convention by Mike Rubendall. We did 4.5 hours last night, and then finished it in an hour this morning. I'm so pleased with it.

Clay getting some shine! He does amazing work. The Turk

@Iwar, Scott did this one on me around January/February.

I'll second Theo Mindell as one of the top lady-headers. I'll probably end up with one from him sometime soon. Also, I didn't see Cris Cleen mentioned in here, but I love his ladies. ALSO, that Dietzel flash on the last page is soooooo good.

Sometimes the reason one can't get anyone to apprentice them is because they are a moron. I'm sure there are a few guys who stated out self taught that are good now, but I bet even they at some point met someone who helped them out even if it wasn't called an apprenticeship. I think you can read as many book as you want (and it's good to do so) but you still need the hands on practice that only comes from someone else showing and teaching you the little tricks that would other wise take you years to stumble upon. For a non-tattoo example. I started out as a self taught seamstress/embroiderer but when I started seeking instruction from others who were ahead of me my skills advanced in leaps and bounds compared to the rate of improvement when I was going off books and internet alone. I learned in a one weekend class what would normally have taken me months to figure out on my own. It's great if someone has that internal desire and drive to do something but everyone can benefit from the wisdom of those who came before them.

Thanks to everyone who shared their opinions and experiences, reading some of the posts was reassuring for me. I've only been on this forum for a short time but i just want to mention how great i think this forum is, because of all the cool and helpful people here who are willing to share and be respectful. so, i booked time with my tattoo artist to have the work done. he's a talented and respected tattoo artist in SF (i've also seen his name come up a few times on this forum and its always in a positive light), and he knows about the scar and is ok with it. i'm so f-ing excited to get a tattoo by him. the appointment isnt for a while, but maybe if im not too shy i just might post a photo of it here after it's done.

Mike and Richard as everyone has already said are the best at panthers hands down. Richard can do literally any animal though, with no reference other than his brain, and not use a stencil either.. it's retarded.. this is an in progress shot of my mike wilson panther (also seen in the back piece thread)

a friend of mine went to the Brighton convention earlier this year and emailed me this picture of one Valerie Vargas did.. such a great tattoo. i'll post my panther head by Chad Koeplinger once it's finished.

valerie vargas