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You are not a basket case. These are great questions and ones that SHOULD be asked/considered. You are putting something permanently on your body. Go with @SStu and @wildcat advice. I'm hard core corporate during the day and almost everything is covered (which is hard in the summer) but my tattoos on my upper back/neck peek out of my shirts. It's all good. Funny story from last week: I showed up at a customer site all buttoned up and wearing black tights in the middle of summer. I had read that this customer had a "no visible tattoos" policy for customer facing roles. About 10 minutes into my visit, the Director rolled in wearing shorts and sporting a large calf tattoo. I silently giggled to myself.

S Stu gave you good advise. I'll add to #5: I have a half-sleeve on one arm and a large piece on the other upper arm. Neither is actually very visible in regular short sleeved shirts. I have several large pieces on my thighs and lower legs and those definitely draw attention when I wear shorts, but jeans of course hide them all. I haven't yet progressed to forearms, as I'm not quite ready for something I can't cover easily (I live in the deep South and long sleeves are a rare thing for me out of uniform). You have to realize that you WILL get looks/stares, but that doesn't mean disapproval! You'll probably get asked about your visible tattoos fairly often; again that's not a bad thing! I think S Stu's advise is sound: get more tattoos in more easily hidden places, and move to more visible places as your confidence grows. Good luck! Wildcat

1. Yes, your e-mail will likely be ignored until they are willing to book new appointments. If proximity permits, drop by and visit the shop, the manager and/or artist to build a rapport and feel for the shop and how it works. 2. No. Collecting from numerous artists is very common. More the norm. 3. No. That is why it's important to know what style you want and ensure your artist is a master of that style. It is also not uncommon for drawings to be tweeked upon presentation and review by the customer. 4. Not if that artist already has a history of doing that type of work. Don't try and assume that an artist good with one style can do great in another. That would be like expecting Justin Beiber to perform like James Brown. 5. If you're hesitant about stepping out, why not choose a more hidden spot?

Thanks @sstu @wildcat and @gingerninja for your great advice. It has helped me focus on what I want to do next - I'm thinking shoulder blade. Now I've just got to wait for those books to open!

"Full front torso w/o boobs" sounds like exactly what I need to talk to an artist about.....thanks for the terminology assistance! Wildcat

That is a good point. Haha.

If someone is giving away tattoos that should be a HUGE red flag. Good artists are usually booked far in advance, not out trolling for clients.

You know what they say; if it sounds too good to be true, then chances are it is. Life's too short for shit tattoos.

These aren't FREE tattoos. You're going to have to pay to have them covered up or lasered off. Take a deep breath and stop. As @Devious6 said, do your research. Shit tattoos are no bargain.

just noticed my post above from 5 years ago when it was just a dumb idea in my head haha...

^ looks like a tattoo on the stomach here's mine, we got creative with the placement:

I can't help but think that you'll set yourself up for another disappointment by getting another "free" tattoo...

Well, another session; this one was tough: down the left side. Ugh.

"Artivism" ...yawn

Had my 3rd session yesterday. Turns out 2,5h/session is what I can bear until I tap out. So overall 7,5h so far. We did some linings on the lower back, over my butt down to the left thigh and some shading in the lower back area. I'm stocked with the progress so far, wouldn't have expected so much ink on my back in that short time. Hell, but the pain was so intense, especially around the kidneys and tailbone. Holy crap, that hurt! And I'm pretty aware that there is still a lot of work in those nasty areas. Scales, probably some shadings, colors... Hopefully next session we'll just add details to the tail and maybe start the Koi on the right thight/butt cheek...