hogg

From an artists perspective, i'd say go in at least with an idea of the tattoos the artist youve chosen has done that you like and explain why you like them (colours, layout,subject etc) and at best say youd like something along those lines.
dont go in saying 'do what you want', no one ever really means that and if they explain something they'd be stoked to do and you say, yeah but not that. well, then you will have a deflated and slightly annoyed artist in your hands, vague guidance is great.
the artist puts out there work theyve enjoyed or that shows their ability, all within the realm of what that customer asked for, however, so just cos you like what you see them posting doesnt mean it's what they want to do, it might be something entirely different that they simply havent gotten a chance to tattoo ever before.

@Sick, I think it's okay to ask an artist if there's something they'd like to tattoo. Some will go for it but others will want something more concrete to work from to start with. Ask them and they'll let you know. If an artist agrees to do this though and draws something up but you don't like it at all, then you've wasted his/her time. You may end up with a panther, an exploding feather, or a tanuki w/ giant testicles (minus the tanuki) but you asked for it because they felt like tattooing it. You may get a watercolor artist draw a traditional eagle because you're giving them an opportunity to switch things up. Worse case, you then feel pressured to get a tattoo on you that you dislike and the artist tattoos you none the wiser. Which you shouldn't get obviously. Or everything could turn out absolutely amazing and you get a tattoo that makes you do a happy dance.
Personally I have never started completely blank. I have always given an artist something to start with cuz that's just me. It doesn't limit their creativity though. In the case with my back piece Jill Bonny completely changed what we had discussed at my consult. The subject was the same but after some thought she felt the idea we discussed was stronger carried out in a different composition. I was so blown away by the new image, I couldn't even begin to fuck with her head by making some wise ass comment. And I love me my wise ass-isms.

I think this approach may work better for people who already have a number of tattoos, because the tattooer can kinda have a gauge of what you're into. Otherwise just find an artist you like and look through their flash or line drawings. Like others have said, originality is overrated.
I can't imagine being an tattooer and having to constantly try to flex the creative juices all the time with people who want something original but aren't creative themselves. And don't get me wrong, I'm completely guilty of this as a collector. When I got tattooed by Matt Arriola I think I said "I want a trippy Jesus head". This was on a day's notice. Though, to be fair I did say I'd be happy with a traditional one too. It worked out and I got a great tattoo, but I know if I were him I'd just be like "okay, wtf is a 'trippy jesus head' supposed to look like?"
Also, really glad to see @Valerie Vargas pop in with some wisdom.

@heathenist I think "a trippy Jesus head" sounds pretty good as a request. Way better than "I want something to represent my family, my place in the world and how I developed as a person. Please also include a shark"

Fish Rose morph
Becca Genne Bacon
End is Near
Brooklyn, NY
awesome time with Becca - super cool
got in early to Brooklyn so I went to Black Gold Records
grabbed a coffee and tshirt
chatted with Dan Santoro's wife Summer
super nice lady - gotta get myself to Smith St. this fall

Got this from Hector Fong yesterday at Tattoo 13. Always wanted something from him, and walk-in Saturday showed up, when I had some extra cash. I took this photo at BART. Looked like a weirdo, but sunlight makes for easier tattoo photo's, I've found.
Rad tattoos, everyone. Keep up the good work.

Have you called or visited the shop in person?

@taaarro, I didn't hear back in the end from horitoshi 1, but I managed to book in with the equally brilliant Horimitsu. He is my favourite of horitoshi's protégés I think, so I couldn't be more excited!
In terms of time I think Horimitsu reckons we should be able to finish the tattoo in 2-3 sessions, because it is only the lower half of my forearm. I'm gonna be there from the 11th-18th November, I don't know where you are located in Tokyo but if you feel like getting a beer or something I would be super keen!

Got my wife this tattoo from Thad Ritchey @ California Electric. We just had a baby a month ago and she really wanted this tattoo to symbolize that. Really happy with how it came out.

Here's mine! One more session to go. By Freddy "Mr. Nice Guy" Corbin.

Holy shit. That looks so good. And so fast, well it seemed fast, ha.
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I'm a shitty forum user. I find I only lurk the backpiece thread(s) with any kind of regularity. I should work on that.
Anyways, latest sit after 2 months off for traveling and enjoying summer adventures.
Started colour! Super pumped about that. Also, any sit above the waist is a good one. Have an appointment every month from now until December. Hoping to have it done then which would mean it took a year for everything shoulders to knees. Fingers crossed.
Sorta off topic, but a guy was at the shop near the end of my sit. Heavily covered (only a patch bare on torso) and kinda shooting the shit. He asked if I was going to do my front. I replied with a fuck no (keep in mind, this is at the end of my sit, ha). He said finishing your back is kind of bittersweet and said he'd put money on it I do my front, ha. We shall see. I can't imagine being sad to be done. But I do plan to finish off my arms, legs, and front of thighs eventually.

Guilty as charged:tigers 1 of 3 Tattoo Picture | Last Sparrow Tattoo

FUCK YEAH! I BACK THIS DUDE FULLY.
Welcome to LST, Martin!
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I met this guy at one of Black Heart's few Walk In Sundays. Me and him along with two other dudes were the only nerds camping out in line before the shop opened. I managed to keep in touch with him ever since.
I fucks with this dude!

Getting "Otis" on my ribs tomorrow.

Thanks @suburbanxcore, @ItsNewport, @polliwog, and @CABS. I had a lot of fun doing that, even though it was kinda weird to just blast two dozen photos of myself all day. It was really nice to revisit all the times I got tattooed and the stories and experiences that went with each piece. And the kind comments from people like you all (and others who I don't even know through LST) really had an impact on me. @Iwar has started something great, and I already have several ideas for people I want him to feature in future takeovers. :)
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You saw my bedroom tribal post, right? ;)
And I didn't show all my tattoos in the takeover, so you can just assume the ones I didn't show are terrible.

You have a LOT of great ones! Y'all are gonna bug out on this dude's collection--Freddy Corbin, Matt Arriola, Ben Grillo, Heath Preheim, Hector Fong, and more. Welcome, @hellamuch!

Hi everyone
I started here my reseaches for a tebori artist to get serious irezumi done on me, and tanks to this thread and you guys, I'm getting tattoed by Horitoshi 1 sensei since two years now
I had left this forum after the beginning of my japanese journey and went back few days ago, and saw that a lot of you may have some questions about the Horitoshi familly, how to get in touch, how is it like and so on. I feel I may be helpfull to some of you, and repay a bit of the help I found here, and the nice time I'm having now so... anyone, feel free to ask, if I can help, my pleasure.
Mata ne!

Long shot but I want to see if Rubendall will do a small filler on my foot. He was really impressed with my collection so fingers crossed he will consider it, especially since I don't have any appointments this year... :(

This is my first post, so I apologize for just jumping in, but I have advice to offer.
Most tattooers who are making appointments for the convention will have their e-mail listed in their IG bio. Those that don't are probably just taking walk-ups.
If you really want to seek advance booking and the artist doesn't provide information, call the shop and politely let them know you've exhausted your resources and would like to know about booking the artists at that convention. You'll likely find that they are only taking walk-ups.
The best thing you can do for yourself and your artist is have an idea of the tattoo you want from that artist that fits with that artist's IG portfolio and let them take it from there.

i'll be there on the 31st got an appt. with stewart robson

I realize I'm a few days late, but i have to say....
This tattoo would make me want a tiger, if I didn't already want a tiger. To me, this is the perfect tiger tattoo. Congrats man.

Just got this badboy on my shin from Daryl Hart. Super stoked on it!
https://instagram.com/dhart_fbc/

Damn, dude! I was ogling that one earlier. You're stoked!

So you're from Oakland, right? :cool:

Hello everyone! I'm new on here! :cool: I'm somewhat of a collector and have a few good ones. Always looking to get more!