goldocat

You're absolutely right. I used to work in customer service at a front desk a couple of years back and I know it can be very rough and that's why I usually approach people in the friendliest way possible. But sometimes I forget. And on that day the place was totally packed so I should have given him some slack. Anyway, I don't want to offend anyone and will definitely think about what I post online next time. Thank you for pointing that out.

Does this style of tattooing take twice as long and cost twice as much as getting a tattoo by machine? I thought about getting a 3/4 sleeve by Shinji. I've had consultations with Shinji and he's a real cool dude, but now I am having second thoughts. I've saved about $4,000 to get a sleeve by machine but tebori will cost twice as much? Thanks!

I met with Kaz, who you used work at NYAdorned. He has a private studio in the east village. So right now, I'm thinking Shinji, Kaz, or Regino Gonzales.

I'm getting ready to get my first ever tattoo after alot of research. So many great tattooer's here in NYC. I will post as soon as I get it, which by the way, wont be for a couple of months--looking to get 3/4 japanese sleeve. Thanks for the welcome!

Yeah, I thought it was pretty awesome that he kept his word. When we both got out at the same subway stop he asked me my name and said, "your name is on top of the list" smiling. I stopped by Adorned and spoke with the duchebag hipster guy in the front almost a week ago. Shinji wasn't in, but I left my name and told him that I had a booked consult with Shinji 3 weeks earlier and wanted to set up the date for the outline. This front desk guy acted like I was bothering him so I don't know if he passed along the message. I told Shinji that I would let him know about doing the outline in December, cause he was going away in January. My only hesitation, is that I didn't realize he does the outline with machine and shading tebori. I don't have money saved for that long of a commitment but I could probably swing it and come in when I can. Shinji gave me a rough estimate of completing in 8 or 9 months.

@slayer9019 That makes total sense -- not to do anything until a week before and after money is dropped. I would imagine alot of these guys have people back out in the last minute and their time drawing was wasted. That would piss me off. I spoke with Regino in July and it was the most efficient 5 minute talk. He liked my ideas and was excited about it. He told me his rate, that he usually works 2 hrs at a time, and when I was ready to talk to the front desk guy to leave a deposit and set a date.

Thank you to all that have responded! I would love to get a piece from each one, but only have enough for one right now. I thought Shinji did both machine and tebori. It was only at the consultation that I learned he does the outline by machine and shading by tebori - which would probably double what I have saved. He gave me a rough estimate of completeing the sleeve in 8 or 9 months. I told both Chris & Shinji that I wanted to start in early 2012. I also told Chris yesterday that I had spoken to Shinji but again, I wasn't clear about being undecided. Both Chris and Shinji are quiet and laid back - as am I. With Shinji there is a slight language barrier. Cool Shinji story... So, in late August I went to NYAdorned to inquire about Shinji's availability. The guy told me to put my name on a wait list of about 30 people deep. About a month later I saw Shinji on the subway. I walked up to him and introduced myself. I told him that I put my name on his wait list and was hoping to get work from him one day. He asked me what I wanted and I told him. He was very pleasant and friendly. He liked what I wanted and told me that he would put me at the top the list. A couple of days later I got a call from NYAdorned saying Shinji would like to book a consultation if I was still interested. It's funny cause the first couple of times NYA called I couldn't answer the phone cause I was at work and my voice mail was not set up. NYA called me a third time and that's when I finally could answer. By this time I had already sent Chris an email inquiring about a consultation. He answered about a week ago. I have second guessed myself because of the cost of tebori. But it would be great to have one arm done by Shinji and one by Chris O' Donnell. Over the summer I also had consultations with Brad Fink and Regino Gonzales. They were also cool dudes. They all want to do do dragons. I only spoke with Brad and Regino -- neither one took outlines of my arm, that's why I was kinda surprised Shinji and Chris measured my arm. Anyway, I think I'm gonna go with Shinji since he kept his word and called me. I'm going to email Chris and explain, apologize, and hope that he would be open to doing my other arm one day.

Yes, you're right. In all the research I've done I didn't realize that a consultation is more or less a finalization. What I really don't want is for these guys to draw something and then I go "sorry, I'm not using you." But the artist doesn't draw anything until you leave a deposit, right? From all the interviews I've seen and read on these guys I knew they were not snobs, so I should have gone with the first person who contacted me. I feel like such a douche and feel a little stressed about this. BTW, the artists are Shinji & Chris O Donnell. I know, I know -- you can't go wrong with either one. I don't want to offend either one.

I have a consultation etiquette question if anyone can help me out... Recently, I was lucky enough to get consultations with two well known tattoo artists here in NYC-both do great Japanese work. One of the artists is Japanese and does tebori. Anyway, when exchanging emails they both asked me to come in for a consult. My intention at the consultations was to inquire about rates and scheduling and ideas and see if I vibed with them. This would be my first tattoo-a 3/4 Japanese sleeve. I thought I was being clear that I just wanted general info - BUT both artists took outlines of my arm and were ready to book an appointment for the outline! I did not leave any money. I know I want work from one of these artist (you can't go wrong with either one). When I decide, should I let the other artist know that I won't be going with them??? They both seem like genuine nice guys and that was really important to me, cause I've met a couple of snobbish ones when doing my research. I don't want to offend or piss off either one, esp if I want to get work from them in the future.

I love tattoos! Glad I found this great site.