Guerillaneedles

Hey dude as a tattooist, I'd say maybe take what we say in that other thread with a pinch of salt, everyone needs to vent and I'd say most of us know deep down we're some lucky fuckers to be doing what we love for a living. Sounds like you have a great thing with your shop and that you're respectful. That's all I'd ask for. Not everyone is an expert so it's part of the territory to expect the same questions from people. Just realised I responded to this post from YEARS ago. Haha my bad. I'm new.. :)

OK for me, I do a lot of walk in stuff and as we work in a student town we get a lot of requests for pinterest style stuff. It irks me when people ask for an exact copy of tattoo AND placement (aren't tattoos meant to be individual?), obviously we usually don't copy but if it's a crescent moon outline 2cm big there's only so much you can do with that. We also get huge gangs of girls especially who all try and pile in to watch, and there's usually a tattoo 'expert' among them who of course knows more about tattooing than you do. It also grinds me when someone has to ask all 8 of their friends whether the placement is alright. Before you even get them in the chair, I also hate it when people get shitty with you when you try and advise them on placement, size etc and look at you like you're being a dick. Honestly I could take your money but I'd rather give you a good solid tattoo. I realise I'm on a roll here, and this is probably a UK thing but I pretty much get asked every single day,3/4x a day whether I watch tattoo fixers. I tell them I don't have a TV licence (which is true). Also fuck those guys.

Hi there, can't say I've had much on my back (only little things ages ago so I don't remember them hurting) but I've heard a lot of stories about it being pretty rank especially when a lot of work is done there.

Finally got an appointment with Sneaky Mitch. He's been my great white buffalo (hot tub time machine anyone?) for a while now, especially since he literally works 5 mins from me! Haha. So worth the wait though and he's a top guy.

Haha kind of hijacking this thread but wanted to say I know someone who tattoos a lawyer who has a full Japanese bodysuit. You'd never guess under the suit. But he's a bit of a 'character' shall we say, and has admitted he just happened to end up on the right side of the law Haha!. - - - Updated - - - This is a beautiful quote! And makes me think, when I see people without any visible tattoos I just feel like they'd they'd look better with nice tattoos, so I guess I do find tattoos very attractive indeed (though they do need to be tattooed art). I'm not too into tribal dragons and script, not my style. I think if someone has a nice collection that's hot! I know they've got good taste and a passion (there's nothing sexier than a passion for something!)

I'm pretty heavily covered but my boyfriend has one tattoo, that I did for him! He says he wants more though, but honestly at the moment only from me. He doesn't bug me much and I don't push it (be was a bit of a little bitch when I tattooed him!) . He has some good ideas I think other artists could do much better justice to than me (I'm very early career!) I'm avoiding scribbling all over him. Haha. He definitely doesn't share the passion for it that I have. - - - Updated - - - Had to reply to this as I'm in the same situation. Been with my fella 5 years now, and as I mentioned he only has one tattoo. I did go through a bit of a crisis of confidence when I started tattooing, it was such a sea change for me, I had to consider did I want to be with someone who didn't share this all consuming passion with me? Since then I've realised I don't need him to. I have friends and colleagues for that. What's more important is that he loves me, and that he supports my decision to become more heavily tattooed (and he looks after my useless ass) . He's said he finds my tattoos attractive but what's funny is he doesn't like me dying my hair,(it's not a huge deal) which I find funny because that's not even permanent!

I know Elliott 's work (in fact he is going to be doing a cover up for me later this year, once I've been sufficiently lasered!) not heard of Olivia but work looks nice, very smooth.

Yes I'm very lucky to have a nice collection. Took a big break from being tattooed between 21 and 27 which meant I not only grew up a bit, but tattooing went stellar in the meantime!

I second the owl thing. Not been tattooing long but geometric owls are hands down my most requested thing. Also I HATE the bird silhouettes. Not because they're unoriginal and rubbish but because every single one of them is a coverup /future blob waiting to happen. They are just not good.

Hi there, first of all I'm so sorry for your loss. My advice would be to find an artist that you trust or else work you like the look of. Have a look online, visit any local shops and look at portfolios. This will give you an idea of aesthetic. Once you've chosen your artist, start a dialogue with them about your ideas. Understand that it may not be possible to include everything you have listed, and that the right artist will advise you about how to include as many elements as possible but still make it a 'good' tattoo. I feel you should always have a good rapport with an artist, and that it is especially important for you since this tattoo means so much to you. Take your time, remember this will be with you forever. I hope that helps.

Good thinking batman!

Yes! I've got an appointment with Jody Dawber and Guen Douglas. I'm excited for this year!

Thanks. I don't usually use aloe Vera actually was just giving it a go. Did what you said and as predicted it isn't just pure (which I suspect accounts for the stinging). I just want them to heal already, it's so annoying. Of course made so much worse because they're right in my face I can see everything that's happening with them, drop out etc.