CultExciter

Not sure you need our advice if you're happy with who you're working with. DC has a good number of fine tattooers.

The depreciation in value sucks for the first 25 years, but then you get exposure on the Vintage Tattoos instagram.

I love this record man. I've been listening to this a lot lately.

I'm on a huge graphic novel kick right now...wait, nevermind, they are comics. I am on a huge comic kick right now. Just finished Preacher Book One (incredible), Scalped Vol.4, Revival Vol.3, and Batman: Hush. I finally ordered the first book of Y: The Last Man and I'm super stoked.

"Magic stuffs" are in tattoo pigment. That's all you need to know.

Check out Unique Ink in Greensburg, PA. Nice dudes.

You must be a fan of this band (egregious plug for friends): Eternal Summers

This is my homey after his first ever kill...not sure why I find this awesome. I'm a vegetarian.

Almost there! Looks rad. @beez

That's an apples to oranges comparison. But I still will say yes. You want a tattoo that looks incredible and makes you feel incredible, therefore you need to go to someone capable. An ugly tattoo will not help any situation. All of this is in reference to the advice myself and others have been trying to give you. When we mention certain artists that you might need to travel for, you set limitations, and therefore that sets limitations on the quality of the tattoo you could receive. That said, I think there are capable people where you are located. Myself, and others, are only interested in you getting a great tattoo.

Local kid (I say that, but I think he's in his 20s) and at an actual tattoo establishment. I really wish they wouldn't let him draw anything for clients.

@suburbanxcore Call it a pit stop? Haha

It all just depends on how good of a tattoo you want to get and finding the most capable hands. I personally am not going to jump up and down about the meaning behind your tattoo, but will be way stoked if you come out with something solid that holds up for the rest of your life.

You should still get tattooed by him. Fredericksburg is an hour north of Richmond on 95. So it's a shorter trip.

@Teamwilson I'm a grad as well. I love this town so much I've had a terrible time leaving.

Always trollin...

I believe he has moved to Fredericksburg. I live in Harrisonburg and would probably lose all tattoo cred (not that I actually have any) if I wasn't aware.

No one here is trying to dissuade you from getting a tattoo, but we want you to get the best tattoo possible. Right now might not be the best time to get your first tattoo if your limitations are so steep. However, if you do want a black and gray tattoo in Fredericksburg, you could do a lot worse than the fine folks at Jack Brown's Tattoo Revival.

You should just call the shop. That's always the simplest/to-the-point way. The shop person there will gladly give you sound advice on scheduling.

@Teamwilson, yeah, they are not going to schedule a 17 year old, but 18, yes.

This is a thought I'm having after reading the above discussion: The problem I see with a great deal of these "after-care" products is the push and branding of them as opposed to the actual usage. I'd venture to say that some folks (not referring to LST members) often spend more time thinking on which after-care lotion to use than they do in regards to picking their tattooer. And for me, there lies some of the resentment. A great margin of these products are made by non-tattooers. Myself personally, I'd rather spend the cash I have getting the most amazing tattoo I could and going out again and getting another, healing it simply with what has worked for decades, than give a thought to these products that will make exponentially more money from selling their wares and not giving back to the tattoo community.

Haha, I wish that was the case. It's been a placeholder site for the last year or so and I just haven't gotten around to finally designing it. But that said, more people should get tattooed by Andrew.

You just made my day.

I'm am sure the guys at Absolute would have zero problem tattooing someone who is 18 years old. I'm curious where you heard that misinformation? But to answer your question, it depends on what style your son wants. Does he want a traditional tattoo, black and grey? Definitely have your son explore the various tattooers portfolios so he can figure that out. Personally, I've only been tattooed at Absolute Art and Salvation Tattoo (I love the work of Mike Rennie, Brian Bruno, Dave Boiseneau, Matt Brotka, Josh Autry, Nate Moretti, Katie Davis and Fred Pinkard). But I like the work of tattooers at Hold It Down Tattoo, Max Wetzel at 212 Tattoo, and Tony Talbert at River City Tattoo. But there are many tattooers in Richmond and it all depends on who you want to work with.