CultExciter

And just to clarify, I wasn't hear to crowd-source what everyone thinks O'Donnell charges. I was just waxing a little after mentioning that I was so stoked that I got a consultation.

That was just what I heard from someone who got tattooed by him 13 plus years ago. Things do change. And I totally agree, he's worth it. And luckily I'll probably have 6 months to a year to start putting money away (if not longer). Thanks for all the sound advice.

You're not one to mince words, are you? :)

I realize now that I have unfortunately derailed this thread for quite a bit. Sorry about that folks. I do have something to add, that hopefully garners some interesting discussion. I always have a hard time asking questions regarding cost, maybe it is do to my fumbling nature, but I always want to approach artists I respect with a bit of tact. I definitely would never consider the idea of going somewhere else because it is cheaper. But my question is...how do you think artists like this topic to be approached?

@Stewart Robson, Thanks man. You're totally right. I was just chit chatting away. I definitely adhere to the standard that "Good tattoos aren't cheap, and cheap tattoos aren't good."

Well, I'll just prepare for closer to 200. It is worth it in the long run. I was talking to Josh Brown (James River Tattoo) about it on Sunday, and he said Chris is pretty heavy handed and fast.

Where were you on the night of September 14th, 1983?

You never can tell. Especially when getting something big, which I am intending to do. But doesn't that suck? It's worth it, just gotta put the scratch away. That's another reason why I only like to do 2 hour sittings. It's like that chick Amanda Wachob, her site says she charges $300 an hour...and for what? I don't want to start a shit talk fest but that ain't no tattoo I'd ever wear.

That's always the issue isn't it. So, I'm officially recanting my entry of O'Donnell into the "Hardest Artist To Book" thread. I know I'm not getting in next week or anything, but his wife is super responsive at returning emails and was willing to work around my schedule so that I could come in and have a consultation. Deposit is $300, which makes sense, b/c I'm pretty sure he's around $150 an hour. I couldn't be more stoked, except for the whole I'll be eating rice and beans for the next few months thing. But whatever.

Welcome, I said I said, welcome.

Man, whew, bigger man that I am. 'Eff that, 7 hours!!!

I dig that Whitehead skull peeking out through the shorts.

Thanks, it is true you can learn something every day.

Buy the Smith Street Flash book. Also, Stoney Knows How.

What the fuck is an anteroposterior...I failed anatomy. Twice.

Did you just get it? Man, I obsess over any new tattoo for about a week. I have a shin tattoo that is centered on my shin, but not centered to my knee. The body is weird, you know? Nothing is symmetrical. Trust me, these are things only you notice (I can smell my own).

Any advice for a guy who used to be skinny, but realized how much he loved beer?

I'm not a tattooer, nor do I think I'd be a really good one if I was, but the truth behind "bold will hold" has always stuck with me. When I got my first tattoo, I remember walking around the shop at that time and seeing all this crazy colored pencil Jime Litwalk or Tony Ciavarro shit hanging up (I'm not ragging on the guys). But the wonky new-school colors and exaggerated features never struck me as appealing. Whenever I see someone wearing a tattoo like that now, it makes sense. Nothing holds up about it. The style, the colors, nada, just doesn't hold up. Whether you are getting a Japanese-style full sleeve or pork-chopping your arm out, there is a tradition with tried and true methods. Even Will Lollie stopped doing it. This hot shiny shit will be laughed at later as a fad, and those black lines with heavy shading will still be in practice.

Where is your bar? I'll be in Brooklyn the 20th thru the 23rd. Will need a new watering hole to attend. I usually just go to Rosemary's.

Oh Richmond, the land of track bikes and owl tattoos. That said, I've seen a lot of really good work coming out of Hold It Down. You can definitely see Brian Bruno's influence on Darryl's (sp) work, which is just fine by me.

One word. SLAYER. Which, I hate to say, refutes this statement.

Nice, I have a consultation with O'Donnell on the 21st.

This might be the first time in my life when a slice of pizza has repulsed me.