HaydenRose

Welcome! The best resource IMO is... LST! If you let us know where you are located, someone will be able to recommend shops/artists near you. Also, when it comes to tattoo shops, I rarely trust Yelp or similar sites. They tend to be platforms for (uninformed) people to complain on.

I think at the end of the day, you have to talk to a tattooer. I do agree with @deadsp0t to some extent, but hear me out... You should only go to your preferred tattooer/shop after deciding on what you want to get and where... Yes, just waltzing into a shop and asking a random set of questions about random designs and random artists is pointless. If you want to get a feel for how long tattoos take, then you could talk to friends and other collectors, but like @Graeme said that serves no one because the length of time a tattoo takes varies from each design and artist combination. Browse tattoos and artists you like. Decide on a design you would like to get and which artist you prefer. THEN go to the shop and ask these questions. Ultimately, you should get the tattoo you want and it will cost what it will cost. Trying to decipher the time a tattoo still boils down to price anxiety, which can only be remedied by asking the shop/tattooer you intend on bringing your ideas to. <--- I guess that's my main point and... /end rant - - - Updated - - - I think at the end of the day, you have to talk to a tattooer. I do agree with @deadsp0t to some extent, but hear me out... You should only go to your preferred tattooer/shop after deciding on what you want to get and where... Yes, just waltzing into a shop and asking a random set of questions about random designs and random artists is pointless. If you want to get a feel for how long tattoos take, then you could talk to friends and other collectors, but like @Graeme said that serves no one because the length of time a tattoo takes varies from each design and artist combination. Browse tattoos and artists you like. Decide on a design you would like to get and which artist you prefer. THEN go to the shop and ask these questions. Ultimately, you should get the tattoo you want and it will cost what it will cost. Trying to decipher the time a tattoo still boils down to price anxiety, which can only be remedied by asking the shop/tattooer you intend on bringing your ideas to. <--- I guess that's my main point and... /end rant

Haha that's very true. I hadn't considered varying palm/hand sizes. Regardless, my point being those designs lend better to larger more complex pieces, so that could narrow down the best choice.

I think the only advice I have would to stray from a dragon or cowgirl head if you're getting a palm/hand-sized tattoo. But like you said any choice is going to the best one ;) It's nice to daydream about other tattoos when mine are all booked and solid ideas. Enjoy your trip!

@9Years @bugxjuice I actually read that list as one cohesive idea... it could work :)

Good choice! Hahaha

This is exactly it. I inquired at a shop I frequent about booking with an artist and was surprised when they jumped all over it and told me to use their name when contacting the artist and to include them on the email, etc. and I would get right in, no problem. And that all came because I don't bullshit them and sit well, show up on time, and so on... It may be the long route getting in with an artist that's tough to book, but if you show people you're serious about collecting tattoos for the long run, those hard-to-reach artists are suddenly really accessible.

Honestly, I think the placement is just off. But that's just my opinion.

@cltattooing scratch what I said about the most recent IP Man. The other half informed me it was rubbish, so not sure if you've seen it yet or what you think haha

If you don't have a cream or treatment for them... then maybe just take super good care of your skin and avoid greasy foods? I had acne in the past and I don't use any products anymore. Instead, I keep my skin clean, drink lots of water and stay out of the sun. I know it's embarrassing, but you could always ask your artist...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPKe9OfWs-M

I think if your parents are willing to travel from CT to AZ just to see you, you've got a good pair and will probably continue loving you no matter how they feel about tattoos/your tattoos. Chin-up and take the plunge. Even if they're not on board yet, they may soften to the idea down the road.

That's funny, I was just looking at the Old Republic for Mac the other day. Would be curious to see if anyone has tried it out?

I think the best course of action is to either keep the entire quote (which I STRONGLY advise you don't do) or no quote at all. Yes, shortening the paragraph is a better choice, but the first line of the quote does not represent the whole meaning. You will feel better with an image that conveys the entire thought than a block of text or half of the meaning. Also, I've noticed in recent years a lot of women think their tattoos need to be light and feminine and wrap around the body. That's fine if that's what you want, but it feels like the whole placement and airy quality is a trend right now. Big bold pieces still look stunning on women. And any tattoo that is placed well (that means not where you put it but how your artist designs it for the area you choose) will highlight the curves and assets of a woman's (or man's) body. When @9Years talks about real-estate, he means it. You have to treat open spaces like real estate if you plan on getting a lot of tattoos. You don't want to build little shacks all over a lot and then decide you want to build a mansion over them. And quotes are only provided by artists and shops. Go there. Where are you located? Perhaps someone can direct you to a decent shop.

May? No, you will. :)

@iowagirl I think it's up to you. I mean, I'm not sure if he would be offended (doubt it), especially since he moved and it's not in the cards for you guys to travel. If you are antsy to get started on it and are OK with going to someone else, then go for it. But if you really want the original artist to finish it, then wait and get the tattoo you want. That's really all the advice I could give: get the tattoo you want. I know your question is really about etiquette, but I don't see an issue with having someone in the shop finish it. Especially if the original artist was cool with it.

Well, first off we finally landed a PS4 in December. Secondly, I am so in love with Black Flag. I think it's the best of the franchise so far. Maybe it's just me but I get more of the open world feel with this game and it feels as if there is an exponential amount of extra shit to do compared to the other games. Also, I just downloaded Steam so I can try out Dota 2. I've never been a big PC (well, Mac) gamer so we'll see how this goes... Also thinking about trying LOTR online. And the game that led me to all this madness was Gone Home, which I want to get as soon as my paycheck gets deposited ;)

@deadsp0t and @Graeme you both make valid arguments. However, when I clicked the link, this student states that she is an undergraduate Junior. This is not a dissertation, this is some bullshit project probably for an Intro Psych class. At least, that's all I can gather from the severe lack of information. I also did click through the survey, but not submit my answers to see if it is statistically sound (It's not). Give me a survey with a foundation in real research when you're in a PhD program doing a real dissertation, and then maybe I'll participate. ALSO, if you are doing a dissertation or thesis or something for Grad school, then you SHOULD go out and interview tattooers/collectors. You should immerse yourself wholly in the topic, so that you can create an informed measurement of the culture and perceptions of tattoos. To me, I equate it to not studying the brain (it's structure, physiology, etc.), but going ahead and conducting cognitive tests on subjects anyway.

I love Guen Douglas's tattoos of hands. I'll definitely get this image someday as it's so easy to incorporate an idea into it (if that makes sense).

I think the OP had a few hints at him being a scratcher, but it wasn't that overt... And since there's no technical talk on the forum, anyone looking for some will be disappointed and leave anyway. At least they have come to the right place if they want to get a taste of what real tattooing looks like. Welcome @Siddique! Check out the artist interviews for sure.

@pcolevr definitely see a doctor. Could you call the shop? Also, just to say what everyone may be thinking... that place might not be as "reputable" as it sounds...

Thank you. I get the same reactions when I tell people where I live (and work) in Jersey City.

I didn't want to post on here because I thought someone else (like @Graeme) would have a more eloquent, meaningful answer that would address the question and point out its flaw... but this^ is WAY better.

Welcome or (re-Welcome)! I like your work!

The only shop I know of in Texas is Rock of Ages in Austin. They have a lot of different styles and artists and I doubt you would walk out of there with a bad tattoo. However, I'm sure someone on here knows of great shops in the Houston area. Welcome!