Killercook76

Best bet is to travel to nyc! There are so many great artist here!! As far as ivy... if it's on your inner arm I don't see why it has to continue on your rib cage.. If you were going for a full sleeve that is another story. the wrapped around look isn't a good idea unless you are looking to do a 1980's barbed wire look.. haha I would really think what you want and I can better recommend an artist here. What style? Japanese, american traditional, realistic etc. Most artist want a definite idea on what you want. They have hundreds of request and someone who is slightly unsure doesn't help them out! Your other bet would be to actually visit some of these shops... Like Kingsave, Adorned, Invisible, etc.. - - - Updated - - - also connecting a mediocre tattoo with an amazing tattoo is something im sure no tattooer of high caliber will do...

Honestly I would go with a more simple design.. Maybe just the girl head with some cherry blossoms and do the koi somewhere else.. Or maybe you can put the koi as a design on the girls clothing or even a fan..

i would either go color or all black n grey.. For a phoenix definitely all color..

i would definitely use some normal plan lotion... I agree let it fully heal before you worry about fixing it.. I totally understand the need to get something .. I have that need almost everyday... I've learned to be a bit more patient.

I found I lasted four hours on each session on my ribs.. I guess I'm a wuss because after 3.5 hours of so it hurt like hell.. haha

I agree with everyone here 16 is too young to get a tattoo.. Firstly the only people who will do a tattoo on a 16 year old .. not very good artist.. I would wait and save money to get a tattoo from only world class tattooers.. As far as the pain.. 30 mins aside.. It will not feel like a sunburn!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHA who ever told you that is full of ... Being your first tattoo you have no idea so i cannot tell you how it will feel but it is painful. Scale of 1 to 10.. Like a 8.9 lol.. I started out with arm tattoos .. those are like a 3 or so.. I completely understand you wanting a tattoo now.. it's not a good idea on so many levels at your age... Unless your parents are willing to pay for a decent amount of money and only go to the best tattooers/shops. Otherwise wait!

depends where you are from?

I would wait until you are 100 percent sure!! Also being 19 I would wait until I had the money to get a high quality tattoo from an amazing artist. I think many people regret there first tattoo it's probably done by a random artist and done poorly... just something to think about!

ok too bad for him then.. enough said!! man....

Believe what you want to.. I doubt he gave me a discount .... haha he didn't charge me no 400 an hour.. and he definitely didn't charge me 400 +. - - - Updated - - - sorry as well.. just don't like when people spread wrong information.

who says he charges 400+/hr? maybe when he was in miami? I know that shop charges a lot.. hahaha I agree with you about that! Garver doesn't charge 400 now that he is in NYC. He charges less .. Not ruffling my feathers it's just Chris is a super nice and humble guy .. Jeff Gogue is a bad ass artist.. I totally agree with you.. He a bit different than garver in terms of style.. Also Jeff is from Oregon? no? There is a huge cost of living than NYC!! Hahaha.. Like i said the average cost for a high end tattoo in NY is 200.. I know it's probably a lot less in Oregon. Garver is totally worth his rates in NYC..

Moistowelette.. You don't know what you are talking about.. As a person who has a Chris Garver tattoo I can tell you this by experience!!! Chris is a fast tattooer and his rates aren't that high compared to others that charge less. For example he took around 15 hours to complete my dragon and tiger. That is damn fast ask any person who has had a similar tattoo. Others may take 20 hours or more.. Say the going rate for a high quality tattoo these days in NYC is 200 or so.. He charges more than that but he does it much faster. So really he isn't expensive at all!! I know another shop i went to ( not gonna say which one) charges like 40 to 50 percent more than Chris and the shop has no one who is as good as he is! As far as good work? Come on you would have to be blind to say he does only good work!! He is one of the best tattooer in the world !! Watching him draw out my tattoo in one shot in like 30 mins .. no tattoo artist i've seen can do that! Usually it takes several hours and drawing it many times. He didn't do a preliminary drawing he just drew it straight up. Yeah he was on the show Miami ink . blah blah but in NY name me 5 tattoo artist that are even in his league? He's nothing like Keith McCurdy!! The best tattooers in the world are all fans of his work!! Has nothing to do with his fame!

definitely Ed Hardy!! He was one of the first people who started large scale Japanese tattoos in the U.S. I think eventually it would have happen with or without Hardy. Clothing line or not no one can dispute how hugely his influenced modern day american japanese styles.. Ami James has talent but the success of the show and everything he didn't do alone.. Garver, Hendricks, etc. I think the show did a lot of positive things but also some really negative as well. I will not trash talk anybody's shop.. i'll just leave it at that!!

chewing gum helps me actually ... I don't pop bubbles.. just better than grinding my teeth.. Most tattooers don't want to hear why you are getting a particular piece.. This is not Miami ink.. haha

i think personality is super important.. This is a customer service industry.. I've been tattooed by some of the best all of them were super nice..

Chris Garver Invisible NYC - - - Updated - - - not sure how to add a lager pic..

Done by Chris garver at Invisible NYC

Done by Chris Garver at Invisible NYC

i got one from Corey miller will post it up soon..

up to you I had my half sleeve done and connected my chest piece by another artist.. nothing wrong with that..

was thinking of doing it but decided to just be happy with what i got.. in your case it think it's a great idea. you will be able to get a much better looking tattoo..

I've done a 10 hour on my Koi . luckly it was on my arm..

I personally think it's crap to do get a tattoo like that.

unless you are into doing a full body japanese style suit then just do what ever... I personally like the look but it's totally up to you... There are no rules .. That's the whole point of getting tattoos?