How on earth do you find the right tattoo artist? Do you naturally look for the cheapest one? Certainly not. If you happy to have a low quality back-street artist ink your body and stamp you for the rest of your days, then go ahead.
Finding the right tattoo artist really must not take cost into consideration at all. This is something that is going to be with you for the remaining days of your life. Moreover, you really don’t want to be telling friends in 40 years’ time from now, “I got that one done when I was a little bit short of money, that’s why it’s a bit poor quality”.
Another reason why many fear the tattoo artist is down to pain. The thought of that needle being dug into skin for 15, 30, 45 or 55 minute sessions does not bear even thinking about for some. But here again, times have changed. There is a pain numbing application that is applied to the skin area where the inking is to take place.
The cream or gel is very dynamic in making the area sterile, numb and reduces the pain factor by several times. In years gone by, people would have a few stiff whiskies or alcoholic drinks before going under the needle. They often felt this would numb the pain. But in most cases, it did not really help, plus tattoo artists would not recommend or even go ahead with a session if the customer rocks up three sheets to the wind.
Friends and Family Members with Tattoos
Finding your tattoo artist should be focussed on recommendation, observation and reputation. You need to talk to friends and family members that have had a tattoo done. Look at their work and decide for yourself if the job is well illustrated and nicely done.
If you really like the look and design, ask that family member or friend how they felt when they were in the session. Did they experience pain and discomfort and did the tattoo artist try to calm the customer during the process?
Observation is also important when you are finding your tattoo artist. You need to be focused on the previous work done by that key artist. Look at some of the work in the artist’s profile and see if there is one that you like. Remember, a tattoo artist would always welcome someone who wanted to browse within the shop window.
This post was written by J Michael Taylor. J Michael Taylor is an artist and owner of Black Amethyst Tattoo Gallery. Black Amethyst is a tattoo shop St Petersburg Fl. They provide an art-first approach to custom tattooing in a gallery setting.