David Flores

Flew to San Fran with hopes of getting tattooed at Tattoo City and happened to luck out and catch Doug Hardy coming back from a road trip and taking walk ins. I wanted to get tattooed by Nick Colella so I planned a trip to visit some family and flew out last month. Plan on moving to Chicago soon looking forward to being close enough to plan day trips to get tattooed by guys like Tim Beck and Julio Alvia and get more tattoos and Chicago Tattoo Company. But on the other hand I love getting tattooed at the shops I frequent here in Portland and have a lot of fun getting tattooed by friends.

Here is a pic of mine right thigh. This was about two years ago and I have since pretty much filled this leg with other animals . Not sure what to do on the other side thinking of dragon.

Me personally will not be getting my neck hands or face tattooed anytime soon. I work part time as a counter guy at a tattoo shop and my boss has had laser surgery to remove the tattoos on his hands because he hated them so much so I don't think he would tattoo my hands or neck if I asked. On the other hand it would affect my other job. I would not neccesarily lose my other job but I think it would hinder any promotions i might receive in the future. The other reason is I like to fly under the radar. None of the guys who tattoo at the shop have their neck or hands done (anymore) and its nice to put on a pair of jeans and a pendleton and no one notice you at all. Meanwhile you point out people's horrible neck tattoos and bare arms. Don't get me wrong I love getting tattooed and am deteremined to be covered but until I am covered i will not entertain the idea of neck and hand tattoos.

I guess being a client/ counter guy my opinion doesn't count for much but I would not get tattooed by someone with no tattoos. Some people have more than others and that's their business and I understand not having time or just taking a break or saving some space for down the road but if you have never had the desire to get tattooed it just seems weird and I can't imagine my boss hiring someone who doesn't like tattoos which is honestly the only explanation I can think of as most of the guys at the shop like to get tattoos and trade every chance they get with tattooers around town making money a non issue.

This is what I have on one thigh. Still debating on what to do with other side but plan on going big. Acme Tattoo's Photos - Ashley Howell | Facebook

I definitely see both sides of the issue. I deal with a lot of people who come in and try to dictate how the shop is run and have to squash that quick but I feel like I always greet a potential client with an open mind. Even if what the person wants is less than cool as long as it can be turned into a tattoo no big deal. Shit happens sometimes tattoos run late and often times it because we are trying to get everyone who wants to get tattooed in. If someone is running late I always apologize and let them know they have enough time to get something to eat and give them suggestions (I dont get people coffee). I feel like the person getting tattooed deserves the respect of being able to finish their tattoo without being rushed as the next client will get the same respect when there time comes. On the other hand I have stopped getting tattooed in places for similar reasons as this thread starter. I don't mind waiting and i usually make a day out of tattooing so that doesn't bother me but if I don't like someone or their attitude I don't really want to get tattooed by them. But on the other hand tattooers are characters and you arent only paying for the tattoo part of it is the show take it or leave it.

I look for all the classic things bold outlines in Black, smooth shading and blends, make sure lettering in straight and spaced evenly. It is my impression that usually what is in a tattooers portfolio is their best work and or what they like to do so I take that into some consideration but it's all relative to the situation. Usually if I make it into a shop I have already looked at the tattooers stuff at least ten times on the internet and I'm ready to get tattooed. Plus If I am going to get tattooed by someone other than my regular group of tattooers its more going to be about what city I am in and who tattoos in that city. I still look at portfolios when I get there because I always like to see the different ways someone puts one together and pass on the good ideas to the tattooers at my regular shop.

I got the logo for Hot Doug's in Chicago tattooed on me so me and my guests can eat free for life. The design is funny enough to blend in with the rest of my tattoos so it was really a no brainer. I have a couple of designs from Craft beer companies that I enjoy tattooed on me but again I liked the designs and Had them redrawn and turned into a tattoo. I don't think I could get a logo if I didn't like the design or couldn't turn it in to a decent tattoo.