scubaron

Not sure why some get so annoyed by this question.

Options for responses:

Tell them the truth. "Thought it was cool and I wanted it."

Keep them guessing. "It's personal and I only tell certain people."

Make up a fun story. "It's a reminder of the time I got separated from my group while on safari in lion country....." "I had a pet lion when growing up, but had to give him to the zoo when he got big."

Emails and direct messages are a wasted. There are way too many tire kickers and time wasters on the web. I have found that after the web contact failed. I have found that going to their shop is the best way. That above all shows that you are serious. Most want to do consults before even scheduling an appt.

Good advice. Sometimes the person at the entrance screens people for the artist. What you want might not interest the artist, or they might have a long wait list and not take any new appointments for a while.

Khuong Nguyen.

Asian theme. I know his style is not popular on this site, but I think most can still appreciate his work. I like his black and grey and how smoothly he does shading.

Instagram

Just started getting tattoos last year. In my limited experience, popular NYC artists have long wait lists and turn down work. However, they do go outside their preferred style if they have gaps in their schedule, get cancellations, do the occasional "walk in" day.

Maybe what your eye is registering as "masculine" is clunky tattoo design and placement? And wanting something "feminine" has something to do with more harmonious body/tattoo flow? Idk...shot in the dark...

My wife does not want a tattoo. If she did, I think this would look good on her. Combination design, placement, flowing with the body.

Another vote for Jondix

The top finalists are very good artists, but all of the contestants are definitely not the best of the best. They always throw in some mid and lower level contestants for drama and ratings.

To be fair, most top level artists specialize and keep to their preferred style. Not sure how they would do if forced to go out of their element.

3 great artists that do what you are looking for. Justin, Rose and Shaun, all located in 1 shop in Long Island. A visit to Kings Ave to discuss availability and interest of the 3 artists might be a good next step.

You might want to choose more than 1 artist. Many popular artists have long waiting lists, decline work due to being too busy, have no interest in your tattoo subject/style or are hard to get in touch with.

Maybe something like these ?

Well, I'm currently considering getting some work done at a place called Red Baron Ink in the city. I'm really impressed by his portfolio (it's mainly one guy, with two beginning tattoists who do smaller pieces) but I'm a little concerned because he hasn't been tattooing for that long...seven years, I believe. Do you think that's a legit reason to be concerned, or am I just being overly cautious?

7 years is not a beginner. I have 2 tattoos by artists with 7 yrs experience and another with 4 yrs experience. They all look great to me.

What kind of tattoo are you looking to get ?

I like the idea of the phoenix, but I would skip the initials. You could always add them later. Your 10 yr anniversary for example.

I've recently discovered utopian, fantasy, scifi, digital, biomech art. Similar to my taste in tattoos.

Not tattoo books, but definitely can be used for references if you like the style:

Fantastic Art of Beksinski

The Art of Neckro

Dead Moon: Luis Royo

BioMech Art: Martin Sadaba

Just got this blaster today by Ron Henry Wells while he's in town at Lombard St. Tattoo. A somewhat new take on his drippy wolf designs - I'm so happy with it!

Photo taken by Ron and stolen from his IG - Instagram

Nice. I like the no outline.

You cannot control people's opinions.

I went from no tattoos to 5 in the past year. Shoulders and legs, so they are easily hidden. This past summer I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. A casual friend told me I've changed a lot. I asked what he meant. He stated I didn't think you were the type to get tattoos. I asked him if this was winter and you never saw my tattoos would you say I've changed a lot ? He replied "I guess not "

No one at work or any customers/clients know I have tattoos. Appearances do matter. How you dress, how you groom yourself, your tattoos. Look around to decide what your appearance should be and don't just look at your co-workers. Look at the supervisors, managers and bosses.

I'm entitled to get tattoos if I want. But I don't expect people to share my point of view or opinion on things. I have a good job that pays well. It affords me to get good tattoos by good artists.

AMAZING SeeSea and nice to hear the story behind how you chose the subjects.

I like the idea of a disintegrating clock. Sounds cool and if done well, would look awesome. A realism artist would be my choice. Tattoo traditionalists will hate it, but so what ? If you like it and the tattoo is done well, that's all that matters.

Do some more research and browsing on the internet. Not so much to find exactly what you want, but more to discover what's possible and how the tattoo styles have broadened. I like to spend time on the Pinterest site for my tattoo research.

You mentioned tribal. Not as popular today, especially on this site. The lines separating tribal from other styles is a little blurred. Geometric, ornamental, blackwork, black and grey. I like tribal as well, but really appreciate how artists have expanded on the style. Take a look at Tom Hooper, Jondix, Tony Mancia, Phillip Milic, Anderson Luna, John Sultana, Zac Scheinbaum.

In the last year I went from zero tattoos to 5. All medium sized on my legs and shoulders. Was planning on something for my back, but my wife said no more tattoos. She has none.

I have to admit, from 0 to 5 in 1 year can be viewed as excessive and impulsive. In the future maybe she or I will change our minds. For now, I just ordered some art books with themes and styles that interest me.

That shark piece was done on Ink Master, correct?

Sorry, no, not done on Ink Master. Local artist in my hometown, NYC.

You are going to love the Carpe Vita in Maldives.

My wife and I had an amazing time on that boat last January. Below is the video I made from the trip.

Divers on the boat were joking the mantas got close to me because of my manta ray tattoos.

See Sea, find a diver with their backup reg on a long hose. Some DM's use them.

Where you diving ?

I prefer lining to shading. To me, lining feels like getting cut with a sharp knife vs. shadings feel of constant rubbing back & forth with the tips of a fork.

glad to see jason get the win

though personally i thought cleen had the best tattoo

and i like the merry ink and New Years ink specials upcoming

probably in the minority here as i know a lot of folks on here despise the show and series

anyway

I'm glad Jason won as well.

Given the requirements of the challenge, Jason had the better tattoo. Clean was supposed to do color realism. The only realistic part of his tattoo was the wrenches.

Although Clean did much better tattoos during the season, those were 3-6 hour tattoos. The final tattoo was a 35 hour piece. That is equivalent to roughly 6-10 individual tattoos during the season.

I like the Superbowl analogy.

@scubaron I used to play at Corner Billiards which is now the current Amsterdam. You name it, I've had it at one point or another. Southwest, Tascarella, Hercek, Skip Weston, Prewitt, Fanelli, etc.

I rarely play these days. Only when I get a new cue in, I take it somewhere and shoot around for it a bit just to figure out if I plan on keeping it or not. That's about it. Love the game, just don't have the time for it and in Manhattan, it's super expensive to play. I love how cues are made and working with a maker in designing one.

Cool. How many cues in your current collection ? Any pictures you don't mind sharing.

Everything is more expensive in Manhattan. Send me a message if you want to play. As an Amsterdam league player, I get perks on table time.

My wife was way more than irritated when I told her I was planning on a back tattoo in January. I'm still going on the consult to discuss colors and design, but will not book anything. Have to pick my battles.

Ironchef, custom pool cues ? What do you have ? Where do you play ? I mainly play at Amsterdam in Manhattan.