FAQ
How do I get an appointment?
Drop me an email and I will reply within 4-5 business days. Consultations are free but I do take a cash, non refundable deposit to make a tattoo appointment usually of $100.
How much do you charge to design a tattoo for me?
- Most times I do not charge for the artwork for the tattoo. To begin your design I take a cash deposit which is deducted to the total price upon completion. Deposits vary depending on the time it will take me to draw. Anywhere between $100 to $250.00.
-How do i decide on a tattoo that will have meaning and importance for me throughout my life.
There are different approaches to deciding on a tattoo you want. Symbolic and adornment and neither is better or worse than the other. I feel it is common that people put too much pressure on themselves that their tattoo has to be the most meaningful design than can be conceived of, and that getting a tattoo simply for aesthetic reasons is wrong or meaningless. Many tattooers such as myself do not fully agree with that. For one our tastes, ideals, and world views change and evolve as we age and grow as people so trying to pick a tattoo that will always be meaningful your entire life may be impossible. Wanting to adorn your body to express yourself and for sheer enjoyment is as good a reason as a tattoo that holds deep meaning. Many of my own tattoos are simply for the adornment of my body and have no meaning other than that. There is no ultimate "right" reason to get a tattoo.
I've always wanted a tattoo but how do I decide what to get?
- What you get can not be told to you by anyone as its an incredibly personal thing. I often advise people in this situation to educate themselves on the different styles of tattoo art. Knowing what to get is easier to decide once you know what is possible and what styles you like best. Always stay away from trendy tattoos as they will eventually go out of style and your liking but will remain on your skin FOREVER. Its never a good idea to get your new tattoo idea from celebrity magazines. Think for yourself don't just rip off Rihanna's new finger tattoo.
Why do you charge by the hour for some work and by the piece for other?
- I charge my hourly rate for multi hour tattoos as its the only fair and honest way of charging for all parties involved. Many of my large designs can take between 6-25 hours to complete. Some have even pushed up to 40 hours total tattoo time. Projects like this have variables that make it impossible to accurately know before hand the amount of hours a completed tattoo will take such as the persons skin type.
Can my friends and family be with me while I get tattooed?
- I don't allow friends or family to be in the tattoo area during the procedure.
Does it HURT?
-Of course it hurts. Some areas are more sensitive than others but trust me, you will be okay. Most areas of the body are very manageable but you will be happy when your tattoo is complete.
What if I regret getting this tattoo when I'm old?
- First and foremost tattoos are not for everyone. Even if you like the look of tattoos on others, being tattooed may not be for you, but that's a different conversation. The bottom line is this; its highly unlikely you will regret a well done, well placed tattoo. Whether you would still choose the motif you had at an older age is impossible to predict, but if its an impressive piece of art then what is there to regret? In my years I have found its much more important to choose a great tattooist than anything else! Choose wisely.
Do tattoos fade?
- Well everything alive changes and withers with age, your skin and tattoo are no exceptions. The more you can keep color tattoos out of direct sunlight the less they will fade. Black tattoos are not sensitive to sunlight. On the bright side, a well done tattoo should hold up and stay pleasing to the eye while aging. It will not always be as bright as its early years but shouldn't end up looking bad. Again keep in mind I'm always talking about a tattoo done by a highly skilled practitioner. Poorly done tattoos will certainly always look, well... poorly done.
Will weight gain or loss effect a tattoo?
- Yes it can but not everywhere and not very easily. Perfectly centered and aligned tattoos can be effected with major weight fluctuation but the vast majority of the time its not an issue. Tattoos on woman's abdomen can be stretched during pregnancy but can usually be re touched back to its former beauty. Tell your artist about any concerns you may have and why.
What will my family think?
- Good luck with that.
What if I don't like the drawing, can changes be made? If I don't like the design will my deposit be reimbursed?
- In this case its usually small changes that need to be made and that's never a problem. I have come across some instances that the person just simply didn't know what they wanted me to draw or couldn't describe to me what they wanted. I have been doing this long enough to ask the right questions during the consultation and only will proceed to put pen to paper when I feel confident I know what you would like or even better. In the event that the person doesn't seem to know what they want me to draw or can not decide I just have to be honest and tell them they need to take more time to think about what it. I will not refund deposits for any reason once I have begun the artwork as I've usually spent hours drawing on my days off.
Do I get free touch-up's for life?
No, I generally charge a minimal set up fee to cover my materials.
When it's obvious to me that the tattoo wasn't properly cared for, I will charge my normal rates so I advise everyone to use the products I provide and follow the instructions to the letter. I did my part now you must do yours. There are areas of the body and types of tattoos that may need to be gone over again such as cover- up but you will be told so at the time we do your tattoo. Everything in life ages, changes, and beaks down. Your skin and the tattoo are no exception. Expecting a life of free touch ups to keep your tattoo looking like it was just done is a lot like expecting a car dealer to re-paint your new car 10 years after you bought it because the paint is fading. Or in the case of improper or poor after care, driving your new car through a hail storm and expecting the maker to cover the cost of the damages. Take care of your tattoo they are not cheap! I worked very hard and you dealt with a lot of discomfort. Why go through it again if avoidable?
How do I get an appointment?
Drop me an email and I will reply within 4-5 business days. Consultations are free but I do take a cash, non refundable deposit to make a tattoo appointment usually of $100.
How much do you charge to design a tattoo for me?
- Most times I do not charge for the artwork for the tattoo. To begin your design I take a cash deposit which is deducted to the total price upon completion. Deposits vary depending on the time it will take me to draw. Anywhere between $100 to $250.00.
-How do i decide on a tattoo that will have meaning and importance for me throughout my life.
There are different approaches to deciding on a tattoo you want. Symbolic and adornment and neither is better or worse than the other. I feel it is common that people put too much pressure on themselves that their tattoo has to be the most meaningful design than can be conceived of, and that getting a tattoo simply for aesthetic reasons is wrong or meaningless. Many tattooers such as myself do not fully agree with that. For one our tastes, ideals, and world views change and evolve as we age and grow as people so trying to pick a tattoo that will always be meaningful your entire life may be impossible. Wanting to adorn your body to express yourself and for sheer enjoyment is as good a reason as a tattoo that holds deep meaning. Many of my own tattoos are simply for the adornment of my body and have no meaning other than that. There is no ultimate "right" reason to get a tattoo.
I've always wanted a tattoo but how do I decide what to get?
- What you get can not be told to you by anyone as its an incredibly personal thing. I often advise people in this situation to educate themselves on the different styles of tattoo art. Knowing what to get is easier to decide once you know what is possible and what styles you like best. Always stay away from trendy tattoos as they will eventually go out of style and your liking but will remain on your skin FOREVER. Its never a good idea to get your new tattoo idea from celebrity magazines. Think for yourself don't just rip off Rihanna's new finger tattoo.
Why do you charge by the hour for some work and by the piece for other?
- I charge my hourly rate for multi hour tattoos as its the only fair and honest way of charging for all parties involved. Many of my large designs can take between 6-25 hours to complete. Some have even pushed up to 40 hours total tattoo time. Projects like this have variables that make it impossible to accurately know before hand the amount of hours a completed tattoo will take such as the persons skin type.
Can my friends and family be with me while I get tattooed?
- I don't allow friends or family to be in the tattoo area during the procedure.
Does it HURT?
-Of course it hurts. Some areas are more sensitive than others but trust me, you will be okay. Most areas of the body are very manageable but you will be happy when your tattoo is complete.
What if I regret getting this tattoo when I'm old?
- First and foremost tattoos are not for everyone. Even if you like the look of tattoos on others, being tattooed may not be for you, but that's a different conversation. The bottom line is this; its highly unlikely you will regret a well done, well placed tattoo. Whether you would still choose the motif you had at an older age is impossible to predict, but if its an impressive piece of art then what is there to regret? In my years I have found its much more important to choose a great tattooist than anything else! Choose wisely.
Do tattoos fade?
- Well everything alive changes and withers with age, your skin and tattoo are no exceptions. The more you can keep color tattoos out of direct sunlight the less they will fade. Black tattoos are not sensitive to sunlight. On the bright side, a well done tattoo should hold up and stay pleasing to the eye while aging. It will not always be as bright as its early years but shouldn't end up looking bad. Again keep in mind I'm always talking about a tattoo done by a highly skilled practitioner. Poorly done tattoos will certainly always look, well... poorly done.
Will weight gain or loss effect a tattoo?
- Yes it can but not everywhere and not very easily. Perfectly centered and aligned tattoos can be effected with major weight fluctuation but the vast majority of the time its not an issue. Tattoos on woman's abdomen can be stretched during pregnancy but can usually be re touched back to its former beauty. Tell your artist about any concerns you may have and why.
What will my family think?
- Good luck with that.
What if I don't like the drawing, can changes be made? If I don't like the design will my deposit be reimbursed?
- In this case its usually small changes that need to be made and that's never a problem. I have come across some instances that the person just simply didn't know what they wanted me to draw or couldn't describe to me what they wanted. I have been doing this long enough to ask the right questions during the consultation and only will proceed to put pen to paper when I feel confident I know what you would like or even better. In the event that the person doesn't seem to know what they want me to draw or can not decide I just have to be honest and tell them they need to take more time to think about what it. I will not refund deposits for any reason once I have begun the artwork as I've usually spent hours drawing on my days off.
Do I get free touch-up's for life?
No, I generally charge a minimal set up fee to cover my materials.
When it's obvious to me that the tattoo wasn't properly cared for, I will charge my normal rates so I advise everyone to use the products I provide and follow the instructions to the letter. I did my part now you must do yours. There are areas of the body and types of tattoos that may need to be gone over again such as cover- up but you will be told so at the time we do your tattoo. Everything in life ages, changes, and beaks down. Your skin and the tattoo are no exception. Expecting a life of free touch ups to keep your tattoo looking like it was just done is a lot like expecting a car dealer to re-paint your new car 10 years after you bought it because the paint is fading. Or in the case of improper or poor after care, driving your new car through a hail storm and expecting the maker to cover the cost of the damages. Take care of your tattoo they are not cheap! I worked very hard and you dealt with a lot of discomfort. Why go through it again if avoidable?
