inky dinky do?

[swingchickie.livejournal.com]

hey guys -

i'm finally getting my 1st tattoo, after years and years of pondering. now the question is, where to go? i've heard fat ram's in JP is good, but if one of the places here in the davis area is really stellar, i'd love to get it done here.

any artist/shop recommedations, or pointers for a first-timer, would be much appreciated. :)

Comments

[viellen]

No stellar places in Davis. I just got one recently from John @ Tribal Ways and he's fantastic...I've also seen some great work from the folks at Redemption and I've heard the same good things about Fat Ram's. The best pointer while you're still figuring out a shop would be to treat the artist well...if you treat the artist with respect, ask responsible questions (i.e. don't ask if it's going to hurt, do ask how long the artist has been working and ask to view a portfolio, etc.), and are friendly they will usually quote you a much lower price then if you go in with a gaggle of your friends and annoy the hell out of everybody :). Good luck, but be prepared, they're addicting!

[eclecticavatar.livejournal.com]

When I posted this question a few months ago, I got some really great recommendations for Redemption which is very close to Davis.

[tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com]

i went to mike at redemption tattoo and he did a fantastic job. strangers stop me on the street, which isn't meant to sound conceited at all because i think it's just a testament to how good a job he did. also he's a nice guy. also also i met a guy in line for batman begins who had a back piece done by jason at redemption that was beautiful. are you getting a custom design? because evidently they do a lot of custom work and are very good at it.

pointer? it hurts. :D but eventually the endorphins kick in and you don't mind so much.

[two-stabs.livejournal.com]

Second redemption. But I hope it has a lot of personal meaning to you, because butterflies aren't cool anymore.

[swingchickie.livejournal.com]

i'm getting a "custom" design in the sense that i'm not picking it off of a wall at the shop... i have a picture of something that's small and simple. it should be easy, but since this will probably be my only one, i want to make sure i'm doing it right. :)

[girlanachronist.livejournal.com]

i third redemption!
ps make an appointment.

A pointer

[simply-juniper.livejournal.com]

Just breath. :) Good luck!

[swingchickie.livejournal.com]

did you end up going there? did you like it? which artist ended up doing your work? :)

redemption

[elbren]

me too
my design is laughably simple, but (forgot name) didn't laugh at me and was very professional and personable

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

Fat Ram did my first tattoo and an appointment with him acn easily be a 3+ month wait plus it's probably about the most expensive tattoo rate I've ever heard of. BUT he's totally awesome, made me feel completely at ease, his work is amazing and he took me seriously even though I also had a simple but not off-a-wall piece. I would definitely go back!

I also have a Sailor Jerry tattoo that I got from Lil Joe at Broad Street in Bridgewater and last time I was in he had mentioned that Redemption had some great artists.

I think Fat Ram's or Redemption are both good choices.

[swingchickie.livejournal.com]

yeah, i think ram is up to 4+ months now. eek. although that would give me plenty of time to chicken out... *chuckle*

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

You can't chicken out as they take a $50 deposit (lots of places do) which is then applied to what you owe when you show-up (or re-schedule, with notice). Now, if you want to pay $50 to chicken out ... :)