I’ve decided to go ahead with a small tattoo. My hubby knows this is something I want – and have been considering for some time now. I searched around the web for tattoo forums, and this one seems like the most active and knowledgable. But please go easy on this poor newbie 😉
I am a veterinarian and am looking to get a small cat paw print on the medial aspect of my right foot, about 3/4″ in height. I figure this is in a coverable enough area unless I’m barefoot or wearing sandals, which I wouldn’t do at work anyway.
Here’s an image I found online that I really like.
I really like the shape, the shading, even the color. And the fact that the central pad is an upside down heart. It just seems perfect for what I am looking for.
Being the nerd that I am – I research everything to the nth degree. I’ve been perusing this site, reading about aftercare and what to expect. However, I live in Michigan and there doesn’t seem to be any artists in this state listed in the directory or anywhere else that I can find. I want someone skilled who can do exactly what I want – even though its a very small piece – and who won’t make me regret doing something this permanent to my body. So I was wondering if anyone knew of anyone worthwhile in this state? And I’m definitely willing to wait for a good artist if that’s what it takes.
Also, since I have no experience whatsoever with tattoos, I was curious about how long a design like this would take to do, and how much I should expect to spend. Money is not an issue at all – I’m just wondering what is usual for this type of art, and how long should I prepare myself to sit.
I’m kinda nervous since this is my first one, but excited all the same. I just want to have a good experience.
Thanks for the site and forum. I think I came to the first place for answers and advice 🙂
Thanks for the reply 🙂 Only an hour? That’s not bad at all 🙂
As far as the color goes – I was originally thinking like a henna brown paw print, but then I found this image and I really like the depth and shading of the blue colors. And after considering it, I don’t think I would like the henna color as much as I would something more… well, colorful and cheery. Don’t want it to look like a cat walked in poop lol 😛
Welcome. Yeah, Doja’s right, it shouldn’t take long. As for the price, nobody could really give you even a ballpark. Different artists have such different pricing, even for a piece this small. The best advice is the same advice everyone gets. Find shops in your area, go inside, check out the artists work, discuss ideas and price. If the person isn’t willing to take the time to answer all of your questions and treat you with respect, go somewhere else. There are plenty of good artists in Michigan, and it should be a one sitting piece, so if you have to travel a bit for it, no big deal.
Also, be prepared for a little bit of pain, as that is a fairly sensitive area for ink. Good luck!
A half decent artist will be able to do that to a good standard as its a simple tattoo.
But very appropriate considering your job and you know you will not regret it.
Welcome to the addiction:cool:
No, dude. NEVER go to a “half-decent” artist. As I told a friend of mine, simple doesn’t necessarily mean easy, and if you want the coloring done properly, you REALLY need a good artist. Take the time to find the right person.
My mistake take Dave’s advice even if the price is allot more to go to a decent artist. He knows allot more about this stuff than me! my bad!! thanks Dave for the heads up dude!
But very appropriate considering your job and you know you will not regret it.
Thanks for the welcome 🙂 I’m really excited to get this since its symbolic of such a big part of my life – definitely not something I will ever regret 🙂
Also, be prepared for a little bit of pain, as that is a fairly sensitive area for ink. Good luck!
Thanks for the reply 🙂 No big deal on the average cost – I’m not worried about it, but figured I’d ask anyway.
I definitely plan on checking around – I was just curious on if there was anyone people would recommend based on experience. You know, there are certain names in the biz that people know. I know its a simple and small piece but still…. Just wanna make sure I do it right 🙂
In regards to the pain, I was expecting as much… I’m sure it won’t be a walk in the park. Thankfully I think I have a pretty high pain tolerance given my job-related hazards of being bitten and/or scratched if I’m not careful lol
Thanks again for all the replies! I really appreciate it 🙂
oh wow, more replies while I was typing that last post! Love you guys!
Yeah definitely will want the best artist I can find. I just don’t want to take any chances, even with a small piece. I’m just afraid that since I don’t have any idea of where (or who) to start with, I’m sort of shooting in the dark since I have no previous experience.
I’ve read some threads on here and seen pics of horrible tattoos, and the OP said that they looked at the albums/portfolios and the work was good – but who knows if it was really their work? I guess I’m just really paranoid… I’ve had dreams about having an awful tattoo and having to live with it. Which is why I want to make sure I find the right place and artist.
Thanks again 🙂
This should help you out a bit. http://www.tattoo-spot.com/Michigan/index.cfm Websites are a good place to start looking, as nobody is going to try to pass someone else’s work off as their own, it’s too easy to get sued.
Excellent! Thanks for much for the link! Definitely going to start there and see what’s around.
LOL its funny there is one in Lansing called “A Forever Purr-Fect Tattoo”…. they should be good at kitty paw prints, no? 😉
About 10 years ago (when I was the ripe ol age of 20), I had my tongue pierced on a whim by this shop near where I was in college at the time. I don’t remember anything particular about the place other than it was clean and the guy did a good job. I never had any trouble with the piercing and it healed incredibly fast and wasn’t even really that painful. I ended up removing it about 6 months later since my boyfriend at the time (now husband) didn’t like it, along with the belly button piercing I had done in high school. Btw, he has changed his tune a bit in 10 years 😉
Anyway, this same shop is still around, and seems to be doing pretty well. Its got a nice website – opposed to some of the others in the area I’ve looked up – which I know doesn’t necessarily mean anything since anyone can pay to have a nice flashy website. However they have pics of the shop and also portfolios of the artists’ work.
Would anyone mind having a look at the site and telling me what they think? http://www.xstattoo.com/
I actually like Chase’s work better than the others – especially the color artistry as far as depth and shading goes, which is what I’ll be looking for in my piece.
I also looked up some online reviews about the place. There were a decent amount of good reviews, especially naming Chase as a great artist. The negative reviews I found involved the dude behind the counter (not an artist) being less than helpful, and also that they are more costly than other shops. However they are in an uppity downtown area where I would actually expect high quality work for a higher cost – so not really concerned with that. I’m sort of leaning toward this place since I have a teensy bit of past experience with them (if you can even call it that since I was only there for like 15 minutes 10 years ago lol)
Also – and I apologize in advance for all the newbish questions – I read one of the top stories on Yahoo news today about celebrity tattoos, and how Jennifer Aniston got a tattoo on the inside portion of her foot (the same spot I want mine), and how that’s a bad spot because of the friction that tat will have over time and it will not last or remain looking nice.
What do you all think? Is this location as bad as they say? I don’t want mine to break down quickly or not do well over time. Any thought would be really appreciated 🙂
Hey Thaela, welcome to the forum. You have found the right forum for answers and this is a very active and fun forum. You will really like it here. I seriously doubt you will be stopping at one tattoo. It is an addiction that is hard to shake. Be prepared! I’ve been planning my tattoos for a long time. I have only one, but the second should be coming soon, hopefully September. It tooke me a long time to get my husband to say yes to mine and it has been a long time convincing him to let me have my second one. He’s not too keen on it, but I’ve been making deals! Hahaha. Anyway, welcome and good luck. Be sure to post pics aftwards! 🙂
Thanks for the warm welcome! 🙂 I’m glad you replied because I have seen some of your posts and gallery photos, you seem really cool 🙂
I think it’s great that you got the tattoo you wanted, and I completely understand about the making deals with the hubby 😉 I waited to bring it up for a very long time, and chose the exact right moment to do it… You know us women have a way of getting what we want in the end 😉 lol
And of course I will post pics when I have it done! 🙂 I was hoping for some feedback on one of the places I was considering, and about the actual location for the piece before I moved forward. But maybe I should make a separate thread? Not sure how many people actually come back and check these newbie posts..
Thanks again 🙂
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