Tattoo Artist

Tattoo Artist

Tatted Mom

Tucson, AZ

Female, 32

I'm a tattoo artist who underwent a standard apprenticeship under a certified tattoo artist. I am an artist first, tattooer second, which means I put creativity and art into my tattoos, not just the 'you pick it, we stick it' type of tattooer. Apprenticeships for tattooing vary by state, according to the laws. I'm also a trained body piercer, as well. Any questions about the job or apprenticing, I'd be happy to help!

PLEASE NOTE: I will NOT price tattoos. Seek a shop for that.

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Last Answer on May 23, 2014

Best Rated

Hi, i'm new to tattooing, I just got home my machine just a week ago. I would like to replace my coils, but I keep breaking the copper wire that connects to the coil always on one of them, what am I doing wrong?
JohanssonChristinaLina@gmail.com

Asked by Lina almost 11 years ago

Ask whoever you are apprenticing under. If you are going the 'self-taught' route, then I suggest you apprentice in an actual tattoo shop.

I got a tattoo about 4 days ago and it was supposed to be with golds and browns but turned out kind of orange. Is there anyway I can change the color? & if I can what would be te best color to change it to?

Asked by Kay over 11 years ago

The ink may not be done settling in your skin. During the healing process, especially if the area slightly scabs, the colors will go from vibrant to muddy brown and back to vibrant once the final healing stages are done. If you still aren't happy with the colors once it's completely healed, head back to your tattoo artist and have them put the golds and browns in.

Will it annoy my artist if I ask him to touch up my tattoo one more time? I see just a couple of tiny spots that need to be touched up but I am afraid I'm going to bug him if I ask for one more touch up :/

Asked by Abby over 11 years ago

It depends on the artist, the tattoo, and how much time has gone by. If a tattoo needs multiple touch ups in a short amount of time, chances are, artists start to wonder if the person was caring for the tattoo correctly during the healing process. If that's the case, that a customer wasn't caring for the tattoo correctly, then chances are the artist won't touch it up without charging you the shop minimum. If it's in a rough area, too, like the hands, elbows or feet, where it's more difficult for the ink to stay bright, they may limit the number of touch ups a customer gets. And, if months (or years) have passed, chances are, they will charge you for a touch up.

Would my lower stomach , not on the hip bone , but near it , be a painful place for a first tattoo?

Asked by Katelynn over 11 years ago

Pain is relative to the person. I have that section of my body tattooed and I couldn't stop laughing. I've seen people almost come off the table while getting that area tattooed, and I had one customer fall asleep.

How can I tell if I've messed up my new tattoo or not? I got it yesterday and whenever I pat it dry, little black specks come off of the tattoo onto the napkin. Is this normal?

Asked by Worrier over 11 years ago

That's normal. The skin will push out excess ink during the first few days of the healing process. If it scabs, don't mess with the scab, though, because pulling that off could result in pulling necessary ink out of your tattoo.

When artists ask for a visual to help with the design of the tattoo, be it an object or photo, is it insulting if the person wanting the tattoo brings in a picture of another tattoo design that another artist has done?

Asked by CRG1289 over 11 years ago

Nope, not at all. Many people surf the internet and find already-done tattoos that they like. Taking them to an artist and asking them to reproduce that tattoo exactly is insulting, but tellling them that they like the style of the tattoo and want something custom drawn that has that feel or look, is perfectly fine.

I went to my local tattoo artist for a Celtic cross with elements of four family crests incorporated in it. A month later, not drawing. I'm told the drawing will be ready the day of the tattoo. Is this right/professional?

Asked by Maikeli over 11 years ago

Yes and no, lol. If the piece is a custom piece, the artist should have you stop by a day or so before the appointment to see the drawing, so they can make any necessary changes to it before the day of the tattoo. Do many artists conduct business this way? Unfortunately, no. Many of them, depending on the tattoo, don't draw them up until the week of the appointment. I've seen a lot of artists (the busier ones), sit down on a Sunday and draw out all of their tattoos for the week, regardless of whether the appointment is that Monday or Friday. Each artist has a method to their madness.