My obsession with tattoos started very young, probably about eight years old and I have no idea where it came from. All I ever told my parents was that when I get old enough I am gonna have at least three tattoos. Well as it turns out, I will have more then three. Anyways, by the time fifteen came around, my parents were going to let me get a tattoo, and I have been asking since I was eight years old. Anyways, I went to the nearest tattoo place I could go, and like many people while getting their first tattoo done do not know a lot about it. The place I went to was bad, and I should have known better to walk out the door, but I really wanted my tattoo.
At A Glance Author Hally Contact Hally@bme.anon When Five years ago Location Halbrite, Saskatchewan
My first tattoo was only the size of a toonie. Now, I walked in with a picture and size already to go, and all he had to do was stencil and put it where I wanted. This was acceptable, but he was terrible from the moment I walked in. First off, his studio was in his living room and in a dinky small town. There was a no smoking sign up and I remember he asked my mother if she smoked and she says no. He lights up anyways and says "oh well, that sign is only for the health inspector". Why I did not walk out, or why my mom did not drag me out I do not know, but wish I had!
Well, the tattoo really should have taken 20-30 minutes to do, not even. But he kept stopping and talking to my mom and dragged it out to be 2 hours long! I was pissed about that. Now, I liked my tattoo but little did I know it wasn't suppost to scab that much. And there should not be white spots left in it so you have get it almost totally re-done. He claimed this was normal, and I am sure it is, but not the extent mine was. Well I never did go back, I just left it and took care of it. It was a very poorly done tattoo, and I never realized how bad it was until I went to another place to get it touched up.
This artist had won many awards so I figured I was in better hands. He informed me that the guy who did mine only used one type of needle. The colouring one, definatly did not outline it to begin. He also put the tattoo to deep which is why there was white spots. And, I did not know that you shouldn't be able to feel the tattoo in your skin.
Well I was shocked, but not to shocked considering three people about 6 months after I got mine done all got hepititis. Gladly that wasn't me and I only got a bad tattoo. Well the new artist fixed it, and sharpened it and filled it in, doing what he could to make it better. It is still a bad tattoo, but luckily is was simple and no one says it is bad, they all claim to like it.
As much as I regret going to that artist for that tattoo, I do not regret having it. I love it, because it represents something to me. I also have learned to accept the flaws of my tattoo because its those flaws that make it more unique. I even think is sorta cool that I can feel my bumpy skin.
But, my lesson learned. NEVER go to a bad artist. Any advice you hear about going to a clean and certified place is good advice. Also, research the artist and ask around. And if they ever disregard a safety precaution, then walk out. It is not worth getting a sketchy tattoo or even hepititis. That is more permenant then a tattoo and a lot worse to have then bad ink.
It is too late for me to say anything or go back and complain. Just keep in mind that if a bad tattoo is done, then do something about it, for other people's sakes. Also, do your research and be patient. Also, if I had to do it again, I would have gotten a more original tattoo, and not copied a design from the internet. This is probably another sign of a bad artist. He should have done something to make it more unique. But who I am to judge. I am currently getting a custom tattoo done, and it is way more worth it. I think it is better knowing that no one else has that exact tattoo. It also makes me not want others to see it and copy it, but I guess that comes with the showing it off territory.