Where should I get a tattoo?

March 23, 2009 8:54 PM

TattooFilter: I live in San Antonio, Texas. I'm going to be in New York for the first week of April. Should I get a tattoo while I'm in New York, or just wait and get one in San Antonio (or Austin)? (Multiple questions inside! I've never gotten a tattoo before!)

So, I'm fairly certain I know what I want. Max, from the book Where the Wild Things Are, with a banner that says "MISCHIEF!" The thing is, I want a tattoo artist to redraw Max in his/her specific style, and not try to copy the images from the book. Is this even something a good custom tattoo artist would do?

I'm leaning toward Daniel Santoro at NY Adorned (I found him by reading old tattoo askmes). The thing is, I'm only going to be in New York for a week. Is that enough time to talk to an artist about what I want, have him draw it, and get the tattoo?

I'm open to the possibility of just getting this tattoo closer to home. I live more or less an hour from Austin, so if anyone has any suggestions of tattoo artists over there, that would be fantastic. If anyone has any suggestions for great artists in San Antonio, that would be good too.

I'm excited about getting this tattoo, but I'm also very aware of the fact that it's going to be on me forever, so I want it to be as incredible as possible.

posted by hapticactionnetwork to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (12 answers total)

i generally recommend getting tattoos close to where you live because if you have to do any retouching, the artist will probably do it for free. if you really want the guy in NY to do it, i would contact him ahead of time, explain you'll be in town for x amount of days, what you want, etc and he may be able to work with you. if you want a custom piece, it can often take several trips to the shop to get the design just right. and since it's a permanent thing, you should probably take your time and make sure it is EXACTLY what you want for the rest of your life. also: depending on how big you want this tattoo, it might take more than one sitting if you are also going for color.
posted by itsacover at 9:02 PM on March 23, 2009

One visit is probably not enough for quality ink. First there is a waiting list for a good artist. Then there is a consultation. Then he/she will want to sketch something out and have you come back for another consultation. Then finally they'll start the tattoo. If it is a fairly simple tattoo, it may take only an hour or two. More complex tattoos will require several visits over time. Also depending on how long it takes is how long you can handle being under the needle.

I'd advise making your tattoo an experience, not just a drive-through and get it asap. Find an artist with a style you adore and if you have to travel, turn it into a pilgrimage of a lifetime.

The key is that you are not getting something you like placed on your body, instead, you are the gallery for which your favorite tattoo artist hangs his work.
posted by idiotfactory at 9:06 PM on March 23, 2009

If you can get on Daniel's calendar for the week you are in NYC, I would do it. I get tattooed at NY Adorned (by Chris O'Donnell) and every artist there is fantastic. You can always go back and forth with the artist via email ahead of time, if they don't mind doing that sort of thing, and get the drawings done before you even arrive. Then you could finalize the drawings at your appointment. I know several artists who will do this - you can always call or email Daniel and find out if he will.

Otherwise, there are some fantastic artists in Austin. I have a friend there with extensive tattoo coverage, so MeMail me if you want me to get info on local recommended artists for you.
posted by bedhead at 9:29 PM on March 23, 2009

If you decide to get it done in Austin, check out the galleries at Triple Crown. I find their work freaking incredible, and I think Max would look kick ass rendered in their style. (Disclaimer: I have never gotten a tattoo.)
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 9:53 PM on March 23, 2009

As far as getting one in Austin, here's a questions I asked about a year ago: http://ask.metafilter.com/87380/ATX-Tattoo-Parlor

I ended up getting it from Atomic on Burnett, and was very pleased.
posted by comwiz at 10:25 PM on March 23, 2009

There are plenty of great artists in Austin. Unless there's somebody in NYC who you've got specifically in mind, you might be better off getting it done locally. As noted above, this will facilitate communication with the artist (very important) and touchups.
posted by box at 7:15 AM on March 24, 2009

Oops--okay, nothing against Daniel Santoro, whose work I rather like, but there are Texas tattoo artists that are equally good. Nick Baxter, among others. If you're partial to old-school, there are plenty of folks in Austin working in that style.
posted by box at 7:27 AM on March 24, 2009

go somewhere closer to home!! you will want to be able to talk about yr tattoo with the artist before hand, and have the artist close by in case touch ups are needed.

also, it is (probably) much more expensive in NY (as is EVERYTHING.)
posted by slograffiti at 8:40 AM on March 24, 2009

I'd suggest getting a tattoo locally, for all of the reasons addressed above. Additionally, if you want additional work done (new tattoos, not just touchups) you may want them done in the same style as your Max. If that's the case, it would help to be able to go back to the artist that did your first tattoo in order to get your second and third.
posted by craven_morhead at 11:21 AM on March 24, 2009

Some examples of Max as a tattoo:
1 & 2

Some artists are fine with doing others artwork, some aren't. I like Santoro's work, it has a very old school feel to it. It would probably be best to set the appointment up now and send him artwork you like; paying a deposit is a good idea.
posted by forrestal at 3:43 PM on March 24, 2009

I am going to recommend Harold at Atomic Tattoos in Austin (on Burnet as comwiz mentioned). I haven't any tattoos, but I've seen him tattoo/touch up my friends multiple times. He's uber knowledgeable and definitely knows his trade, and talks you though/explains his techniques and procedures. He's really dedicated and does touch ups as necessary for his clients. Mefi mail me if you can't find his contact info, my friends have his email addy.
posted by theRussian at 7:37 PM on March 24, 2009

One of Atomic Tattoos artists, Brandi DiPietro's, has a pic of Max tattoo on her website.
posted by forrestal at 11:21 PM on March 24, 2009