I can’t help but laugh just looking at this innocent photo. The experience left an amazing and lasting memory.
In the world of tattoos, there are so many different people who do tattoos, artists, personalities, and experiences. I got my first tattoo with my sister and niece. It was a quarter sized snowflake on the ankle that we all got. The experience was a lot of fun; we did it together, it was a first and there was much laughter. It was a huge memory experience. It was a first for my sister and I; and that in itself was a big part of the experience. The tattoo artist wasn’t the best; the parlor looked like something from a horror movie in a good way, but it all played a part in the experience.
Moving forward many years; I’ve had a lot of tattoo experiences. Some great, some not so great to pretty bad; so I thought I’d elaborate in case you happen to be searching for somewhere to get a new tattoo. I actually never thought about writing a blog on tattoos but because I’ve had so many different experiences now, I thought that I would share.
First tattoo, as I stated above was a blast. But it was not because of the studio or artist, it was the company and experience itself. The tattoo artist was very nice, patient and understanding which was good for a first tattoo. Although he most definitely should have told us that the ankle bone is a VERY painful place to get a tattoo. To this day it is still my most painful experience. And remembering my sisters face as she got her tattoo is well…priceless. A tiny little tattoo, but placement is everything.
Next came my Canadian fall maple leaves in honor of my children. It is substantial in size and was a good experience. I had it done in San Clemente and from start to finish it was a good experience. Good, not fabulous, fun or exhilarating. The guy was nice enough, he was and is an amazing artist but as far as the whole experience, just okay. I did think when I went in, that he would offer up more ideas for my leaves; but I had to pick what I wanted from the internet and he would draw them.
After that was the back of my right ankle/calf. This was by far my worst experience getting a tattoo. It wasn’t due to pain, cost or lack of a talented artist; but more about being shuffled around and being made to feel like they were doing me a big favor. This was the same place where I had my maple leaves done but a very different experience.
I was shuffled around from artist to artist; then told to come back for them to do more. I made 3 or 4 trips to the place only to be told that it was too soon to do more work on the tattoo. THEY told me to come back; I didn’t just show up unannounced to get my tattoo finished. This in itself left me feeling very ick about the whole thing.
This particular tattoo was in honor of my Mom who had recently passed (even though she would be so mad at me for getting it). It is her signature; how she signed our birthday cards “all my love, Mom,” on it. Two different people were tasked to do the writing and you can tell the difference. When you are made to feel like the studio or artist are doing you a big favor, leave. Leave before you get anything done or pay for bad memories.
Next was spontaneous tattoo with my daughter which I have good memories of, but a mediocre tattoo of a lily of the valley. The meaning is great and the time with my daughter, wonderful. Spur of the moment in life is fun, just remember that tattoos stick around. So even though I love doing things like this with my daughter, the tattoos turned out just okay. The one thing you learn when you get multiple tattoos is the quality of tattoos and the talent of those who do them.
Then onto my right arm which is where the little lily of the valley is. I found a new and very different studio who cater to woman, fineline and tiny tattoos. Color is not their specialty as is the case for many people who tattoo these days. Lots of people are jumping on the band wagon to pump out little tiny tattoos that are very fashionable right now. But I wanted color so I chose an artist who I thought would accomodate me. I wanted some tiny strawberries on my forearm but wanted them colored. The tattoo is adorable; the experience was fun, the tattoo person very friendly and bubbly.
The experience was very much like going to a hairdresser that you love. I was hooked and it was this person who did my next 5 tattoos, all in 2025. After getting my strawberries I was referred to someone else, a tattoo artist to do a hibiscus that I had wanted, because there would be shading and more color needed. I got the tattoo, wish it had been larger but it’s a nice tattoo. Neutral experience.
Next experience was at the same parlor but different artist. And I say “artist” because she actually drew the peony that I have on my shoulder. She is an amazing artist and I absolutely LOVE the tattoo. This was by far my longest sit and for those of you who know me well; know that sitting is not really my thing. I was there from 1:00-7:30. A crazy long time for me to sit and do nothing. The biggest issue for me was that I didn’t know I would be there so long; communication is VERY important. I was not prepared nutritionally for that long of a sit. It was LONG but it is an amazing tattoo.
There was no question that I would go back to Ruby, who did my peony for my next tattoo. But sadly she told me that she was very suddenly out of the studio and did not know when or where she was going to land next. She wasn’t sure about a timeline, so I moved on. But she surely gave me an amazing peony tattoo.
So my most recent tattoo of yesterday started with me trying to get intouch with my “regular” tattoo person. She’s very busy and hard to get a quick reply from. Again, for those of you who know me, when I want something, I want it now. A new tattoo, haircut, outfit etc. I’m a taurus, it’s who I am. So I started searching for someone else to do my tattoo. This lead me on a huge journey, learning much on the way.
There are people who do tattoos; who learned to put a tattoo on skin, but are not artists. There are artists who haven’t learn yet how to apply their art on skin very well. There are also tattoo folks who charge an outrageous amount of money. And there are artists who are just starting out to the very seasoned artists who have been tattooing for years and years. But each and every person, no matter the talent level have different personalities, communication skills and desires as to what drives them.
I found someone who seemed to have good communication skills and talent yet she dropped me like a hot potatoe and left me hanging. So it was onto more searching. I believe that everything happens for a reason. I found my person, the studio, location, friendliness, communication and welcoming feeling I was looking for. She is a talented artist with a passion for tattooing, a “tattoo artist.” Anastasia (@tats_by_avm on instagram) did my most recent addition at Cast of Crowns in Laguna Beach, CA. This tattoo is very important and meaningful to me. It is made up of all of my Grandbabies names.
Finding a tattoo artist is easy. Finding one that you mesh with and you want to go back to can be a little work but worth the effort. There are all levels of people who will put a tattoo on you. And depending on what type of tattoo you want; may offer many different choices these days. Fine line, tiny tattoos are all the rage right now and there are bucket loads of people out there to do them. Finding someone who is trustworthy, passion driven (not money driven), communicative, friendly and welcoming is a different story. They are out there, you just have to find them. Glad I did.