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

I recently got my tattoo shaded, it was just an outline prior. The tattoo artist told me it would be all black now, but I would see the shading in a week or so. It's been a few days, and I can't see any of it lightening up. Should I be worried?

Asked by Laura over 12 years ago

I'd wait until the tattoo is fully healed before starting to worry. 

I got a cross tattoo a couple years ago in SC. Its a just a simple cross with red shading in it. after a few years the red seems to have faded and I don't really like how it looks in that color. Is it possible to go over the red ink with black ink?

Asked by Kenton over 12 years ago

Yes. Black ink can go over red ink.

What is the best way to ask a tattoo artist if I want to listen to some music on my phone while he/she is tattooing so I can deal with the pain?

Asked by leroy almost 13 years ago

Just tell the tattoo artist that you want to listen to music on your phone. I have no idea why a tattoo artist would object to that. It's a very common request. Hell, I listen to music on my phone while I'm tattooing people sometimes. Many customers don't want small talk. They want to zone out, and that's understandable. Some want small talk to keep their minds off it. Just tell your artist how you like to cope with the tattooing process, and I'm sure they will be fine with it.

I asked a tattoo artist to fill in a little gap between two lines of an old tattoo (about 16 years old) and he drew a line to fill it in. Now the line is super dark compared to the rest of it. How long will I have to wait until it fades to match?

Asked by Cathy over 12 years ago

A while, probably. When I'm asked to add a line, or touch up a single line of an old tattoo, I usually go light, so the tattoo inks blend together in a matter of months, or, I touch up everything in the area to match my new ink. 

My body seems to reject colors anytime there is more than one color in any spot. I have a butterfly that is shaded with 2 colors of blue (light and dark). My body is only holding the dark blue and pushing out the light blue. Is that normal?

Asked by Stephanie over 12 years ago

It is normal for the body to accept some colors more than others, yes. However, with that said, I will say that areas that are over-worked will push the ink out more quickly. So, it may not be a question of whether or not you take light blue, it may be a question of how much your artist over-worked the skin when they were putting the light blue in.

What shades of red and blue work best for a flag tattoo? My artist wants me to pick my colors and buy the ink the rest is free. My problem is intenzetattooink.com has like 20 shades of both!

Asked by Drew about 12 years ago

Your artist should know what colors are best for a flag tattoo and should not be having you buy the ink and tattoo you for free. That's not normal in the legitimate tattoo business.

Can i present a picture of a tattoo i like to an artist or does it have to be a drawing?
http://www.tattoostime.com/nautical-compass-tattoo-for-men/
was thinking of getting that as my first tattoo but cant find any drawings like it.

Asked by Josh over 12 years ago

You can present anything to a tattoo artist that gives them an idea of what you are looking for. I had a customer bring me the plaster stepping stone that had her son's handprint in it as a reference one time. I've been brought pictures, drawings, t-shirts, birthday cards- just about everything.