I have two tattoos, one I got when I 17 (my dad was there, gave permission etc), the second on my 18th birthday - both of which are private and I cherish. For me, they have to be personal, and mean something very special. Im now 26 and considering getting another. The problem is, Im thinking of getting a band tattoo. Its a Manic Street Preachers design, my first ever gig when I was 13, and I still consider them my favourite band to this day. Their imagery can often be provocative (especially the earlier stuff that Im interested in), and I dont want something that could harm future job prospects. My current tattoos are at the very top of each arm, and I have 3 or 4 designs in mind, each one would have to be very small to be below short sleeved shirt level (shrunk down from the original considerably).

I have a friend of a friend here in Cardiff that has been marking people all his life, but I hate the idea of getting something Ill regret later in life - not because of the tattoo, but because the chap might not actually be that good. The place I got my first two is too far away, so Im thinking of having a chat with this bloke. I dont want anyone to know I have it, unless I show them, my tattoos are for me alone.

Any comments?  

Ignoring the standard avoid band/hobby/love tattoo crap and the rest of it and cutting straight to the local tattoist thing...

98% of my (limited) and my friends (not so limited) experiance when it comes to tattoo artists are great to chat to, work on ideas and plans, help design if you want, and surprisingly alot of them are very honest of there skills, if you show up with some crazy design they arent comfortable with they will tell you and recommend you to someone else (doesnt happen often).

Go have a chat, you got nothing to lose and if you dont feel good about it dont get it done and go chat with the next one.

Look at Klaras http://swahilibobs.com Go and heart with cross behind to the lower left.

Spend some time talking with the artist, look through their portfolio and see if they have done work in a similar style to what you want. If they arent willing to do this, walk away.

Id have thought any tattoist worth your time would have a portfolio etc so youd be able to see how skilled your friends friend is from that?

Im still considering one for when I move out and get a life ><, as a hybrid lovecraftian/tribal-ish tattoo...

if you dont want it to harm future job prospects etc... why not get it somewhere else ?   chest/shoulder area would be out of the way ?  tho i guess it really depends on the design you want...

Best place is legs, people wont be able to see it through trousers, whereas if you are only wearing a shirt it has a good chance of being easily visible.

Quote from: bear(Image removed from quote.)

Bibendum

Hmmm, legs is definately worth thinking about, I could get a decent size then - problem is Im very hairy!

*edit - Also, I want to be able to see it easily, as its for me, not for show.

You only want yourself to see it, not everyone in a 100 yards.

Am I the only one that is concerned that Bear has suddenly got very feminine legs?