Looking for a tattoo artist -Phoenix

Aloha!

looking for recommendations for a tattoo artist in the Phoenix area.

this will be my first tattoo so I know nothing. Would like some colour too, if that matters…

cheers

 

Fifth Estate in Gilbert

 

Check out Revival Art Collective in central Phoenix. They are an appt only shop though.

 

First off, what style do you want? Old school, water color, fine line, blackwork, realism, polynesian, etc. Once you figure out your style start looking for the best person you can find. Not all tattoo artists are going to be good at each style so it's important to find the right artist. Good tattoos are not cheap. This is something going on your body for a long time so think carefully about what you want and find the best person you can to do it.

Here's a decent link so you can figure out what style you want: https://www.mrinkwells.com/blogs/news/different-tattoo-styles-2

I didn't get my first tattoo until I was 45. If I'd gotten all the other tattoos I thought I wanted when I was younger I'd have a lot of shitty tattoos. I ended up searching for a while and then got on a wait list with one of the best for my style (polynesian). It was a 10 month process from first contact to when I was able to get an initial appointment. Here's who I used Joshawa Elsas (not as relevant for you since they're in San Diego). He was double the hourly rate of the other artists in his shop but his work was better and he was extremely well known for this style: http://www.islandtat.com/joshawa-elsas.html

 

Thanks, great artwork! I'm 43 so definitely not rushing into it. Have found a design I want but I want the artist to modify/personalise it.

I wanted an infinity symbol with the wife's and I's initials, both M and have this particular design in mind but want to be able to add in our child's initial (L) at a later date when she's born to turn the infinity into a heart.

Please disregard the colours and my PS skills...

There are two artists at one of the shops mentioned above that I really like their colouring so will likely contact them.

How is this form of artwork billed? Presumably by the hour and materials?

 

Small world...Mando has done a lot of my ink!

 

Artwork billing can vary by artist and shop. Some include it, others don’t. Definitely something to talk about when you meet with your artist.

I had a consultation rate with mine. We did the design based on my life story, what my passions are, etc. I didn’t have any real set design wants other than the fishhook and ahi incorporated. We had about a 1-1.5 hour conversation and then he free-handed the design on, we made some slight alterations, then he started inking.

 

You know those are permanent right?
Sorry I’m old!

 

I’m old as well (48). Just glad I waited until I really knew what I wanted

 

Just spoke with the shop and $150/$200 ph for the guys I liked however one booked for 12 weeks the other till next year... This may not be as much of an impulse decision as I was thinking...

I did want the artist to take the idea of the infinity with the double M and re-design it completely, the above is just to illustrate the idea in my head.