Questions for Tattoo Collectors

Hey folks, Im working on some articles and things about tattoo collectors... if you consider yourself a tattoo collector, can you answer some questions? Also, if you are in the New England area and might want to talk about your experiences on camera, let us know. here are a few, Ill post others as separate topics... thanks for any feedback Are there tattooers and/or artists you think everyone just learning about tattooing should research? Why are they relevant? What is the difference between being tattooed and being a tattoo collector. When did you start thinking about your tattoos as a collection? Any tips for collectors who are planning out their large tattoos? Have you had anything covered or lasered? Ok, theres tons more, but lets see if these get any action and well go from there!

I think you should learn about a tattooer that is one of the best in the style your getting tattooed..If i was looking to get covered in Japanese work,i would research tattooers who excel in that style. As for tips for collectors planning large tattoos-Make sure you see in the artist portfolio the style your looking to get.Most artists i know only put pictures of the style their into in their portfolio.If your getting a sleeve,don't mix styles..I have realistic work,and traditional work on my arm,and it doesn't look bad,but i wish i would have stuck with one style instead. I've had 4 tattoos lasered..They were hit three times.I just got one of them covered last week.It was a cross on my wrist..And i covered it with a red rose.Mike@ electrictattoonj.com was the artist.Steve@ immortalimagestattoo.com lasered 3 tattoos for $150 about 7yrs.ago.My last session was at olde city tattoo in Philly.They had Karl@ jinxprooftattoos.com at the shop for a few days.

What is the difference between being tattooed and being a tattoo collector. Tattoo collectors treat their tattoos as a fine art collector would their art collection. collectors are informed about the art of tattooing, the cast of characters, and deliberately gets quality tattoos. A tattooed person is someone who wants to wear tattoos, but has a very cursory knowledge of the art, not quite aware of the fact that simply getting a tattoo isnt really all that special. Tattoo collectors are taking the time to earn a unique piece of quality tattoo art... now thats where its at... Thesedays everyone has a tattoo, to stand out from the crowd thesedays you need to get a *great* tattoo. When did you start thinking about your tattoos as a collection? A little late in the game, about 6 or seven tattoos in. I realized I could wear sleeves and a backpiece and might as well "go for it". But, then, of course I realized that the first few years of tattoos kinda sucked, and as I had the oppertunity to get tattooed by extremely talented artists, started working on a great collection. Any tips for collectors who are planning out their large tattoos? Take your time and plan it out a bit. Nothing is worse than rushing into getting large tattoos. I would think of every tattoo in the scope of the body part and go big! I know its not practicle, but I should have mapped out both arms fully instead of rushing into it. I cant complain, but I would have done things differently. Have you had anything covered or lasered? Yes, covered, and then lasered and covered. The laser has allowed me to cover old dark crappy tattoos with bright colorful tattoos, its amazing what you can do thesedays! Of course, the laser hurts alot. but, hey, no one made me get the bad tattoos but me. It a fine lesson to learn, you gotta pay if your gonna make mistakes...

1: Are there tattooers and/or artists you think everyone just learning about tattooing should research? Why are they relevant? I think there are tons of artists that a person should research when learning to tattoo. I currently and looking to get an apprenticeship and I have a list of artists that is just too many to count. Its relevant because some of these artists, Nick Baxter, Brandon Bond, and Nikko Hurtado, just to name a few are booked for a whole year and have a waiting list of clients that are dying to get tattooed by them. That's really what I strive for, not money and fame but the opportunity to have a following of clients that let you have complete creativity for a custom piece that will be with them forever. So look at artists you like and apply what they to in their art to your art, not steal or copy their work but to develop your art into something that someone would die to have on them as a tattoo. 2: What is the difference between being tattooed and being a tattoo collector. I don't like to generalize, but I find these days that tattooed people really like it for the trend and don't really care who does it and how good it looks. Everyone wants a tattoo now which really takes the individuality out of it. Tattoo collectors I feel take time to look at who is going to be tattooing them and don't pick out a design from a flash sheet, its really meaningful, and to me every piece I collect is a story and a memory, not just a picture. 3: When did you start thinking about your tattoos as a collection? Before I even started to get tattooed. I really never saw many heavily tattooed people and when I saw my older brothers tattoos I instantly knew I wanted to be covered in them, so when I was 16 I started to plan out my first tattoo which turned out to be a half sleeve. 4: Any tips for collectors who are planning out their large tattoos? Find the perfect artists for you. I read in a tattoo magazine that it is important to like the artists doing your tattoos because you will be spending a lot of time with them while getting tattooed. If you want a sleeve plan the whole piece before getting different pieces because you may find a hard time pulling them all together into one sleeve. 5: Have you had anything covered or lasered? Never had i had any one of my tattoos covered or lasered. I don't regret any of them and will never regret them.