First Post, and I’m pretty much at my wits’ end right now.
I came up with a tatt design idea after years and years of introspection and soul-searching. The design means so much to me on a personal level, and I really am willing to jump through hoops to get it right. But I’ve been to half a dozen artists in DC, and have had the same experience. They take my deposit, they say they’ll do a draft, and then they cancel. Some say it’s ugly, some tell me I’m wrong to want it, some tell me it’ll look awful in twenty years, some just say they bit off more than they can chew.
But I’m going through a lot of money and wasting a lot of time playing this game, and I’d really like some recommendations from the community.
The gist of the tattoo is this.
Part One: The Mandelbrot Set, wrapping around my bicep. Look it up on google images and you’ll see; this tatt has been done time and again. The last artist I visited emailed me to tell me it was ugly and would look “like a brews” on my arm. I’m not sure why people refuse to do this, but there you have it.
Part Two: The lyrics to a TVotR song, in my best friend’s handwriting. If your first thought is “That’ll look messy and distort with time” you are absolutely correct. The writing is messy, and very beautiful and meaningful to me. And I’m aware of the fact that script moves and stretches across the skin. That’s the point. I want my body to change beneath the grid of this text, and I want to be able to trace my development over time; in the lines of the words and verses.
That I’ve been refused Part One just floors me, to be honest. It seems so straightforward. As for Part Two, lots of artists have given me the same line. “That’s cool. It’ll be great. But I don’t do text. Call my friend.” I don’t know if I’m going to the wrong shops or what, but the last artist showed up over an hour late after forgetting the appointment, took yet another deposit, and then sent me a really insulting email *after* agreeing to work with me.
I don’t want to pull anyone’s heartstrings, but this tattoo is everything to me right now. I shouldn’t have to go into the details about why; professionals should just respect that and be helpful… right? Am I crazy?
This isn’t my first tatt, but it is my first in the DC area. Should I look in VA/MD? Any advice is totally appreciated.
And one last note: If I’m coming off as a pain, it’s because I’ve been running in circles for about 4 months now. I’m getting really discouraged and just looking for an artist with compassion, integrity, and skill.
Best,
math&lyrics
I did Google “Mandelbrot” tattoos, and there are quite a few examples.
There are a lot of tattooers that don’t deal with clients that bring in their own artwork. I take artwork in simply as suggestions and let him create a tattoo in his own style.
If you’re looking for an opinion on your ideas, I’m afraid I would go along with the others.
I would rather have a tattoo artist tell me that it would be an ugly tattoo and not do it than give me an ugly tattoo and tell me it’s what I asked for. If 6 artists have told you that they can’t make it pleasing enough to put their name on it, it probably isn’t going to work. Just because an idea is important to you doesn’t mean that it can be done well. You can keep throwing the idea out to artists, maybe someday one will have an idea to make it work. But after 6 no’s it doesn’t look promising.
I really don’t see how it would work maybe you should think up another idea or maybe travel maybe just maybe James Kern could pull it off No Hope No Fear Tattoo Art Studio – Portland, OR
I’ve never had an artist ask for a deposit, and if they did I’d certainly get it back if they canceled on me. Sounds like you’re going to tattooists rather than tattoo artists (the latter generally have more integrity and a lot more skill).
I’d take Buttwheat’s advice, and if that doesn’t work maybe don’t get this tattoo. All of the ones I found on google were poorly executed. Better to have nothing than a bad permanent mark on your skin.
I guess that’s just it though; I’m not really looking for someone to tell me whether it’s attractive or unattractive. I’m looking for a skilled professional to simply do their best at executing it. I’ve seen people bring in handwriting and have it tattooed before – It’s not really for the artist to say “Your dead relative/long lost brother/best friend’s handwriting won’t look good on your body. If it’s not magazine script, I’m not doing it.” And don’t get me wrong. I get it. Some artists only want to do work that they find aesthetically pleasing, or that fits a certain style. They want referrals and good samples to fill their binders. But isn’t there another type of artist out there? One who can trust that, if I’m willing to pay, and willing to have it on my body forever, it’s probably important to me? And, furthermore, aren’t there artists who would accept the challenge of reproducing someone’s design as closely as possible, and be proud of it? I’ve attached some images, because I know I’m not the only one who wants this. I’m just looking for an artist who says “I respect that. Let’s do it.” instead of “That’ll look strange. Wouldn’t you want a dragon? Here, look at all the dragons I’ve done.”
As for the Mandelbrot Set; It is a stunning, miraculously perfect image to someone who’s studied mathematics. It looks like nothing else on earth, and there’s a perfection and infinite symmetry to it that someone in my field would totally respect. Maybe it doesn’t look like flowers or whatever. But it’s beautiful to me, and there are so many ways it’s been tattooed in the past that, as I’ve said, I’m pretty shocked that people aren’t willing to take it on.
I’m definitely willing to travel away from DC if there aren’t folks here to do it properly. Recommendations are absolutely welcome!!
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