Traits of a good artist?!?

So, I posted the other day about my idea for a tattoo and I got some GREAT replies! Thanks for everything! Here is today's question....since I dont have any tattoo's and I dont know anyone that has any either, how do I find a good tattoo artist? I really want to bring some pictures to the artist and have them draw something original. I want to find someone who appreciates the meanings behind why people get tattoo's and not just do it as a "job" and of course I want it to look good! Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on questions I could ask or how I can identify a good tattoo artist? Thanks in advance! LB

Hi LB, I look for someone that I connect with - someone that still loves their job as a tattoo artist, not some jaded person that no longer enjoys their art. I go by local word of mouth/work I see on other people in my area. Then I take a long hard look at their portfolio and see if I like their style. Do I like their use of color (if the work I'm having is color) or their talent with black and grey. Are they listening to me, do they "get" my idea and run with it making it better than I have in my head (i'm not the artist after all, they are!). If they try to steer me towards using flash (picking something off the wall or from a book) then I steer clear of them - unless it's their own flash art of course, lol, but then I still want it to be original in some way. I mean a black panther, for example, my 50lb tattoo, is an old school tattoo and there's tons of them out there, so there's only so much you can do with it, but my artist still drew it up original for me so at least he's MY black panther I hope that helps and didn't ramble on too much, I'm sort of rambly today Inky

A good artist won't be resistant to drawing you a design from scratch...they won't be afraid to show you a strong portfolio and clean work station and friendly environment. You should be treated with respect, and they should have as much time as you need to make all the important decisions about the EXACT tattoo you want to wear fr the rest of your life......trust your gut when you meet people..... every piece of equipment (tattoo machine, clip cord, chair) should be covered with fresh PLASTIC sheeting...you should not be made to feel bad for asking about cross-contamination and sterilization....safe practices should be something the artist is proud of!!! good luck to you... xxxbecca

I second what Becca says - NEVER go to an artist based on price - Good tattoos are not cheap - Cheap tattoos are not good. I picked my artist based on his skills alone - He has won numerous Canadian Awards and is confident in his work. He will talk you out of getting flash off the wall - which any good artist should do. Go in and drill them, a good artist won't mind and will respect the fact that you have done your research!! Good luck finding one!