Tattoo Artist Loyalty: Is It OK To Stray?
Today's Tattoo Corner question comes from Jonathon and is one that I presume many tattoo collectors struggle with from time-to-time. I know that my perspective on the issue has changed quite a bit from my earliest experiences in the tattoo chair. He asks:
Q) Hey Jinxi, Do you think it is best to remain loyal to one tattoo artist for most of your work? Is it an insult to an artist if you are tattooed by various people? - Jonathon
You can read my answer here regarding artist loyalty. There are, of course, many factors when it comes to making decisions pertaining to choosing and staying with a tattoo artist. After you check out the Q&A, please share your own experiences when it comes to this situation. How do you decide who you go to and how long do you stay?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 9:15AM
Reader Comments (7)
I agree with you completely Jinxi. I had the same dilema originally, after going to the same artist for a few years and building a relationship with him, I felt it would be "cheating on him" to go elsewhere. After learning more about the world of tattoos....I felt I needed to branch out with other artists. I discussed this with my original artist and actually found out he was happy for me. He offered suggestions on good people/shops to go too. I still see him and he is always happy to see the new art I have collected from other artists.
On another note, I actually find that people tend to step up their work when they know there pieces will be besides other great artists. I have a leg of skulls by all different artists and it has become a kind of competition in a way between the aritsts (in a good way). They all know one another and each always say how they want to outdo so and so. It has been a lot of fun getting tattooed by different people.
IN MY OPINION COLLECTORS SHOULD GET TATTOOED BY ANY ARTIST WHOS WORK THEY LIKE. I'VE BEEN TATTOOED BY 37 DIFFERENT ARTISTS. I PLAN ON GETTING TATTOOED BY A FEW MORE THAT HAVENT TATTOOED ME YET.
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.
ANY TATTOO ARTIST THAT FEELS YOU ARE "THEIR CUSTOMER ONLY" IS NOT A TRUE TATTOO ARTIST- JUST SOMEONE FALSELY USING A TITLE THEY DID NOT EARN.
TATTOO TODD P.T.A.E.C.S--SINCE 1985
I am a Tattoo artist who gets tat'd by all different people and i don't mind if my clients do too! not everybody has the same style work so why not go to whom ever u want. for me i like to learn from others so i say the more the better! I tell my customers all the time that there's nothing wrong with going to other artists as long as they are comfortable with them and their work. unfortunatly for my customers i'm booked out months ahead and they can't get in right away so they end up going to someone that can get them in that moment and they end up coming back to me to fix whatever they got...so do ur research and know it's worth the wait cuz it's on u forever!
I don't have any tattoos (YET!) but I can imagine that straying from your usual artist on occasion would be a great way to branch out and explore different types of tattooing art. I'm sure there is an artist out there that has a broad spectrum of skill, but not all will know how to do everything well. I don't think any tattoo artist should be insulted or upset if you do stray from him/her to get other works done. I would imagine that the artists would rather enjoy checking out the different pieces.
Art is about sharing beauty and perceptions of the world. It's the same for tattoos!
I think that you should get tattooed by whoever you want at the time. the whole "artist loyalty" thing is kind of bull. a good artist would want you to get the best work done that you possibly can and sometimes that might mean going to someone else who is better. different artists have different strengths and someone who is amazing at traditional or color might not be as good at black and grey or surrealism. if an artist gets butt hurt because you went to someone better than them, that's completely immature and almost reaffirms why you should go to someone else in the first place. anyway, now that i've thrown in my two cents, i think it would be interesting to hear from someone who has a different opinion.
I take many roadtrips and when I go to a new place, I get tattooed there. I break all the loyalty rules. However, in the city where I live, I get tattooed by only one artist at the moment so I guess that counts for something. It's your body, do what you want.
Hi Hun,
Its really a valid point you bring up here, is it ok to work with another artist.. I myself use to just sit with one artist. But then they moved my girl to another location, I was so bummed out. But I asked her which artist did she think I would like to continue to go too. Not only was she kewl about it, but I got to meet Richie. He is a super guy and one hell of a talented artist too. From Richie Ive sat with two other artist from the same shop. Each unique in their own way, and Ive made new friends as well. Now they are all like my family, and I love them to bits.
Since then I have sat with four other artist from various shops and found there is just way to much talent out there not to try an new artist. So I say go for it, and if there are any ego's out there that might bruise. Well maybe then that's not the right artist to sit with. Just my spin on it!!!