Tattoo question

[suspectclass]

I'm lifting this conversation out of drinkasyoupour's comments, and I'd really love some input. For those of you who have text tattoos: whom did you go to? Are you happy with your results? Did you find the cost to be reasonable? I'm especially asking in terms of the Chicago area. Really, I'm asking in terms of any tattoo artist, but I am looking to get a text tattoo and at least in my preliminary research it's been difficult to find text tattoos in people's portfolios. Anything I'm missing? Maybe it doesn't really matter. Anything any of you inked people can tell me would be really appreciated.

Comments

[whosaidilied.livejournal.com]

OMG I wish you lived here, I'd take you to my fellow.

[masscooper.livejournal.com]

That would be awesome.

I'm in a total quandry: color or no? I've always thought no, but yours are lovely, as are many others I've seen. And I want to try it! But oh that adds a whole nother element.

[cocolola.livejournal.com]

I have all text tattoos, and I have been happiest at Deluxe (where DYP went as well). They do have a minimum of $50, but will do more than one tattoo if it falls within the minimum. Really, a text tattoo is pretty easy - I don't think you need to seek out a specialist, but it is nice to go to someone who won't editorialize about what you're writing on your body.

[masscooper.livejournal.com]

Did you also go to Miles?

This is my M.O.: get all anxious about something, research until I'm blue in the face, get overly worried and shelve the idea. Lather, rinse, repeat, until I suddenly decide to do it on a whim.

[drinkasyoupour.livejournal.com]

That was pretty much my process.

[cocolola.livejournal.com]

miles is the guy to go to!

[drinkasyoupour.livejournal.com]

And I did not see Miles, though I think I talked to him in the beginning. I saw Josh, who was also mellow and nice. And a big, cute bearish guy, too. Which was a bonus.

[bastardpirate.livejournal.com]

I saw miles for one of my tattoos, which has text in it. He was very friendly, and an overall great artist.

I would also suggest Esther. Although i haven't had the funds to see her for the work i want done, i have seen a lot of amazing work come from her. And shes VERY nice.

[masscooper.livejournal.com]

Oh man, I was totally reading an article on her the other day. That's probably out of my range, too, but still definitely worth considering.

[bastardpirate.livejournal.com]

Shes actually pretty damn reasonable, in my opinion. If it were something larger than a 50 dollar piece or so, i would say she is totally worth it. Her studio is cute, and shes clean, friendly, and talented. I watched her do a giant typewriter on someone that was just incredible.
Oddly enough, i want her to finish a piece that miles started!

[masscooper.livejournal.com]

Incidentally, where is her studio? I can't find it on her site (though perhaps I'm just totally blind).

[drinkasyoupour.livejournal.com]

The best piece of advice I can give you is http://www.myfonts.com. if you have not already picked your font, you can go to the site, type in what your text will read and see how it will look in any font you want. i found several I liked, added them to an album, printed out the album page, picked the font I wanted, took it to Deluxe, gave them the printout and said, "I want this one".

[masscooper.livejournal.com]

The font is what has prevented me from doing this already, in part. The text is a Russian poem (the translation of the first stanza is my lj title and subtitle), and I was thinking I'd scan the page and use that. until today I only had a photocopy that was pretty worn out, so that wasn't going so well for me. I have two different versions, one in older-style cyrillic, one more standard and modern. My plan is to scan it and see how it looks. Hopefully it'll look fine, because if it needs to be modified before I'm satisfied with it, I'll definitely need the assistance of someone a) with photoshop and b) who knows what they're doing. I am not in either category, sadly.

[whenpetalsclose.livejournal.com]

my only contribution is to say that i did it in my own handwriting rather than picking a font, and i have been consistently pleased with myself for doing so.

[masscooper.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think Jacqui did too? I really like people's handwriting for some tattoos. My cyrillic is pretty funky though, so I think I'll go with type. I have, however, definitely considered getting a tattoo with my own writing, because it can look really beautiful.

[(Anonymous)]

i got both my text tattoos in northampton, at (OH SHIT I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME) that place on the second floor, on main street. living art?? oh man. i'm relatively pleased with both of mine- i have times new roman font, which i love love love, and i think the rib tattoo is a bit cleaner than my hip one. but i love the placement for both of 'em, and what they mean.
i think jacqui has gorgeous crisp clear typewriter tattoos. ask her about them- they're on her forearms, and she can probably provide you with more explanation or suggestions than i can.

[(Anonymous)]

um that was lauren btw. not logged in oops

[masscooper.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've heard good things about Living Art. Also Loonar -- dreamsneezer got a really gorgeous tattoo there. But sadly, I don't see myself out there any time soon. :-(