Tattoo help

[missy]

Good morning PSers

I’m thinking of getting a tattoo of my beloved heart kitty Francesca She died in 2019.

I’ll post a few photos below.

Any artistic ideas?
Any advice?
Any regrets for those who have tattoos?
What do you wish you would have known beforehand?
What could have been done better?


I was thinking of getting it on the back of my shoulder or ankle.
I wear a lot of sleeveless tank tops and dresses so either would work

I’ve never had a tattoo before so any suggestions are appreciated

 

[Slickk]

Hi @missy I like the second picture. I think that would be adorable. I have had a small tattoo on my ankle for 28 years. I had it done to cover a scar and I have no regrets, though I should go get it recolored. I prefer the ankle myself.
I hope you decide to go ahead with it as it would be a nice memorial for your sweet fur baby Francesca.

ETA @missy This one. Her eyes are beautiful … perhaps have a better background.

 

[missy]

Hi @missy I like the second picture. I think that would be adorable. I have had a small tattoo on my ankle for 28 years. I had it done to cover a scar and I have no regrets, though I should go get it recolored. I prefer the ankle myself.
I hope you decide to go ahead with it as it would be a nice memorial for your sweet fur baby Francesca.

I’m going to check out your tattoo artist recommendation, thank you! I can’t go wrong with someone you recommend

 

[empliau]

I would get it where I can see it. She was so beautiful.

 

[dk168]

I too like the 2nd picture the most.

I only had one tattoo, had it done in December 2009 in my mid-40s when I thought my bum cheek should not sag much more!

The tattoo artist drew the final design based on the design features I specified, and he did a great job.

It was quite big and was quite painful while I was having it done, and afterwards for at least a couple of days.

Hence that's the only tattoo I have.

Sorry, however, I am not going to share a pic of the tattoo publicly! Only a handful of peeps have seen it (not even my mum as she would have a fit if she knew I had a tattoo!) and I can only see it myself in a mirror.

Apparently it is even more painful at boney locations.

DK

 

[missy]

I would get it where I can see it. She was so beautiful.

Thank you. She was. Not just physically but a beautiful soul. I miss her every single day
Maybe I should consider tattooing her on my wrist so I can always see her. Thank you for your suggestion

I too like the 2nd picture the most.

I only had one tattoo, had it done in December 2009 in my mid-40s when I thought my bum cheek should not sag much more!

The tattoo artist drew the final design based on the design features I specified, and he did a great job.

It was quite big and was quite painful while I was having it done, and afterwards for at least a couple of days.

Hence that's the only tattoo I have.

Sorry, however, I am not going to share a pic of the tattoo publicly! Only a handful of peeps have seen it (not even my mum as she would have a fit if she knew I had a tattoo!) and I can only see it myself in a mirror.

Apparently it is even more painful at boney locations.

DK

Yes I figured it would be. The impetus is that I have to get hand tattoos for radiation treatments so I thought ok.
Let me get something I want too then, I always wanted to have Francesca tattooed on me. Though I carry her in my heart for as long as I live I wanted a tangible symbol of our love

 

[Avondale]

There's a subreddit, r/tattooadvice, that's full of useful information. Many people there, including a bunch of tattoo artists. It's interesting to read through (I don't plan on having a tattoo done ever, but I still visit it often), and you'll learn so much stuff you didn't even suspect existed as topics before. It's not just general advice on designs, healing and such, but also so so so many examples of things going wrong in very specific ways that are excellent learning opportunities.

 

[missy]

There's a subreddit, r/tattooadvice, that's full of useful information. Many people there, including a bunch of tattoo artists. It's interesting to read through (I don't plan on having a tattoo done ever, but I still visit it often), and you'll learn so much stuff you didn't even suspect existed as topics before. It's not just general advice on designs, healing and such, but also so so so many examples of things going wrong in very specific ways that are excellent learning opportunities.

Thank you! Much appreciated

 

[Rfisher]

You looking for line art
Stylistic
Photorealistic?
Find someone who specializes in that + animals. And maybe even be ok travelling to get there.

Ditto @Avondale ’s suggestion.

 

[missy]

You looking for line art
Stylistic
Photorealistic?

Ditto @Avondale ’s suggestion.

I know absolutely nothing about tattoos so am researching and learning. Not sure what style. Either I suppose. I haven’t decided anything yet and I don’t know what I don’t know so trying to learn all I can. I never thought I’d consider getting a tatto tbh. Thanks

 

[dk168]

@missy people who say pets are just animals have no idea (re: the negativity shown towards Queen Camilla when the news reported the loss of her beloved dog).

I still miss my first dog everyday!

DK

 

[dk168]

Personally, I would opt for a line art unless the tattoo artist is skillful enough to differentiate the subtle differences in different shades of grey!

DK

 

[missy]

@missy people who say pets are just animals have no idea (re: the negativity shown towards Queen Camilla when the news reported the loss of her beloved dog).

I still miss my first dog everyday!

DK

100% agree. They’re family. Fact. Often the best of family

 

[missy]

Personally, I would opt for a line art unless the tattoo artist is skillful enough to differentiate the subtle differences in different shades of grey!

DK

Excellent point, thank you

 

[Pumpkin Sparkles]

I have several tattoos, I have one on my foot and my chest and upper shoulder are somewhat decorated.
From experience I would also suggest taking in mind your pain tolerance and ink colors wanting, pain varies in colors, white being the worst.

I love the first picture, perhaps the silhouette in black with a green heart inside the silhouette for the beautiful green eyes she had, Just my opinion.

 

[missy]

I have several tattoos, I have one on my foot and my chest and upper shoulder are somewhat decorated.
From experience I would also suggest taking in mind your pain tolerance and ink colors wanting, pain varies in colors, white being the worst.

I love the first picture, perhaps the silhouette in black with a green heart inside the silhouette for the beautiful green eyes she had, Just my opinion.

Thank you! I didn’t know that. My dh created a Francesca appliqué we have on our jackets and shirts etc.
Thinking of doing something similar for my tattoo. When I have time I’ll take a photo and share what he created. We hand it out to all animal lovers lol. It’s always a big hit

 

[missy]

Found it!




@Pumpkin Sparkles

 

[Pumpkin Sparkles]

Thank you! I didn’t know that. My dh created a Francesca appliqué we have on our jackets and shirts etc.
Thinking of doing something similar for my tattoo. When I have time I’ll take a photo and share what he created. We hand it out to all animal lovers lol. It’s always a big hit

I love that idea! A beautiful way of keeping her memory alive. I bet the appliqué is adorable if it’s a big hit, I would love to see that when you get a chance.

Edit: I just saw the appliqué, that is so stinking cute!

 

[empliau]

Found it!




@Pumpkin Sparkles

That's beautiful! She's in your heart, on your clothes, and soon will be inked on you forever.

I hope your radiation goes well. I'll hold good thoughts for you.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Sorry - not a tattoo fan. I think natural skin is beautiful; my most precious memories are in my heart and mind. Francesca was a beauty and no matter what, you will never forget her goodness.

 

[winnietucker]

I have tattoos of my dogs. No regrets. Mine aren’t really serious though.

I think you should find a style you like best and then find an artist that you like best who does that style. It’s easy to find artists on IG as many post their work.

 

[missy]

Sorry - not a tattoo fan. I think natural skin is beautiful; my most precious memories are in my heart and mind. Francesca was a beauty and no matter what, you will never forget her goodness.

Believe me I hear you. I have always felt that way. Unfortunately now I had to get permanent tattoos on my hands. Today I got them on my right hand. For medical treatments.

I was feeling sad that here I went all my life with no tattoos or permanent markings and now I am getting mandatory medical tattoos on both hands. So I was thinking ok maybe I should get a tattoo that actually has meaning. To me.


I’m still not 100% decided. I first need to get through the next nine months of treatments and then I’ll decide.

As always I appreciate your input @MissGotRocks Thank you

 

[Dreamer_D]

I would probably begin by looking for the artist I wanted to work with and go from there. Many of the best have long wait lists. Most have IG accounts showing their work now.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Believe me I hear you. I have always felt that way. Unfortunately now I had to get permanent tattoos on my hands. Today I got them on my right hand. For medical treatments.

I was feeling sad that here I went all my life with no tattoos or permanent markings and now I am getting mandatory medical tattoos on both hands. So I was thinking ok maybe I should get a tattoo that actually has meaning. To me.


I’m still not 100% decided. I first need to get through the next nine months of treatments and then I’ll decide.

As always I appreciate your input @MissGotRocks Thank you

The tattoos used for radiation become almost non-existent. It is, of course, your decision. I think I almost notice those with pristine skin more now than I do those with tattoos. I guess I just don’t get the whole idea of self expression in permanent markings on the skin. However, once again, personal choice and you do what is right for you.

 

[josieKat]

I would probably begin by looking for the artist I wanted to work with and go from there. Many of the best have long wait lists. Most have IG accounts showing their work now.

Yes - I'd search in the area(s) you are okay with going to (the city of course has so many options), and then check out the IG accounts of people you want to check out more thoroughly. Make sure they have done and have plenty of examples of the kind of tattoo you are thinking of. You don't have to know what they are called necessarily, although you could do a quick search on tattoo styles so you have an idea if you want fine-line, realistic, etc. Most will indicate on the tattoo shop's website at least what styles they work in, but the best way to get a feel is to see the photos of real work they've done - both what you like but also if they generally do work you think looks good.

On IG or on the shop website they'll let you know how to get in touch. Sometimes artists will post that their books are closed - lots of good artists are in huge demand and you'd have to wait for the time their books are open and hope to get a slot. Others say they will evaluate requests at any time. They always specify how they want to get the request (an email, a request on their website, a DM, etc). If you don't have a good interaction with them via the request then it's fine (although disappointing) to move on - you want to feel good about the person who will be making these permanent marks.

I put in a request about 6 months ago and basically never heard back - still not sure if they didn't like my idea/weren't interested, or were too busy. I put another in just last week and got an "absolutely I'd love to do this for you" within a day.

 

[nala]

How about just her green eyes?

 

[LilAlex]

The impetus is that I have to get hand tattoos for radiation treatments so I thought ok.

Maybe I have not been paying attention to enough threads (!) -- hope this is benign like a contracture, etc., and wishing you the best.

I love the first picture -- so iconic and meme-like with private meaning. I envision a small, simple outline and little circles for the eyes -- like on the inside of a wrist. Would not do this one big, of course.

One DD has lots of tattoos (all "line-y" and black/gray as is the style in our part of the world). We have toyed around with the idea of a family tattoo that started as a joke and the kids are pressuring us now.

 

[Begonia]

Simple line drawings are very effective IMO

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

I hope your health improves and wish you the best.

Pretend you are commissioning a jewelry project where a mistake would be difficult but not impossible to fix.

Tattoos are a matter of taste, good ones take time to do, good artists have a waiting list, there is some upkeep, some people prefer color and some prefer colorless, if you do not like something about the design you need to speak up or it will bug you forever, tattoo shrinkage is real, people will judge you based on your tattoos or lack thereof, there are off-the-shelf tattoos (flash) and there are custom tattoos, there are objective quality standards but those standards matter differently to different people, there are trendy tattoos and classic tattoos (and just because something is trendy does not mean you will not enjoy it in the future), people upgrade, sometimes an artist makes a mistake, there are myths, there are frauds, there are rarely bargains, some tattoos are meaningless fun, some are a rite of passage, some are extremely sentimental. The best ones will almost certainly be expensive.

From personal experience, you may regret getting it some place you cannot look at it.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Missy, i know how much you love dear Gracie and how much you miss her

so although im really glad i never got one, i understand why you want it
i have heard the ankle is very painful
i like the wrist idea but the wrist is bonny

this is purly a cultural thing so i dont mean to upset everyone, in NZ tattoos are very popular especially with the young
i think it often looks a bit silly on young caucasian woman -just my opinion

as has been said, go about it like its a jewellery project but one that you can never take off and one you cannot change

i always think of this add when i think of getting a tattoo

Gracie was a beauty
she will live in your heart forever

i am sure what ever you choose will end up being beautiful and truly a lovely heart felt tribute to Gracie