INKED Inc. - a community for the counterculture

My tattoo artist is moving away....mid-tattoo!

UGH.....I could not be more bummed out right now. I am in the middle of this awesome back piece, and I finally found a decent artist that I trust, but now he is leaving when I still have 2-3 sessions left? He got the outline and some of the shading done, and I realize it is pretty much coloring in from here on out.....but I feel apprehensive on having someone else finish it!
I have two options: go to someone else, or to wait around for him to come in to town for guest spots.
Either way.....I was really relying on his input for coloring and ideas for finishing the piece.

Not really looking for suggestions....but has anyone else had to unwillingly switch artists mid-tattoo?

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by anthonyc on November 28, 2008 at 2:07pm: can you go to him?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Noelle on November 28, 2008 at 2:35pm: I'm sort of in the opposite position here, I'm the one moving 6 hours away come January. my artist and I have maybe enough time for 2 more sessions, but one of those would be the rest of the shading and then onto color. My guess is I'm just going to have to schedule trips up north for ink. Sucks when you can't just drive 10 minutes and be there. I don't plan on switching artists for this piece though, it's hip to toes and has been a very long process so far. Even though it's going to be more difficult, and the sessions probably further apart, I think that my artist is worth the mileage and money to be the only one touching that leg. You gotta figure out if it's worth it to you to travel or wait or if you just wanna get it done and find someone new.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Diamond Dave on November 28, 2008 at 6:30pm: maybe combine sessions and sit longer so you can save a trip? I wish one of my artists was 6hrs away, i have to fly from NY to NorCal....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Inktman on November 28, 2008 at 7:08pm: Tattoos not only mean pain, but also travelling. You're plain lucky if you have a local artist that suits you (to suit you). My current favourite artist is in London and I'm in Holland. Drive 350km, get on the ferry, drive more, sleep somewhere etc. Travel back... Its all part of it and has always been.
I wouldn't change artist midway.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jude on November 28, 2008 at 7:55pm: my artist is in belgium. so when there is something to be done its done all in one session or wait 6 months til he returns to finish it. So my 2 cents? finish it all up before he moves.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by JD LaRish on November 28, 2008 at 8:14pm: try to get as much done before he moves.
then travel to him.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Zinn on November 28, 2008 at 8:47pm: What an artist starts, an artist should have the right to finish... To just hand off the ramainder of the work to some schmoe who can hold a tattoo gun is like having the local contractor painter to finish a Michelangelo. It would never happen, and you shouldn't so it either. I know from experience that it can take years to find an artist's studio where you get the right vibe to sit down and offer yourself up as a living cansas. Finish what you can before he leaves and then travel to him. If you like him this much, then he is worth it...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Deborah on December 1, 2008 at 8:43pm: No, I haven't switched mid piece. I think I only would if my tattoo artist died (heaven forbid) or if it was shitty work.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by anthonyc on December 1, 2008 at 10:29pm: for what its worth, my artist is moving. but hes only gonna be 4 hours away by car. he will be fully moved before my last session, so i plan to head out there to finish it off.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Black is the new Black on December 4, 2008 at 11:54am: I sort of lived in fear that my artist would move away in the middle of my work, then ironically I moved away with perhaps four or five sessions left still.

Rather than risk a mid-tattoo artist switch I traveled to finish the tat. Luckily I got away with tacking the sessions on to legitimate business trips so I didn't have to pay for the flights.

Flying on a plane with a fresh back or @ss tattoo is annoying as hell, let me tell you.

Now I find myself in the position of wanting more work (sleeves) and I'll have to fly back to Oakland to get it from the same artist.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Diamond Dave on December 4, 2008 at 7:43pm: just did a redeye after getting my full back outlined, holy shit that sucked. I totally agree on that one...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Katie on February 17, 2009 at 6:53pm: OK.....so everything is going to be ooookaaaaayyy. My tattoo guy came in to town for a few guest spots at his old shop. I just got an 8 hour session in with him and I am SOOOOO glad i didn't decide to go to someone else to finish it! This is a collaborative effor between him and I, and I think it would mess up the piece to switch artists halfway thru. I have one more big session before its finished and I don't care how long before I am able to book another session with him....he is going to be the one to finish it.
I'm just loving the way it is all coming together!; ▶ Reply to This