Getting a tattoo is a deeply personal experience. Whether it's a small symbol with profound meaning or an intricate design that tells a story, the tattoo you choose becomes a part of you. But what happens when your tattoo artist says no? Why might they turn down your idea or suggest another artist? Let's explore the reasons behind these decisions and why they're ultimately for your benefit.
Not Every Idea Fits Every Artist's Style
Tattoo artists, much like other creative professionals, possess their own unique aesthetics and specialties, a principle strongly embraced here at Logan Square Tattoo. Our studio prides itself on championing the distinct styles and preferences of our artists, a quality that draws many clients specifically to our doors. While our artists boast proficiency in a variety of techniques, not every design aligns seamlessly with their individual expertise or artistic sensibilities. Specializations in styles such as realism, traditional, or watercolor stem from their background, training, and personal inclinations. Should your tattoo idea diverge from the artist's area of expertise or aesthetic, they may recommend another colleague better suited to realize your vision. At Logan Square Tattoo, we strive to cultivate a diverse array of aesthetics within the realm of tattoo artistry, ensuring that every client finds the perfect match for their creative aspirations. Still, sometimes a project comes in that falls outside of even our diverse lineup. Fortunately we’ve been doing this a long time, and have some pretty strong networks and are happy to refer projects outside the studio to the right artist.
Quality Over Quantity
Tattoo artists take great pride in their work and strive to maintain a high level of quality in every piece they create. For some artists, taking on a project that doesn't resonate with them creatively or conceptually can compromise the integrity of their portfolio. They may decline a project if they feel that they cannot do justice to the design or if it doesn't align with their artistic vision. While it may be disappointing to hear, it's essential to respect the artist's decision and find someone who is genuinely passionate about bringing your idea to fruition.
Ethical Considerations
In some cases, tattoo artists may refuse to work on a project for ethical reasons. This could include designs that promote hate speech, violence, or offensive imagery. Or maybe it’s your first tattoo and you decide to go right to the hands or face, some artists are not comfortable with the implications that could have for the rest of your life. Artists have a responsibility to uphold ethical standards and may decline projects that conflict with their personal beliefs or values. While it's essential to express yourself through your tattoos, it's equally important to be mindful of the impact your design may have on others and to work with an artist who shares your values. Another consideration- the world of symbolism is vast and changing. A symbol you connect with for one reason may have an entirely different meaning to someone else. It’s always a good idea to do some research on your own for any symbolism you might be interested in, as well as talking to your potential artist about the general meaning behind it for you. That way if there’s symbolism that might be questionable, or outright offensive for reasons either of you are not ok with, a discussion can be had and some alternatives can be worked on.
Time and Commitment
Creating a custom tattoo design requires time, effort, and careful consideration. Some artists may choose not to send drawings prior to appointments to avoid misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the design. Instead, they prefer to discuss the concept in person and collaborate with the client to refine the idea together. Additionally, artists may turn down projects if they feel that the client is not fully committed or if they sense hesitation or uncertainty. Tattooing is a permanent commitment, and both the artist and the client should feel confident and excited about the design before proceeding.
Our artist and owner of Logan Square Tattoo, Gifford Kasen says, “I’ve often had people come to me with a grand idea for a sleeve or bodysuit or something enormous, only to find out they are leaving town in a few months and decided to jump on their project before they leave. While it’s not always a no to those requests, I hesitate a lot more these days. There's so much time that goes into the design work for a large piece before we even begin, and I want to personally know that the client is not only committed in the moment, but in the long term to see that project through to completion. A sleeve generally takes six months to a year to finish for most clients. Bigger projects take longer. It’s important to have a good grasp on that commitment level, and that’s a conversation I always have during the consultation. I’ve turned down pieces that really spoke to me and I would have loved to do because after talking it over it became clear the client wasn’t in a good place in their life to see it through to the end, and I didn’t want to leave them with a partially finished piece.”
Not every idea is a good idea.
I guess that’s subjective, but unless you’re ok with becoming an internet meme about bad tattoos, sometimes it pays to have someone say it’s a bad idea. Sometimes that cool looking mushroom your friend drew actually looks like a weird phallus. Or maybe the wording on the ode to your father actually makes it read like he was your kinky love interest. Hey, I’ve seen it. A competent artist is going to care and point that stuff out to you. A caring artist is going to point it out and then help you take that idea and make it something that you won’t cringe about later.
While it can be disappointing to hear that your tattoo artist won't take on your project, it's essential to trust their expertise and respect their decision. Tattoo artists have a deep understanding of their craft and know what they're capable of creating as well as a self awareness that they are permanently altering somebody elses body, and they are responsible for how that turns out. By being open to their suggestions and guidance, you can collaborate to find the perfect artist for your tattoo idea. Remember that the ultimate goal is to create a meaningful and beautiful piece of art that you'll cherish for a lifetime, and sometimes that means trusting the artist to say no when necessary.
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