Choosing a tattoo artist is not as simple as walking into the local tattoo shop and taking the first available chair. Your tattoo is permanent; forever, lifelong. Sure you can have it removed but that is painful and far more costly than the tattoo will be. So be sure. Be really sure. Do not make the decision on a design and artist based on price or timeliness. Anything this important is worth the wait.
First of all, choosing a tattoo artist is closely linked to your choice of design. Your design is very personal, an expression of you, even a statement. Since you will carry this piece of art around with you for the rest of your life, you need to be especially sure that you will always like it. If you are the kind of person who likes to be trendy, consider your choice of design extremely carefully. Stay away from designs based on current fashion. It is likely you will begin to dislike it within a year or so. A good rule of thumb for choosing a tattoo design is to wait a year, then if you still like it, go for it. Plus, the year of waiting is a good time for searching out an artist.
