Some Basic Tips for YOUR Next Tattoo!

There are literally dozens of tattoo parlours in Philadelphia. When deciding to get a tattoo, it is important to research which places suit your style. While most parlours have various artists proficient in certain styles, some places have more to offer. My friend Nora may have gotten different results had she gone to a different place. Tattoos are permanent, and one should be prudent in searching for the place which will give them the best results. Some common sense tips include:

• Finding a place/artist that best suits the style of tattoo you want.
• Reading other customers' reviews for descriptions of cleanliness, professionalism, and price.
• Making sure the location provides quality work that is also safe and sanitary.

Tips like these will help you in finding the best place for a tattoo that you will love(and won't regret) forever.

When I got my tattoo in January 2011, I made sure to research the best place. My brother, who got the same tattoo, heard from friends that the work of Body Graphics was quality, professional, and affordable. We went to the Portside Parlor and Art Gallery, of Body Graphics, on 30 S. 2^nd Street. The shop was brightly lit, clean, and welcoming. There were books with flash tattoos, walls with design sketches, and even a television showing pictures of past work.

Our artist was Scott Musick, who was friendly and inviting. He inked both of our arms in under an hour. We were provided with detailed care instructions and given a nicely designed business card with some basic care instructions as well as Scott's contact information in case we had any questions. The whole experience was comfortable, professional, and completely worth it.

Scott Musick

I love my tattoo and cannot wait for my next one. I have a certain design in mind that deals with ghosts, monsters, and burst chests. If YOU have any suggestions for locations that excel at this type of style, be sure to leave a comment!

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Home Is Where The Heart Stays

The Who: My friend Maeve and her mother got these matching tattoos in August 2010. Maeve has lived in Philadelphia all her life, first in the Northeast and now at school in the city. She is the only child of a widowed parent, which is precisely the reason for this tattoo.

The Where: Maeve and he mother got their ink at Sink The Ink in Willow Grove, PA, a suburb of Philadelphia

The What: Before she entered college in 2010, Maeve finally decided to take the plunge. She and her mom had debated getting matching tattoos for years, and finally felt they were ready. Maeve wanted the tattoo to be a symbol of her and her two parents. The tattoo is extremely special because it is in memory of her father who passed away when she was 10 years old. Maeve, being an only child, was extremely close to her dad. His passing brought Maeve and her mom closer together, giving them a very unique and special friendship and relationship.

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Tattoo De Los Muertos

The Who: This tattoo belongs to my friend Nora. We've been friends for over a year, ever since I joined my school's radio station. Nora loves showing off her ink, and I thought it would be an awesome, original piece to showcase. I asked her to send me some pictures with her story and she so graciously obliged. 

                  

Photo Credit: Matthew Klein

Here's what Nora had to say about this beautiful tattoo:

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The Tattoo of Brotherly Love

Welcome to the blog of tattoos and their stories. All from Philadelphia! I will be regularly documenting original designs done by artists based in and around the city. Every tattoo has its own story, from the fallen loved one to the sports team tribute to the drunken dare. Tattoos need to be thought out, designed, applied, and shown off. It is my job to provide a gallery filled with the creative pieces floating around the City of Brotherly Love. And what better way to start off the blog than with one of my own?

This is a tattoo that I got with my brother., T.J., back in January of 2011. My brother is my best friend and I knew I wanted to get something that would provide proof of the brotherly bond we share. These were done at the Portside Parlor and Art Gallery by Body Graphics, on 2^nd Street in Olde City.

In my opinion, getting a tattoo should be a long, carefully thought out process. Rushing to get a tattoo leads to poor designs, unoriginal artwork, and a greater chance of regretting the piece. For something that will last forever, a tattoo needs to be carefully considered. My brother and I deliberated for over a year before we finally took the plunge. When deciding on our tattoos, we went through various objects and designs, finally settling on a polar bear.

The polar bear has been our favorite animal for quite some time and it seemed fitting for us to get. We also have a polar bear lawn ornament that has a history of his own. Q-Bear, as he is named, is about three feet long and one foot high. For a few years, we took him everywhere with us. He's been to Canada, sporting events, out in the snow, and even to the beach. He has been a dog toy, a drinking buddy, and a flotation device. Everywhere we go, people want to hold and get their picture taken with Q-Bear. It seems silly, but it is a fun tradition we have, and we knew that having a Q-Bear tattoo would be something we'd want forever.

T.J. designed the outline based entirely on Q-Bear's profile. We saved our money up and headed down to Body Graphics. Scott Musik did both of our tattoos in under an hour. I think they turned out great and it was a great design for my first tattoo(T.J. has three). Throughout the year, I've shown off my design(and told the story) to anyone and everyone who would listen. The positive responses I received made me so happy I finally went for it. I now have something that my brother and I will share forever. As anyone with ink is aware, tattoo culture is addicting. I'm already gearing up for my second piece, so be sure to check back soon!

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