I goofed up, and need to get it right.. suggestions?

Question

O.K. I have been wanting to rework my 1st tattoo (a tiny Celtic Dragon from an ancient brooch, that represents my son) for quite a while. I got that for my 50th, and now wanted it completed by my 60th. I went to my artist, brought images of Magnolia flowers and a copy of my tattoo. I told him that I wanted it 'feminine, soft, pretty and realistic', and that I wanted the little dragon made to look like a brass medallion resting inside a pink Magnolia flower. I came for my appt. but he was running late, and rescheduled, I came in then, and he said that he'd discount me, and I said again that I just wanted it pretty and well done etc. I was told to go to the chair, and instead of bringing a stencil or my references, he said that he had done flowers earlier and he was all ready, and brought a different pic. of a magnolia (photo). So then he started to draw on me. I have loved his previous work, so I curbed thought 'o.k.' The drawing lines were fine, and he started working. I could not watch him, because this is on my chest and when we stopped for a break I looked in the mirror, and he had done all of this black shading - almost 'old school'! I was stunned because I had even asked about a blood line, etc. to keep it soft and delicate. He finished and the dragon looks great, the work is excellent, but it is far from what I asked for. I went back the next day and told him that I wanted to somehow soften it up, and will go back when it is healed. I told him that it was not what we had talked about etc. I think that he forgot what I had said and just did the flower like he had done for his earlier client.
So now I need to rework it, and somehow add these elements in that I wanted. Any suggestions?
Thank you for your thoughts (I appologize for the lengthiness of this)

Sur La Mer · Accepted Answer

That's like hiring someone to do a ceiling mural.

I got mine done, but the 1st guy found bigger fish to fry, more out of town, and we've agreed to give him 4 checks installment. After the 1st check, he comes less & less, and making excuses, but I was his 1st employee, until he found one farther and he keeps asking me for gas money. Was I now supporting him? He was 80% done, and he walked out on me, gave him his last pay but not all of it, since he didn't finished the job. I have to hire 4 new employees, and it still didn't have that WOW! effect!

Except, the canvas here is your skin. You can't laser and start over again, it's much painful than that.
Laser takes several treatment.

What else can I say!  That's another reason why I won't let my body turn into a canvas. Mistakes happens, ALL THE TIME, a painful mistake, then there's the allergic reaction from the ink.  I'd much rather get my teeth pulled - anytime!

Anonymous · Answer

This sounds so much like many people I know who go to Vegas.  They gamble and lose money.  Instead of leaving with a small loss of money, they continue to gamble trying "to get even."  Instead of getting even, they leave Vegas will a much larger loss.  You were not satified with this artist's work and now you're going to "gamble" that his second effort will not be a worst tragedy than his first effort.

I once paid an artist to do a painting that had personal meaning to me.  I was disappointed.  He drew the painting for his own artistic expression with little or no thought for what I had communicated to him.  Such is the way with many "artistic" people.  Listen to what Sur La Mer said in his answer.  At least in my situation, the canvas was not my body.  In my case, I eventually threw the painting in the trash and accepted the fact that it was a waste of money. To quote Sur La Mer "Mistakes happens, ALL THE TIME, a painful mistake"  Don't compound your problem by giving this tattoo artist a second bite of the apple and screwing up again.  This tattoo artist may have a little talent, but he doesn't know how to listen and/or follow instructions.

I goofed up, and need to get it right.. suggestions?

2 Answers