Chris O'Donnell vs David Sena

I want to get a lotus flower--a very feminine flowing colorful flower--and om mani padme hum with violet water splashes above my left breast--i also wanted a koi in there but since i only want it to be about 6" by 8" in it might be a little cramped, so probably the koi will have to wait. Anyway, I ADORE Chris O'Donnell's work and he is definitely the man when it comes to my chinese dragon back piece. But this tattoo is smaller, and I don't know if I can wait until 2007 (this guy is BOOKED!). Maybe i should wait? So what is everyone's opinion of David Sena in comparison to Chris O'Donnell? Chris work seems to have a tighter feel, better composition, more of a flow, but then i look at David's work and become confused because it also is amazing. I just can't choose.

David does nice work,but i don't think he's as good as Chris..I've been to rising dragon,and he seems like a nice guy..Personally i have to feel comfortable with the artist who is tattooing me..and although he may not be as good as Chris,if you connect with him,go for it.I would also recommend www.regnyc.com Regino is very talented,and a good guy..and www.marcoserio.com does excellent japanese work too..and in Brookly,check out Nick,and [email removed] they do nice japanese inspired work..

Chris's work is definitely good and he has a great reputation for his work and personality, however David Sena has been producing some beautiful work lately and is on the up and up. He is also a well rounded artist outside of tattooing. Check out his amazing art work on his website senaspace.com good luck

Well this makes my third time sitting down with David Sena and I'm sorry to say this will be my last with him. I have no problem paying for good work but when you charge me for the time your shooting the shit and eating your lunch that is not cool. It really suck cause he did a great out line for my sleeve even though he rushed the job at the end cause he had another appointment. My appointment was at 1 he did not start sketching on me until 145 and he did not start actually doing the tattoo until like 345. He is a good artist but a total rip off artist .

Sorry to hear about that..It sucks when your getting big work like that,and it doesn't work out-but it's better that it didn't work out on the first appointment rather than later on in the process.I met this guy in the city who had a backpiece outlined by an artist,and it didn't work out,so he actually went to David's partner Rodrigo;and he finished his back,and outlined his ribs,and thighs another time.He said Rodrigo is real fast,and his prices are very reasonable.You should check out www.invisiblenyc.com I like Regino,Marco,and Kiku's work alot.And another guy who'e really talented,but keeps a low profile is Dan Vu in brooklyn.Check out his work @ www.myspace.com/danhvu

Joe thanks a lot you have been a lot of help.I will explore all the options you've giving me. Hopefully I can get one of them to at least shade me in before the end of month. Don't get me wrong the guy is good but 600 dollar for an outline I think is way to much. Its 5am and I'm still pissed I hate to be taking for a ride. It sucks cause I have been waiting to see this guy since January. When he was at Rising Dragon he did an octopus for me. To this day I still get great comments on it. He did the black and I went back a month or so later for the color. One of those instances he over charged me but I did not mind because it was still under 500. You should be happy leaving a tattoo palor, Dude i was so mad i had to go straight home because I was starting to be really rude to everyone around me. I get asked about my work all the time its sad I will have to tell them my story. I'm pretty sure my complaint mean nothing to a guy who gets booked months in advance. My friends told me to make a youtube video and post it .. I just might do that. Thanks again Joe your a good guy. P.S. I dont care if he gets wind of this or anything else I post cause I will never step foot in North Star tattoo again.

I must of read it wrong.I thought it was your first apt.What did he tattoo on you that it would be 600.00 just for the outline?The only problem is finding an artist that will want to finish something that's half way done.I know those guys at invisible are booked for a few months;but it doesn't hurt to try.Regino tattooed me a few years ago,and he's got a light hand,and his work is excellent;and a nice guy too.Here's some more artists to check out. www.danielalbrigotattoo.com he just started working at NY Adorned,so he's probably not booked up long. Dre@ www.blackinknyc.com Dre does nice asian work,and is a good guy. Alex@ www.threekingstattoo.com Eli,mike,nick,and steve@ flyritetattoo.net

I have a Chinese dragon on my forearm and and Arc Angel on the inside of my forearm. I also have a hammer head shark with water as well as the octopus with water spray that david done on my upper arm and shoulder. Yesterday David did a squid for me it starts on the inside of my bicep where most of the body goes past my inner elbow and the tentacles are sketched around the angel and ends at my wrist. Other tentacles are spaced out wherever i had space left on my arm. He pretty much filled up any space I had left on my arm from other tattoos. The work is pretty much done the suckers on the tentacles everything is done except the shading of the water and the squid itself. But at he end of the day its pretty much just the out line of everything . Nothing shows any depth that you achieve with good shading . I can send you pics later but Im at work now. I really hope I can find someone who can finish what he started this really suck. I can't go back to him because the trust thing is important to me and I don't trust him anymore.

I have a Chinese dragon on my forearm and and Arc Angel on the inside of my forearm. I also have a hammer head shark with water as well as the octopus with water spray that david done on my upper arm and shoulder. Yesterday David did a squid for me it starts on the inside of my bicep where most of the body goes past my inner elbow and the tentacles are sketched around the angel and ends at my wrist. Other tentacles are spaced out wherever i had space left on my arm. He pretty much filled up any space I had left on my arm from other tattoos. The work is pretty much done the suckers on the tentacles everything is done except the shading of the water and the squid itself. But at he end of the day its pretty much just the out line of everything . Nothing shows any depth that you achieve with good shading . I can send you pics later but Im at work now. I really hope I can find someone who can finish what he started this really suck. I can't go back to him because the trust thing is important to me and I don't trust him anymore.

I have a Chinese dragon on my forearm and and Arc Angel on the inside of my forearm. I also have a hammer head shark with water as well as the octopus with water spray that david done on my upper arm and shoulder. Yesterday David did a squid for me it starts on the inside of my bicep where most of the body goes past my inner elbow and the tentacles are sketched around the angel and ends at my wrist. Other tentacles are spaced out wherever i had space left on my arm. He pretty much filled up any space I had left on my arm from other tattoos. The work is pretty much done the suckers on the tentacles everything is done except the shading of the water and the squid itself. But at he end of the day its pretty much just the out line of everything . Nothing shows any depth that you achieve with good shading . I can send you pics later but Im at work now. I really hope I can find someone who can finish what he started this really suck. I can't go back to him because the trust thing is important to me and I don't trust him anymore.

Sorry about the multi post .. this computer at work suck. .. Thanks for all you help Joe. I will send you some pics later today

wow all these stories....David just did a sleeve for me and i am beyond happy and i think he is the best out there,yes he needs to eat lunch and perhaps a bit of water but when he is going he is going..i think he is the best out there and i love what he did on me.He got me exactly what i want and the colors are the best ..once again..don't be hating just because he is busy..he is the best! You should be happy he has time for you.

Yo, if you are looking for a bargain tattoo artist you don't go to North Star (WTF). I will assume that you didn't pick some stock art off the wall either and you relied on David to do what he does best. I have had about 4 sittings with David for my sleeve and he is a good as they get. He spent the first couple hours free-handing and sketching out the design and from there he just progressed with some super tight lines and shading that in my opinion cannot be compared. I never had a problem with his pricing either, he was extremely fair, and at times i thought was cheap for what he was doing. David 's character is pretty stand up. If you had a problem with what he charged you than you should have said something. You also get what you pay for, and im sure you were under charged for the quality.

I think both really need to get an apprenticeship before they start doing lotus flowers. Those can be tough to do.

such a stupid fucking question, is this a popularity contest?

From personal experience David Sena has beautiful artwork; the shading and detail in my tattoo is phenomenal. My original request was to have my husband's name on a banner (was my boyfriend then) in front of a rose with a heart and he of course refused. Said I was a kid and that it's too big of a deal to do that. He was right, but it's 10 years later and now I am going to contact him again to see if now he'll do it. He will be the only tattoo artist for me and I will travel the 120 miles just for his work

I cant speak about Chris but David is brilliant. He has done a lot of work on me and I am thrilled. I recommend him highly. Mike Berkley

In 2012 or 2013 - (can't remember-sorry) I won the Best Back Piece at the Roseland NYC Tat Convention. David Sena did the work. He is doing a full body suit on me. Everyone who has sen my (his) work drops their jaw; its amazingly beautiful work. I find David Sena to be honest, reliable, friendly and a great tattoo artist. I don't have the pleasure of knowing Chris O'Donnell and Im certain that he is excellent. I just want to state for the record that David is a professional - and acts that way- and turns out excellent work. Best to all. Mike

Hey guys. Read your comments and I really wanna get a tattoo now by Sena. I accidentally passed by his studio the other day and now im googling the guy to see how good he is. Apparently he is really good. I've been meaning to get an inner arm tattoo (and in the future a half sleeve maybe)but the design is not really Sena's style. Does he do whatever you give him? Cause I know alot of artists that prefer their own style. Anws my other concern is the price. How much does he charge approximately? The tattoo I wanna do has a lot of detail and its kinda of a watercolor style.