family member just got a REALLY bad tattoo

I normally post here under a different username, but given the topic, I'll go for anonymity. My sister-in-law, who's in her mid-20s, recently went through a really rough pregnancy and very late-term miscarriage. Then she got a memorial tattoo.. a fairly large piece on her back. and it looks like TOTAL SHIT. Cartoony and uneven with shaky, thick lines and bad colour. On the one hand, I don't want to upset her with one more thing. On the other hand, it's a terrible piece and I know a couple artists that would help fix it and be sensitive to the situation as well. Gah.. what should I do? How long should I wait before bringing it up? How DO I bring this up? (They don't live close, so I see them every couple months or so).

If it were me, I would wait till things calm down a bit for her. Once she's ready to "move on" past her current circumstances, maybe bring it up in a suggestive manner rather than a critical one. I would say "hey, that's a very nicely themed tattoo...however, I think we can make it even better for you". Then maybe introduce some artists who can make it right for her.

You didn't say whether your sister in law feels the same way about her tattoo as you do. If she likes it, you probably should not say anything at all.

honesty is best if this is a true friend be there be compassionate and explain the details offer to help and maybe fork out some cash for it to be fixed.bad enough toi live with the life of memories of the loss why have another bad memorie that shows

well, when she first got it, she mentioned she didn't like parts of it... but was considering going back to the same artist to fix it. that's the entirety of the conversation about it so far.

Well, if she already mentioned she plans on going to the same guy, if I were you, I'd do a little research and reommend someone else to her. Why make the same mistake twice?

MAKE SURE TO CHECK THE ARTIST PORTFOLIO OUT! CAPS USED BECAUSE YOUS IS SO FAR AWAY LOL wanted to make sure ya heard me lmaoff

Personally, I would tell her as soon as possible. My reasoning being, if it was me, I would want to be told. Of course do it in a very compassionate way and recommend an artist to fix it. This way, you're bringing the problem to her attention but with a solution already available. Just make sure you tell her before she goes back to the original artist.

You could perhaps open by asking her if the original artist had completed it, or if it was a work in progress... then check the artists portfolio to see if thier completed work looks 'good' or 'bad.' If bad, then suggest a better artist to refine it. -KMJ

since she has said she didnt like parts of it and wants to get it fixed shes already worried about it. she might just now know that she can go somewhere else. im assuming that you have tattoos so maybe she will trust you. for her birthday or christmas or something take her to your friend and have them show her what they could do to fix it. i dont think she would be offended. have you talked your family member that relates her to you? they would know good ways to talk to her to not upset her.

I like the birthday/Christmas suggestions, if I can work that in somehow. I'll take a stab at talking about it next time we see them... which'll be maybe a month or two after the fact. Thanks all. I just felt horrible about the situation, and then to get a monstrosity like that when you're already on the edge... I don't suppose the artist was trying to take advantage of them, but he got away with a shitty job because of the distress around the event.