is this stealing an idea?

hypothetical question. Okay, you see a tat that an artist did on someone else and it's EXACTLY what you would want for yourself. You can't ask the artist to duplicate (nor should he/she anyway right?) but how do you achieve a like image? Just curious. You see so much flash in the magazines and I'm always saying out loud, "I'd LOVE that." Now I'm not going to copy the image and take it to an artist, but do you tear out the page and show it to artist for input? Does this question even make sense? I can see some images used over and over (i.e. Marylin Monroe, Elvis....) I was wondering how you, the tattoo artist, handles a situation like that?

I usually bring 2-6= pieces of reference for the artist to pick and choose from. The artist usually looks through everything I bring, find the 1-2 images they wanna use as reference and do their thing. You can find lots of images from statures and a ton of artwork throughout history to bring... Sounds like its gonna be a fun tattoo!

You can steal an image, but when it comes to tattoos I don't think it is stealing if the image is simply used as an "idea" or inspiration you are starting with. Copying an exact tattoo from a photograph (if you can find an artist un-ethical enough to do it) would be stealing and wrong unless it is verifiable commercialized flash that the artist has purchased and in their posession. Nothing wrong with getting a piece of flash tattooed on you (I would be thrilled to have gotten a Sailor Jerry Collins pin-up if I'd have been of age and aware enough before he died) but having an artist work with you to come up with your and their own take on the concept would be equally ideal and in keeping with the spirit of getting custom work.

Got it! Thanks for the input. I was trying to narrow it down to one image. Having a selection of "visual" ideas makes sense As a writer I understand the theory or "there are only 7 basic plots" in literature. With artwork, i suppose the ideas are endless!

I an kinda stuck on the stealing a tattoo deal. I had a tattoo ripped malicously through my hands before I could even get it. It's sorta a strange situation though. I was going to get "Let it be" tattooed on myself because it has a very personal meaning to me and it's inspirational to me. Well I was going to go one night and the shop was closed, I went with a group of friends and an ex-friend who dates one of my friends ( we will call her, Mary). Well Mary is best friends with ( we will call her Jane) who also use to be a good friend of mine but we have had many conflicts, so alas do not like each other. Mary knew I wanted to get "Let it be" and she and Jane got tattoos this past weekend and afterwards came back to my house where her (mary's) boyfriend lives. Well Jane wouldn't take off her bandage even after 2 hrs of it being on where Mary was proudly displaying her tattoo to everyone. The next morning I find out that Jane got "Let it be" tattooed on her wrist. I was mad, actually very mad. Later that day she came back over and hung out and the entire time hid her wrist from me and kept it folded under her other arm. She knew I wanted it and then got it before me. She already stole my tattoo, ddn't be sneaky and hide it. Ok sorry for that storybook, but do I have a right to be upset?? I don't know what to do. I am still getting the tattoo because it's mine and I love it and it means more to me than any of my other tattoos.

Hmmm, she was hiding it from you.... that makes me think that she knew she had done something that would upset you.

Ouch, ZeppMoonDreamer! You have a right to be annoyed; from the sound of it, she knew what she was doing. But at least she had the decency to be ashamed. Talk it out... maybe you might gain a new improved friendship, and an extra happy memory of the phrase!

Yeah, it's kinda difficult for me to stomach. I can't believe someone could be so bitchy and malicious. It's ok though, my friend designed the tatoo for me and it's amazing now, there is a lot more added than just "Let it be". I can not wait but at the same time I want to say something to the girl, but I know if I do it know while I am still upset, nothing nice will come out of it.

Well then, keep it cool. And, if you can, do patch up one day... there's little in this world worth more than a friend.

I wish I could patch things up, but our ex-friendship goes beyond a stolen tattoo. She has done too much to hurt me. So stealing my tattoo just added to her already malicious ways. *shrug* I just know I am not wrong here, and that is ok with me. I am getting the tattoo still and that will be it.

Zepp, The best revenge is in living well. (That, and it clears you of doing anything that will wreak havok on your karma) If the girl is poisonous to you, your best bet is staying away from her.