Questions about a tattoo design

WHY can I not get the tattoo that I want? I have been to 5 different tattoo artists, tell them that I want a white buffalo in a medicine wheel on my shoulder and they have all told me that they can't do it. When I ask why, they look at me like I'm crazy and simply say, 'Okay, I won't.' Simply put, I am a healthy, married white woman in my mid 30's, of average weight, who has always wanted a tattoo, but waited until I wanted the same one for 2 years before I decided to take the plunge. Is this because they can't draw, the design does not exist or is there something up with me? My husband is Lakota and he does not see a problem, so I am pretty sure it's not got anything to do with any Native American beliefs...anyone out there got an answer?

Lets see the design... Are you asking for the tattoo too small? Are these 5 respected tattoo artists or just 5 artists you found driving around? Are you willing to travel to a talented artist to get the tattoo done right if the design is workable? Its actually great that someone didnt tattoo it on you just because you want it, sometimes what the customer wants and what will make a good tattoo will differ drastically. So, my thoughts are, if 5 respected tattoo artists all tell you the same thing, then its probably true. If you went to 5 ok tattoo artists then yer lucky one didnt try it and get a crappy tattoo. The only person I know in New Mexico is Kelly Gromly. I would trust his to tell me why a design is or isnt tattooable... Hes great...

We have run into this a lot with customers. I see in the forums people told to go to an artist to get their design drawn but then they cannot find an artist to draw it. We will draw the designs! You can post your project at http://www.designmytattoos.com/cgi-bin/customtattoos/r.cgi?cricket or http://www.tattoodesigner.net/fr.php?cricket or better yet email us directly at [email removed] to get a quote. You can view Cricket's portfolio at www.ScorpionsAmore.com and at www.TattooArtists.org/Scorpionsamore.

Idon't know where you went or who you talked to or if they were even in a studio but ANY competent tattoo artist should have no problem designing the tattoo you want that is...unless you are wnting it too small. Your design just would not be hard at all! Find a real tattoo artist and you should have no problem!

Thanks for the replies! I was thinking 3 to 5 inches across...is that the problem? Obviously, due to my build, I would prefer a bit toward the 3 inch side but am comfortable with 5. If it needs to be larger, I will need to adjust to the idea before I commit. Yes, two of the places I went I walked out of stating they were too expensive (not true, but they really gave me the creeps...not very sanitary appearing and one of the guys was just disgusting! Now, I grew up in Sturgis, SD and attended 24 rally and races...so for me to find someone too disgusting is quite a feat!) One was a place out of Rapid City that several friends had gone to, but I was up for the Rally and suspect they did not have the time, they did not say that, just that they wouldn't do it. I am willing to travel, just not really sure where to begin in my search...thanks to Gabe(?) for the recommendation, I have e-mailed Kelly.

I don't know where in New Mexico you are, but Brian Everett at Rte 66 Tattoo in Albuquerque (sp?) would definitely know if what you have in mind is tattooable or not. He's one of the veterans in the scene.

I would talk to Brian and Kelly and if they both say you need to go larger, be patient, think about it, and then go larger. Skin is a tricky medium, so you really need to trust your to top professionals. If your making the plunge into getting tattooed, you should do it the right way (by trusting talented industry professionals who know about tattoos). If your design cant work out with either of those guys, then they should give you clear reasons why. Im sure their advice would be 100% on.