AIB out of order to change artists?

[VikingBlonde]

Hi
I have a large back piece which I've been working on for some years. It started when tattooist & I both lived in London. She has since moved all over and I went to her various studios and her home for sessions.

Last session (8hrs) was 3 years ago because I have since moved to the other side of the country to her and finding the time she is available to line up with when my kids are with their dad and then having the money for a long session to get to her is tricky to align.

I'd like it finished but the practicality and cost implications of having a 5 hour drive each way to where she is now based, as well as accommodation whilst there is making me wonder whether it'd be better to seek out an artist more locally to finish it off.

Is that an awful thing to do? I don't really know if there's a code of conduct I'd be breaching. DP (also tattooed) says it's my body do what I want

Clearly you can have someone else finish it off. It's nice that you are a loyal customer and respect your tattooist as the artist she is, but you don't owe her anything and in the circumstances I wouldn't feel bad about using someone else. The piece will be a collaborative effort!

I'd go to a different tattooist if I were you.

Thanks

I do think this can be an issue for some artists and you may struggle to find a decent once with the same style to finish the piece locally.

My view may be coloured by an Instagram account I've been following @hownottogettattooed where artists vent about clients who are not as thoughtful as you.

Do you have someone in mind locally?

yeah that's a pretty awful insta account. I'm a creative too so I do get the idea of it being her thing and her art but it's more about the distance and costs involved now. Her art is on me and I have to travel a long way to get it done... I think I'd best be very upfront and ask some artists around here that specialise in colour whether they would be up for finishing something off. I bet a lot of people wouldn't want to take on another artist's work... or maybe it just won't get finished anytime soon! In fairness, I've done 4x full days on this tattoo and I did not know it would be that many to do this piece when we started...

Worth asking around anyway and then you'll know.

Find a reputable tattooist near by, but check out reviews and check out any photos of previous work. I dont think the tattoo artist would mind in slightest im your case.

Ive got 7 my first 4 had done at same place but they have long waits and a bit more pricier than other studios around, anyway went for my 5th and he made a mess of it, went back a few weeks later for it sorting and it was still crap. Was £15.00 cheaper than my usual place but I hate it its my worse one ,wish id of just payed the extra and booked it doing in 2 months time instead of next day impulsive booking. I felt like such a traitor going back for my next ones doing at my usual place