Shooting Star Tattoo Gallery

(Tattoo) "One of the biggest misconceptions about the world of tattooing is that it is a male dominated domain..." Paul Sayce Tattoo Magazine 03-'09 Issue

"The Shooting Star Gallery"! welcomes you! My name is Melissa and I am a collector.  Being young and foolish I started out where many of you have, with a "homemade" piece (and with someone's name no less).

At the Shooting Star Tattoo Gallery we will cover the good side of ink, and the possible implications of getting a bad design or piece. We will share photo's, artists, flash and health concerns. This will all come from a female perspective but will of course include both genders with fresh new creations.

Tattoo,s are body art but remember they are FOREVER, with your only options for removal being laser removal with a cost ranging from $1000 to $10,000 depending on the complexity of the designs and the skill of the surgeon. Your other option may be a cover-up which will be in excess of the cost of the original piece as the skill required to cover other work well can be costly.

Most of the ink is picked not just for the design, but also their symbolic and personal meaning. A few things to think about for your next piece.

Professional:

Tattoos are produced by piercing the skin with a needle and injecting small amounts of ink. The risk of infection is always a possibility. Make sure the artist is a professional and the equipment is CLEAN! Brand new needles should always be a priority, as well as gloves and sanitary conditions. Make sure the artist always uses a new razor in addition to the needles.

Names:

Remember these are permanent and not to be taken lightly. They are not pictures on the wall that can easily be replaced when the mood changes or the craze is over. Think twice before tattooing a name on your body. No one (especially you!) wants to see the permanent reminder of your ex on you. However, there are numerous other situations where a name can be completely appropriate and a touching reminder of a loved one living or otherwise. Memorial tattoos can provide the living with a permanent link to a loved one's memory.

Commit:

Make sure you have good reasons to commit to your body art since it is a lifetime commitment. Be positive that you want the design in the first place and that the design you have chosen is one you will be happy with for life. When you are sure this is something you wish to pursue then research your local artists and find someone you can communicate your desires to and they can translate that into art you will love and enjoy forever.

Location:

Think of your career choice now or in the future. Where you place the ink could very well affect your career opportunities. If you choose to put one on your face, you could have problems finding a job in a professional setting. It does seem that more and more companies are opening their doors to alternative appearances. Realizing that talent does not stem from the outside of a person, and that their appearances can actually display creativity within that can be beneficial. This is something that is taking time though, so consider your options carefully.