The trick I use with my tattoo clients that blows them away

This trick helps me every time!

By David Meek

Hey friends

  I always do my consultations on Tuesday afternoons. I keep a routine schedule because my ADD, if left to its own devices, will help me get exactly nothing done.

And just like my schedule, I have a routine series of questions I ask during the tattoo consultation.

First the basics.

  • Whats the main idea for your tattoo?
  • Where is the tattoo going?
  • How big are you thinking for your tattoo?
  • Do you have any references of tattoos you like or don’t like?


But the question that helps me the most, gets asked when I do coverups.
I’ve been asking this question for easily 15 years. And I actually overheard an old tattooer use it and I stole it immediately. 

If you’ve needed me to do your cover up you’ve heard me ask. 

” If you didn’t have your current tattoo, what would you want in that spot?”

I love asking this question. Its so honest. It makes people think about what they really want.

I’ve started using a variation of this question with all tattoo consultations. Now
 I’m able to get real answers about the tattoos my clients actually want. 

And sometimes that answer is… Not to have a tattoo at all.

Thats my job. To help get you the best tattoo possible. 

The tattoo you actually want vs. settling for some OK idea.
Asking this question reveals so much. 

The result.

I deliver something (or nothing) that my people actually want and maybe never considered. 
#clientsblownaway




Heres a quick story. 

Years ago, I had a client walk in to the studio. They had a name tattooed on their wrist and they wanted it gone. Like forever gone. 

I asked what she wanted.

“Would a black rose look good and cover it up?” she asked

“Yeah of course” I said. But then I asked her the question
Her answer…
She actually would like a tattoo of The Liberty Bell. She was from Philly and wanted a tattoo for her hometown.

Thats waaay better than settling for a black rose*.

She never considered anything other than a black dark design for her coverup. I mean how would you cover a back name with a bronzey goldish bell?

After a little brainstorming we came up with a Trompe L’oeil (fool the eye) design.

We used the drop shadow of the bell to cover the name while making everyone look at the bell!!!


Bing Bang Boom.

Click here to see some recent Coverup Tattoos.

I love that I’ve been able to do this for you and countless others.

I’m already ready already to work together on your next idea and knock it out of the park!
Just say when!

If you’re good right now, tell a friend to head my way. 

Right now I’m booking for April and May (my 18th tattoo anniversary month)

Book your consultation and lets plan the next masterpiece!

You can book your tattoo consultation for a coverup by clicking here

The moral of the story… You are lucky I was eves dropping on that old dude when he dropped that knowledge bomb on his client!

Your friend

David

PS*
Black rose tattoos are pretty freakin cool. But you don’t have to start there. 

PPS
As always you can see my NOW page to see whats going on in Davids world

5 Best Tattoo Documentaries Every Tattoo Apprentice Should Watch

Justin Winkler my Tattoo Apprentice at Art and Sol Tattoo

Alright, if you’re a tattoo apprentice (or just thinking about becoming one), there’s a lot you need to learn.

And no, it’s not just about getting your line work tight—though that’s obviously important. You’ve got to understand the culture, the history, and the legends who came before you.

Lucky for you, I’ve got a list of the five best tattoo documentaries that’ll not only give you some serious tattoo knowledge but also light a fire under your chair to make you better.

Plus, I’ll even tell you where to watch them so you can just sit back and click.

Let’s go!

Continue reading “5 Best Tattoo Documentaries Every Tattoo Apprentice Should Watch”

Friday the 13th Tattoos: How It All Started in Tucson

Its Friday the 13th tattoo time!

Lucky 13 tattoos for friday the 13th on David Meek owner of Art and Sol Tattoo in Tucson Arizona
Some Lucky 13 Tattoos I’ve gotten on Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th tattoos are a big deal. If you’re in Tucson and you love tattoos, you’ve probably seen these events pop up. But why are they so popular? Let’s break it down.

What’s the Big Deal with Friday the 13th?

Friday the 13th is known as an unlucky day. It combines Friday, which some think is unlucky, with the number 13, which people also say is bad luck. So, together, they’re supposed to be extra unlucky.

But tattoo artists took this superstition and flipped it. They turned the day into something fun. Now, Friday the 13th is a day to get cheap tattoos.

How Did Friday the 13th Tattoos Start?

Continue reading “Friday the 13th Tattoos: How It All Started in Tucson”

How tattoo artists can have work life balance.

I’ve been seeing a ton of tattoo artists complain about work life balance. Its so wierd to see it all over social media.

In fact I think thats exactly why tattoo artists are feeling overwhelmed. Social Media… dun dun dun…

Gone are the days of sitting in a tattoo shop waiting for walkins 6 days a week and letting word of mouth do all the work.

Nowadays artists are required to be posting on tik tok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Reddit, etc etc and on and on… Lets not forget you have to draw your tattoos, then tattoo them.

Oh wait, do you have a family and hobbies? Well, crap when are you gonna have time for them if you’re busy posting and scheduling and doing consultations in the DMs… its so much… wait, did you make your needle order? Did you want to paint today?

Theres just too much going on.

Continue reading “How tattoo artists can have work life balance.”

Hiring Tattoo Artists isnt easy

Its me doing what I do best.

Its seems to me that every single tattoo shop is experiencing unprecedented boom times. So much so that Im seeing post after post on multiple tattoo shop social media pages announcing that they are hiring. I admit, even I have put out the help wanted call for my shop Art and Sol.

As of this writing, Im currently booking for spring of 2021 which is a bit hectic when trying to consider birthdays, holidays, weekend getaways with the family, school breaks etc etc.

Continue reading “Hiring Tattoo Artists isnt easy”

Top 10 Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Mothers Day is literally days away, and sometimes we wait a little  too long to shop for mom. Its a daunting task to think of what to get the women that brought us into this world, and have reminded us everyday since, that they were capable of taking us out. So in honor of my fellow procrastinators Ive compiled a list that might help. Feel free to use any of these ideas!

Sailor Jerry Traditional Mother Tattoo Flash

10.  Hallmark Card

Its never a bad idea to keep Hallmark on their toes and see how close someone else can write a generic poem that describes your mother perfectly… I myself will be picking up a couple of these bad boys…PS you can always make one too, but something tells me moms are kind of over that homemade crap.

9.  Flowers

Never a bad idea to couple this idea with the greeting card. I try to get the birth flowers of the children the made that woman a mother.

8.  Gift Cards

Dont know what your mom is currently into these days, no sweat, Amazon gift cards are the bees knees! or whatever you guess her shopping addiction might be. Victorias Secret is one that i highly suggest purchasing the gift card for. Dont by your mom a thong

7.  Brunch

Its perfect. its not breakfast and its not lunch. make reservations for someplace decent. Dont hit the waffle house on the highway, you can go there on Fathers Day

6.  Tattoos!

This is my personal favorite for obvious reasons. But it really is cool when moms get awesome tattoos to celebrate their children. Hell, its even cool to get a tattoo for yourself  for your mom. People have been getting mom tattoos for decades. Nowadays you can honor her with a portrait, traditional heart and other endless mom designs.  Its the gift nobody can take away. I actually have a few customers that have made it an annual ritual to get their mothers day tattoos every year. Its awesome

5. Salon/spa

This is a classic for anytime you want to say “yo, all that crazy shit I do, welp, i shouldnt do i so much.”  and after a day spa treatment our moms have recharged enough to tolerate us for another 12 months. whew

4. The Theater

You can use your best judgment on this one but it can truly be relaxing to take mom to the theater. i say use your judgement because she might prefer the movie theater, but there is usually a good play or musical in town nearby that you can escort her to. Even symphonies and orchestras are great.

3.  Jewelry

Jewelry is another one that can go either way. Some moms have grown accustomed to never having to wear it so its pointless. However, jewelry with birthstones are often a big hit. they dont have to be worn to be cool.  In this case and most of the cases here it really is the thought that counts.

2. B and B weekend getaway

there are bed and breakfasts everywhere, make some reservations for mom to take a couple of days to actually read a book. send her off with some wine some snacks and 50 shades of grey and she will have quite the weekend.  Im not gonna go into the rest of this one but i think you get the idea.

and finally

1.  Cruise

This is something that Ive always wanted to do for my mom and have yet to do it.  Financial and schedule difficulties have always come up. But I cant imagine a mom would scoff at 7-10 days cruising from port to port on a floating resort. Terrible. Just terrible.

 

so thats my list, Hope you enjoy it. Oh, and if anyone needs any assistance with number 6 please use the contact form and we will get you all squared away!

 

Thanks for reading and Happy Mothers Day

David Meek

Fast Lane Tattoo

3801 N Oracle

Tucson Arizona

(520)-388-8282