😭😂😂lmao how did you survive the sessions
I’ve been tattooing for over 9 years, but getting my own feet and ankles done felt like a completely different beast compared to my back or legs. For the collectors here: what was your "never again" spot where you almost tapped out? Also, did you find that the healing process was a nightmare with shoes, or did you just live in flip-flops for two weeks?
Lmao! I’m here
Oh wow
True, can i see your tat🥹
Yh you’re right!
Wow, you’re an artist too?? Cool 👌👌
I love that perspective. It’s funny how different our jobs are, but the root of the anxiety is identical, wanting to do right by the person in front of you. I think you're right; if I didn't care about the outcome, I probably wouldn't be nervous. It’s comforting to know that even after years of interviewing, that human element still stays with you!
That 'urge to burn' feeling is so real! It’s definitely harder to 'burn the canvas' when it’s someone’s actual leg, though😅. I think that’s where my nerves come from, knowing there’s no 'undo' button or fresh canvas if I’m not feeling it immediately. It’s comforting to know even someone sketching for pro athletes still gets that start-of-project jitters!
And also, for what it’s worth, since you don’t have tattoos yet, the best way to avoid that 'how do I tell them' situation is to spend a ton of time on the stencil phase. I’m always telling my clients to be as picky as they want before the needle touches skin! But yeah, even for me, that fear of the unknown is always there.
That is such a sharp observation! You might actually be right, as an artist, I definitely have a specific vision in my head, and there’s always that tiny bit of 'creative anxiety' about it not matching up. It’s a lot of trust to put in someone else’s hands, even when you know they’re talented. It’s definitely a mix of physical nerves and that perfectionist brain kicking in!
I’ve been tattooing for a while now and I’ve seen it all, people falling asleep, people passing out, and everything in between. But every time I sit in the chair as the client, my stomach still doing backflips and I get those "first tattoo" jitters. I know exactly what the needle feels like, I know the process, and I know I'm going to love the result, yet I still find myself overthinking the pain or the long session ahead. Is this a common thing for pros, or am I just a bit of a wuss when the roles are reversed? [Image Context]: These are my legs so far! Lots of heavy blackwork and botanical details. I love the art, but man, those sessions near the ankles had me questioning everything. Would love to hear from other artists or heavily tattooed people, does the "pre-session anxiety" ever actually go away, or do you just get better at hiding it?
