I need some help... (long)

[TossBranAbi]

After much deliberation, and the support of others, I have decided to go ahead and get a tattoo honoring my sweet Tossie girl who left me almost a year ago. I have thought about it in the past and have really been thinking about it after another member here got a tattoo of his boxer Skittles.

What I need from you guys is some suggestions. I want something relatively simple and easy to add future pups to the "list." I originally thought about ivy leaves going up my side and each pup having a leaf, with Tossie's being the biggest at the bottom. My friend then said about instead if using ivy leaves, to use paw prints and have them going up to a cloud.

I then thought of the idea today of having a boxer sitting and looking up with wings and a halo draped over an ear. That boxer would be Tossie (I don't think I want an actual portrait but more like just a general boxer shape) and then as each pup leaves me in the future, I would add a paw print which would eventually lead up to a cloud with a rainbow "sprouting" out of it.

My only problem is that I keep changing my mind, I think because there are so many ways this could be done and I am worried about running out of room for the future pups and I also want something that is going to "fit" me forever. Obviously it will always mean something to me and I want it to be forever but I don't want to get something that is going to look childish. I basically want something that 30 years down the road, people aren't going to think I had it done as a child...if that makes sense :confused:

What do you guys think? Have any other/better ideas? Should I just get the boxer now and wait to do the cloud and rainbow at the top? Should I get the dates put on there also or should I just do a name?

I know I definately want to do this (and am going to get it eventually, kind of hope within the month since Jan. 6th it will be a year since Tossie left us), just a little confused as to what exactly to do and thought the wonderful people here could help me out. What are your suggestions?

 

[TossBranAbi]

Okay, I just talked to my friend again and she suggested instead of getting a 'chain' of pawprints leading up the the cloud, maybe just get a bigger boxer with wings and the halo and then put Tossie's name underneath it and not worry about the 'chain.' She said the way I am, in my lifetime, I would have to wrap that 'chain' around my body a few times :rolleyes: I kind of like that idea because Tossie was the biggest part of my life and she will never be replaced. Then if in the future I want to add more pups, I can simply have something smaller around the original tattoo, maybe like that particular dog's favorite thing. Like for Brady it would be a cuz (I type that as he is here squeeking his cuz on my leg), etc.

WHy does this have to be so difficult?

 

[K8IE]

Do you have an artist that has already done work on you and that knows your style and taste? Or have you even chosen an artist yet? The reason I ask is because the tattoo artist is the best person to consult on what you are going to do. Find an artist that specializes in portraits so that you can get the best quality work possible and make sure you see their portfolio! The good artists are extremely creative and can come up with something great (maybe even something you haven't thought of that you would like better) for you if you sit with them a while, show them pics of Tossie, give them different ideas or rough sketches that you are thinking of, and let them know the general size and placement you would like. Let the artist know that you would like to add to it, and that way they can place it where it will be easy to do so and it can be a continuing piece of art. Good luck and let us know what you decide on!

 

[Gronar]

K8IE has the best advice, in my opinion. You need to find an artist, give him/her your ideas, and see what they come up with.

 

[catcrazy56]

I then thought of the idea today of having a boxer sitting and looking up with wings and a halo draped over an ear. That boxer would be Tossie (I don't think I want an actual portrait but more like just a general boxer shape) and then as each pup leaves me in the future, I would add a paw print which would eventually lead up to a cloud with a rainbow "sprouting" out of it.

I like this idea the best.

 

[TossBranAbi]

Do you have an artist that has already done work on you and that knows your style and taste? Or have you even chosen an artist yet? The reason I ask is because the tattoo artist is the best person to consult on what you are going to do. Find an artist that specializes in portraits so that you can get the best quality work possible and make sure you see their portfolio! The good artists are extremely creative and can come up with something great (maybe even something you haven't thought of that you would like better) for you if you sit with them a while, show them pics of Tossie, give them different ideas or rough sketches that you are thinking of, and let them know the general size and placement you would like. Let the artist know that you would like to add to it, and that way they can place it where it will be easy to do so and it can be a continuing piece of art. Good luck and let us know what you decide on!

This is my first tattoo so I personally don't have an artist but there are two artists at the place I would be going, they have both inked my friend so I have talked to and seen each one work. I have also seen each of their portfolios, the guy artist is more into portraits and highly detailed tats and much more expensive because everyone was going to him instead of the other artist. The girl artist is more into the girly stuff. I guess my problem is is that I don't know which way to go, I thought I didn't want a portrait style tat done but my mind is ever changing. I am a little nervous about talking to the guy because of what I saw of his work, he seems to be hard-core, but i guess that is probably just what he puts in his portfolio. I am probably going to go up one of these days my friend doesn't work and see what they can do for me.

I am having trouble finding sketch type pictures of a boxer sitting, looking straight on. This one (http://cgi.ebay.com/Boxer-Dog-XIV-B...3QQihZ003QQcategoryZ10830QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) would be perfect if it wasn't laying down. I now the artist should be able to look at pictures and make the boxer in any pose I want but I want to make sure it looks like a boxer, I think finding a picture in the pose I want would be the best bet. If you know of any pictures like this of the boxer sitting, please let me know, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Brynn1508]

I love the ivy idea. I think it is classic and original. Although I adore my pups I would not want a boxer portrait on my body. But after I read you ivy leaves idea with Tossie being the biggest and start... I thought wow what a great idea. I also do not have a single piece of ink on my body but I would like to get something eventually... and what would be better then honoring the best dogs ever

 

[SpruceBruce]

My best advice would be to talk to the artist and not shy away from a certain artist becuase of price or "hardcore" portfolio. You get what you pay for, for talent and experience and there are lots of things that can go wrong with tattoos and the most important part (even before coming up with a design) is to find the right artist to work with. Sorry to sound so preachy it's just that we own a tattoo studio in our city and we see LOTS of people make serious mistakes when getting a tattoo.

PS I love the ivy idea I have a tattoo of our Bruce on my calf - when he's being bad I tell him I have the tattoo so I can remember him when I give him away Something I could never do!!

 

[Gillian Ward]

if you are not too far in pennsylvania i would recommend my tattoo artist....he did my portrait of gilly on my left thigh....its a perfect profile of her with the "ohm" zen circle around her,and on one side "gillian" and the other side the japanese symbol for best friend.....im in new york about 1:15 from scranton....let me know if i can help,paul

 

[TossBranAbi]

if you are not too far in pennsylvania i would recommend my tattoo artist....he did my portrait of gilly on my left thigh....its a perfect profile of her with the "ohm" zen circle around her,and on one side "gillian" and the other side the japanese symbol for best friend.....im in new york about 1:15 from scranton....let me know if i can help,paul

Thanks for the offer but unfortunately I am in Clarion county which is pretty far from you. Would you by any chance have a picture of your tattoo? I have been searching for pictures of boxer tattoos just to see the work done but haven't found too many. Thanks again