Best place in Houston to get tattoo done, and should I have artist modify the design for me?

I am getting a small tattoo done soon in Houston, Texas, and I am looking for a clean, safe place to get it. A friend recommended the Sacred Heart Studio, but when I went to their website, they seem to focus on piercings, with tattoos almost as a side-business, which makes me a little nervous. Does anyone have any recommendations for safe, clean tattoo parlors? I will of course be checking out the possibilities in person before having anything done.

In addition, I have a tattoo design that I like, but I want to have some minor modifications made to it—just turning a few parts that look slightly floral into distinctly floral. Is it better to pay one of these custom-tattoo guys on the internet who send you three options and then create a final one from your comments on those three, or to work with the artist who will actually be tattooing you?

Thanks!
Best place in Houston to get tattoo done, and should I have artist modify the design for me?
Finally a question in my local area...



I would hit up the shops in the area...there are a lot and I would talk to the different artists and look at their portfolios...



The problem is with asking a stranger on where to go or even a friend with ink, is that they usually have a connection with their artist. You need to find someone you are comfortable with. So hit the street and do some research.



Different artists may excel in certain areas...like black work (tribal), or Japanese influenced, portraits, or fantasy work...most artist can ink about anything, but some have more skill in certain areas.



Chano at Body Language Tattoo in Galveston, Texas.

Also I suggest checking out...Gary at Amazing Tattoo of Richmond...also Buck UPDATE...is now at I-45 Tattoo.

The tattoo artist I go to is in Galveston Texas and has been tattooing for over 12 years ( I cant remember if it is 12 or 15 year)...Chano is great...I'm really a fan of Chano and his work and have seen a lot of his work...in fact he has won several awards, even on the National Level (Best Overall Female Ink at Nationals a couple of years ago 2005). He did a full below the waist piece on a woman I know...a Rainforest...very detailed and colorful. The same woman won at Nationals in 2001 years earlier for Best Overall Female Ink...from Gary who was at Body Language for a few years until he moved to Houston.



Both are talented and have different styles. If you need any more information...email me. Buck is also good.



I have ink from all three and appreciate every one of them.



As far as modifing your design, all have different styles and are very good at free hand...and can make suggestions and touch it up to make your ink pop.



Also, Scared Heart maybe good, it may look like they are into mostly piercings...but the thing is you will be hard pressed for any tattoo artists to put his work on the internet where anyone can rip it. And not all tattoo shops are online because of that fact...as well as they depend mostly on word of mouth. It's a great tool for advertising, but in reality if you hear of a shop and some great artists, they may not have a website...and get along just fine from word of mouth.



But again, it depends on the tatttoo artist you click with...and there are plenty out there...there are also a couple of places I would stay away from...youll have to email me for those, I refuse to say something bad bout certain studios on a public forum...just know what I have seen come out of those studios and how many people who ask for an artists who can fix their ink...who went to certain places.



UPDATE: I have seen I-45 tattoo...on I-45 South (northbound) when I come into Houston, it looks like a great place...just havent had a chance to check out their artists or portfolios...and would feel a little like I was betraying Chano in Galveston. Small community betweent he artists ya know...and know it would get back to him. But definately worth checking out...KUDOS TO RED SUNSHINE.



UPDATE...just changed where Buck is now...found out today he is at I-45 Tattoo in Houston...wow...who'd of figured...



Congrats and Best of Luck!
Reply:VERY informative RowdyBull! ;-)

I only know of one in Houston with a REALLY GREAT artist - I45 Tattoo.

Good luck.