I have a dilemma. A friend of mine has a tattoo of a mass produced piece of artwork from the 1960s--I wanted to get the same design (even before we met), but because he has it, I feel tacky. What makes it worse, is that he has an amazing tattoo artist, that specializes in the genre that I want to go to, and so it would be the same design, and the same tattoo artist.

I know that this must be the biggest tattoo faux pas ever, but it is the artwork that I want. The same artist has similar work, and I considered getting one of those pieces so that it didn't seem like I "copied" his design, but deep down, he already has the one that I want the most.

I'm afraid to even ask him this, since he's just an acquaintance that I rarely see these days. Should I just get it and hope we never run into each other? haha. What would you do?

Get the design you want and risk having people think you stole the idea, or get a similar design, and know that you have a unique design?

on the one hand, it would bother me not being the only one

is there any way the design can be changed to make it unique to you?
(like when i got my luchador tattoo, i used an existing image of a mask for the base but made a design on it that was unique to me)

but on the other hand, it's what you want and as long as you know what's up, that's what matters. doesn't really matter what others think... if they ever even put two and two together

anyway, where is the line drawn? when you are tattooing someone else's design, you have to assume there is a chance someone else in the world has done the same thing. you just have the luck of having one of those people nearby.

think of the gobs of people that have a beatles logo tattooed on them. you wouldnt necessarily say they are copying one another


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now, if his tattoo was completely unique to him, then there would be an issue

Life's too short to give a shit about someone having the same picture drawn on your skin - go for it.

i really should have just typed this instead of my rambling

No, I appreciate the rambling!

I know what you mean. I was torn since its not like I am "stealing" his drawing or something, or even the tattoo artist's drawing--I am using a pre-existing piece of art. I still feel funny about it though. I think if he found out, I'd be so embarassed. haha

I have a tattoo I've never seen anyone else have, piece of art. I, one day, saw some douche with it, same place and size and all. BUT his tattoo artist must have SUCKED. I was pissed. Not because it was the same thing, but because the guy looked like a douche and didn't even have it done well.

If I had a friend who had it done, and I knew probably wanted it prior to seeing mine and had it done well, it wouldn't bug me at all. I'd be a dork and be like "we're twins!"

i know what you mean

where on you will the tattoo be?

It's your skin Missy . . . go for it! Better to have whatcha really want and risk the chance of a slightly embarassing encounter than live with the possible regret of having a 'second best' option for the rest of your days!

Don't forget to post some pics!

I say go for it - 100%
I can't put it any better than what Darky said.

My tattoo faux pas is getting a tattoo of a bands album cover and then living with the singer... that was a bit weird, totally unrelated events separated by a few years and he was so self obsessed he never noticed until some pointed it out to him... then I never heard the end of it.

I might be inclined to flip it left to right or change it up somehow? Perhaps make background or color changes? My guys would prefer to put some of themselves into the piece anyway as apposed to just copy the flash off the wall.

Yeah but if it's not flash off the wall but pre-existing art (not made for the intention of being a tattoo), changing it might make a huge difference, even just colors.

yeah but I would like to stay true to the design, and prefer to keep the colors accurate.

I posted the artwork here: His tattoo and the original are in the thread. Its perfect. I hate that he has it!!! haha

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=26921&p=374876

I considered getting either of these as "2nd choice" but love the original.

http://www.geocities.com/vladtsepis1313 ... edance.jpg
(hope that works)

or this: which would fit better on an arm.

http://flickr.com/photos/visualpopcultu ... 090787726/

and am toying with just the record girl from this one:

http://flickr.com/photos/visualpopcultu ... 090787726/

it was mass produced in the 60's...so why not mass produce it now, on a different medium?

Yeah, now that I know what it is, go for it. I'm sure he's not the first to get it, and I know the issue is more about you knowing him but I say screw it. He can't claim originality, and if he's your friend would he really care that much?

DO IT!

Thank you all for telling her to just get what she wants. Seriously.

I've been telling her this for days now, but she is still so skeptical.

I basically said "it's your body and it will be there forever, so get the art that you want and who cares who else has it."

We haven't seem this person in years. literally. I doubt if we will ever run into him again and if we did I don't even think he'd give a shit.

I look at it this way, if a picture or design was created specifically as a tattoo for someone, then it's off limits. If it's flash, a piece of art, album cover, photo of someone well known, etc., then it's fair game for anyone.

Okay, Missy, fess up. The artwork you want tattooed on you is Dogs Playing Poker, and the person who already has it is Skylar. Am I right?

If you really want it get it.

I personally like your second and third choices a lot as well. Maybe a little more. That one that you said will fit better on an arm i like because i like the poses a little better. Its up to you.

If you really want the original, get it and have the same tattoo as the other dude which could be just a little weird. If not then i think those second and third choices are just as dope.

I personally would go with the other designs just becuase i like it a little more.

Just get the damn tattoo. Steve has the same tattoo as me and we used to see each other all the time. Think of all the people with the same tattoos as henry rollins. You think he cares.

Yeah, but you got yours after me.

Missy, I think your best bet is to contact the artist that did your friends tattoo. See how he feels about doing it again and discuss your thoughts. If he's down I say run with it...

In the almost 4 years of working a shop I dont think I ever saw something that wasnt done more than once, even original pieces. Many people would walk in and ask for something they thought up themselves , sometimes I would burst their bubble, sometimes I wouldn't. The only issue here I guess would be is... How good of friends are you with him? Some weirdos think that tatoos define who they are so they might freak out. I've seen that happen in the shop before. Complete meltdowns based on knowing someone else had the same tattoo as them.

Basically I dont think there is one original tatoo idea in the world and if its mass produced you can pretty much bet he's not the only other person out there with it.

Get what you want.

my wife agrees with everyone else

get it

As I mentioned, we NEVER see this guy. She worked with him years ago and literally had to go through other people to track him down. What does that tell you?

Just kill the other guy.

Problem solved.

Seriously, as long as the tattoo artist is okay with doing the same piece for you, go for it. It sounds like you're not likely to run into the other guy anyway.

with him dead, you can remove the tattoo and wear it as if it were your own!