Planning my first, advice welcome

Cherish:

First, has anyone ever dealt with Life Itself/Kathy Body-Cooke in Barrie, ON? From what I've seen of her work in her online portfolio, it looks like she is the one who can take the dream from my head and do it justice on my body. Unfortunately, she is still on mat leave until February 14th (co-incidentally, it that would have been my nephew's 14th birthday, and the tatt is for him), so I can't just call her up and ask these questions of her.
I am an utter and complete newbie, and never thought I would actually get inked. Then my nephew died, and that all changed. Basically, I'd like some info on the process. Do I expect several sessions - one to meet with the idea, one to see her drawings, one for the act? Will I be able to see an example of it on my body before we go ahead? If I chicken out, will I just owe her for the drawing, or more? Since she owns her own shop/is independent, do I tip? Do I go armed with pictures that are examples of what I want, or just talk it through? Do artists charge more for doing a portion of it more as a portrait (I would love the faerie boy to look like him)? What should I do to prepare myself/my body for the act?
I am getting it done on my back, between spine and shoulder blade, basically directly behind my heart. How is that area in terms of pain? I'm not skinny (though not obese), will it be badly distorted if I lose weight? Is wording generally done freehand or with a stencil? What kind of price range should I be expecting for about a 4" x 4" tatt?
Sorry, so many questions... Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

starry eyed surprise:

hi sorry i can't answer all of your questions, but i definatly help you with preparing yourself and the pain side.
i also have a tattoo spreading from my left shoulder blade to the lower right of my back and i can honestly say the pain was barable. i'm not going to tell you that it doesn't hurt because they do, but it is a pain that you can handle. it also depends on what type of tattoo you are getting, i have dot work that doesn't hurt much at all, solid colours and shading hurt more.

now to prepare yourself: i suggest you book your appointment for the afternoon, as this is your first tattoo this will give you time to eat breakfast and lunch ( you should always eat before having a tattoo ) if you feel you may be nervous then take an energy drink - lucazade is always good and also a packet of chewing gums, if the artist is any good they will notice that you are nervous and make you feel at ease.

sorry i couldn't be more help

starry eyed x

Cherish:

That's awesome advice, thank you so much!
I will hopefully be meeting with the artist in the next few weeks to get started on the planning and pricing. The actual work likely won't be done until the summer, so I have lots of time to prepare myself and get comfortable.
No one had told me about the eating, or energy drink. The gum is a fabulous idea! I hadn't given it any thought, but I bet you could get awfully thirsty otherwise!
I have talked at length with one of her star clients (who also designs and maintains her website) and I think I am going to be really comfortable with her. She sounds very down to earth and very dedicated to what she does.
Thanks again!

Planning my first, advice welcome

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