Tattoo Tuesday: San Francisco

What do you do when a friend sends you a message and says, “hey, lets get tattooed while we’re in San Francisco for 24 hours?!” well, you do it, of course. One of my absolute favourite things to do while traveling is to get a tattoo souvenir and so in all honesty, it didn’t take much convincing to get me on board. The biggest challenge for me is usually picking just 1 design out of the dozens I have on my long wish list of tattoos.

First things first, where in San Francisco does one go to get a tattoo anyway?

Forget google, ask an expert or rather even a famous tattoo artist for a recommendation. The tattoo community is a small, tight knit family and if the artist is worth your time and money then they’re likely well known to other artists. Don’t be afraid to ask around. I reached out to Luke Wessman, who tattooed me in New York a few years ago (you can see what Luke did on me here), and he recommended Black Heart Tattoo in San Fran. It took 1 phone call, a deposit on my credit card for $80 (the shop minimum for any tattoo) and 1 email with reference images and we were all set to go.

 

 

I was the first to arrive at the shop. I sat and waited on the wooden bench in the waiting room and checked out my surroundings while my artist was prepping. Black Heart Tattoo is plastered with flash art from black heart tiled floor to the art covered ceiling. Fun but stern warning signage seemingly set out to frighten any newbies is posted everywhere just to set the tone. Despite the edgy signage, the guys at the shop are friendly and inviting and hilarious to talk to.  My tattoo was done by Cody Miller who has tattooed all over the world in his 16 year career.

 

 

I am in love with my new seahorse tattoo. But Tiffany, what does it mean? To be honest, nothing and that’s ok. I love the ocean, I love that sea horses mate for life and it fit the space I wanted to fill. Deep right?

 

 

So, if you should find yourself in the Bay area and in desperate need of an original souvenir, give the guys at Black Heart Tattoo a call. Cody Miller is a master but you’d be in good hands with any one of their talented artists.

Thanks Cody!