I knew immediately that I wanted to ask Loco at Dharma tattoo for help once I saw an example of his work on a handyman I had employed. He showed me the most beautiful and detailed color Japanese koi ... Read More
I knew immediately that I wanted to ask Loco at Dharma tattoo for help once I saw an example of his work on a handyman I had employed. He showed me the most beautiful and detailed color Japanese koi fish on the side of his body, and it left me not only with a lasting impression (I might want one too) but I knew immediately when I saw it, that the artist who did it had a high chance of being able to correct and modify a tattoo the I had done elsewhere, and was very unhappy with.My only tattoo was of a lion, and I enjoyed it, it was 15 yrs ago when I was much younger and naive to the world of tattoos and did not know what to look for or what I would really admire later on. Nevertheless it was fineFifteen (15) years later however I had another artist add bamboo, water and rocks around the lion but it was done with a very heavy needle and line, the bamboo was not drawn in any degree of likeness to real bamboo and the entire surrounding had a cartoon feel that looked childish and not what I had wanted from a semi Japanese themed motif.I had a black and white artist later tone it down with black and grey pigment and that helped some, but I was very unhappy about what looked like an enormous green blob and many people asking what the tattoo was of, as they could not seem to decipher it, even though I thought it was clear.In comes my situation with Loco and Dharma tattoo. I drove the one hour trip from where I was at the time north of there to the studio in Miami Springs. In walks. I was met on a Saturday (when he normally is not even available but did so as a huge courtesy to me for the length of the drive) - and he sat with me for a long time and was able to explain how he could add sunset shading behind the upper third of the tattoo to separate out the bamboo and Lion from the background, and each other, extend the water and rocks somewhat down my arm, and add two amazing lotus flowers, one in full bloom and one in partial bloom at the bottom. He also suggested extending the rocks on the lateral back aspect of the tattoo so it would not seem cut off, and similarly at the very bottom, have the water and rocks gradually fade out more naturally. I was excited and agreed because all of it made intrinsic sense to me. I could not have been more ecstatic not only while he was working on the tattoo but with the outcome. Loco truly pulled off what I never though anyone could really do that well, even though I was hopeful in my mind. The tattoo went from a C+ in my opinion to an A. I am a surgeon and am very visual and have a keen eye for precision and could spot perfection when I saw it. Not only is the final piece of work a piece of art, but it is tastefully colored, and its impossible to tell in my opinion that the lion was the original piece, and that anything was added to it or modified. In other words, it looks like the entire piece of work was created at one time, which is something I had wanted and was sensitive to because a prior artist was able to tell that the two were created at different points in time. I would be much more surprised if even an artist could tell now.As far as people giving me a blank look and asking what the tattoo is, I feel 100% confident that the reactions will be positive not only with beauty but it will be understood what the figures and scenes actually are. The sunset does indeed separate the bamboo and rock, and the Lion, and the figures no longer run together at all. Even someone in the tattoo parlor waiting to schedule an appointment saw me in the initial stages of having the additional parts drawn onto the tattoo and was extremely impressed. That was just a sign of what I feel will be a life changing event for me.It was a huge decision to allow the tattoo to be extended further down my arm because originally it was intentionally created to be hidden under a short sleeve shirt. This now extends well below the sleeve, but I am incredibly proud of it. Loco also made me understand that in the end, I should do what I feel comfortable with as it is my body, an expression of who I am, and that I need to concern myself less with what others think, especially negative thinking on tattoos. Loco explained to me that it was at that moment that I then separated myself for all the others in society who will not ever obtain one.This was a huge turning point for me. Loco is very friendly, professional, his work is technically outstanding. Truly amazing- to be able to modify and correct someone else's work separates the average from the outstanding , and Loco falls in the outstanding category . He is incredibly detailed both in his thinking and his technical skill set for tattoo creation. I am not sure if ever really believed it was possible for me to have a result as outstanding as this, that I could be so proud of and enjoy. I am so grateful and appreciative to Loco and I cannot recommend him highly enough. Read Less