I've been to several artists throughout the country, and have two arms full of tattoos. 7ink Miami has a clean, professional tattoo shop, and David Gonzalez is a real deal artist. He's well studied, practiced, methodical, and calculating with his art, and understands how permanent, important, and meaningful a tattoo is to any client. Most folks with tats end up getting more than a few, and understand the process can be time consuming and painstaking to get what you’re looking for, and what you love. Anyone with a bad tattoo story knows it’s worth taking the extra time and being patient. Dave has a light touch, and uses silent needles (I had never seen these previously, and kind of missed the “buzzzzz” of a tattoo shop I was used to at first). The shop is a bit of a hike to get to, but worth the trip for top notch work. Dave will work with you on design, is reasonable on price, and among the very best artists I’ve seen in Miami and at other conventions, expos, and art galleries. If you want to end up with an stock butterfly tattoo on your foot or a tribal tramp stamp, go to Ocean Drive, have an overpriced giant margarita and regret it the rest of your life with a terrible story from Miami beach. That - or - make a better life choice, and go to 7ink out west in Miami. Spend the day getting a tattoo you’ll love the rest of your life after, and find a good craft mojito later in the evening or another day. The best way to end up with good art is to work well with your artist. Respect their time, and be specific and realistic with your tattoo designs and expectations. Good work takes time. Great work takes a lot of patience and a lifetime of practice and experience. Looking through the 7ink portfolio, you will see the caliber of the work, and the main reasons you should consider Dave versus the other best artist and shops in Miami or Miami Beach. In the spirit of the 7ink Miami tattoo shop, here’s 7 things to think about before getting your tattoo. 1. Pay for your drawings in advance, and keep them for future sittings. 2. Start subtle – pick a part that isn’t always visible, and won’t stretch a lot. Top of the arms are good start. 3. Pick your pieces in 3-5 hour sitting increments. Understand how long you’ll sit in the chair. It’s not always a pleasant experience. You’ll be happy to have some closure after each one, but large pieces can take hundreds of hours, so you’ll have an unfinished piece for a long time if you try to go TOO BIG. 4. Start small – get a few pieces you think might fit a theme. Be prepared for people to ask about your tattoos the more of them that you get. 5. Working your way down an arm or leg is a good start. Some places are not fun to start with a new artist on. Plan a few pieces, and make sure the placement works for the piece. 6. Have realistic expectations about drawing something custom and how long it can take. Respect the artists’ time outside of work. You’ll likely be booking a month out for great artists – respect their time, and don’t miss an appointment. 7. Buy some schwag (t-shirts and hats) and tip your artist. They’re leaving you with permanent art that you will be asked about for a lifetime. If you're thinking about a tattoo - think it through. Spend some time, and think about it and make sure it's something you will always enjoy Imagine wearing the same t-shirt for several months. If you think you'd like it, imagine it there for the rest of your life. If you still think you'd dig it - call Dave at 7 ink and make it that tat you always wanted. Read Less