Tattoo Artist+Shop suggestion in FL?

[ucubed]

Not to be rude or brash or even condescending, but I find the comments about going to somewhere you are comfortable with common sense and pointless. The point of me asking was to find an artist that was respectable among other people. I already have a tattoo and I know how it works, I've done my research on the artist who did mine, I'm not an idiot. What's wrong with finding a different artist, I have no need to have 10 tattoos by the same person, though it doesn't bother me if I did. However this is me finding a new artist and in order to find someone I can rely on, I first take on recommendations, which is what I am doing now. I will then do my own research by looking at their portfolio's and see if I like that particular artist's work.

I'm not one to support someone if I can not meet them in person hence I want to find local artists. There is nothing wrong with artists in my surrounding area and their is certainly no need for me to travel a crazy distance just to find "the best in the United States". Heck I know an artist in Japan who I'd love to go get one done, but that is just illogical and irrational at this time. The main problem I have with saving money and traveling somewhere to get one done is that if I don't like the artist I meet, then it would have been wasted. It's not about what the artist has done or their massive experience and what not, but I may just not like them. People may acknowledge them as "the best", but there are others right in my area who may not be poplar or mainstream which is no big deal. The place and person I choose will be the person that I think has done great work.

I appreciate the advice and all, but that's not what I'm asking for here. I know tattoos are near permanent and I know what happens if you get a bad one, but this is why I'm asking other people who have had positive experiences with an artist from people I trust. Again I'm not trying to be a douche bag, but also try and remember what I'm asking for.