It is important to be aware upfront, that Jenna (the artist) has a preferred tattoo design approach of working on the design on the day of tattoo appt (with the customer). There are obvious merits to having some design in person of course. Please note, designs before the appt, are very limited. If design on the day is your style when getting tattoos, this will work for you.
In all honesty, three stars for my experience is me being generous. But I am trying to meet the artist half way.
Unfortunately for me, I was not made aware before paying the deposit, that designs primarily took place in person with the artist. Personally I need more assurance up front of the artist's skills and ability to translate design ideas, especially if I have never worked with them before.
I was only informed of this design approach, after three weeks of waiting for a first design draft, after I had paid a deposit. Whilst I appreciate the artist was unwell for a small amount of this time, I was only informed of this after having to chase. The first appt would not have been able to go ahead, as three days before hand, I still had no first visual.
When received. the first visual did not reflect what I put in my brief and ref images. Which led me to feel to a lack of confidence considering the amount of time it took to receive a first draft. I do completely appreciate that many artists prioritise designing over admin/comms because of the nature of their job, but this wasn't the case, as priority of design did not reflect in the actual design. When I explained my point of view, and that I wasn't looking for a large number of revisions, just something to reflect my brief to a degree, the artist told me I would receive only one more revision because designing in person is more effective and better value for money. I tried to keep an open mind. But after being made to wait further and not receiving the next design when I was told I would, I informed the artist I would not be going ahead any longer and asked for a refund.
The next day, the artist provided the 2nd design, however the trust had already been broken and my decision already communicated. Only after asking for a refund did the artist offer more versions of the draft ahead of appt. The artist confirmed she would not be providing a refund.
Luckily, the Tattoodo portal team helped me. **CAUTION** Tattoodo informed me I had not paid via the correct means re. my deposit. I was meant to have paid via the Tattoodo portal, but unfortunately there is no guidance on this in the portal, of which Tattoodo are correcting now.
The artist sent me an invoice direct to my email, which I thought was standard process. This is not the case, the money ALWAYS should be paid via this portal. This way, if you have an issue, Tattoodo can easily refund you. Tattoodo made an exception to refund me directly. So unfortunately, this artist did not follow portal process and made it a stressful experience for me even to get a refund for the deposit.
Whilst I like to beleive this is a good artist, better comms are needed, delays happen yes, but no comms are not acceptable when a customer has paid you a deposit. The approach was reactive only.
**Make sure you pay a deposit via this portal, do not pay an invoice of an artist that has been sent to you directly.**
I'll not being re-approaching this artist, but I hope others have a better experience.