Perhaps you may have seen one of the recent TV series that showcase tattoo artists is Miami and L.A. Sure, they are good artists but L.A. And Miami are not the Mecca's for great tattoo artists. That status belongs to the islands of Hawaii where the tradition of tattoo can be traced back literally thousands of years.
The Tradition of Hawaiian Tattoo
Another factor that has contributed to the exponential growth in tattoo body art in Hawaii was the large number of military personnel that have been station there over the decades. Uncountable millions of tattoos have gone home with the solders and sailors that have visited the Hawaiian islands.
Japanese, Polynesian and Hawaiian Tattoo Art
Japanese culture is also firmly embedded in the volcanic soil of the islands and it can be seen in the many Japanese style tattoos that adorn the locals that call Hawaii their home. Of course Hawaii is also known around the globe for their traditional Polynesian and Hawaiian tattoo art.
Gaining a Thorough Understanding
When you set out to explore traditional Polynesian, Japanese or Hawaiian tattoo art prepare for an extensive and time consuming journey. There is an incredible amount of meaning that accompanies the various tattoos and understanding them can take time.
Hawaiian Tattoo Artists
The good news is that there are plenty of highly qualified Hawaiian tattoo artists that will take the time to help you select the tattoo that suits you best. However; bear in mind that the best tattoo artists in Hawaii don't come cheap.
You Get What You Pay For
This doesn't mean that you have to mortgage your home to get an authentic Hawaiian tattoo from an island artist. You can start out with something small or simple and build on it as you can afford it over time. Remember, the ache of bad work done cheaply lingers so much longer then the sting of beautiful yet costly Hawaiian tattoo work done by a recognized artist.