I got my first tat 30 years ago when I was a pro drummer.
Luckily I was around quite a few great up and coming artists. I was able to get pieces by Steve Moore, Adam Sky, Dave Green, Teresa ( Elctro lady lux), and a few more. Some of these people went on to have amazing careers. Steve Moore is renowned. Dave Green is my main artist now, he owns Sacred Heart in Vancouver, I highly recommend. https://www.instagram.com/davegreentattoo/
You're smart to pay well for good artists...it is permanent ( well, now we do have laser removal but you get me..)
Before I got back into martial arts I had some piercings.
You'll be happy to hear my stupid eyebrow one was ripped out. I agree, not the look for me in retrospect, I dont know what I was thinking ....I'll blame rock and roll.