Most of my recent (last decade) tatts have been collected while travelling. A very long story but I ended up buying an Iguana in Thailand which is why I have a giant iguana done in bamboo, The Polynesian traditional tatu work is a combination of manta ray wings, dolphin and flowers that all represent something..deciding that design was like having a bio interview - a polynesian tatu is your mana, your pride, your story..so it has elements representing family, travel, intelligence, bravery and the freedom of the ocean/soul. I had done a lot of research on tatu before I left so knew what most of the symbols represented. A friend of 30 years who was a great tattooist but for some reason I never had him do any inking for me had a living wake just before I left for FP. He died a few hours after the party where he said goodbye and I told him where I was going so of course we discussed the meanings of Polynesian tatu. His last words to me where...dont you chicken out and not get that tatu done. A bird represents family and loved ones who have left, so my tatu has a bird in there. Interestingly, the guy who designed it said the person was ''still around, too soon'' so my bird is standing without its wings spread.
Ive 'renovated' over old tattoos several times in the last 30 years. Im not sure what I am getting next, or where, but I do have an idea for a design in mind that I hope to visualise on my next trip. Something to remind me of Madagascar so I have a feeling I need a frog...I don't have any frog tattoos.
Not sure about the US but here in Aus most artists are used to people coming into their shops with work done elsewhere by other artists. If you intend to start a big back piece or have your tatts planned out, stick with the same artist.
