These are always hilarious.. But, it's not all the artist's fault. Don't they stencil or draw the outline of the image to be inked FIRST then have the customer confirm that is what they want??? Just another reason this decision and execution should be done when 100% sober.
Reputable tattoo artists will not tattoo someone who comes in drunk to ask for a tattoo. I have a relative who got an extremely unfortunate tattoo while drunk and under the influence of friends. EXTREMELY unfortunate. He finally got it covered up, and the cover-up doesn't seem to be particularly meaningful for him, but it means he doesn't have to wear long sleeves at all times, as he did for years.
My artist did show me the original drawing, then the stencil, then the transfer on my skin, all before starting. (Using a mirror for the one on my shoulder). He also expressed a distaste for words, although I'm not quite sure why - I think it may have simply been that as the years go by, they become unintelligible. He definitely felt there was a minimum size for any given piece. He never hesitated to give me his unsolicited opinion about my ideas, which I very much appreciated. He's the expert. He changed the artwork I requested for my arm because from certain angles it looked a bit like ... well, he said eventually I would see it a certain way and could never un-see it. I'm happy with the artwork and haven't ever worried that it looked like something it wasn't meant to represent.
Absolutely, my tattoos are fading/spreading, although my understanding is that this also relates to the skill of the artist - and colors fade faster than black. I hope my forearm doesn't end up eventually looking like a faded blue blur, but whatcha gonna do? You know that whole quite about life not being about arriving at the finish line pristine.
I do think there is something to the idea that tattoos replace scars. There aren't a lot of people these days who get a lot of scars as part of everyday life. Life, at least in the US, is pretty tame. So maybe tattoos are an attempt to in some way create that experience of pain and permanent impact. Then again, I have plenty of scars, although none terribly disfiguring. I think the one on my shin right now is going to stay, though. Now I'll never be a foot model! ;-)