While walking around the tourist-oriented areas of Goa, I notice that there are a lot of tattoo artists. I've had an idea that I've wanted done for a while, and I figure India will probably be a cost-effective place to do it, so I do a quick Google search for “best tattooists in Goa”. Very quickly I pinpoint Sandy Tattoo Studio, after looking at some amazing photos of his work and reading some reviews. Sandy is said to be the best tattooist in the state for original designs, which is perfect for my needs.
Sandy Tattoo Goa
I jump on my buddy Mayank's scooter and we head down to Sandy's studio in Calangute. Sandy is unlike most tattooists that I've met in the western world. Instead of a heavily tattooed and pierced guy wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt and biker boots (yes, I know I'm stereotyping right now), Sandy wears a collared shirt with chinos, with immaculately groomed hair and beard, is well-spoken, and only sports a few tattoos, well camouflaged against his dark skin. He wouldn't look out of place in an office job.
Sandy approaches his work with incredible professionalism. I tell him my idea: an antique world map with some accompanying text, on my right breast. He searches Google for the right map, and when we find it, he imports it into Photoshop and superimposes it onto the chest of a male figure with a similar skin tone to me. We then search for the perfect font; although, to be honest, we could have used Sandy's beautiful handwriting and I would have been more than happy. Once we find the font, he does some warping in Photoshop so that it fits nicely with the design.
Sandy quotes me 15,000 rupees, which is about 40% less than I'd expect to pay in Australia for a tattoo of similar size, and we make an appointment for the following day.
Once again, Mayank joins me for moral support as I lay down in the chair. This is my fifth tattoo, and the upper chest is the second-most painful spot I've had done so far. I am in discomfort for the entire 3 to 4 hours. I find out first hand that just underneath your collarbone are a bunch of nerves that shoot up your neck, causing your throat to constrict when they are stabbed with a tattoo needle.
At one point, Sandy needs to go to pick his kids up from school, so his younger brother steps in and does some linework for about 20 minutes while he's away. When all is said and done, this is the end result:
Sorry mum
The words are lyrics from the song Wherever I May Roam by Metallica, which is my life anthem. And yes, it has been totally overgrown with chest hair now!
I'm stoked with the result, although the truth is, tattoos like this are child's play for Sandy. You don't earn the title of being the best original design tattooist in your state lightly. Sandy specialises in realism, and recently he has been scooping a bunch of awards at various tattoo conventions in India. He designs his tattoos by merging and overlaying photos on Photoshop, and these are a few examples of his work.
Most tattooists tell you to rub Bepanthen, which is nappy rash cream, into the tattoo during the healing process. Sandy gives me different advice: Nivea moisturising cream. And the result is amazing! The tattoo is fully healed in just 5 days; every other tattoo I've ever had has taken two weeks to heal.
Sandy tells me that he wants to work with me again, but next time he wants to do a tattoo in his regular style. I'm totally down for that. See you soon, Sandy!