Note: The Miami Ink mailbox is now closed. Enjoy the crew's responses to your questions below:

Ami James | Chris Garver | Darren Brass | Chris Nuñez | Yojiro "Yoji" Harada

Q: My son has an awesome idea for a unique tattoo, but it seems nobody will do it because he wants the outline to be in silver. The tattoo he wants is to be on his back. He wants angel wings. When he stands with his back to you and opens his arms up in the air, it will look like angel wings. He wants the outline done in silver, but up here in Canada everyone says it has to be in black. He watches your show faithfully, so I thought I would take a chance and ask an expert and see if in fact it can be done. 

He also wants the wings to look like they are really coming out of his back. He had a really close friend die from cancer at the early age of 18, and it had a really big impact on him. He says this will be a testament to his friend that he is the angel on his back always watching over him. This would be a great story line, don't ya think? I'd really appreciate any feedback you could give. Love the show, and I hope to hear from you soon. A proud mother in Canada.

P.S. I want Ami to do this tattoo because you totally intrigue me, dude. - Susan

A: Susan,

There is no such thing as silver ink. It’s a great idea, but I would suggest doing it in a black outline with soft gray shading. There are a lot of good artists in Canada that you should look at. Make sure you look at their work and portfolios to see the quality of work.

Q: How many women are you currently juggling? Room for any more? - Russell

A: Russell, I don’t kiss and tell.

Q: Yo … What's happening, man? I have seen your show, and it's so HOT!!! Wait. I mean, you’re so hot! Anyway, to get to the point ... I don’t have a tattoo, since here where I live I see nothing but crap artists. After seeing Miami Ink, I have new hope in finding a sexy tattoo artist that can really ink my skin as good as you can. Well, Ami, I don’t have any questions. Just wanted to tell you I love your tough guy attitude and your art. You are really the star of the show.
- Nathalie

A: Nathalie,

Thank you very much. I appreciate your email. Hope that you keep watching the show and enjoying it.

Q: I was wondering if you regret having the Buddha tattoo because it is visible on you and others see it, or if you just regret having it period. If it was on another part of your body not so visible, would you still regret having it done?

I don't have any tattoos, but I if I ever decided to get one, I would love for you to do it because you are an awesome artist. I also can see that you have a sensitive side to you. I think that's nice. Best wishes.
- Debs 

A: Deb,
As it goes for my Buddha tattoo: I love my tattoo, but I don’t like the grief that I get from people who don’t look at it the same way I do. I wish the world was more understanding about tattoos, but it is what it is. I have a few tattoos that I wish I didn’t have just so I could get better ones in their place.

Q: Hi Ami, Well, I said I would never get another tattoo. Never say never. My daughter and I watch your show and are intrigued each week. Amanda is a very emotional young lady, and loves the idea of us getting a tattoo together. As I said, I would not have considered this. However, it means so much to her that I am willing to do it one more time. The only catch: we have to come to Miami to have them done by the best. We live just outside Toronto, Canada.

My question to you is, what would you recommend as a tattoo for a mother and daughter? Can you please give me a few ideas, then I can make them my own with adjustments. I am just stuck for any idea right now. Could you also tell us why you do not like to tattoo on the neck? Amanda is thinking of the back of the neck; I don't think it is a great place for a beautiful young woman.

Again, we love the show and believe you will all be successful long after the show goes off the air. You all seem to have a great passion for what you do, and it definitely comes across. All the best to you and your team. Take care,
- Teri

A: Teri, in reply to choosing a mother/daughter tattoo: You should get something that means something to both of you. There are probably plenty of things from your life together that you can incorporate into a tattoo. I think it’s a great idea.

As for my neck tattoo, I love my tattoo but I don’t like the grief that I get from people that don’t look at it the same way I do. Getting a tattoo — as long as it's small — on the back of your neck is not bad if you have longish hair. That way you have the option to cover it.

Q: I recently got a tattoo on my lower back, and now I'm trying to lose a little weight. Will this have any effect on my tat? Thanks for your time. Keep doing what you do best! I really enjoy watching you and everyone else on your show and the AMAZING art you do!
-Emily

A: Emily,

Sometimes when you lose weight your tats change — sometimes they don’t. Like with stretch marks on a woman who gets pregnant — some get lucky, some don’t.
 

Q: What was the most intricate tattoo you've had to do, and how long did it take you to finish? Love the show. Also, have you ever refused to do a tattoo and what was it?
-Rhonda

A: At this point, I can’t remember after doing thousands of tattoos. I’ve done a few really nice intricate tattoos, and when done right it can be a beautiful thing. About refusing tattoos, sometimes we have to for different reasons — whether it's something we don’t think is a good idea or that we won't be able to put 100 percent into.

Q: Ami, I got a tattoo of a ladybug and the red doesn't stay in it. I have had it fixed twice. The artist told me it was because I am so fair-skinned that I cannot hold red ink. But I had another artist tell me that bad ink was used, and that is why it won't stay. Have you ever heard of this?
- Thank you, Melissa.

A: Melissa, There’s no reason the red should not hold up on your skin, especially if you are fair-skinned. I would suggest finding a better artist.

Q: 
a) Have any of you had a "formal" arts education, or have you simply developed your very obvious skills and talents through years of practice and much trial and error?

b) How long did you train before you were considered skilled enough to take on living (non-dead-pig-type) clients?

c) Did your friends and family encourage and support your decision to make tattoo art a career?
- Fae

A: Fae,

I have never been to art school, but I’ve always been drawing and that led me into tattoos. When the opportunity came by, I found a way to make money and enjoy what I do for a living. I learn every day more and more; the day I stop learning is the day I will stop tattooing.

Q: What's the meanest thing Lou made you do when you were his apprentice?
- Felicia

A: He used to smack me in the face in front of the customers while I was tattooing.

Q: Hi Ami, First of all, I love your name. Second, my boyfriend and I love watching Miami Ink and we both have Polynesian tattoos. We were wondering if you have ever considered learning/tattooing Polynesian style? It's just that you're a great artist, and it would be neat to see you doing something like that. Just curious! Mahalo and keep up the great work!!

- Robyn and Kev

A: Robyn,
Thank you for watching the show. I hope you keep watching as long as we go. As for Polynesian tats, it’s my favorite form of tribal tat. I do tend to dabble in it here and there when I get the chance. The thing is not many people come to me for that type of work. But if you want to send me a book with Polynesian tats, I’d love to have one.