I know what you're thinking...so please take a sec to hear me out. (Well, more than a sec if you're interested in reading) I've been going to the same artist for around 10 years. I love his work (black, greys almost old school biker/evil look to it). We've of course bonded over those years, however, two major things are playing a role in this decision. 1. He's gotten progressively more neo-nazi/fox news conspiracy/alt-right. Though he consistently starts sentences with, "I'm no racist but,", he pretty much defines what it is to be a racist. The first thing he said to me last visit was "what about that AOC idiot." Now, mind you, I'm pretty much as liberal as it gets. That used to be something we actually bonded over though...In that we both had our view points, but respected that and made sound arguments for both sides. But over the years, like many have, he's gone off the deep end. On that last visit, he started and stopped inking me like 1000 times to look up at me, and rant about some other Fox News-esc thing. All I wanted to do was just get let go, so I can go numb and not feel the elbow pain I was dealing with. (Side note, this dude is like 300lbs of solid steroid muscle...this also factors into me not just being like...dude...just please tattoo and give it a rest!!). 2. I moved from NY to Philadelphia. Technically, the shop is about 2 1/2 hours away. Not too bad right? But anyone from this area can attest to the fact that NY traffic is completely unpredictable. I can leave at 1am and hit an extra hour of construction. Its brutal. Couple that with having to stay over my in laws or families houses when I get appointments (so I can rest up after getting beaten up for hours), it's definitely a huge factor here.

Now that you know the general thinking, what are your thoughts? Should I just suck it up and make the trips...deal with his nonsense for good work? Or do I say enough is enough, find a similar style I like out here and build a new relationship.

Thanks in advance my fellow inked people.