how do I find a good tattoo artist?

I confess, I am 27 and I have zero tatts, but it's not for lack of want. I just quit a very restrictive job to work for a call center where anything goes as long as your clothed. I'm planning my step by step method for altering my body and I'm good on piercings and hair but what I need help with is tatts.
How do you guys know when you've found the right tattoo artist? I have this idea of getting someone to mix my sign and my husband's sign into one all black tatt to put on my hip, but first I have to find a tattoo artist that I can trust who will do what I want. I'm kind of picky, I want to find an artist that can do the really artsy detailed style, not just the old style cartooney tatts. I'm worried that if I just go downtown and pick a place I'll get someone who is inexperienced and will give me what I don't want. How do I find the right person?
All this is new to me so I would apprecaite any insight or advice you guys have.

Thanks,
~Bi_Babe

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