BrookR70 Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 I was thinking about giving my artist a vintage razor (and a $ tip) for a sign that he's painting for my father-in-law. I collect vintage razors and have about 50 of them. I use some, sell some, and display some. What do you think...is this gift too personal? For those that have given gifts, what did you give your artist and how many tattoos do you have by that artist? Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydenRose Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 I think that is an awesome gift! I've heard of people giving paintings and other art related gifts. I've considered baking something for the shop I frequent just to show my gratitude, but I always worry it won't go over well since I know a lot of the artists are vegan. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71794 Share on other sites More sharing options...
slayer9019 Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 It is really up to you. I've been contemplating getting my artist a very interesting hard-to-find tattoo book that I know he doesn't have in addition to a normal monetary tip when my leg is done. Just thought it would be more interesting than just money. I stick with gifts: cash is always green, but objects as gifts should really be nail-on-the-head to their tastes. One of the reasons I no longer accept gifts from people (although booze for me is ok) Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71795 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAllen Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 i'd think it was rad if someone gave me an old razor. slayer9019 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71799 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrookR70 Posted August 8, 2013 Author Share Posted August 8, 2013 I stick with gifts: cash is always green, but objects as gifts should really be nail-on-the-head to their tastes. One of the reasons I no longer accept gifts from people (although booze for me is ok) Yeah...I think it might be. The razor I'm thinking about giving him is a vintage 1940s Schick Injector (they used to issue them to the troops during WWII) and he specializes in traditional american, so I think it would be right up his alley. cltattooing and Graeme 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71800 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guero Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 I gave my tattoo artist a smoking pipe and a tin of tobacco a while back. He is working on my sleeves, and we have talked quite a bit while he has tattooed me. He always takes these little 2 min. smoke breaks to smoke cigs, and I told him that if he liked to smoke, he should try smoking a pipe (again, tobacco, not weed!). I think as far as gifts go, it depends on the artist and their personality. Some dudes just don't seem like the type to appreciate or want to receive things from their clients. Maybe it would make them feel weird. I think it just comes down to personal discretion. irezumi and cltattooing 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71816 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cltattooing Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 I think gifts are a great idea if real thought is put into them and they're more on the hard-to-find side of things. Also due to the personal nature of gift giving, I feel like it's more appropriate when getting larger work. I guess it's just about sincerity, really. HaydenRose and Guero 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71818 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrixieFaux Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 That sounds like a nice gift. I have baked chocolate chip cookies for the shop. Last time I brought coffee. Next time I go, I was thinking of bringing cookies again or these amazing little doughnut muffins they sell at Bristol Farms because they are so yummy. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71824 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I gave Jeff Gogue an original Jondix painting. He was beyond stoked. I'm sure your tattooer will be stoked on anything extra you give him... SStu 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71834 Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadsp0t Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I don't think I'm quite to the point or level with my artist to bring a gift, I do know stuff he's into, we always talk the entire session, but after only four sessions it maybe a little odd??? I do tip, 20%-25% depending on the piece/price but never less then 20%.. He's never charged me what I was told he charged hourly and the 'hourly' rate seems to be going down even so I try and tip better.. Sorry if its off topic but am I tipping well enough?! Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71838 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Varty Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I have done home made beer before. Also, original paintings and hard to find books always go over well. Thinking about giving an original Salvador Dali etching to Mr. Flatmo next time I go down. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71859 Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterpoose Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I have given all the artists gifts. I have given them artwork by a street artist friend of mine on canvas. This time I have bought art sets with all the fancy shit inside a box, hope they like them lol Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71888 Share on other sites More sharing options...
irezumi Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 When pretty girls come in and give me/us cookies or whatever its pretty much one of the best things of the day. TrixieFaux, Guero, daveborjes and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71889 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrookR70 Posted August 9, 2013 Author Share Posted August 9, 2013 I think I'll hold off on the razor until I get a couple of more pieces done unless he mentions razors himself or expresses curiosity about them. I'm picking up a sign tomorrow and will give him a 30% tip. I'm due to get another tattoo in November (when the wife goes out of town). Maybe then. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71901 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaydenRose Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 When pretty girls come in and give me/us cookies or whatever its pretty much one of the best things of the day. Good to know since I think I fit that description! The guys at Kings Ave are in for a treat next time I get tattooed :) Jade1959 and tatB 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71902 Share on other sites More sharing options...
iowagirl Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I never thought about bringing treats for the shop, that's a good idea. I worked at a Dr.'s office for 8 years and boy did we give preferential treatment to the patients bearing treats. cltattooing 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71904 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr2essions Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I tend to stick with a hand shake and paying my bill ;) he always seems happy with that :D though i think a gift is a great idea, specially after the hard work they do and patients they have! Jade1959 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71915 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustDave Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 Interesting read. In the UK we have a different attitude to tipping than the US so the gift thing is the way I work. I don't have anything against tipping but I generally feel that artists price themselves at a rate that reflects their time/ability. I find that a piece of artwork or a bottle of (good or unusal) drink that they enjoy will be appreciated more than money as it shows that you have thought about it a little rather than added 20% to the amount you took out of the ATM. All that said, if I was getting tattooed in the US or by an artist based in the States, I would tip, subject to it being a good job, as that is the culture that they work in and I am a firm believer in respecting the morals and cultures of other countries. peterpoose 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71959 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colored Guy Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 I have a garden, so I bring them things like hot peppers and tomatoes. Rob peterpoose and irezumi 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-71960 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob I Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 I have brought cookies before and bottles of water. I always tip. If you know that the tattooer is fond of something particular, and you have access to these types of items, then I think a gift is an awesome idea, but only if you've been tattooed by them before. If its your first time meeting them, a gift could be awkward and out of place. David Flores and irezumi 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-72060 Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmstrating Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Anytime people being baked goods in our shop we're happy. We're all fat kids at heart. My all time favorite tips were a ton of fireworks, and a military coin given to me from a colonel. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/4078-gifts-for-artists/#findComment-72138 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.