Gifts for artists?

[BrookR70]

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?

[HaydenRose]

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.

[slayer9019]

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)

[JAllen]

i'd think it was rad if someone gave me an old razor.

[BrookR70]

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.

[Guero]

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.

[cltattooing]

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.

[TrixieFaux]

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.

[ian]

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...

[deadsp0t]

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?!

[Brock Varty]

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.

[peterpoose]

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

[irezumi]

When pretty girls come in and give me/us cookies or whatever its pretty much one of the best things of the day.

[BrookR70]

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.

[HaydenRose]

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 :)

[iowagirl]

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.

[mr2essions]

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!

[JustDave]

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.

[Colored Guy]

I have a garden, so I bring them things like hot peppers and tomatoes.

Rob

[Rob I]

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.

[timmstrating]

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.