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a uniform? as a customer I would walk out of a shop like that just as soon as I entered. I deal with enough attempts to increase conformity at work and I don't want that from a TATTOO STUDIO. I feel like a tattoo studio should embrace the weird (getting tattooed is strange no matter how you think of it) and not the false sense of "sameness"...

Today, the grieving mother and sister of one of my son's friends came in to my shop. The friend, a 17 year old, recently died as a result of alcohol consumption. They are returning tomorrow to get tattooed. Like so many customers before them, coming not only to memorialize their loved one- but I believe to experience a physical pain, a sacrifice for the one they lost. I mention this because after they left I was thinking that i was glad that we could help them. I have recently posted here in regards to the newest reality show, NY Ink and in regards to tattoo magazines in general. I was vocal about not wanting to watch , let alone read what led one to get tattooed and the drama and often gratuitous display of emotion that goes with the explanation. Didn't someone say " oh another dead child in the first episode". So after their visit today and thinking about it I realized what it is about the media and their focus on tattooing that bothers me, actually offends me. it's the intrusion in to my life, in to my business! It sensationalizes and trivializes at the same time. It turns a tattooer into a caricature of one -see Corey Miller in LA Ink prompting the character "oh, that must have been terrible, how did that make you feel?" (nothing against Corey) just tv Corey. It makes what was once private, public. What was once secret or mysterious- familiar. Really, I don't resent my clients and their need for meaning in their tattoos, and I'm more than a little honored that they choose me to help them preserve the memory of someone they lost. It just translates so differently on TV. Alright, I'm losing my train of thought. That's my two cents.

Me personally will not be getting my neck hands or face tattooed anytime soon. I work part time as a counter guy at a tattoo shop and my boss has had laser surgery to remove the tattoos on his hands because he hated them so much so I don't think he would tattoo my hands or neck if I asked. On the other hand it would affect my other job. I would not neccesarily lose my other job but I think it would hinder any promotions i might receive in the future. The other reason is I like to fly under the radar. None of the guys who tattoo at the shop have their neck or hands done (anymore) and its nice to put on a pair of jeans and a pendleton and no one notice you at all. Meanwhile you point out people's horrible neck tattoos and bare arms. Don't get me wrong I love getting tattooed and am deteremined to be covered but until I am covered i will not entertain the idea of neck and hand tattoos.

Also hard to get a pic of a tattoo that wraps around your shin/top of your foot, but here goes: Excuse the bloody teeth.

most americana designs have either a military origin, popular culture (comics, actresses, toys, etc.) origin, or come from victorian scrapbook designs.and of course, some where just kind of invented, from the sources mentioned above. i know this doesn't answer your question, but it's a place to start.

The Full Back Piece Thread prompted me to start a new one about what the experience was/is like of getting your entire back done. I've actually always been extremely nervous about starting (my goal is to start before I'm 30) because I'm convinced my back is weirdly sensitive.. SO. How's it been for all of you who either have full coverage or are on your way? How's the process? How incredibly draining is it? How much have you had to plan, artistically? Mentally? Physically? Financially?

A place to post pictures of yours or ones that you drool over. There are few things better than a well thought out and executed full back piece. So much potential as it's the largest solid flat plane on your body. I'll start with this one that Thomas Hooper just posted on his blog as in progress. So awesome! For those who aren't familiar with Hooper he works at the great shop New York Adorned

i have a uniform for work. it's whatever is clean in my house haha! i'm a slouchy person so most of my clothes are slouchy, i wish i could care more about the way i dress but i can't seem to. being comfortable is important to me, physically and psychologically, i simply feel like a dork if i try to match an outfit together. i live in jeans and plain tshirts. on the shop uniform thing though, i couldnt imagine working in such an environment. to me it speaks of the shop's ethos. at frith street the emphasis is on the tattoos that come out of our shop, not the way we appear to the client. we dont turn up smelling of booze or wear offensive slogans/tshirts, we're a tidy bunch, but we try to let our work speak for itself instead.

Do you work at a chain shop? I have worked in shops that have dress codes. But none with uniforms. Seems like a uniform attempts to remove any display of individuality. No T-Shirts at one shop- only a shirt with a collar. No facial piercings or hats at another. At one time in San Diego , I remember seeing medical jackets. Barber type shirts. I can understand a dress code--- not a uniform. Although if you are an independent contractor I think the cost and upkeep of your uniform would be tax deductible. Check with your union rep. Just kidding

I got a tattoo from this kid named Bahn (sp?) at St. Martin's Tattoo on Khao Sahn Road in BKK. Magical, magical place.. It's a skeleton key and the perfect souvenir to remember the trip by.

As has been said go big! I never thought about just how big of a piece of flesh it is until Scott Sylvia started my leg. He fit a huge reaper on the outside and some skeletons on the inside. he is still working on tattooing my leg but here are some old pictures of the tattoo in progress. Pictures one and three of my leg tattoos

Go big! I've started my thigh piece but am currently stuck as what to do with the back ground and top half of my leg, seeing as my back is going to be a samurai piece not quite sure how to get them to flow into each other..

how this thread has made it to page 3 without anyone mentioning the most important, legendary, and must see place to experience/use is in SF is truly disappointing to say the least. THE LUSTY LADY. jesus, after you hit blackheart and make your way towards tattoo city, go stand in someones mess and work out your stress for 5 minutes. thats the SF experience.

The skull and mortarboard is sometimes called "The Scholarly Skull." I wanna say it's an old Owen Jensen flash design, but I'm probably wrong. I got one from Mike Wilson last year. Like most of his tattoos, it is perfect (and I am lucky).

Go big or go fuck yourself! ........both of my thighs are still completely tattoo free.

I flew from SF to San Diego and back in the same day just to get tattooed by Ben Grillo. It was a great experience all around (the Cuatro Milpas burrito was a total bonus!). I also got a souvenir tattoo from Horiyoshi III in Yokohama, but that's not why I went to Japan. It was just a wonderful part of a trip my wife and I had already planned. On that note, I'm more into the idea of getting small souvenirs in other locations, but not planning the trips around that. Small pieces are about all I have room for these days, anyway.

that tattoo is fucking awesome. you seem concerned with your "tough" image, but a "real" man would wear this with pride. you loved your dog, he died, you're honoring him. nothing to be ashamed of. real tough guys are tough enough to cry sometimes.

So far I've only travelled to London twice to get tattooed (the most recent trip was back and forth in less than 36 hours), but now my trip to SF is less than three months away and I'm so fucking stoked it's ridiculous. It will be expensive as hell, and all my money besides rent, bills and food has gone towards this trip, but I can't think of anything I'd like to do more. Exploring a new city in a foreign country, getting tattooed by incredible artists, meeting new people, thinking about your collegues working their asses of back home while drinking an ice cold beer in the sun... I for one can't think of a better way to spend my vacation, and I will most likely try to do something similar next year.

man. if context isn't everything...

State of Grace uploaded this on their Facebook page over the weekend. the line up is amazinggg

this an opinion apparently shared by many. what makes people think you have to be jealous to think that these shows are absolute drivel? what makes people think everyone wants to be on tv? in fact, just about all of the artists that influenced me and shaped my outlook on Our Thing are humble, hard working folks that don't feel the need for the spotlight, and feel no need to get an ego boost or gain any 'fame' beyond what their hard-earned reputation in our community has brought them. there are plenty of tattooers that intentionally fly under the radar, many of them quite talented and well known in our community, that also agree with my opinion that not only is this is just crap yes, indeed, there are most likely plenty of envious people that would like to be in that spotlight. but don't be so quick to assume that if everyone is so desperate to be noticed.

This is on Daredevil Tattoo blog about the NY Ink Show..I couldn't have said it better. That's right I said it. People keep asking what we think of the new show and I'd say that about sums it up. I only saw the first episode. We've been expecting the worst and it's the worst. Chris Torres is the only artist in fact from New York and he was cast as TLC's tattooed answer to Jersey Shore. Their space is reminiscent of the set of Friends. Ami's shop, or I should say TLC's new tattoo parlour on Wooster Street is the unrealistic equivalent of Monica's huge apartment that only a character on TV could afford. All the "I hope I can pay the bills" is a joke. Real life tattoo shops do not have ads on the sides of buses. They're casting the same sorry customers. Dead babies, cancer, tragic endings are needed for inspirational subject matter. (nothing against memorial tattoos except TLC thinks that's the only compelling reason to get tattooed) I'm surprised at how many people actually think there's any reality involved. The scenarios are scripted it's become an hour of bad acting and cheesy scripts. As interesting as a tattoo shop can be and as much fun as it is to get glimpses into our customers lives and their motivations for getting tattooed the reality is that these shows are orchesrated by people who have no actual interest in our industry. There is no understanding or appreciation for the truly fascinating stories and backgrounds of the people who come through our doors (not just the sob stories). It's a caricature written by squares who think they know what a tattoo shop is about. It takes a lot of talent to really portray people's reality in a way that is respectful and truly compelling. I'm a huge fan of documentaries. I love learning about other people's realities. But it takes thought and vision to capture that spark that can be so interesting. Something that doesn't easily fit into the drive by format of a TV series I guess. It's too bad that there is no respect for our industry involved in the creation of these shows. Tattooing is such a rich subject matter it's dissapointing to see it dumbed down for the masses but I guess we shouldn't expect anything else. By the way shame on TLC for knocking off our friend Mark Mahoney's shop name SHAMROCK SOCIAL CLUB. Devil City Press

ok, ok, it was me.

Horiyoshi II's father not only fed himself and his family by tattooing, but he covered many other peoples family members in ink. Yet he did not want his son being tattooed. Some may think this is a huge hypocrisy. Some may think that it is just a natural desire to protect ones family. Putting aside pain, there are many reasons people, even tattooists, may not want to have tattoos. I think they need to know what it feels like, I think they should enjoy the art form, and probably have some tattoos, but how many is to many is a personal choice.

I would never get tattooed by someone who had no tattoos--or even just a couple--but I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Horiyoshi II (Tamotsu Kuronuma--no relation by blood or lineage to Yokohoma Horiyoshi III) had no tattoos himself. The story, or at least the story I've heard, is that he learned the trade from his heavily tattooed father, who taught him on the condition that he would not get tattooed himself due to the severe prejudice in Japan against tattooed people. He is the one exception I can think of. Based on the work he put out, and the extenuating circumstances behind his lack of tattoos, he gets a pass. (Not that the late great Horiyoshi II gives a shit about what some gaijin thinks of him.)

The original post was. Tattooers with little or no tattoos. I AM SPEAKING FROM A TATTOOER'S STANDPOINT ONLY. If someone was unable to get tattoos because of a medical condition - of course I would not have less "respect" for them as a tattooer . But, from a tattooer point of view, CHOOSING not to get tattooed - is what I would question. What acceptable answer could their be when posed with the question, " Why as a tattooer have you chosen not to get tattooed?" I can't make up my mind, my girlfriend won't let me, I might regret it in the future. Certainly choosing to wait, planning out work, saving money etc. Are all perfectly acceptable answers, in my opinion. And again, not having tattoos does not make a person any less capable of doing amazing tattoos.

Chrome are you a tattooer or a collector? To answer your question as to whether I would "respect" Grime,Shige or Horyoshi as much if they weren't tattooed. No, I personally do not and would not "respect" a tattooer who chose not to experience what I consider the transformative experience of being tattooed- As much as one who did. I would still " respect" their artistic abilities , just question their motives.

Who would be in that 1%?

BUT if you have well-executed tattoos, you still stand out. Quality still trumps quantity.

All of the better shop's are on the lower east side. http://thickerthanwatertattoo.com/ is a street shop on LES. Daredevil Tattoo has plenty of good traditional tattooers.And it's down the street from Kat's deli where you can get a good pastrami sandwich. Kings Avenue has some excellent tattooers.And if you wan't a good banh Mi,this place Banh Mi - Vietnamese Sandwich is close to Kings Ave,and is real good. Red Rocket Tattoo New York City You probably can do a walk-in at this shop. Invisible NYC - Art Gallery and Tattoo Studio | Tattoo Artists has some excellent tattooers.Smith street as mentioned is a real nice traditional shop.If you go to brooklyn,check out Brooklyn Flea on Saturday in Fort Greene has some real good food. HopStop.com - Transit Directions and Maps for New York City (NYC) is a pretty good site to help navigate around the city.

To wait a long time for a notable artist like Grime or Filip is understandable,but I have seen artists that aren't even very good that are "booked solid" for several months. Like Deb said some artists only book 1 appointment a day.That equals out most times to be a little over 20 tattoos a month,while other artists do that many in a couple of days.Being the "hardest artist to book" may mean that they are very good but it could also mean that the artist has no work ethic.I think a lot of times artists do this to stroke their own egos and seem more in demand than they actually are. I get a lot of customers saying that they went to other shops for something small like a name or something and they are told that they can't get it done because everyone at that shop is fully booked,but the customer says that there were like 5 artists there and none of them were tattooing or drawing custom pieces,but instead just hanging out and playing video games or watching TV. It is a lot like people in the 1970s waiting on line with a few hundred people to get into an exclusive club like studio 54 or something,only to finally be let inside to find out that there are only a handful of people inside the club.What I am trying to say is that while for a great artist it is worth the wait,in most cases it is just a manufactured waiting period and a marketing gimmick to charge more and act exclusive........just putting on airs.

I have an appointment with Irons on Sunday, Rapture permitting.

You can't nail him down because so many people have nailed him up on a tattoo cross.

Higgs is pretty hard to nail down too ;)

i talk people out of backgrounds and useless additions all the time. i see so much garbage online. people just throw every trick in the book in there. or just tack on a bunch of roses around something, it looks awful. just let the image be itself, it has strength on its own. a gypsy head doesn't need blood splatters, a crescent moon, fog, a tree, roses and fake cholo letters all around it. except for a few people, tattooing is in a sorry state creatively. by the way, the outline thing is a SMITH STREET thing, which has now been beaten to death by anybody with a computer. you can't do anything new and cool without vampires sucking it dry. ok, i'm done...haha

Just saw this on the LST Reddit Account:

I saw this thing recently by a fellow named Judd Ripley. Check out how soft and buttery those blends are! Pretty impressive.

And now, an absolute facemelter by the one Horitomo:

No apologies necessary. I love coming into this thread and seeing rad stuff. Here's my contributions for today. All by Tim Lehi. I wish these pictures were better so I could see more of the detail...

Rob Hostetter - Lucky Tattoo Parlor Hands down is the man... Welcome to Facebook