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I used to care when someone on the internet would rag on me about my art; now I spend more time creating art, less time caring about what people think. If you're going to do it though, do it right and ask someone who knows how like a real-life tattooer in person, preferably while you're getting tattooed. Buy vintage flash books, study and TRACE the images until the style becomes your own, do some research and find the image sources, credit the creators, and draw/paint all the time. Everybody borrows from each other in every field - this documentary is a great summary of that "Everything is a Remix" Most of all, don't apologize for doing something you love; anyone who tries to make you feel bad for that should check themselves and figure out why they feel the need to worry about what someone on the internet is doing. My .02

"If you come at the king you best not miss" - Omar

I did find it interesting that that kid got shot down so inappropriately harshly while Ursula's embroidery was so well received. Both were non-tattooers offering tattoo imagery for sale. That other kid ended up typing out his life story to appease people, which is a shame. I would have went with a 'hey, fuck off, sport'. And Gouge- no one will think you're an outsider because folks seem to like you. It's all about who you know... didn't you know that? :D

I'm gonna start this off by saying I am NOT a tattooer. What I have learned from being around the tattoo community for a while now is that it's more about the quality of work than being a tattooer or as you call it an outsider. (I don't consider myself an outsider because I have just as many tattoos, know all the same people and have worked in shops) If your art holds up to the test, it doesn't matter where you came from or who you are. I have had zero problem selling my hand embroidered flash and sewn items to tattooers and outsiders alike (after working on my craft for over 10 years) If you love art do it. And if stay with what you love in the end it doesn't matter. The one last thing I'd like to add is this: if you make money off the tattoo industry in any way you better damn well put some of that money back into it by getting tattoos, or buying other people's art.

FUCK THAT. that being said, i do think people should be presentable, clean and wearing clean clothes, decent shoes, etc. i heard a saying from rollo..."if you're gonna ask somebody for $100, you better look like $100". but as for official uniforms, FUCK THAT.

I'm gonna stir the pot here, and I want to be clear that this is all in an effort to understand, not confront or argue. I promise. smiling.politely posted a painting the other day and asked about pricing in his thread. The minute I saw it, I thought, "Uh oh.." But you learn a lot from year to year as you get older and while tossing up a panther head painting and asking about pricing in a forum full of curmudgeonly tattooers is not the best idea, I thought, "Shit.. I guess I won't mention my own sketchbook. Or messing around with watercolors." So, aside from trying to cash in on generally accepted tattoo designs, it comes back to this question of ownership. As far back as I can remember, I drew and I drew on myself. When I got older I bought tattoo magazines and drew designs out of there, sometimes for friends, none of whom actually got tattooed. I was definitely not a great artist. I have the utmost respect for those on here who are career tattooers. But I sit in my kitchen when I have the time, and draw. And yep, sometimes they're (poorly drawn) panthers and pharoahs horses and lady heads. Ms. Rad said something on ShannonShirley's blog: "i even draw flash in my sketchbook, but i wouldn't dare show anyone what i've created... tattooing is a whole different world, and i've come to the conclusion to not even try to understand it since i will always be an outsider" So we're all obviously outsiders. I guess the question is why we're not allowed to draw traditional designs. I draw other things, too, but I feel that tattoos have been such a part of me for so long, it's hard not to want to try drawing a panther head a new way, or get my roses down. (Damn, roses are tough..) And right now, I'm cringing just like I did when I read the post asking about pricing for the painting because I almost don't want to read the responses. I'm sure smiling.politely didn't mean to insult anyone. I hope I'm not insulting anyone. One of the great things about LST is us regular civilians get to learn. I still remember Alanna's post about going from watching tattoo tv shows to learning about Amund Dietzel and getting a Dietzel tattoo from Nick Colella (I think it was). So.. if no one is trying to take money out your mouths, and someone shows an interest in the art side of it, why assume the worst? All tattooers were the same regular folks before, drawn to art, enamored with tattoos, drawn to it all for whatever reason. And I think there's something to be said for defending your craft so vehemently. Tell me to fuck off and die if you want, but this probably won't stop me from continuing to draw. Because unless someone straight up copies, nobody owns "panther head" or "pair of swallows." If they did, nobody would have been tattooing them for the last hundred years. Hope I didn't offend anyone, just trying to understand.

It is tv folks. Many of the tattoos that you see are done in sessions and the people are directed to wear the same clothes each time.

My wife and I spent all day with Stuart Cripwell yesterday. Healed pics later, because mine looks extra gnarly, but man...that guy is in a class of his own. Friendly, humble and talented. We've wanted something from him for a few years now, and I'm glad we waited to figure out just what to get. We're both so stoked on our pieces!

yeah, that's not exactly the only thing wrong with those pictures :eek:

i started getting tattooed because i always felt like an outsider. i think no matter what your endeavors and choices someone makes in life there will always be someone who will disagree and find fault with one's decisions. i think if you are sincere with your efforts in life and you do the best you can to do right by others and showing respect then all you can do is move forward with what you feel to be right. if mistakes are made then those opportunities to learn and grow. the internet is sort of an altered reality, people can quickly voice their opinions see and learn things at a higher level of access which i think many people allow to form a little too much influence on their actual lives.

I don't think you should be apologizing for going to art school. Fancy or not. Nor should you have to explain yourself or your family situation. Playing the 'who's more oldschool' or 'who's more deserving' game is pointless.

I think my Raptor jumping with "Shoot Her!!!" written above it is on the top. I also want a Wizard tattoo.

THIS is a tattooers uniform! Maybe it should be in the "Tattooers with little or no tattoos" thread too. :p Awesome photo.

Kat Von D seems like the perfect example of the Gypsy's curse: "May you get everything that you want."

ok, ok, it was me.

I know that people will hate me for saying this, but I will anyway. I feel sorry for Kat Von D. To me she is exactly what reality tv producers look for. An extremely insecure (bordering on mentally ill) person that outwardly appears to be confident and uncaring of what others think. Gordon Ramsay, the cast of any of the Real World MTV, Jersey Shore, the Kardashians, etc... These people are perfect because they can be easily lead by anyone that compliments them and validates their behavior. The producers take the most extreme parts of their personality and manipulate them into making that their whole personality. They then ride the person into the ground. It reminds me of the scene in True Grit where they ride the horse until it dies. My guess is that tattooing will survive this period in its long history, but Kat Von D will not. She will be used up by the producers and the advertisers, and left for dead like that horse in True Grit. Then she will turn back to tattooing and find out that it has abandoned her as well. I'm not saying that she does not deserve this. I'm not really sure what she deserves on either side of the coin, but I will say this. It is all very sad to me. I was getting tattooed at True Tattoo before anyone there was on TV, and it was a fun place to be. My memories of Kat are of a young girl that really looked up to Tim and Chris, and was becoming a pretty good tattooer herself. I don't have a lot or respect for the decisions she has made since that time, but I also do not think that she is completely to blame.

When asked by my customers why i'm not in a tattoo tv show ( they think a lot of me ) . I explain that leather pants don't come in size 18.

For me it's the 90lb 18yr old kid who wants this huge detailed tattoo down his ribs, I say, "Man thats a big tattoo for your first one, you sure you can hang"? I proceed to tell him that maybe he should get it somewhere more tolerable. He says, "Aww yea man, I aint no punk"! So I say, "Ok Skeeter, lets go". In the first 2 minutes he pours sweat to the point the stencil is almost gone, so I draw it back on, do a few more lines and he says, "Man I don't know....can I come back later to finish this outline"?

1. People bringing their kids to the shop. Nothing pisses me off more. 2. People canceling the day of the appointment OR them "forgetting" they had an appointment. Thanks for the deposit and wasting my time. 3. Asking how much "a rose" is or how much "some letters" are or a how much a "medium tattoo" costs. Fucker, how much is a new car or a bag of groceries? I don't know! 4. Trying to get me to price match with other shops like Im Walmart. 5. Parents that bring their kids in to get tattooed, even though they dont approve, and act shitty to me when I do the tattoo. 6. When a client's friend is with them while getting tattooed and they tell their friend, "its almost done"... um... did i say it was? no... it isnt. 7. Clients who talk with their hands or keep moving their head fast when Im tattooing them. 8. Clients I dont know on a certain level that think Im their therapist. 9. People who think I love L.A. Ink. and "have to get a tattoo from Kat Von D before they die". 10. Clients that put their friend's opinion before their own. I was bitter towards people before becoming a tattooer from working retail... it only got worse. I could go on all day. Im really not an asshole.

i hate it when the client rings up on the day of his appt and says " sorry i can't come in , i got called into work" really motherfucker so did i , two months ago when you booked in

Reference for tattoos on phones. this shit is gonna be on you forever, show some respect, don't be a cheap, lazy client. print that shit out so i can actually see your reference.