Bubbleberry

really loving the Nico Acosta piece. Glenn Arthur paints a lot of tattooed ladies but as yet I have not seen to many tattoos of his work...A local guy Terry Bradley also does this type of stuff.

You can pat each other on the back all you want, congratulate yourselves on a shared opinion, it does not change the point that when I start a thread, it interests some people enough to positively contribute, and others not. While you are all snuggling up under the warmth of your egos, you fail to see, that had you simply ignored that which you do not agree with, we may not be having this argument. I have read through the various threads that I started, and usually people engage in polite, if somewhat passionate debate. THEN, the same people come along, again and again and act like they have a right to talk down or be rude, and the topic goes off course. Try some rigorus self honesty and see what part you have played in these arguments instead of blaming me for asking questions you do not like.

Welcome Gregor - loving that dragon ! You guys have some cool artists over there! Enjoy the forum!!

Not sure I would call anyone that - its a pretty disgusting word, and I am quite astonished that you would eve use in on an open forum, but if the cap fits...

I believe Perez, that the point of this thread, was aiding newcomers succinctly and positively. I believe it was about being helpful and welcoming. Lets not drag down a very positive thread. I know it was mentioned in respect to my previous adventure some time ago, put perhaps a bit of information about the ignore option would be helpful, ie "While we strive to make LST a welcoming, informative environment for all, at times other members will post questions or statements that cause offence. In the interest of all members we ask that you ignore those posts rather than involve yourself in an argument. You can ignore a member who writes posts that you are sensitive to by..."

I think , as has been posted before, and as I have been reminded more than once, its important that everyone, no matter what their experience,understand that this is not the place to put people down or inflate our own egos - that we should treat other members with respect. I would also suggest someone like Scott write a piece about how the industry is suffering because of scratchers, and that this website discourages technical questions because of that. Perhaps that could be a pm from the moderators/scott?

Exactly

I like that idea Capt, and no doubt there are things that have been discussed. The major problem, as has already become apparent in this thread, is that some people just enjoy being annoyed ! LST welcome page states... "Last Sparrow Tattoo is an eZine, picture gallery, and community for tattoo artists and tattoo enthusiasts created by iconic tattoo artist Scott Sylvia, and Lochlan McHale. Whether you are completely covered in tattoos or looking to get your first one, this is the best place to check out tattoo pictures, design ideas, find the best tattoo artists, or just hang out and chat in our Tattoo Forum." It does not say anything about being an artist only forum, it does not indicate that you have to have industry knowledge or anything of the sort. It would be nice to see artists and those who line their pockets chatting to each other about all aspects of the industry, and there is no reason why this should not happen. For me, the problem comes when people start thinking they are better than each other, that their opinions are more important, that because of their experience they have the right to talk down or insult people. For me the problem comes when one person try s to change another. Its hard to ignore people who annoy us, on-line or in the real world, but the same courtesy's should apply, no matter where you hang out. People will ask questions,we have no control over that, but we can control how we react.

Well if its any help, speaking as someone who asked the troublesome questions, but who has no interest in learning how to tattoo, I can totally understand your frustration. And I do read lots and lots of posts regarding the history and the works of tattooers. I just do not comment because I feel my opinion will be slammed, and perhaps with good reason. I would offer a solution...now bear with me on this... If the forum had a section titled something like " How To Tattoo - Technical Questions and Answers", those who wanted to post questions that annoy the artists would have somewhere to do so, and the artists would know to ignore that section completely. Every time someone posted a technical question elsewhere the moderators could move it, and every time the question was ignored the asker would learn that this was not the place to ask. It seems like work, but it may stop people getting annoyed, although no doubt this suggestion will do just that? Bottom line, if Scott and co wanted this a tattooers only forum, that's what it would be.

When I say artist, I am not referring to tattooing, but yes she feels she is a good artist, and she gauges that based on comments from other artists,based on comments by her teachers and lecturers over the past 20 years. She does not like forums because she feels people spend to much time putting each other down and trying to be better, trying to be right. But she is a pretty quiet person, and she does keep herself to herself, so perhaps she would rather not expose herself on-line to hostile people. Which is her right.

I actually agree with that, those artists who dislike the "normal" folk hanging around could hang out there, which would hopefully help them to ignore posts they do not want to read. But some people will always be unhappy, and while knowledge was power in the dark ages, the answer to most questions can be found somewhere on the internet, even if it is just a distributors website or a scratchers forum. If I wanted to know how to tattoo (as a scratcher) I would not be hanging out here, and could find many sources of information, but I come here to discuss tattooing in general, to learn, to grow, because I have a interest. If that makes people unhappy or angry, perhaps the should not hang out in "discussion"forums ?

I thought about putting up the "good" artists website address, but no doubt someone would come along and start laying into his work, which would be unfair, given that he may not be a member of the forum. It may ruin any chances of my wife getting a position, and it would cause unnecessary ill feelings. As for my wife joining the forum, it has been suggested, but perhaps she has more sense than me, she feels that forums are a waste of time, for various reasons. She spends her spare time drawing (among other things) and is not particularly interested in the opinions of people she does not know and will never meet, no matter how inflated their own sense of importance is. Its not so much as I am in the middle feeding her info, she could really care less what people think, she knows she is a good artist, who wants to be better, she knows she could be a great tattooist, given time and guidance. She would rather go to one person who offers that guidance, than wade through a thousand opinions in the hope of finding a gem. Sorry if my post annoyed Mario and his mates, such is life.

Thanks Perez, great idea. As you are a TLC alumni do you think you could organise a discount for her?

Jaycel, take it on the chin and let it go. Speaking from experience, both on-line and more recently in the real world - tattooing is a serious business and the guys on here treat it as such. You will learn a lot hanging out here, but its probably best just not returning to this thread. Everything that need's to be said has been and a whole lot more. I know, believe me, I know, that the quest to be right can be addictive, but I guarantee that letting it go will make you much happier.

Hi Ursula. I think the whole experience just shows me how varied an industry this is. The guy is successful with many happy, repeat customers. And as I said, he is a good guy - I believe. But you can only teach what you know, and even then knowledge does not give you the right to instruct. She left on good terms, and she refused to take any money - so she can hold her head high and chalk it down to experience. And she hopes to get tattooed by an artist she admires - which is a step in the right direction!