Bubbleberry

I wonder how many times a customer has asked what the chemical make up of the inks are. My guess would be, not a lot. But If they want to know then I feel they have that right.

I watched it, but will give it another shot, they are all VERY cool !

For the record I agree with that, hands down, just before this thread gives someone a heart attack lol

Ok, here is the pattern as far as I see it. Ed Hardy is an amazing artist, but he was virtually unknown outside the world of tattooing for a long time. Ami James (and all the other reality guys and girls on varied shows) introduced tattooing to the "normal" folk, and it became accepted as part of main stream society. So who has had a greater influence on the world of tattooing - as a whole ? Remember most of the people who buy Ed Hardy merchandise will never be tattooed, and while his images are iconic, there is more non Ed Hardy tattoo clothing that there is stuff produced by his companies. Has he had a greater impact on fashion that he has on tattooing. Did reality TV start the growth, or did Ed Hardy ? Did Ed Hardy pick up where reality left off? How do you see the story and when and where do you see it ending???

has not made many millions and that the licencing of tattoo images to everyone who wants them has not hurt the industry. Ref how much Ed Hardy makes, well one deal alone saw him lift $7 million in advance royalties. I believe from Blomberg that he gets 15% of all profits in royalties. At around 20 million a year, lets say for 10 years, that's a cool $30 mill. Does he deserve it - hell yea !!! Does it hurt the industry - we will just have to wait and see. Ok thanks Stewart, that made my day lol

Cheers Lochlan !

What, are you serious ? First off he makes a fortune from the sale of Sailor Jerry merchandise and related book, and has done for 30 years. Second, even though he thought that Christian Audigier was " at ground zero of everything that's wrong with contemporary civilization." he decided that ", if he wants to make a lot of money with my art, and it's not going to be overtly negative, then what the hell". His, and Sailor Jerrys images are sold in Ed Hardy stores around the world - last year he got a slice of a cool $29 million. Lets not forget his own art, the licencing of his name to drinks manufacturers, electronic companies, phone corps etc etc. Yes he is a god in the tattoo world. Yes his work is amazing. And yes, unfortunately, people are going to get bored with tattoos a lot quicker because of him... tattoos have always had a mysterious air about them, they were always on the verge of being cool or risky. Very soon they are going to be seriously uncool, and that's a pity. As for buying the guys art - well as myself and my wife paint similar stuff I have no need, but that does not stop me trying to encourage him !

I guess I try to treat others as I wish to be treated, and allow everyone to live life by their own rules. The new guy who posted his artwork was treated with disrespect, and it was far from necessary... he is just a kid, so who knows where his life will pan out, and how many tattoo's he will get, but perhaps its best we do not give him the idea that the tattoo community are a bunch of assholes, no matter how young and inexperienced he is ?

lol. I am sure he can handle it .

Come on, customers deserve to see you best, and your worst. Even the greats have a bad day...

Why? On the whole, tattooists make their money from people who have no connection to the world of tattooing, except that they have tattoos. Do they not put enough money into the industry? I have been spending money on tattoos and tattoo related purchases for a while now, because I tend to spend my money on what I please. I respectfully suggest that other people do the same...

Leave the kid alone. Its one of his first works, it great, I love it and would be happy to hang it on my wall. Ed Hardy is making MILLIONS from images just like this, that were copied or inspired by others so keep smiling politely , and ignore the angry people. For those who are interested, the panther tattoo was stolen from a illustration by Marie Schubert in the early 1930's. " The crawling panther made its debut in this unique volume as a monstrous and magic cat sent to devour the mythic Irish hero Cuchulain ,who thumped it on the nose with the flat of his sword and then tossed bones to it while he finished his dinner."

" Ever since my Moma told me as a child "to eat my greens" I been addicted to boogers. Sometimes you just gotta dig those bad boys out...ya feel me HOMIE !"

Thanks Dari. I am really loving this place, learning a lot and enjoying the craic!

Great story... I loved "are we handling our freedom with the hard-won dignity we've fought for, or are we as bad as the maniacs we are afraid of? " Really, we scare them with what's outside, they scare us because of what's inside !

Waiting for one of my first tattoos, while a teenager in Belfast, I watched as a huge american guy, built like a tank, fainted as the needle touched his shoulder. The knarly tattooist took his c*ck out and put it in the guys mouth as another artist took a poloroid photo. The whole shop was laughing as the artist winked and told me that I was up next. I started shaking !! Thankfully I did not pass out, but always have a quick glance when I am at an new artists just in case they have a poloroid camera lying about.

I can think of some pretty knarly tattooists, some real characters that take no sh*t. Put them together with an apprentice and I am sure it would be great watching

I totally agree... the creators have moulded Von D into some sort of icon, but her already insecure personality seems unable to handle the pressure. I hope she is enjoying the ride, and that she comes out the other side without damning herself or others too much. I also hope that some day they make a real documentary about the life of a tattoo artist and apprentice. That would be worth watching!

A big hello to everyone at last sparrow from Belfast. I have been collecting tattoos for the best part of 25 years, got my first from Skull in Belfast, back in the days of the troubles, and have been tattooed by some cool and not so cool artists around the globe including Kiwi Kim at Celtic Dragon in Sydney and Steve Johnson from City Ink in Christchurch, N.Z I spent a year living with the Bandidos in Australia. They owned a tattoo and piercing studio and at the time I had about 16 different body piercings. Currently setting up a laser removal studio and hanging out with my wife who is apprenticing under Snoopy in Belfast. I have always loved the world of Tattoos, and have promised myself more conventions and more work in the coming months and years. :)

I always think tattoos represent freedom, while uniforms represent the exact opposite.

Where the collar bones meet your ribs, right in the centre or the chest - that sucked. Really detailed piece on the spine between the shoulders was bad - after a couple of hours it felt like the needle was hitting the same spot over and over and over - it SUCKED !

Hows about not posting the story of your new tat until you have photos to go with it. This is going to be a great thread but lets not jam it up?

Just to be clear, I did not start this debate, again not that it matters.

Yep I am that guy who was banned from the other forum. I found the members offensive and the moderators unfair. But I am also learning that what is said verbally can sound totally different when written on a board like this, so I am happy to be over here, thankfully there is a totally different vibe that I hope the members of other forums will adopt when they come over. Yes my wife is scared of her parents - they have a tendancy to invalidate people they disagree with, not allowing communication for years because of silly things, so she would rather not upset the apple cart... that being said she is planning a half sleeve, which she wants the guy she apprentices under to do. Having realised her parents do not approve of any of her choices, and knowing that her working in the industry will make them spin, she is slowly worrying less and less about what they think. As for the topic of conversation, I am beginning to realise just how personal the craft ( I love that word) is to each of us. It seems that our opinions are formed by how we got into the industry, and our own personal experiences of life in general. Some people are easy going and care less, some live by standards they feel are non-negotiable. Both are cool. There is no denying that some amazing artists started out on their own without any training or guidance. There are also many tattooists who do a great job with little or no tattoos. Both groups earned their respect through years of hard work and perseverance. If someone new enters the industry they cannot expect that same respect, and will find it easier to be accepted by being tattooed and by working under the guidance of those who have been around for a long time.

Thanks everyone !