hgiles

Dana Helmuth was easy on me, yet quick. I'd go to him again if he were easier to get to.

I am half-way in on a Tibetan skull with Chad. Hope to finish it next month some time.

Everytime I get tattooed I tell myself (while writhing in agony) "this is the last F*ing time", so in some aspects, I'd love to be 'done'. Then I learn of some other artist I want work from or some previous artist I'd just like to spend the day with again... I suspect it'll never end and I am in no hurry. Fluctuating financial status and an affinity for expensive artists (top quality work/artists/people) has a way of slowing down the collecting anyway.

I've got a chest panel and half-sleeve from Jesse. Like Hogrider says, I'd recommend him highly, especially for Neo-Japanese style. He's also pretty well-versed in a variety of styles. I just gave him a rough idea as to subject matter and let him (as the artist) decide the layout and flow of things.

I had a chest panel and half sleeve completed in two sittings (16+ hours) and the tattoo healed very well. Sitting for a half sleeve wasnt toobad for me. James Vaughn does half sleeves in 6 hours. But your estimate seems within th realm of normalcy.

And for the record, Ive got no axe to grind either. I am just offering my opinion and perspective in a forum, where I would hope to be the place for it. I've never overtly disrespected anyone with name calling or cursing. I just have a strong opinion on business practices in general and on how to elevate the art form. As Petri said, some people want to keep it old-school, keep it exclusive, underground and 'rock star cool'. Shannon, I respect your perspective and your desire to improve your work and to better the trade/profession/art. I dig that. There was a time people would have never considered paying $5 for a cup of coffee. The people that pay that nowadays expect more than a cup of dark, hot liquid. Much the same way I expect a bit more when I pay a tattoo artist whatever he asks for his work. "To whom much is given, much is required." But, yeah, I think the right guy won Ink Master last night. I wished Josh would have placed higher, but I think the judges got it right. Shane is a bad ass, as is Tommy. James does his thing too. I enjoyed the show, though there are some aspects of it that could be improved.

I usually have an idea in mind and then I look for an artist where that vibe and style is represented in his portfolio. Getting a sense of the artist personally is important to me too. I'll have the tattoo forever, I dont want to be saying, yeah the tattoo is great, but the artist was a prick. Or something worse. I got to know something about the person before I will commit. Then I just give him\her a rough idea. "I want a foo dog and I want it to cover this much area.". The rest is what I pay the artist to do - layout, design, flow, size, color. He's the professional. He knows best. If Ive done my homework properly thats all the guidance needed.

Chad is doing my rib panel. Outline and some shading was done before I tapped. Talk about fast! Damn! And I have been tattooed by fast artists before. He's definitely in a league of his own. But yeah, it hurts. A lot!

Yeah, perhaps I expect too much. Perhaps I respect the artists more than I should. Maybe I am on Fantasy Island. Maybe I holdthe art form and profession in too high a regard. Quite possible. I still say "To whom much is given, much is required". Anyway, The right artist won last night. It was good to see that they judged it right.

The guys I go to aren't hard up for work and my tattoo is not going to make or break their month. Moreover, they name their price and I pay it and you tell me I can't even expect a little bit of professionalism and ethics? So, you're telling me you just do what the dollar tells you to do whether or not you can do it up to expectations? Nice. I bet that feels rewarding at the end of the day. Sorry, I expect a shoe-shine boy to operate like that, but not someone I am paying $200+/hr. to apply permanent images under a limited supply of skin. I take tattoos very seriously. And I am very discriminating in my choices. I pay (without complaint, without haggling, and with a tip) for their experience, wisdom, and guidance as well as their technical ability to do a good tattoo. If you really want to be respected as artists and transcend that whole 'service oriented' stigma and command the premium, you should re-consider your purpose and the way you do business. I mean, Damn. Even a waitress making $3.35/hr is gonna tell me when to avoid the 'special'. But, I know -- this is 'different'. :p (It always is, isn't it?) And perhaps I have no idea what I am talking about. FWIW, I went into no fewer than three shops (one in New Orleans, One in Ohio, and one in VA) that turned me away saying "You should go back to your previous artist. I can't put a good tattoo next to your other work." So, I have had seen guys turn away work when confronted with an ethical dilemma. Granted, these weren't 'bottom feeding' kinds of shops and they really didn't need my business to eat that week. @Scott R, since you asked about my right arm. The artist that did that is internationally acclaimed in the Japanese style and he did a tattoo that both he and I are happy with. No problem. Back to the show, gents! :)

The guys I go to aren't hard up for work and my tattoo is not going to make or break their month. Moreover, they name their price and I pay it and you tell me I can't even expect a little bit of professionalism and ethics? So, you're telling me you just do what the dollar tells you to do whether or not you can do it up to expectations or not? Sorry, I expect a shoe-shine boy to operate like that, but not someone I am paying $200+/hr. I pay that for their experience, wisdom, and guidance as well as their technical ability to do a good tattoo. If you really want to be respected as artists and transcend that whole 'service oriented' stigma and command the premium you should re-consider your purpose and the way you do business. I mean, Damn. Even a waitress making $3.35/hr is gonna tell me when to avoid the 'special'. But, I know -- this is 'different'. :p (It always is, isn't it?) And I have no idea what I am talking about. FWIW, I went into no fewer than three shops (one in New Orleans, One in Ohio, and one in VA) that turned me away saying "You should go back to your previous artist. I can't put a good tattoo next to your other work." So, I have had seen guys turn away work. Granted, these weren't 'bottom feeding' kinds of shops and they really didn't need my business to eat that week.

p I didnt say anything about expecting 'the best'. I expect satisfaction. Something BOTH the artist AND collector can be happy with. I have had artists tell me, "I can get you a sitting with Mike Roper if want?". "...Filip Leu." "You should see Dana Helmuth for that...". I can respect that. @Scott R Obviously we have a difference of opinion. Personally, I'd expect my tattooer to know better and advise me accordingly and protect me from myself should I have a bad idea or if I am asking him more than he can deliver... ...Which brings me back to the show. There have been some bad tattoos done on the show. This show puts artists and collectors in a bad spot cause the artist can't say NO where they might normally do so. So in that sense I don't like the format of the show. That and the fact that they treat the collectors, patrons, appreciatorsof the art form like 'canvasses', like cattle.

Then we can agree to disagree. Its a simple case of caveat venditor vs. caveat emptor. Only one way works as BOTH a buyer AND as a seller. Only one way presents a 'win-win' proposition and that is the way I like mine served up. You either have your own best interest in mind or the client's. Anyone I pay good money to better have my best interest in mind... Otherwise is the way people end up with 'DRAKE' tattooed on their forehead.

I very much understand the creative process, Shannon Shirley. You dont know me. And more than that, I know how to do business with integrity. It's really no different than going to my doctor. He should be well-aware of his limitations and have the decency to refer me to a specialist when he's in over his head. Based on your response (and your pics), I suspect youre one of those primadonna tattooist that I'd not want any work from anyway nor would I from any tattooer that doesnt understand my perspective as a collector and consumer. Moreover, the rudeness of your comments shouldn't be nearly as concerning to you as their divisiveness and the manifestation of your ignorance.

I doubt that mastery in all styles is even possible. I really doubt Filip Leu could knock out a color bomb cartoon fantasy like Jesse Smith...and I doubt Tim Hendricks could knock out a Japanese back piece like Shige. 'Ink Master' is a fantasy.

I go to the artists I do because they know better than I do and I value their opinion over mine where tattoos and art are concerned. This tattoo was a bad idea for all involved.

Look at a lot of images, look at portfolios that match what is visually appealing to you, go to the shop, meet the gang...

I got tattoed at Electric Ladyland! ...just some touch up stuff. In hindsight, I should have gotten something bigger. Nice shop.

Some of thos portraits this week were 'busted'! I'd respect a tattoist a whole lot more if he turned down my money saying "I can't do this at a level both of us would be happy with."

That's true of any vocation once the level of 'artistry' is attained. Musicians, painters, sculptors, doctors, lawyers, but until then the best you can hope for is being a good copyist or practitioner. Imagine going to a brain surgeon and asking him how to handle a hyperactive five year old. Personally, I am perfectly fine with tattoo artists having specialties. Its the ones that say/think they can do it all that make me leery.

I think whether these types of shows are good or bad depends on one's processing of what they see. E.g. if you see someone smash a bug in the street does it make you want to go around smashing bugs or saving bugs? (Rhetorical question). For me, these shows raise awareness on what makes a good tattoo good and what makes a good tattooer a good artist. Regardless of who wins I won't necessarily believe they are the best tattooer in the world. I probably wont even believe they are the besttattooer of those 10. i.e. I would go to Josh Woods before any of them if I wanted a cartoony, color bomb kind of tattoo. Horses for courses... Anyway, I actually like the show and for the most part I think the judges booted the artists in the proper order and in accordance with the guidelines of the contest.

Chad Koeplinger. He was cool about it and actually got a nice, clean, accurate outline despite my writhing in pain the whole time! Good thing he tattoos very fast, otherwise itd take me ten sittings to finish! Everyone in that shop tattoos fast. They were knocking out tattoos faster than episodes of Miami Ink. ;)

Ribs by far for me so far. Not even a contest. Absolutely brutal from start to (not even) finished.

I got tattoed today (rib panel) and I feel like shit because I tapped out on him when he was obviously into the piece and wanted to do more. Honest, its my first time I ever tapped out on anyone. :eek: And to add insult to injury, it was the shortest session Ive ever had. I feel like a three pump chump. But damn, it was brutal! From the first line I was saying to myself "what the hell were you thinking!" What we got done looks awesome though!