Deb Yarian

So funny Dari------ My husband hates when I watch these shows!

NOT MY GIFT TO YOU by debrayarian We are constantly being asked by people , how either they or their family members can “get in to tattooing?” How they can obtain a license, open a shop, get a job and so on and so on and so on. In recent years I’ve had more and more people indignantly explain, that even though they or their relatives really want to become tattooists, nobody will teach them! This is often at our initial introduction. One person claimed in a recent letter emailed to our shop, that she had already been tattooing for the past twenty months, alone, in another state. She introduced herself, and then said that she had already moved to Alaska ( where I currently reside and own a tattoo shop, where I work with my family.) She said that she intended to get a tattoo license and she would be opening a tattoo shop , albeit in another city, and that she had heard that we were helpful, friendly and knowledgable. She went on to say that she had gotten quite familiar with our state’s requirements for obtaining a license. Our state law requires an apprenticeship for a required period of time, under an already licensed tattoo artist, at a licensed tattoo shop! Thank you Larry Allen ( and I mean that in all seriousness) for working with Alaska state legislature so that there are some laws in place, governing tattoo licensing in Alaska. She said that because of our state’s requirements, she would have to start at the bottom again. She asked for information regarding the apprenticeship program?? and whether we offered it in our shop and was there a fee? She went on to ask if she could complete the required hours ( roughly 400 ) without a further time commitment. She finished her letter with an About Me: paragraph- highlighting her other artistic interests and abilities and told me that I could look on facebook to see her work. So, you may be thinking, what’s the problem with this? She was cordial and forthright . That if I am the things she claimed I was, helpful, friendly and knowledgable, why didn’t I just invite her to our shop, get her a glass of lemonade, and sit down with her and fill out the paperwork to get her, her tattoo license. I did in fact politely reply, that because the state law requires the commitment be under our direction, and that we are a small family owned business, we would not be taking on any tattooists or apprentices. Many ,if not most, non tattooers are curious as to why i’d be reluctant or refuse to help someone in a situation like this. When asked why by one of my children, I answered that this isn’t a request for humanitarian aid. That if a stranger fell in the street I would certainly stop to offer my help, but if a stranger asked me to drive them to Florida, I would refuse! They laughed, saying how silly it would be for a stranger to make such a request. In my opinion though, a stranger asking me to help them get in to tattooing is the equivalent of a stranger asking me to drive them and their family to their vacation destination, as ridiculous or ludicrous as a stranger asking for the keys to my house or for access to my bank account! How could one not see the comparison? And while I do think everybody is entitled to make a living. It’s not my obligation to see that they do so. I”ve spent over thirty years making a living tattooing. My husband is a tattooer. My oldest son is a tattooer and my youngest son is just beginning to tattoo. It is my hope that all my children will learn to tattoo as well, and love making a living doing so. It is my gift to them. It is not something i’m just going to give away, especially not to a stranger. Share this:

Thank you Kevin !!!

Thank you! You did an awesome job. I love the way you framed all the photos. ( this is John, right?)

I am pretty excited about how creative and involved i've been, not only tattooing but in the tattoo world--- I was asked to and participated in an art show in NY Two different tattooers books of flash Drew a series prints that I was able to sell, trade , gift and donate to a couple of auctions for good causes Wrote and sold a satirical book on getting in to tattooing And for the first time was a feature in a super tattoo magazine And still happily married & raising a family! (;

I wanted to post here - because I am really flattered and excited to be featured in the current issue of the magazine. If you read it, hope you like it!!

What a shame

For years I used a footstool, and used my crossed my leg as a rest. Does anybody even do that anymore?

I'm so pleased to have raised a happy son! I love you.

I know! And what a blessing you are. - - - Updated - - - Wow, what a coincidence& small world! Star is still loving in the same place- right near the park strip. When did youcmove away?

We aren't friends ,he does nice photo realistic work---- - - - Updated - - - I do! - - - Updated - - - I'm from NYC originally- I love it! Yes, I know of Reed, he does do nice realistic work. We aren't friends though. - - - Updated - - - Don't get me wrong, I love Alaska & wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Plus, i'm very fortunate that I get to work with my family in our shop, which I love---

I don't know about other areas of the world- But it's pretty isolated up here in regards to any " tattoo community" I miss the comraderie of other tattooers and like minded people. Just saying):

Hi Mike !!!! Nice to see you on here

and in Twentynine Palms, Ca

Loved it!!

Ursula--- I have to disagree with you, I wasn't familiar with Cris Cleen's work. After reading your post I went to look at his work and I don't see any similarity ( other than possibly his limited color palette, and the color red) to Chris Conn's. I just think it has a totally different feel to it.

I really don't like this!! I think her options on covering the original tattoo, we're pretty limitless--- I can't imagine her wanting a solid black square on her back if she were getting something on bare skin. This is a situation where I would have refused to do the tattoo--- not sing judgmental , just exercising my right to decline.

I hate, if I'm running late- when my next client asks more than once, how much longer i'll be- or paces anywhere near my station. Nobody wants their tattooer to rush through their tattoo, or not allow for changes to a design or a nervous client's frequent bathroom breaks.

on breaking in to the business of tattooing. A good laugh. Contact me at [email protected] for availability$20 shipped in the US $25 outside of the US

As a tattooer and shop owner I pay particular attention to how I am treated when I walk in to a tattoo shop----- I 'm older and i'm not particularly cool, hip looking, overly attractive, and I normally don't walk around in a tank top and shorts, with exposed tattoos. That being said, I shouldn't have to give another tattooist a resume to expect good customer service, as a customer or fellow tattooist. If able, you should be kind and courteous to every one that walks through your door. - - - Updated - - - -----------Unfortunately, or fortunately - I've found many tattooers are often without boundaries and are verbally expressive.Many that I know wouldn't willingly go out of their way to hurt anybody- but their choice in music and speech borders on insensitive---- Whether it's talking about specific sexual techniques, religion, politics, gender preference, stance on euthanasia, vegan vs carnivore etc. rarely have I encountered a "PC" shop. Our shop has a sign on the door stating "graphic images and colorful language spoken here"just in case. We share a building with a religious - charitable organization and are right next door to a Baptist Church. One of my husband's ( the reason we have the sign) customer's was going to make a sign for my husband- " if you don't like the language here, go next door!" But i'm definitely not making excuses or saying you should subject yourself or friends to an uncomfortable atmosphere.

Thank you! I would love to but my customers don't get them.

Awesome things I am doing lately..... Worked my first convention Went to my first seminar and I've made a point of being more honest and true to myself. Goal next year, travel more.

I love drawing ladies faces - but rarely get to do them, maybe only a couple a year): Has anyone mentioned Isaac Fainkugen? Definitely one of my favorites!