Deb Yarian

I find this happening more and more in the tattoo world, or at least my tattoo world. I'll speak to one tattoo friend and speak of another tattoo friend and I'm still surprised that everybody I know doesn't know everybody else that I know. And I'm not saying that this is a bad thing---- just not sure that I like this new thing

This year I attended a tattoo convention. It is an annual convention put on by a group that has both tattooists and enthusiasts as it's members. One night during the convention they have a dinner and you are often seated at a table with people that you don't know. This one shop from the Midwest owned by a tattooer with a single name - like Cher -had a huge entourage with him and had two large tables put aside to accommodate the group. He and his senior group sat at one table and all his younger, newer tattooists were seated at the other. As luck would have it , Don and I were also seated at this other table. This other group wasn't particularly pleased to have us at their table. Imagine being a great aunt and uncle at the kid's table at Thanksgiving. Now, between us, Don and I had more time tattooing then all the 8-12 other tattooists sitting at both tables- put together. I say that, not to boast, but illustrating the scene. I'm pretty social and tried to engage the group in conversation but it was a real strain. One girl there, said her forte was lettering. I said how much I admire " so and so's" lettering, and everybody at the table said "who?" I explained that "so and so" does beautiful lettering in the style of " so and so" and they said "who?" I further explained that " so and so" just had an interview in Tattoo Artist Magazine that was really worth reading and they said "what magazine?" I came away from the evening with the realization that the love of tattoos, tattooing and it's history - was no longer enough to bind a group of people together. That I might as well be at a table of brick layers or chiropractors.

Happy, happy birthday!!

However in 1984, when Greg died, there were far fewer tattooers and MANY of them were less tattooed in relation to tattooers of today.

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I'll try to post our ring tattoo photos

I'm really looking forward to it Shane, as I am right there with him about Paul!

My husband Don, lost his wedding ring , so this year for Valentine"s Day we got back to back "Ds" on our wedding ring fingers. We have been married for 20 years and I can't stress just how strongly PRO-NAME I am. Actually, any tattoo that signifies your devotion to one another is good in my book. Don has my name on his chest that Ms Deborah did 20 yrs ago. My name in a banner in a design That Eric Inksmith did for our 1st anniversary, and Mike Wilson did my profile on Don's hand a couple of years ago. I also have his name in a few places as well as the band. Just going in to a relationship with the attitude that it isn't going to work is in my opinion, negative. And you know what? if we ever split up and I don't want his name anymore, i'll cover it up. I wish as many people would give as much advice and input when their friends tell them they're going to start a family with their mates. "Joe and I are in love and we want to have a -----/ get a ------" " Oh, don't! That's the kiss of death in a marriage" Just my two cents (:

Good job all! Thank you!

Hi Paul

Hi there! Deb - from Alaska

I got paid for the first tattoo I did. It was a name on a hand. I don't remember what the name was):

Hi! Welcome?

Hi Jason

I'm really looking forward to this!

My dad had this tattoo too! He got it in Coney Island. Looking forward to seeing the picture.

I have an appt in Oct in SF at the State of Grace show with Trevor McStay -- to do my leg

I was 20 when I had my first and he was an only for almost 12 years.With only the one I was able to "almost" totally immerse myself in to tattooing ,and he came along for the ride. I was 42 when my last one was born. My husband and I both tattoo and we have our own shop just a few blocks from our house. But even though we both have the freedom and the ability to adapt our schedules to accommodate our family- it usually falls upon me to get the children to medical appointments, sports, parent teacher meetings etc. I sometimes resent it--- because my argument with my husband -at least, is that I love tattooing just as much as he does! It's no less part of my life than his. So as I said earlier I have compromised--- I probably would have been a better tattooer had I not had my children. I am different from most mothers though, in that I love what I do, aside from parenting. I love tattooing and it came before all of my children were born. So I don't necessarily live vicariously through my children I have to also distinctly separate the aspects of tattooing that I enjoy. I am passionate about and love creating , learning about and looking at tattoos & I get some satisfaction out of the social aspect of my job--------- I have to keep foremost in my mind though that my children's NEEDS take priority over my customer's wants. And lastly I have to add that even the greatest satisfaction I receive from tattooing pales in comparison to the joy I've experienced as a mother. Hope I'm making sense.

I appreciate this forum, thank you! I hope I haven't been a "negative contributor" --- I can be pretty opinionated sometimes but it isn't my intention to alienate other forum members --

So it's been 5 months since the shop opened. The owner is an apprentice and the teacher is now incarcerated or in rehab . So the apprentice/owner has had to go to another town to finish his apprenticeship. Will keep you updated.

I was only 19 when I started tattooing and 20 when my first child was born. He was practically raised in a tattoo shop. I was very enthusiastic, ambitious and had the energy to give what seemed like my all- to both parenting and tattooing. But I'd be fooling myself if I said that I haven't had to compromise in both areas. I went on to have 5 more children so obviously I had to make sacrifices. I wasn't able to travel as much, working guest spots or conventions- like many of my peers without kids. So, as a result haven't formed as many relationships among other tattooers. Do I regret the choices I've made? No. But I recognize that there have been consequences to my choices that have affected me personally and professionally.

As much as I hate to admit it, I know that I would be a better tattooer if I had not had a family and that most probably, at the very least I'd be a more active parent- if I were not a full time tattooer.

I've been tattooing soldiers for 23 years. The Army has really relaxed their standard in recent years-- with the need for more soldiers. On the other hand, the Navy and Marines have really tightened up.