Tim Hendricks

Totally cool. I hope you didn't feel like I was attacking you in any way, it was not my intention. I liked what you had to say and I would never bring any negativity to this forum. You're correct about the tattoos not being the best on the tv shows. Some of the clients they would give us were very hard to work with and wanted really odd tattoos. The phrase "polishing a turd" word come to mind often... It tested ones patience.

I won't argue with you about the TV show. I have to disagree with the one part about Ami's tattooing skills, here is a photo of a tattoo he recently finished in Miami, it took him under a month and he texted the pics to a few friends. He is very far from a bad tattooer. FYI: He drew the whole dragon side on with a pen <script src='http://img831.imageshack.us/shareable/?i=amiuy.jpg&p=tl' type='text/javascript'></script><noscript></noscript>

Here's a link to a picture of your tattoo finished Omar. You're a champion, thanks for being such a good client. http://blog.saltwatertattoo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/RofAges.jpg

I started with 'homemade machines' and sharpening my needles on matchbooks. All I knew at the time was single needle and black ink, I was totally clueless to anything else. When I met real tattooers and learned to make real needles I was instantly hooked, there was no turning back. I rarely use single needle these days, I want my tattoos to last as long the person I make them on, but I am very proud to know how to wield a single needle when need be. I believe Chicano style comes purely from where you came from as a tattooer and how you learned. Some try and copy it, some actually do an amazing job at creating it as well, but in my opinion the only people who can tattoo that true Chicano style are the people who lived it. ps - Ben Grillo tattooed my foot yesterday, he busted out the single needle, ouch.

Even though I own most of all Hardymarks publications I went ahead and purchased the ones I didn't own and replaced the rest with new copies. I paid quite a bit for the flash books. I believe I found the #1 for $200, the #2 for $120 and the #3 for $220. It's more than I wanted to spend, but you can't put a price on things like that. Everyone said that the Flash From The Past book would be reprinted and it never was, now everyone is wishing they would've just paid the overprice. I was always taught books and art would be the best investment I ever made. Buy the books and don't look back.

Shit! how could I forget: Dan Dringenberg

This was a lot of fun for to read everyones list, I'm jealous of so many. My list of people I want tattoos by is SO much bigger than the ones I've received tattoos by. Here is my list, I hope I didn't miss any, but here goes: Fat Frank (worked for Eric Maske at Classic) Mark Mahoney Mike Brown Corey Miller Stewart Robson Tom Tilden Mikey Montoya Tommy Montoya Chris Garver Luke Wessman Oliver Peck Norm Paul Booth Morgwn Pennypacker Joel Bones Lindsey Carmichael Frank Ball Daryll Pinney Bucky Crispen Danny Romo Jim Miner Matt Shamah Kevin Gulio Freddy Corbin Grime Chente Mike Suarez Brandi Collins Jason McAffee Brynne Worthy Matty Ratty My Wife, Myself and a handful of non-tattooist friends

Awesome Stewart, you really did a great job on this piece. As always, I am so honored to have worked along side everyone there, it is a true joy and one of the highlights of my year.

What about non-tattooers selling all of us tattoo equipment? Some will speak strongly against those who don't tattoo owning shops and swear off ever giving them money, but then will make an order with a non-tattooer owned supplier and unknowingly act hypocritical. I think in tattooing these days, in my opinion, we need good people who care about the business and who bring something positive to the table of tattooing, tattooer or not(although tattooer preferred). I just came back from working at Frith Street Tattoo in London, I watched a bunch of very well known and respected tattooers work there in the last two weeks, not to mention the incredibly talented crew that are residents their. The owner, Dante, is not a tattooer, but he is a good human being and cares for his employees as if they were family. I am proud to say I worked there and as far as Dante(the owner) goes, I would take a bullet for him.

I've been a big fan of all Valerie Vargas's pin-ups/women for a while now. She did one on my wife that I absolutely love. I'm sure you guys have seen most of her work but for those who want to see more Tattoos @ Valerie Vargas

I've slept on Troy's couch many times and I have to tell you that one of my favorite things about staying with Troy is all the epic shows he has recorded on his TV box. It's like browsing through the wildest documentaries or shows on aliens, drugs, history or anything taboo. That man has great taste

This man taught me everything I know today about tattoo machines. I believe him to be one the top 5 most influential people in tattoo machines, he has taught so many and asked for nothing in return. Right on Scott, thanks for bringing us this