nmkcle

Congratulations. Not sure what something like that entails but it sounds involved. Very ignorant when it comes to computers, I don't even know how to start a thread... How do you start a thread? I actually have an issue I am quite conflicted with, and would like to discuss and get tattooer and tattoo enthusiast opinions on.

My first tattoo at a shop, I was 21. I walked near closing time, for a large stomach tattoo. I didn't know any better at the time. So I was quickly informed of my stupidity and quoted a high price. Which I said I would pay. The point I am trying to make, is no body was trying to be my friend, or give me great customer service and they should not have to. All anyone should expect walking in to a tattoo shop is a good clean tattoo. After that tattoo I went back for more, and more. Years later I started tattooing, and I still get tattooed at that shop. I actually may be leaving the shop I am at now because I have a job interview there on Monday. I just feel like a shop should look appealing(good work, clean) but be some what intimidating at the same time. That way people don't ask you if they can do dumb shit while they are getting tattooed. I hate those situations, I always feel awkward being the voice of reason. And I always feel like they can read on my face, me cursing them in my head.

That was pretty interesting. Short, but informative. I am with Ursala on the hearing loss thing. The owner at the shop I work at runs some old swing gate machines, to which name I shall not reveal. And I have to walk to the other side of the shop because the noise they make turns my stomach. Seriously it makes me feel ill. Just imagine what it does to an ear drum.

Is the article about physical or mental health? I feel like at times it can be mentally draining as well.

Just have whomever has been tattooing you decide. If you are undecided. He or she would probably have the best input and maybe have a better idea of your taste. But stars and dots are always a good filler.

I am so stoked about this. Been saving money from last Summer when I heard it might possibly happen. Dave Maynard Tattooed the top of my hand and mentioned in conversation. Very excited. The roster looks awesome.

Art fuel, Sarah Peacock does really nice fine art like tattoos. Really any one at that shop does nice work.

Hey man, Its Nathan... we work together.

Contestant: Ink or paint flash, Build/ assemble machines, make needles, make pigment and then do a clean tattoo. In less than what ever ridiculous time constraint they give you. Then you are #1 INK MASTER !!! Until then it is just people doing there job on television. They really should have people do stuff pertinent to the trade; but not show it on television. I wonder if they made a reality show about grocery store baggers if people would watch it. Like who could bag the most items in a minute. Paper or plastic. Have not really watched the show though, I know Shane O'neill won and that guys work is awesome. I don't think either way on this show, good, bad whatever. If any one has ever seen Louis C.K.'s stand up about "white people problems", spending time hating what you decide to watch or not watch on T.V. could be one of them.

I heard that Cindy Ray put a book out in her prime that was kind of a do's and don'ts of tattooing. I always find stuff like that interesting and I really want that book. Does anyone have it or know if they come up at all? Any info would be cool. On the same note The Jensen book that came out a few years ago is awesome, and the lost art book is pretty cool too.

They all hurt. I tell any one getting any serious torso work that it is a commitment, and they will be enduring a great deal more pain then most common spots on the limbs. I do not agree with anyone taking pills, or any kind of numbing agent before getting tattooed. I feel you are robbing yourself of the pride you can feel having earned every hour in the chair. I almost always have a beer afterwards though. Yes I agree, the upper side meat hurts.

I think a lot of the people illegitimately tattooing in Florida are tattooing strictly for the all mighty dollar. The one person quoted as saying ''The only way to pay my fines for tattooing is by doing more tattoos" .Or they could get another job. If you strive to keep doing better, cleaner work and your work is your focus, you will become better and money will be their when you need it. It is a privilege have some one ask you to adorn their body, not a way to make a quick buck. I hope those laws weed out people who are in it for the wrong reason. And I agree with Ursala, that rework still looked bad.

I agree with time and place in regards to when you should cover up. I think a lot of the younger generation ( of which I am still a part of, just a bit older) feel this need to have attention getting, or job stopping tattoos. Yes many people have tattoos now, yes many people who don't have tattoos still think people that have tattoos are criminals and drug addicts. I have this discussion at least once a day at the shop when some young kid asks me to tattoo his neck or hands and has little to no tattoos else wear. If you have other space to fill, fill that first. People who aren't tattooed don't understand nor do they care, why or how we commit to adorning ourselves the way we do. And it does not really matter as long as the person getting tattooed understands they will be viewed differently. We had a shop apprentice who had his face tattooed . We did not do it. He told me that when he walked in to get it done he did not realize how different his life would be. The next day he went to the store and he said it was like he entered a whole new world. every one starring some out of awe, some out of fear.I think it's a good example, all though extreme to put things into perspective. If you get tattoos on public skin people will have some thing to say about it. So be prepared to let it roll of your shoulder and deal with it.

I think any large scale Thomas Hooper work is mind boggling. Especially the large pattern work. I find my self wondering how many times was the stencil laid? How many stencils? If their were several stencil what parts did he draw in? And then once you have all that on, just make the lines right? Seriously amazing stuff.

This is not a story about the first tattoo I saw, rather a story about the first tattooed person I saw. I was 15 busting suds at some restaurant, trying to move my way up through the ranks, so anything the Executive Chef needed I was on it. This guy was pretty laid back though. He would have me do stuff like wait at the back door for his weed dude to come and shit like that. So this guy was always long sleeved chef jacket buttoned to the top, always in uniform when he arrived. One day I am waiting for his weed guy, and he goes back to check on me, and notices this dumbass looking stick and poke tattoo I have on my arm. First tattoo, that is another story. So he's like" What the hell is that?" And I go on to explain to him how cool I think I am cause I have this dumb tattoo. So he asks me if I like tattoos and I'm like "yeah dude" obviously I have this sweet tattoo. So he motions me to the bathroom and starts unbuttoning his jacket, removes his shirt and the guy has an almost complete body suit. I could not believe it I was dumb founded. My jaw was on the floor. I remember at the time it was Asian influenced, so with what I know now I would say it was probably Japanese inspired. I remember a dragon and a demon looking thing, lots of black. It was insane looking. That day really influenced my life and my path. Really cool experience for me. I just wanted to share when I saw this thread.

I love reading about this stuff. Who worked for who, when, and just the whole lineage. I have a small art collection, Chris Conn is on my short list of work I would like to own. Cool stuff guys thanks for sharing.

Well said, I totally agree with the right of passage thing.

I mean just break down why we charge what we charge. It ends up being more then what they say their friend in the house can do it for but for good reason. I was jreffering to what I mentioned earlier about people saying their dude tattoos in his house and will do it for this much.

What I have done in some instance is explain that the shop take this much we take what is left, we pay for such and such. So we end up making a little more then your friend in the house but offer a better quality tattoo and piece of mind through sterility. Believe it or not sometimes it works.

I blame the availability of poor equipment.Anyone who has ever been told they drew a good picture picking up machines and setting up shop in their homes. The shop I work at is in the ghetto and there's a lot of "my dude do it for fifty'' Most of the time we tell them to beat it, except around the holidays when its dead. Ha. No we tell them to beat then too.

Wow that is smoooooth.