smiling.politely

I hate to admit it, guys, but I definitely bought one of these new fangled tattoo machines they're making these days over the weekend. It even has some crazy hinge mechanism in part of it. Hope you guys can forgive me...
http://saltwatertattoosupply.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/wlkr-rssa-1.jpg
Also, what percentage of good tattooers know how to use the equivalent of CAD? Because that seems like what you'd effectively need to do. Whether it became a plan to supplant tattooers, or something just for the sake of art, it's a bad idea. If integrity, heart, and someone who cares about what they're doing for a living doesn't matter to the average client, that doesn't mean that status quo is good. It means people need to show that they care and do their best to do a good job, whether it's a skull/rose or five birds on the wrist.
There's no guarantee of anything being perfect, ever. Which is better, a crap tattoo (inevitably, based on craft aspects of tattooing) done by a robot, or an at least competent tattoo by someone who is nice?

@Graeme Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Let me rephrase, then. Perhaps my early morning reading comprehension is poor.
Also, isn't one of the main points of robotic surgery that it's still directly, 100% controlled by a human being, often times one who, due to their location, wouldn't be able to perform the surgery, and who may be one of only a few people on the planet who can do it? Because that's way, way different than sticking someone on a table, pressing B-7 (the appendectomy button, of course), then going back to reading the Sports section.

@Graeme Perhaps my late night rambling was poorly worded, but that's basically what I was meaning. If people not caring about how seriously their tattooer takes their job is the status quo, then by showing how much you do care, you may be able to change people's attitudes one at a time (or three, depending on if they bring their cheering section. I believe it was Stewart Robson in his LST interview who said Steve Byrne changed how he saw tattooers to an extent, because he approached a large solid checkerboard piece with the same seriousness and level of care as he would have something he would have been more stoked to do.
From personal experience, I can say it's not a large percentage of people, but I do notice that the more some of the Pinterest-y clients come into the shop where I work, the more they gain a level of trust, and the more they're willing to listen to our ideas on altering things to be a bit different. Without a good attitude towards them, even when they want the Walk With Faith on the foot, or the "sisters" infinity symbol, or the Google dove, etc, etc., that wouldn't happen.
As far as making tattooing out to be more than it is... well, I frequently refer to it as a blood ritual, only semi-jokingly. I don't have much room to talk on that front.

I hate to admit it, guys, but I definitely bought one of these new fangled tattoo machines they're making these days over the weekend. It even has some crazy hinge mechanism in part of it. Hope you guys can forgive me...
http://saltwatertattoosupply.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/wlkr-rssa-1.jpg
Also, what percentage of good tattooers know how to use the equivalent of CAD? Because that seems like what you'd effectively need to do. Whether it became a plan to supplant tattooers, or something just for the sake of art, it's a bad idea. If integrity, heart, and someone who cares about what they're doing for a living doesn't matter to the average client, that doesn't mean that status quo is good. It means people need to show that they care and do their best to do a good job, whether it's a skull/rose or five birds on the wrist.
There's no guarantee of anything being perfect, ever. Which is better, a crap tattoo (inevitably, based on craft aspects of tattooing) done by a robot, or an at least competent tattoo by someone who is nice?

I hate to admit it, guys, but I definitely bought one of these new fangled tattoo machines they're making these days over the weekend. It even has some crazy hinge mechanism in part of it. Hope you guys can forgive me...
http://saltwatertattoosupply.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/wlkr-rssa-1.jpg
Also, what percentage of good tattooers know how to use the equivalent of CAD? Because that seems like what you'd effectively need to do. Whether it became a plan to supplant tattooers, or something just for the sake of art, it's a bad idea. If integrity, heart, and someone who cares about what they're doing for a living doesn't matter to the average client, that doesn't mean that status quo is good. It means people need to show that they care and do their best to do a good job, whether it's a skull/rose or five birds on the wrist.
There's no guarantee of anything being perfect, ever. Which is better, a crap tattoo (inevitably, based on craft aspects of tattooing) done by a robot, or an at least competent tattoo by someone who is nice?

I hate to admit it, guys, but I definitely bought one of these new fangled tattoo machines they're making these days over the weekend. It even has some crazy hinge mechanism in part of it. Hope you guys can forgive me...
http://saltwatertattoosupply.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/wlkr-rssa-1.jpg
Also, what percentage of good tattooers know how to use the equivalent of CAD? Because that seems like what you'd effectively need to do. Whether it became a plan to supplant tattooers, or something just for the sake of art, it's a bad idea. If integrity, heart, and someone who cares about what they're doing for a living doesn't matter to the average client, that doesn't mean that status quo is good. It means people need to show that they care and do their best to do a good job, whether it's a skull/rose or five birds on the wrist.
There's no guarantee of anything being perfect, ever. Which is better, a crap tattoo (inevitably, based on craft aspects of tattooing) done by a robot, or an at least competent tattoo by someone who is nice?

Creativity only goes as far as what you can make work in the skin, which is all craft. AKA- creativity means nothing without a foundation, which is what is protected in tattooing. I usually try to think of all of the art side ending on paper, while trying to think of actually tattoo as craft. There are parallels and connections between both mindsets, of course, but it helps my mindset in both to think that way.
Another silly statement, when explaining how to improve a design recently... upon explaining why something being too small would cause issues down the line as it aged in the skin, I was told by the client "Well, it doesn't have to be good or anything..." I was flabbergasted.

@idyllsend While not a lady, I can say that most shops have some sort of barriers they can place to block the view of the shop, and if you address things in advance, it'll be taken care of. Even with walls in place, we often suggest to women that, if it helps them feel more comfortable, they can head to the bathroom and put on a hoodie backwards as covering (and to keep their arms warm).
We also have a very large mirrored window in our backroom that is right next to a station where one of our tattooers was going to be doing a tattoo in a very, very intimate location. To make sure she knew we were going to make her feel at ease, before we put up our walls, our counter person and I made a big sheet out of dental bibs and blocked it off. Not saying they have huge sheets to block off the window, but if they can't do something to help you out, then there's some sort of issue. Definitely say something when you get there, though. Even if it's initially just a question to the counter person.

@idyllsend While not a lady, I can say that most shops have some sort of barriers they can place to block the view of the shop, and if you address things in advance, it'll be taken care of. Even with walls in place, we often suggest to women that, if it helps them feel more comfortable, they can head to the bathroom and put on a hoodie backwards as covering (and to keep their arms warm).
We also have a very large mirrored window in our backroom that is right next to a station where one of our tattooers was going to be doing a tattoo in a very, very intimate location. To make sure she knew we were going to make her feel at ease, before we put up our walls, our counter person and I made a big sheet out of dental bibs and blocked it off. Not saying they have huge sheets to block off the window, but if they can't do something to help you out, then there's some sort of issue. Definitely say something when you get there, though. Even if it's initially just a question to the counter person.

@idyllsend While not a lady, I can say that most shops have some sort of barriers they can place to block the view of the shop, and if you address things in advance, it'll be taken care of. Even with walls in place, we often suggest to women that, if it helps them feel more comfortable, they can head to the bathroom and put on a hoodie backwards as covering (and to keep their arms warm).
We also have a very large mirrored window in our backroom that is right next to a station where one of our tattooers was going to be doing a tattoo in a very, very intimate location. To make sure she knew we were going to make her feel at ease, before we put up our walls, our counter person and I made a big sheet out of dental bibs and blocked it off. Not saying they have huge sheets to block off the window, but if they can't do something to help you out, then there's some sort of issue. Definitely say something when you get there, though. Even if it's initially just a question to the counter person.

I've been on a tattoo hiatus which was supposed to last until October, but this weekend I kinda sorta fell off the wagon...

By Nico, Blue Arms Tattoo (photo stolen from his instagram)

Creativity only goes as far as what you can make work in the skin, which is all craft. AKA- creativity means nothing without a foundation, which is what is protected in tattooing. I usually try to think of all of the art side ending on paper, while trying to think of actually tattoo as craft. There are parallels and connections between both mindsets, of course, but it helps my mindset in both to think that way.
Another silly statement, when explaining how to improve a design recently... upon explaining why something being too small would cause issues down the line as it aged in the skin, I was told by the client "Well, it doesn't have to be good or anything..." I was flabbergasted.

@Colored Guy Growing up with my parents getting tattooed a lot, I feel fortunate as a younger person in this world that can remember that time a bit. I remember mostly white supremacists and bikers, cops showing up to pick up clients and tattooers mid-tattoo, and of course tattooers yelling racial slurs at black cops. Drugs and guns hidden in the back, violating several individuals' paroles, etc. Rattlesnakes in cages in the front, boa constrictors in the lobby, and people making bets on how long it would take them to eat the various animals they were fed.
It was a different time, of course... but I'm glad for a decent amount of the changes that have happened in tattooing.

In reference to those aforementioned legendary vending machines... Japan's Panty Vending Machines: The Unreal Hyperbole (and Honest Truth)

Photo heavy post... I'll include the captions from the Life article where appropriate. Not going to post the whole Irezumi book because there's lots of images, and there's something magical about flipping through that thing... some things are best discovered through some digging. These are by far the coolest shots from it, though.
The tattooer they cover is called Apache Harry. There's a shot of his travel kit and flash set up on the first page. He has a sign reading "Tattoos Removed Without Scars. Apache Harry. #22 Bowery NYC."

"For decorating 'Six Ring' Dutch and other clients, tattooist Apache Harry makes $3,000 a year."

"Front view of Michael Brandmaier. His 300 designs by Apache Harry are worth $400."

"Rear view of Michael Brandmaier. It took four years to tattoo him all over."

" 'Professor' Wagner is responsible for this girl's condition."

Irezumi, 1966.

Off color jokes and discussions are one thing, harassment is another. Personally, I've finished a girl's half sleeve that was started by another guy in town, because he kept making very obvious references to trading his services for intimacy, while trying to pass it off as a joke. And I've heard a lot of people say they quit going various places for similar reasons.

Hyottoko from Civ at the West Texas Tattoo Convention...

@Colored Guy Growing up with my parents getting tattooed a lot, I feel fortunate as a younger person in this world that can remember that time a bit. I remember mostly white supremacists and bikers, cops showing up to pick up clients and tattooers mid-tattoo, and of course tattooers yelling racial slurs at black cops. Drugs and guns hidden in the back, violating several individuals' paroles, etc. Rattlesnakes in cages in the front, boa constrictors in the lobby, and people making bets on how long it would take them to eat the various animals they were fed.
It was a different time, of course... but I'm glad for a decent amount of the changes that have happened in tattooing.

Off color jokes and discussions are one thing, harassment is another. Personally, I've finished a girl's half sleeve that was started by another guy in town, because he kept making very obvious references to trading his services for intimacy, while trying to pass it off as a joke. And I've heard a lot of people say they quit going various places for similar reasons.

Creativity only goes as far as what you can make work in the skin, which is all craft. AKA- creativity means nothing without a foundation, which is what is protected in tattooing. I usually try to think of all of the art side ending on paper, while trying to think of actually tattoo as craft. There are parallels and connections between both mindsets, of course, but it helps my mindset in both to think that way.
Another silly statement, when explaining how to improve a design recently... upon explaining why something being too small would cause issues down the line as it aged in the skin, I was told by the client "Well, it doesn't have to be good or anything..." I was flabbergasted.

Creativity only goes as far as what you can make work in the skin, which is all craft. AKA- creativity means nothing without a foundation, which is what is protected in tattooing. I usually try to think of all of the art side ending on paper, while trying to think of actually tattoo as craft. There are parallels and connections between both mindsets, of course, but it helps my mindset in both to think that way.
Another silly statement, when explaining how to improve a design recently... upon explaining why something being too small would cause issues down the line as it aged in the skin, I was told by the client "Well, it doesn't have to be good or anything..." I was flabbergasted.

Off color jokes and discussions are one thing, harassment is another. Personally, I've finished a girl's half sleeve that was started by another guy in town, because he kept making very obvious references to trading his services for intimacy, while trying to pass it off as a joke. And I've heard a lot of people say they quit going various places for similar reasons.

Off color jokes and discussions are one thing, harassment is another. Personally, I've finished a girl's half sleeve that was started by another guy in town, because he kept making very obvious references to trading his services for intimacy, while trying to pass it off as a joke. And I've heard a lot of people say they quit going various places for similar reasons.

Off color jokes and discussions are one thing, harassment is another. Personally, I've finished a girl's half sleeve that was started by another guy in town, because he kept making very obvious references to trading his services for intimacy, while trying to pass it off as a joke. And I've heard a lot of people say they quit going various places for similar reasons.

Off color jokes and discussions are one thing, harassment is another. Personally, I've finished a girl's half sleeve that was started by another guy in town, because he kept making very obvious references to trading his services for intimacy, while trying to pass it off as a joke. And I've heard a lot of people say they quit going various places for similar reasons.