smiling.politely

Just like Iron Chef isn't made for chefs, Cops isn't made for police officers, and Cake Boss isn't made for bakers, all of the mainstream tattoo reality shows aren't made for tattooers or tattooed people. They are made for mainstream reality show fans. I'm also making a distinction between people with tattoos and "tattooed people," as pretentious or exclusionary as that may seem.

Just like Iron Chef isn't made for chefs, Cops isn't made for police officers, and Cake Boss isn't made for bakers, all of the mainstream tattoo reality shows aren't made for tattooers or tattooed people. They are made for mainstream reality show fans. I'm also making a distinction between people with tattoos and "tattooed people," as pretentious or exclusionary as that may seem.

Flipping through a week ago, it occurred to me that this one is also in Tattoo Time, from when it was fresh. Probably spent 45 minutes poring over both images in concurrence with one another...

As I was leaving Walmart tonight there was a older gentleman named Art running carts/security. He was happy to tell us all about getting these done on the west coast in the '40s. The rope was to protect him from drowning, and he's happy with how solid the panther still is.

I've travelled to Texas and London to get tattooed, and none of them are perfect. As blasphemous as it may sound to say this, my Steve Byrne hand tattoo has a few little flaws (specifically in the lines in some tougher areas). That being said, it's still perfect, and still my favorite and most meaningful tattoo (one of the few with a meaning). Perfection is boring, anyway.

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.

Navarro has a lot of amazing tattoos, especially now. It's almost like exposure to and appreciation of good tattooing (i.e.- judges, not contestants) made a positive change in his tastes. Plus, we all know how amazing all tattoos celebrities and/or people in the late 80s/early 90s got. Like Oliver's left sleeve!
Not saying he's not a douche, but the "his tattoos are bad thing" is getting old, and isn't necessarily that accurate. Besides, as the folks on the show have said a million times by now, he's just a host. Chris, Oliver, and the guest judge (if they're a tattooer) make the call.
EDIT: I mean, how could Dave live with this backpiece? http://instagram.com/p/pzdSkWSMxJ/

Navarro has a lot of amazing tattoos, especially now. It's almost like exposure to and appreciation of good tattooing (i.e.- judges, not contestants) made a positive change in his tastes. Plus, we all know how amazing all tattoos celebrities and/or people in the late 80s/early 90s got. Like Oliver's left sleeve!
Not saying he's not a douche, but the "his tattoos are bad thing" is getting old, and isn't necessarily that accurate. Besides, as the folks on the show have said a million times by now, he's just a host. Chris, Oliver, and the guest judge (if they're a tattooer) make the call.
EDIT: I mean, how could Dave live with this backpiece? http://instagram.com/p/pzdSkWSMxJ/

Some IG pictures of some new ones in the last week or two... plans for a biiiiiiiiig dragon coming soon.

Some IG pictures of some new ones in the last week or two... plans for a biiiiiiiiig dragon coming soon.

I've been working on this painting for the past couple of months, and I think I'm finally calling this layer done and now I'll let it dry a bit and then glaze it. I'm really happy with this one, I feel it's the first painting I've done where I've felt like I'm starting to get a feel for oils and how they work and that I'm actually beginning to paint instead of drawing with paint, if that makes any sense. It isn't a great photo because of glare, etc., I'll try to take better ones when it's finished. It's 12" x 36" on canvas.

Honestly, when I see black and grey pieces, whether it be portraits, or representations of statuary, I do respect the application, but usually just think "Oh, it looks like that photo." Never have I been moved in some astronomical way by a photorealistic tattoo. I do respect the craft aspect of it, but it has always boiled down more to craft than creativity to me, in most cases. Still impressive, but never spoke a single word to me.
That being said, the first time I saw the INTO THE BIG NOTHING clouds/eye tattoo by Steve Byrne, I was blown away. It spoke far more than the four words in the banner ever could. After all, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Some IG pictures of some new ones in the last week or two... plans for a biiiiiiiiig dragon coming soon.

In terms of rules and such, Charlie Cartwright tattooed both of my dad's hands in the early '80s, when he only had a few pork chops on each arm, and some work on his chest (that I'm not sure was finished). He was 23 or 24 at the time. Just as an example, the "rules" that we all think of weren't as set in stone as we may think, especially before some of the mainstream exposure began to come along in the late '60s and '70s, bringing more regular people in, asking for outlandish things to ruin their lives.
Much like my dad, I'd imagine a lot of people got their hands done because it was outside enough that tattooers recognized that the people back then weren't going to get hands blasted, then go try to get a job as a lawyer. Unlike now, when someone asks about getting a hand done while they work as a receptionist or some low level office position. I personally got one and my knuckles done by Dennis McPhail while still in college, and the other hand recently from Steve Byrne. Back and thighs are completely bare still... but, just like with my dad, Dennis knew me well enough to know I wanted to tattoo (before I did), and was willing to be a janitor or welder with two college degrees if tattooing didn't work out. Thankfully, it has so far (provided my hands don't befall some unfortunate fate), and I'm not looking back now.
That all being said, I'm all for not doing any sort of visible work on someone who doesn't fully understand the ramifications, and try to talk young kids out of it all the time. Half may listen, most seem to go get it somewhere else to someone that will just stick them in the chair. If someone has a sack of crap (literal or figurative) on their hand, though, I support covering it up or blasting over, if possible. If their life is going to be ruined, it might as well be ruined by something that looks semi-decent.

Some IG pictures of some new ones in the last week or two... plans for a biiiiiiiiig dragon coming soon.

Some IG pictures of some new ones in the last week or two... plans for a biiiiiiiiig dragon coming soon.

Some IG pictures of some new ones in the last week or two... plans for a biiiiiiiiig dragon coming soon.

It's like comparing Chopin and Black Flag. One is well constructed, technically "perfect" (whatever that means to the viewer), and is intended to come across that way. I find it well made, but kinda boring to my taste. The other, for lack of a better or less uncouth term, has balls. Strength. It punches you in the gut and gets your attention.
As much as perfection is impressive, I like balls.

Honestly, when I see black and grey pieces, whether it be portraits, or representations of statuary, I do respect the application, but usually just think "Oh, it looks like that photo." Never have I been moved in some astronomical way by a photorealistic tattoo. I do respect the craft aspect of it, but it has always boiled down more to craft than creativity to me, in most cases. Still impressive, but never spoke a single word to me.
That being said, the first time I saw the INTO THE BIG NOTHING clouds/eye tattoo by Steve Byrne, I was blown away. It spoke far more than the four words in the banner ever could. After all, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

It's like comparing Chopin and Black Flag. One is well constructed, technically "perfect" (whatever that means to the viewer), and is intended to come across that way. I find it well made, but kinda boring to my taste. The other, for lack of a better or less uncouth term, has balls. Strength. It punches you in the gut and gets your attention.
As much as perfection is impressive, I like balls.

I did! Kind of. I made it to Three Tides in Tokyo where I had a wonder experience all around and ended up with a nice little dragon head by Ganji.
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"Tattoos are not an addiction; they are a collection. A tattoo collector is just like a conventional art collector who buys a painting, hangs it on the wall, and then moves on to acquire the next, unique piece. Tattoo collecting is a spiritual pursuit, while addiction is a physiological need. Addicts repeatedly take the same drug over and over without limit. A tattoo collection has variety, and it has an end. Once you collect the whole set, you're done."
-Horiyoshi III
Side note: I also have a Hello Kitty. It was done by my fiancée, is about an inch and a half wide, and took her about an hour. It's just lines, aside from color in the bow and nose. She was really trying.

It's like comparing Chopin and Black Flag. One is well constructed, technically "perfect" (whatever that means to the viewer), and is intended to come across that way. I find it well made, but kinda boring to my taste. The other, for lack of a better or less uncouth term, has balls. Strength. It punches you in the gut and gets your attention.
As much as perfection is impressive, I like balls.

"Tattoos are not an addiction; they are a collection. A tattoo collector is just like a conventional art collector who buys a painting, hangs it on the wall, and then moves on to acquire the next, unique piece. Tattoo collecting is a spiritual pursuit, while addiction is a physiological need. Addicts repeatedly take the same drug over and over without limit. A tattoo collection has variety, and it has an end. Once you collect the whole set, you're done."
-Horiyoshi III
Side note: I also have a Hello Kitty. It was done by my fiancée, is about an inch and a half wide, and took her about an hour. It's just lines, aside from color in the bow and nose. She was really trying.

There are too many great replies to quote, but @cltattooing, @mmikaoj, @suburbanxcore, @smiling.politely, and @DJDeepFried are killing it.
@Steele, to quote one of cinema's greatest characters, "That's like, your opinion, man." And you sound like a missionary trying to convert us. So stop doing that, stop scratching, and go get on Carlos Torres' waiting list.
PS You diss Ed Hardy, you diss yourself.