James See

Good stuff, seems like an awesome guy. I'd be stoked to tattoo Steve Guttenberg, I grew up on Police Academy and Cocoon. hahaha

My very first tattoo was done in my bedroom at the age of 15. We made a machine from a pair of Wahl hair clippers, a sewing needle, and a cigarette butt. It shocked the shit out of me the whole time, and was obviously very clean. haha It said "skins", but I ended up scraping most of it out with a needle because it looked so horrible. The scars have long since been covered up.

That's a bummer...

Yeah, most end up stopping I think. It's too bad, the history is amazing. I just wish I could remember all the connections of everything I've heard and read.

Never been to a convention, but I can see this happening in my own town. I can understand that there are some names that most tattooers and even apprentices will be familiar with. But with as many people are tattooing now (not to sound like I've been in the game for decades), it's not too surprising that things are being skipped over. I've been trying to learn bits of history on my own because it's not common knowledge where I'm working, and I think it's interesting and to a degree necessary. Anyways, I hope the trend doesn't continue. I want to be able to talk to people about tattooing.

I was thinking the same thing about the vcr, seems a little too perfect. I do dig the tattoo, though, in spite of the questionable conditions and/or motivations.

Thanks everyone, definitely feeling a warm welcome. Awesome. I'll contribute anything I can, but still being pretty green, I don't know just how much that will be. haha

Hello, I'm James, 29. I've been tattooing for a couple of years, worked in my shop for a little over 4 altogether. Glad I found this forum, seems a little more postitive and honest than some others I've visited.