The Hyena

Also, If you use disposables, watch out. The lightness may seem like it would help, but the vibrations are ten times worse. That actually annoys the joints just as much if not more. Especially if you are on lighter machines and disposables.

Stretching your wrists and forearms a lot helps. About once every few hours I stretch that shit out. My chiropractor was talking to me about pulling on the middle and ring ringers randomly too, as it relieves the stress there in the top of the hand where it meets the wrist.

Absolutely. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love letting it out there when someone let's me, or asks for that kind of thing, but even on those weeks where I do a ton of custom cool shit, I get burnt on it and just want to do kanji. Something I don't need to analyze and think through the whole time. I guess a great situation is where you get a good variety. Cool concept shit, old flash, ultra common stuff, random client drawings, old stand byes...etc. Pays the bills, keeps you on your toes, helps build the portfolio and keeps you humble and grounded.

FUCK YES! That's awesome.

I have PMA in a banner. Around a freaking tomahawk, but still. Bad Brains FTW.

I have a portrait of Tom Waits on my shoulder.

I haven't been tattooing very long, so I feel awkward replying to shit like this. But here goes.

I like the act of tattooing. I love watching pigment go in the skin, seeing the line as it's being pulled across the stencil. I love it. So when I get requests for annoying shit, or things I'm sick of,(and denying that you ever get sick of shit is fucking retarded. We're humans. We get sick of shit. Period.), I try to just get past it in my head and think about the application. Not that I'm applying a tattoo that I hate, but that I'm applying a tattoo at all. And get right back into that mindset of enjoying the work aspect of it.

Without trying to sound like a wagon jumper, I too like tribal. I love watchign the black just go in solid as fuck. I know this dude is just some dude looking to look just like his boys, but in my head I'm thinking, "man, this shit is going to make your buddies tribal look like shiiiiiiiiiiiiit!". I just try to get in that zone as much as I can.

The clients though....

None of us can control the chaos that is our client base. That is the unknown quantity part of the job. Lots of shitheads, and lots of people who don't actullay want tattoos. They just want their very own "me too, guys! I did it too! See!" story. They spend hours trying to find the least tattoo-ish, most benign design possible and stick it somewhere no one will ever see it, because to them it's just proof that they did it too when the stories start flying.

I try very hard to pick my battles, read clients and choose which ones would be receptive to some swaying. Not into something completely different to stroke my ego, but into a better planned out version of what they want. Just gotta pick the battles.

Can't do it with everyone or you burn out, and you can't responsibly be the guy who says "fuck it, I know this will look, age and heal like crap, but i'll take your cash." All the time banging rainbows up their ass telling them how good of an idea it is to keep them and their dumb friends coming back for more.

Regardless of how it will effect responsible tattooers who try to do a good, well thought out tattoo for the benefit of their clients. Just gotta do what I can to sleep at night, like trying to explain to people that upside down is upside down. I try. If they get it, awesome. If not, I'll at least try to do it clean.

Sorry for the ramble. I just felt it on this one. I felt that I need to make an ass of myself on the internet. Word.

People who's spouse, significant other, or loud tattooed friend does all the talking for them. "Oh, he want's it like this, not like this.", "we would like something that goes on her wrist. so she can read it. because, you know, this one is for her...."

The fuck outta here with that shit.

K.I.S K.I.S.

I have saved my whole front torso for Jeff Zuck and my back from my neck to back of knees for Rudy Fritsch. Both are going to be travel heavy on me. It's worth it, and will make for great stories.

Amazingly informative post as always , Shane. Thanks so much for taking the time.

I'll be there. Only to mud wrassle with BIll, though.

Can't wait. I'll be there.