semele

This thread is awesome. I need 2015 to get here faster so I can start my back piece before I decide to do something stupid like use the money for a down payment on a house.

So I now own a company (yea!) and this topic creeps into my head every once in awhile, but now from a slightly different perspective. I'm moving toward the slightly heavier tattooed situation week by week and personally keep by my motto "when in doubt cover it up". Then again i generally am wearing a suit, so moot point as I don't have anything below the wrist or above the collar.
I did just recently run into I guess an issue...I have an employee who is getting tattoos, which is all cool by me. Hell show em off when you get em and if you want to burn a PTO to get one, all cool by me. The problem is the same guy has mentioned he wants to get some more visible tattoos, and generally the themes are a bit, eh, black metal. It's a no-go by me just because customer relations standpoint but man is it hard to push that when your employees know I am covered in skulls, demons, snakes and daggers.
On a more refreshing note, it was wicked awesome to walk into a clients office and see people with tattoos galore! I was like YES! Can't wait to be able to wear a polo again to work on casual events. The industry I moved to seems to have a much more relaxed set of people in it, as far as tattoos go. Even met a guy with his hands/neck done. Not the usual but nobody seemed to care all too much.

This makes me smile every single time I see it.

Sixth session, almost done! By Grez. Said goodbye to my old and very odd lower back tattoo yesterday, too.

This is what I've had done so far. Four sessions; the rose and yet more black went in last Friday. By Grez at Kings Avenue.

I've never personally had an uncomfortable experience with anyone who has tattooed me, thankfully. I don't know if that's because I've only been tattooed by good folks or if it's just been professional courtesy. I definitely have overheard old coworkers make highly sexually inappropriate comments to customers and it's never been ok in my book. I really can't even imagine thinking it's ok to do anything less than having your clients leave totally stoked on their tattoo. It's really in everyone's best interests because your client will always remember the experience well and you build a loyal clientele through doing right by the people who support you. I do believe that that factor is one of the most important in building a successful career as a tattooer.
I can't say that I'm shocked or even surprised that this nonsense happens, but to abuse your upper hand in a power dynamic is straight up predatory.

I hate to pile on @deadsp0t, but I do want to make a couple points. I've heard you say "silence is consent" on this and other threads, and I don't think you realize what a loaded term this is. Google "silence" "consent" and "rape," and you'll see what I mean. Just in case you're wondering what all this outrage is about. All that stuff about Rosa Parks/MLK I'll chalk up to a bad analogy and leave it at that. Except to say that when you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
@Zillah, I'm a big burly guy and I probably would've done the exact same thing in that situation: bit my tongue, get my tattoo, and got the f*ck out of there (but no tip). So many ways that situation could have ended badly for you, sometimes it's smart to keep your mouth shut.
@Bunny Switchblade, not to get off-topic or pick a fight here, but I'm getting a little sick of hearing this particular sentiment. I hear what you're saying, but put it this way: there are dives and fancy wine bars, and the existence of the latter shouldn't ruin your enjoyment of the former. Grungy old-school street shops are awesome -- and I hope they never go away -- but the private/custom/boutique-type ones exist because there's a market for it. Speaking as a non-tattooer, it seems to me that everyone who wants a tattoo should be able to get one, how and where they want it. And that people from all walks of life getting tattoos is good for business – even if it's the dreaded "soccer mom" getting a butterfly on her ankle. It's like with bands when people say, "I was into so-and-so before they were cool." Why should I give a f*ck if what I like is popular or not? Bands want to sell records and make money so they can keep making art. Tattooers do too.

Here's a little piece on her I dug up a few weeks back when the video was posted. It did make me want to go to the Philippines. JULIE TOLENTINO & BATOK TATTOO

Not so cool but I love it... finally signed up for Covered CA. I haven't had insurance in years and I qualify for Medi-Cal now, so I can finally see a doctor, it's been 3 years and I really need to see one.

Sixth session, almost done! By Grez. Said goodbye to my old and very odd lower back tattoo yesterday, too.

It's the butt. I've had just about every shitty spot tattooed (that I will get tattooed anyway), and I'm sure I have mentioned other places within this thread, but the butt surpasses them all in worst-ness by at least 2:1.

these 2 are from yesterday

thanks for looking

@semele My grandpa owned a litho shop when he lived in the states, and then my aunt took it over for a while. Now, she only does design. Kinda bummed that the actual printing isn't being done anymore. I really liked going to the shop as a kid. Those are great prints that you've made. I especially like the ocean ones.

Made another

I've gotten kind of obsessed with stone litho--I didn't even know what lithography WAS a few months ago and now I basically live in the print shop. I'm still figuring things out, but here are a couple pieces I've been ruining my back with this spring, both editions of 11 on somerset and BFK printmaking papers.
I'm going to learn to etch copper plates next, I think.

Sixth session, almost done! By Grez. Said goodbye to my old and very odd lower back tattoo yesterday, too.

I've gotten kind of obsessed with stone litho--I didn't even know what lithography WAS a few months ago and now I basically live in the print shop. I'm still figuring things out, but here are a couple pieces I've been ruining my back with this spring, both editions of 11 on somerset and BFK printmaking papers.
I'm going to learn to etch copper plates next, I think.

I saw these donkeys on the way home from work the other day,seems like kind of crappy dry place to have to live IMO,not sure how well they are fed & watered,so we bought some fresh carrots,cabbage,& apples and brought that and some water down this morning and fed them the treats,as soon as we pulled over on the other side of the street they started walking over to us,so it appears we are not the only ones who do this ! LOL very cute & very friendly.I will keep carrots with me from now on and do this again for sure.

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this is my favorite pic

I've gotten kind of obsessed with stone litho--I didn't even know what lithography WAS a few months ago and now I basically live in the print shop. I'm still figuring things out, but here are a couple pieces I've been ruining my back with this spring, both editions of 11 on somerset and BFK printmaking papers.
I'm going to learn to etch copper plates next, I think.

one from today and a few days ago

The plan was to paint a ship in a vase. Not sure how this happened, Stoked on this one! A3

Jen Lee, Tattoo City

bad month to enter because of that ridiculous vargas back piece….fuck it

I'll go ahead and get this month started - edit: almost!. All months should really have a panther tattoo, shouldn't they?
I'd love to see Aaron Coleman three-peat.

Ok I'll go First done by the totally awesome Valerie Vargas at Frith Street Tattoo, around 40 hours work, finished a couple of weeks ago.

Seriously! I used to sit really well, but I'm down to three, three and a half hours on my back and I'm barely functional at the end of it. 5 and 6 hours is pretty good in my book. The back has been the only tattoo to bring me to my quitting point nearly every session--this shit is hard.