Abellve

I can only speak for myself but I think you'll find the overwhelming majority would agree that if there is such a thing as intruding into our industry (and there is), collecting the tools of our trade is the definition of it.

No, one cannot.

I can only speak for myself but I think you'll find the overwhelming majority would agree that if there is such a thing as intruding into our industry (and there is), collecting the tools of our trade is the definition of it.

No, one cannot.

One I did. The wearer has one sleeve already. Started this one from the bottom up.

One I did. The wearer has one sleeve already. Started this one from the bottom up.

hey folks - lets remember that this thread is about throwing down your latest and greatest
lets get back to that huh

@Rad Kelham
For me, personally, it's about more than just the aesthetic of it. Yes, I agree that the full pre-planned bodysuit is the apex of tattoo art. And every time I see one it blows my mind. Not just the tattoo, but also the dedication, care, and thought that went into it.
With that being said, there's a certain satisfaction that accompanies the one-shots as well. Yes, it can be impulsive and instantly gratifying. But that's just part of the experience. It allows us the opportunity to relive that magic with every piece. Maybe it's a new city, new artist, new shop, new idea - it all allows us to connect to new people and have new experiences. Where as, maybe, with a much larger project it starts to become a chore and we just want it to be over so we can see the finished product.
I am wayyy too ADD to stick with a single style or theme anyways. I love so many different things that it would be against my nature to dedicate it all to one cohesive suit, as beautiful as it may be. I just like the way it all looks - piecemeal and full bodysuit.

It was great to meet you, your wife, and your wee one today! It was also a blast getting tattooed on the next table over. It seemed a fitting way to meet a fellow LST-er. That tattoo looks great in the pic and even better in person. Tim's a great guy.
I'll post a pic from my tattoo at The Pearl in Toronto. This diving girl is by Glennie, one of my favourite tattooers.
And ya, Baker's flash is pretty great. Its my goal to get tattooed by Bill sometime soon.

I can only speak for myself but I think you'll find the overwhelming majority would agree that if there is such a thing as intruding into our industry (and there is), collecting the tools of our trade is the definition of it.

No, one cannot.

I can only speak for myself but I think you'll find the overwhelming majority would agree that if there is such a thing as intruding into our industry (and there is), collecting the tools of our trade is the definition of it.

sourced from tattoosnob
Justin Hartman posted this message on his Instagram account and I liked it so much, I thought it was worthy of a reposting
When I post new work on Instagram I get a lot of comments from one person tagging another saying things like “get this” or “your next tattoo.” I see so much of my own, and other artist’s custom work taken, and duplicated. Social media has become the most effective way for artists to showcase, and share what they do. We are not putting together a catalog for you to pick out your next tattoo. A custom tattoo should be worn only by the client it was designed for. Period. As for the artists that are perfectly ok tracing screen shots off of Instagram and tattooing them, show some respect and at least change it up and make it your own. If you’re gonna steal from those that spend countless hours coming up with something that’s original, and one of a kind, then go buy some flash.

I'll answer your questions, I think they're important questions and not outside the realm of reasonable inquiry. While I do think that a veil of secrecy is important to the artistic and technical aspects of tattooing, this is stuff that the customer should know about especially if you are concerned about your health and safety. In my opinion, the quality and transparency of your sanitation practices should be comparable to that of a physician. The information I am about to give anyone reading this right now IS NOT LICENSE TO GO INTO YOUR TATTOO SHOP AND SARCASTICALLY GRILL THE TATTOOERS ABOUT SANITATION PRACTICES IN A KNOW IT ALL MANNER. BE POLITE AND RESPECTFUL OR SHUT THE FUCK UP. Also don't take my word or anything you read on the internet in blind faith.
This is how I keep my customers safe:
Saran wrap, drape sheets, and dental bibs covering every surface of my workplace including station, armrests, and massage tables.
Anything that I touch during the tattoo will have saran wrap, barrier film, or tape covering the surface.
I use stainless steel tubes which are scrubbed with a detergent and then autoclaved for 60 minutes inside of sterile pouches which have steam indicators on them to let you know that they have reached the appropriate sterility temperature.
I use single-use stainless steel needles which have been ethelyne oxide gas sterilized by my supply company, also with an indicator strip.
Every part of my setup is single-use and disposable except the tubes which are autoclaved, the soap bottle which is autoclaved, and my machines which are wiped down with a hospital-grade antimicrobial chemical.
We perform weekly spore tests on the autoclave to ensure that it is sufficiently killing all of the nasties.
Once my supplies are disposed of, I also spray and wipe down my entire workspace with hospital grade antimicrobial chemicals according to cross contamination practices I have learned and am tested on according to my Blood Borne Pathogens certification that I am required to update yearly.
I have been vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B, although no vaccine for C exists as of yet.
I am also licensed to tattoo by the Alameda County Department of Environmental Health and will gladly show you my paperwork for both my license and BBP certification.
I have been asked by customers in the past to explain and demonstrate all of this information and to me it is never a hassle because I am doing my part to keep myself and my clients safe, and I do not want to tattoo someone if they are uncomfortable getting tattooed by me.

I have a feeling that anyone shady enough to cut corners with cleaning/sanitizing isn't going to answer honestly. Best bet is to go to a reputable shop.

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that a vaccine to prevent hepatitis C exists. In any case, I'm not sure what vaccinations a tattoo artist has or doesn't have is relevant to his or her health and hygiene practices when it comes to tattooing.

Mate, I'm very far from having my eyes shut, and being provided links to media spin...does not add to my education, thanks all the same.
Although, I don't engage in conversation on topics I have no insight into. There's negative influences in every kind of infrastructure. That's all the elaboration that's required here.
Yes. We do disagree, and again...we'll just leave this at that...with respect.

QUOTE]rather than some bikie who couldn't give two fucks about the tattoo's just wants to collect his $$$
This, my friend... is a very bold statement. Some of the most honourable men I know may meet this judgemental opinion.
I wouldn't walk into an art gallery if you paid me. It would bore me to tears.
It appears very apparent that tattooing for you & I hold two completely different cultural origins.
And with that, for respect to this forum, I shall leave this at that. Enjoy your art collection champ.

@CultExciter
Super good plans, both of them! Wish you all the luck man!
My stuff:
- Moved in with my girlfriend three weeks ago. Beautiful roomy apartment in the city. First time in my life that I don't live in the suburbs. Even though I really loved living with my four friends in the commune house this feels very exciting and like a new stage to live life from.
- Moved out of the commune house but still rent a corner in there as a workshop/painting space. Just painted the walls and started arranging it. It's going to be awesome to have a space like that to really focus.
- Started a eight week meditation course two weeks ago. Exciting and interesting so far. Don't think I ever sat down for any extent of time and tried to "clear my head" before. After 27 years of constant input/output, except for sleep, it's fascinating and also very hard.
- Got back to spending more time and effort in the kitchen again. In love with cooking vegan food, so much to learn and try out!
- Somehow got over my strong fear of interpersonal conflicts. Or, at least I can act the way I want and not choke up or suppress my opinions. It feels really good to be able to be honest with my feelings and opinions, instead of "being easy going" in fear of creating a heated argument. Conflicts are just obstacles to get beyond, it's not dangerous.

Yeh mines a right old mush mash of styles and quality! I'm lucky in that apart from the word destroy on my arm both my sleeves are good. I was about to get destroy covered by the lovely Lucy Pryor at in2u in London about 15 years ago...when Alex binnie stepped in and wouldn't allow it saying you shouldn't cover tats and that there a history of your life. I have a lot of stupid tattoo's that I got for stupid reasons or to commemorate acts I commited but as the great man Alex binnie said there a map to the history of your life. Even tho I'm pretty sure Alex can't stand me haha... I used to be that kid who would come in the shop off my nut and talk non stop ;)

Here's a shot of inside of my left thigh. Purple is my underwear. Bottom is the backpiece and top is the front thigh piece. Hope that helps in getting a sense of how "deep" things can go:

as is this

I won't tattoo faces of anyone who is not either a tattooer/piercer, or a collector that is already pretty well covered. So no to answer your question, I don't get any bad gut feelings. I do get asked for it about once a month though.

After four or five years without getting a tattoo...I've got an appointment with Jeff Zuck in less than a week! I'm getting a lightning bolt ripping through a heart -- on the side of my head. It's a bit more involved than that, you'll see. I'll be sure to post up in the appropriate thread.

How the old school boys do it-Bill Loika ,Tattoo Peter Amsterdam.