Romance & Worship

This thread idea comes from the "Un-planned Tattoo" thread and a conversation I had the other day while getting tattooed plus my general way of getting tattooed....
As most of my tattoos are impromptu I either have a vague idea of what I want or just want to get tattooed so I show the tattooer the open space and say:
"Tattoo what you want"
OR
I give them a vague idea and say "Do what you want"
OR
I give them a few vague ideas and say "Your choice"
I always end up with something I like and often times a tattoo that goes beyond what I could have drawn up in my head then attempted to dictate back to them my "great idea".
Then when they show me and/or have drawn it on me I don't do, 'hey can you fix this" or "how about....." or what ever other thought that has me taking the creative autonomy back from the tattooer. Though from my conversation the other day and observations over the years it seems like more often than not when tattooers get the ol' "Do what you want" the customer ends up changing their minds and/or engaging in a back and forth dialogue on the most minor things.
So here are my two questions for tattooers:
1) Do you prefer customers to come in telling you what they want or giving you creative autonomy?
2) How many times is too many for you to have to draw and redraw a design for the customer?
Tattoo customers:
1) Do you tell the tattooer what you want or let them have free reign?
2) How interactive are you in the process once you see what they have drawn up?

i like the outline if it works with the design. i think stewart robson at frith st. tattoo did a fine job on this one...
i totally think mario is right too, cut out everything that doesn't need to be there. i always find that the tattoos that make a big impact, are simpler and less involved. filler can definitely look cool, when done right. but i prefer the negative space between tattoos, i also think it gives each piece a stronger impact and it adds more of a storyboard effect to the body, which i think reads better. stuart cripwell at spider murphy's executed this perfectly...

WwwwAaaaSsssssUuuuPppers. Tattoo artist in okland ca. I own and work for old crow tattoo. Glade to have taking this LST trip. Thanks for everything you all put into tattooing. 16 years later and im still falling in lover deeper with my craft. What a blessing to be able to have this in my life. Don't stop can't stop won't stop.

i was taking a peek at ross nagle's wordpress just now, such killer stuff...
he posted this eagle that is on his own neck, done by tim hendricks. i thought it needed to be shared here, 'cause it's really cool.
hope you don't mind the stolen material ross?! thanks dude!

Trees. In the last two years I've done about 100 of them.
Trees with hidden words or initials anywhere in the design (in the trunk, branches, or roots)
Hidden words or initials. If you've got something to say, SAY IT!
Arm bands. They break up the arm in such weird spots it makes it difficult "add to" or expand on with future tattoos.
Cherubs. Naked babies?! For reals?!
Art. You really need V. Van Gogh's "Starry Night" on your arm? Go buy a t shirt!!
Superman logos. You are from right here. Not Krypton
This list can go on forever. Sometimes it's not the what that you are tattooing but the who. Arrive on time, be respectful and don't figit around. Bring a good story to tell. Tattooers love em! Most of all, leave your tuff guy attitude at home. You ain't as tuff as us.

i would also like to add luke francis. he works at everlasting tattoo in san francisco and does great, clean work and beautiful soft shading that i dig.
we went to high school together and were pretty friendly. he moved to sf a few years before me. when i moved up here in 2001 and randomly saw him working at anubis warpus at the time, on haight street and later got a tattoo from him shortly after he started at everlasting, in 2008 i think. check him out at Everlasting Tattoo - San Francisco, CA

my lady and i made it out. it was our first time out together since having our son 8 months ago. i missed the tattoo 13/temple show and was bumbed. i really enjoyed this show a lot, all of the work was REALLY cool. "new shit has come to light" by scott and nick's work were so f'n rad man. i feel fortunate to be living here and to have the opportunity to see shows like this, i was stoked!

Then you've come to the wrong place.
As stated in the Tattoo Newbie Guidelines thread:
Do not start threads asking about specific tattooing equipment or techniques, LST is not here to teach anyone how to tattoo. Ask your own tattooer, the next time you are getting tattooed. Maybe they'll answer you, maybe they won't.
Do not start threads regarding closely guarded trade secrets - this will keep LST a much more welcoming place for everyone, tattooers and enthusiasts alike.
Do not start threads asking questions about "breaking into the business" of tattooing.
If you do see threads like that, flag them for mods and try to ignore them until they can be deleted. We want LST to be a place that artists feel welcome, too, and those types of threads do nothing to foster that type of environment.
Thanks.

i finally got to see those legs in person two years ago, in san jose at the convention of the tattoo arts. i could not stop starring! and i wasn't the only one, there was a group of people watching him and stuart. it was weird to have a carnival feeling of checking out the "amazing tattooed man" at a tattoo convention. a truly beautiful work of art. who isn't jealous?!!

i like the outline if it works with the design. i think stewart robson at frith st. tattoo did a fine job on this one...
i totally think mario is right too, cut out everything that doesn't need to be there. i always find that the tattoos that make a big impact, are simpler and less involved. filler can definitely look cool, when done right. but i prefer the negative space between tattoos, i also think it gives each piece a stronger impact and it adds more of a storyboard effect to the body, which i think reads better. stuart cripwell at spider murphy's executed this perfectly...

That's because your back is weirdly sensitive. Ever asked someone to rub your shin? Nope. But back rubs are awesome because your back has a million sensitive spots, all of which feel super fucking awesome when getting tattooed, especially the lower back. You already know that tattoos hurt, and you seem to be acutely aware that the back will hurt, too. You also know that you're already on this path (didn't you just get your hand tattooed?) and that the back is the ultimate canvas. you just need to figure out what you're getting and who's gonna do it, although something tells me that you have more than a few ideas in mind.
While I did find the process to be painful (and expensive), I have no regrets at all about doing it. It was so exciting to see it come together, session by session. There's something about having a full back piece. It's something that I've always admired, but for years, I didn't think I'd be able to make the physical/financial/mental commitment to go through with it myself. Completing it was a big milestone for me, and I have a beautiful souvenir of the experience that I get to wear for life.

the 2 things that stand out to me the most that have been said;
draw draw draw draw draw and spend a lot of money at the tattoo shop getting tattooed. a lot of tattoos. that in itself is one of the first big steps. invest in your (possible) future career.
real talk.

I was born in Long Beach and grew up in Wilmington, Pedro, Long Beach. My Dad, Uncles and my godfather all have tattoos from the Pike. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be like them. I wanted to go one step further and be heavily tattooed, circus style coverage. Through getting tattooed in the bay area, hanging out in shops, and then getting a counter job I fell in love with the craft. then came apprenticeship and 7 years later i'm still in love...

The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Experimenting with decoupage-cold-press paper/liquid acrylic on stained pine with lacquer. Had some issues with things sticking, but not a total wash.

i had some burning man girl shit her pants all coked up and i caught her on her way to the bathroom as she shit her pants. not awsome smelled like a truck driver craped in my nostrils. not enough money in the day for that shit. not enough..

I think this is one area where tattooers would rather remain in the alleys about. As in we are doing fine with the amount of regulating there is now. Eff inviting politicians into our thing anymore than they've already invited themselves. If people think having more regs/politicians involved in tattooing somehow legitimizes tattooing as some sort of acceptable business/art form, they are wrong and who cares if it does. The the only thing that happens is the tattooers and shops end up paying some new fee to have some "qualified" inspector that used to inspect restaurants check us out. I actually witnessed that in San Jose.
In San Jose, there was some woman leading the crusade with regulations. They asked for money up front yet we didn't get licensed til 3 years down the line. Plenty of tattooers had moved away in the meantime. They never got their money back. that woman stayed head of the board long enough to get promoted to some other position and left the reigns to somebody that knew even less than she did. Back to square zero.
I went to most of the meetings they had about the regulations. The truth is MOST shops already comply with really good standards. The people that need to be regulated, never will be. Those people will continue to spread infections in the comfort of their own homes. Never paying the money to pay for restaurant inspectors or licensing.
I guess what I'm saying is I'd rather there not be ANY voice respresenting tattooing. Be it from a tattooer, a piercer, or a local politician. I take care of my own station for my clients sake. Good shops always rise to the top and crappy ones fold every winter. It's up to the consumer to do their job and research who they want to do their tattoo. Just like it's the consumers job to research who fixes their car, does their plumbing, or who makes the best local pizza.
I think that's all I have to say.

found the site yesterday and cant stop exploring it. since i moved from atlanta where i was working for dean cook i have felt a little removed form the tattoo community. can feel really remote up here in the mountains of north carolina at times. this site is a real life line for tattooers like me who are a little removed from the big tattoo meccas. thanks for this site fellas, i really look forward to getting in some of this awesome groups and interacting with you all in the forums, respect to all.

i live in oakland, but i lived in sf for 7 years, and i still work there too. there's definitely a lot of great things to check out. anything in particular that you are into and would want to see?
a list of my favorite things would be:
-the academy of science in golden gate park.
-conservatory of flowers in golden gate park.
-walking across golden gate bridge.
-walkin' and shoppin' in china town.
-baker beach. beautiful view of golden gate bridge.
-dolores park in the mission. this is where all the sf locals and hipsters hang out on most days, especially nice ones. great spot for people watching and a general idea of sf culture, i guess...
music venues to check out:
-the great american music hall
-slim's
-the hemlock
-bottom of the hill
-the eagle tavern
-submission art gallery
-the knockout
-the regency ballroom
good bars:
-zeitgeist... directly next door to blackheart tattoo.
-the buckshot... great collection of original hand painted flash from current and past tattooers including sailor jerry, heath preheim and more.
-molotov's... good local bar across the street from idle hand tattoo.
-the kilowatt. locals bar.
hell, i could go on and on....

i finally got to see those legs in person two years ago, in san jose at the convention of the tattoo arts. i could not stop starring! and i wasn't the only one, there was a group of people watching him and stuart. it was weird to have a carnival feeling of checking out the "amazing tattooed man" at a tattoo convention. a truly beautiful work of art. who isn't jealous?!!

i was thinking the same thing...maybe we can have a meet up at zeitgeist or something...or somewhere more convenient.

The dates have been announced for State of Grace's tattoo convention for October 21-23, 2011 at the SFO Hyatt Regency.
As more info is released please post. Also if you're tattooing there please let us know and how you prefer people to make appointments to get tattooed by you.
Here's the LST Link and discussion for the 2010 tattoo convention
Horitaka's Link to Tattoo Convention Info

here's something cool for all us bay area folks. let's have a drink and look at some bitchin art!

a bike would be the best thing in the world! there are a few places that rent them, i'm sure a good google search will yield positive results on that one.
keep us posted on your stay while you are here. if the stars align maybe we can get an LST pow wow together or something and you can show off your souvenirs.
either way man, have a blast!

hmm I got some tips!
Eat at Emmys spagetti shack, pasta madness! cheap..
and front porch (more fancy)
drink really good coffee at Four Barrel coffee and watch all the hipsters beeing hipsters..
Drinking, beauty bar,killowatt,Elixir, up on valencia theres alot of really good divebars just ask around and people will know whats up that day..
and you have too get scarred by the bushman! i saw him down by fishermans wharf when i was there.
and City Lights bookstore!! Beatnick historic bookstore..
Amoeba Record store! fuck there is so much stuff!
just shop around in the vintage stores.. one on every corner almost..
The Haight!..
you are gonna love San Francisco! best city in the world!!!