Eskimette

there..are..no ..words....

a lot of shops here won't do name tattoos..for this kind of reason...

I have no issue with it

but that's pretty ....rediculous

as a rule?I just do not condone facial tattoos unless you are in the industry.

I hear what you're saying, and if he is reproducing line-by-line, yeah, I wouldn't be real happy about it.

On the other hand, how many times have, say, Sailor Jerry's designs, custom or not, been reproduced, line-by-line? I guess it would all go to how it was done, as a straight copy, or an "influenced design", or what.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Sailor Jerry released flashbooks.. I think on some level that makes it different. I completely understand the issue if you put your best into designing something and then someone copies it.. When a client brings our shop a design of that nature we reference but change it.. no direct replica's ..just not good ethics...especially considering that the style of each tattooer is different.

Since you're in New Brunswick, you should hit up the Montreal convention in September. It's put on by Val and Pierre from Tattoomania and from what I understand from talking to artists who have tattooed there, it's a good convention. It isn't too big, and it's by invite-only so there's great artists, and I always have a really good impression of it in that people seem to get along and have a fun time there. I love it as a non-tattooer, it's a great time.

I may next year - this year I am covering while one of the other guys goes. But I think I may. We have some AMAZING artists in NB . people really sell this province short. I'm pretty introverted.. thats all .lol. Not saying anything negative about anyone..I realized my post may've come across that way. And they're not all arseholes.. just some...but enough to make me warry.. I think conventions would be less socially inbred..so a good place to network .. small town issues.lol

I've brought in food to eat 3-4 hours into a 5-6 hour session. Is that ok?

In my opinion yes- blood sugars are important - fainting is bad

we use derma skin post tattoo to send the clients out with and we recommend h2ocean products - i personally am a fan of using spectrogel for sensitive skin to cleanse it with and moisturizing with scent free curel- but im stuck in my ways and allergic to tonnness of things so a bit wary of trying things that are new...

once healed i like vitamin 3 cream

(that being said I respect your desire to only do your best)

A guy came into the shop the other day and wanted color added to a full sleeve of jail tattoos.. We were wary of doing it.. but I was ridiculously impressed with the detail and smoothness of the greywash.. I really don't know what they were using? Pen ink I am going to assume..but whoever did it clearly knew how to deposit into the skin... Terrifies me every time i see a jail tat in a world with other options.. this sleeve was legit prison work...not just people trying it prison style.. but the work was better than a lot i have seen come from local shops.

Made me wonder!

Whomever manages your facebook account should respond to this, in some form or fashion.

Not everyone is familiar with how your shop runs its business, so if a potential client is contacting your shop, someone should respond w\ your shops protocol for making appointments etc.

I know tattoo shops have a different business model and typically different clientelle, but if you have a facebook page - that is now a part of your shops business.

I wholeheartedly agree to the need to respond.. Much like "Jargin" we get really accustomed to how things are done on our end but our clientele are why we are in business -AND they often (especially new to tattoo clients) do not understand our side of things. In a business where much of our trade is guarded we really cannot expect them to...

I don't understand the ins and outs of building a house when I talk to a carpenter - Im sure i sound ignorant with questions I ask..

We get a lot of people coming to the shop because we are pretty good about that kind of thing (understanding that they don't really..get it..and thats okay with us we just work with them) when other artists make them feel stupid.. i think the attitude there is a growing issue..

No arguments ment:) all in good discussion..

My pet peeve is when someone tells me they "just want a simple tattoo"...and it is fully geometric and or something that looks basic, but is in no way simple to actually apply..

Which i guess harkens back to tolerance.. lol..which i exercise..with a small eye twitch:P

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to clarify, i don't think the non-tattooers understood. the girl wants a half sleeve based on the solar system (whatever that means) finished in about a month. she also lives several hours outside of berlin, meaning she will need to make one 5 hour trip just to talk about it and try to work out a plan. people with this sort of vague idea usually do not understand what sort of commitment getting a big tattoo is. i am interested in making nice tattoos for money, not making money making crap tattoos. and i do tattoo for free, but only on friends. and yes, dan. that one on the guestbook is pretty good, but i don't read german. i also fully disagree that if someone wants a tattoo that automatically means i have to reply to them.

I hate the pretentiousness that is growing in this field... Respect the people who give you a job.. you don't need to take on every tattoo - no tattooer has to do that.. but at least be courteous to folks.. just because you can tattoo, does not mean you gave a god given right to act like you're above the person with the inquiry... that attitude is my #1 issue with the tattooing world..

It really pisses me off when people say shit like this!! :)

Me too- but its honest. No reason to hold back from inspiring people to actually think though.. I hate that publishers hold back from publishing anything that might result in a thought or two (or that is the experience i have had with the mainstream & typical. I am well aware there are many that specialize in just that)

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bahhaha that is perfect

I really want to start hitting up conventions just to network with other artists (always a good idea) - but so many of the artists around here are just..assholes..that I keep to myself.. kind of not sure how my experience would be.. Sad but true.lol.

(Note: I have a tonne of respect for their artistic ability - I just don't feel a need to spend any spare time talking to them.lol.)

Is anyone here an artist that goes to conventions often? If so what are your experiences?

I'm new here..I love that this thread exists.the end.lol

I'll be honest- Prior to starting my apprenticeship I worked for a publishing company.. a lot of fluffy articles were printed due to censorship..afraid if they really put their teeth into anythig by saying anything controversial they would lose advertisers.. it hinders a LOT and makes for a lot of generic reading material..sad but true. nomatter what you say or do, its probably going to offend SOMEONE

I like it for shoulder to shoulder, or shortened closer together for chest. Your artist will know what to do - but placement is personal

I'm a nurse in the public sector and even though management don't approve of tattoos in the workplace they aren't allowed to discriminate. Mine aren't that visible but there's plenty of nurses at the hospital I work at with full arm sleeves. I guess it could be a barrier if I wanted a higher position but I'd rather have the tattoos and be happy than being restricted.

I am seeing more govt jobs in my area with the policy that they are not allowed to discriminate being entered into their contracts- I approve- nice to see. As you said though, whether or not that is FULLY enforced (advancement etc) is really not a 100% thing

Tattoo gods be good!

'World's Worst Portrait Tattoo' Fixed By Artist Scott Versago At Empire Ink Studio (PHOTO)

freaking amazing

This is my latest by Stu Pagdin. It's Athena with her owl. The owl was inspired by the look of one of Valerie Vargas tattoos.

I'm loving the shading around the eye/ the blank eye - nice touch that he didnt go overboard.

I am much more fortunate than most I have to say..

I recently left my position at a publishing company to take on my tattoo apprenticeship full time..

During my time with the publishing company, they valued my degree more than the markings on my skin.

I got questions, requests to show them when they saw a big of a tat peaking out of clothing, and I obliged..

When I left to do my apprenticeship they fully supported me and a couple even came in for tattoos - I am a lucky lucky person though.. I was able to manage without judgement.. I kept them on lockdown with my CEO type clients and just did the suite-jacket and dress sock thing.. But as far as my employer went, they trusted my judgement with when to show them and when not to.

They also did not mind my nose ring - which I have had more of an issue with than tattoos at work.

I will never tattoo my hands or breasts, mainly due to the kind of skin in those areas...

the former just does not generally hold up well when you abuse your hands as much as I do at work & with hobbies, and can be hard to heal (especially tattooing..)

the later is just far too thin and sensitive skin for me - I am prone to blowout so I will probably never risk it

Wrists are another I suppose - my skin is just very very thin and there especially , it may look good fresh, but in 5 years I would probably have a mess...

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Maybe so but there was a whole thread on this somewhere. Posted in the thread is the pair of legs with a bunch of clearly separated and visible tattoos, with a sun and moon on each knee. I like that look more than traditional Japanese or traditional American where there's a lot of background connecting everything.

"full sock" tattoos are really gaining in popularity. I dig it. Looks great with shorts/ a classy dress and pumps - big shock of color or intricate greywash piece... I'm a big fan of the color socks though. Nice way for women especially to bust out with a fat piece of art outside of the typicall back placement ,but not get the stigma that get associated with sleeves in the workforce .

Hey all,

I'm a newer tattoo apprentice (have been at it approx 5 months) just looking to discuss - maybe gain some new artistic ideas - read some client experiences- network with other artists and enthusiasts.

:)

I always love hearing neat tattoo design ideas and concepts etc

I look forward to being a part of the online community!