nmkcle

This is not a story about the first tattoo I saw, rather a story about the first tattooed person I saw. I was 15 busting suds at some restaurant, trying to move my way up through the ranks, so anything the Executive Chef needed I was on it. This guy was pretty laid back though. He would have me do stuff like wait at the back door for his weed dude to come and shit like that. So this guy was always long sleeved chef jacket buttoned to the top, always in uniform when he arrived.
One day I am waiting for his weed guy, and he goes back to check on me, and notices this dumbass looking stick and poke tattoo I have on my arm. First tattoo, that is another story.
So he's like" What the hell is that?" And I go on to explain to him how cool I think I am cause I have this dumb tattoo. So he asks me if I like tattoos and I'm like "yeah dude" obviously I have this sweet tattoo. So he motions me to the bathroom and starts unbuttoning his jacket, removes his shirt and the guy has an almost complete body suit. I could not believe it I was dumb founded. My jaw was on the floor. I remember at the time it was Asian influenced, so with what I know now I would say it was probably Japanese inspired. I remember a dragon and a demon looking thing, lots of black. It was insane looking. That day really influenced my life and my path. Really cool experience for me. I just wanted to share when I saw this thread.

I say just laugh it off. Probably half the time the people are thinking about that tattoo they wanted when they were young and did not get. So they are just envious of yours. When My wife and I go to the public pool I always come out after her so I have to gaze around till I see her, every time I always think to myself, man why are these people looking at me. Then I remember I have a crap load of tattoos. The stares are funny. Get used to them and laugh.

I say just laugh it off. Probably half the time the people are thinking about that tattoo they wanted when they were young and did not get. So they are just envious of yours. When My wife and I go to the public pool I always come out after her so I have to gaze around till I see her, every time I always think to myself, man why are these people looking at me. Then I remember I have a crap load of tattoos. The stares are funny. Get used to them and laugh.

I think any large scale Thomas Hooper work is mind boggling. Especially the large pattern work. I find my self wondering how many times was the stencil laid? How many stencils? If their were several stencil what parts did he draw in? And then once you have all that on, just make the lines right? Seriously amazing stuff.

I agree. I had an interview at a shop a couple years ago in the summer. The gentleman were wearing sleeveless shirts and shorts. One guy had a skull cheese work thing on the deltoid the other guy had some little crap on his hands. That's it. I did not take the job strictly based on that. Just felt they were not in it for the same reasons . And the one guy had flip flops on. Nothing against flip flops, they're comfortable and all, I just would not wear them to work.

I think any large scale Thomas Hooper work is mind boggling. Especially the large pattern work. I find my self wondering how many times was the stencil laid? How many stencils? If their were several stencil what parts did he draw in? And then once you have all that on, just make the lines right? Seriously amazing stuff.

My first tattoo at a shop, I was 21. I walked near closing time, for a large stomach tattoo. I didn't know any better at the time. So I was quickly informed of my stupidity and quoted a high
price. Which I said I would pay. The point I am trying to make, is no body was trying to be my friend, or give me great customer service and they should not have to. All anyone should expect walking in to a tattoo shop is a good clean tattoo. After that tattoo I went back for more, and more. Years later I started tattooing, and I still get tattooed at that shop. I actually may be leaving the shop I am at now because I have a job interview there on Monday. I just feel like a shop should look appealing(good work, clean) but be some what intimidating at the same time. That way people don't ask you if they can do dumb shit while they are getting tattooed. I hate those situations, I always feel awkward being the voice of reason. And I always feel like they can read on my face, me cursing them in my head.

I hate blood suckers and feel bad for them at the same time. They don't understand tattooers or tattoo community, they only care about lining their pockets. I agree with not supporting these places(headshops, trucks or whatever crap shack you can buy a needle)and tell others to do the same.
I was in a smoke shop in San Diego this past week and noticed they had some tattoo books, so I was like "cool, these prices are totally reasonable". Then I turned around an saw tattoo supplies. I put my stuff back and walked out. I hate places like that. They have no f*ck!ng clue.

I have noticed that there are a lot more of these "tattoo supply delivery" trucks entering the supply market. I think it's important that our money, the industry money, be invested back into our industry, or into peoples businesses who care about our industry. We are being preyed upon by companies who view us as a resource to be tapped. Don't let laziness open the door for these opportunists to leech off of us. Spend your money on quality products from quality vendors. Those trucks supply the kitchen wizards and unchecked amateurs that are cancer to our business

I know it is in Brooklyn, but I would suggest anyone at Smith Street. That's where I would go anyway. You referenced Smith street but Dan S. And Eli do some pretty diverse stuff.

Chris Smith (Deluxe Tattoo) did this on me a little over two weeks ago... More or less healed now, bar some of the red on the kneecap still being a little raised up.

I agree. I had an interview at a shop a couple years ago in the summer. The gentleman were wearing sleeveless shirts and shorts. One guy had a skull cheese work thing on the deltoid the other guy had some little crap on his hands. That's it. I did not take the job strictly based on that. Just felt they were not in it for the same reasons . And the one guy had flip flops on. Nothing against flip flops, they're comfortable and all, I just would not wear them to work.

Who the fuck is Tony Parsons anyway?

I agree. I had an interview at a shop a couple years ago in the summer. The gentleman were wearing sleeveless shirts and shorts. One guy had a skull cheese work thing on the deltoid the other guy had some little crap on his hands. That's it. I did not take the job strictly based on that. Just felt they were not in it for the same reasons . And the one guy had flip flops on. Nothing against flip flops, they're comfortable and all, I just would not wear them to work.

I kinda only like getting tattooed by Fast tattooers. It's efficiency. Take your time with the drawing, then bust that tat out. I personally think it says a lot about a tattooer that can tattoo Good, and fast. It's like Illegal graffiti writers versus permission wall guys. One is working on the fly with the cops possibly breathing down their neck. One is taking his sweet time, looking at his sketchbook. That raw, real shit is always gonna be king in my book. Anyway. haven't seen the show. But I like the time limit thing. It will separate the hustlers from the fartists.

We're all good on my end. I respect your decision to turn down the work, and think you did what was right for you.
As far as the Black Power thing, I know all about COINTELPRO, and similar ops...hate to say it, but I am old enough to have hung out with Fred Hampton and Mark Clark, to have argued politics with Huey Newton and Abbie Hoffman, and to have shared a bottle of wine more than once with Chi Chi Rodriguez. Not only am I old to enough to have done it, but I did. So I guess my take on that is a bit different.
But that's all ancient history. For now, as I said, far as I'm concerned, you're good people, and I've got no beef of any kind with you.

Thank you for your input.

Having watched this last night, this line comes to mind:
"...See we like our Nazis in uniform, so we can spot 'em *snap* - like that. Once you take off that uniform, ain't no one going to know your a Nazi, and that don't sit well with us. So I'm going to give you a little something you can't take off." Lt. Aldo Raines Inglorious Basterds

My first tattoo at a shop, I was 21. I walked near closing time, for a large stomach tattoo. I didn't know any better at the time. So I was quickly informed of my stupidity and quoted a high
price. Which I said I would pay. The point I am trying to make, is no body was trying to be my friend, or give me great customer service and they should not have to. All anyone should expect walking in to a tattoo shop is a good clean tattoo. After that tattoo I went back for more, and more. Years later I started tattooing, and I still get tattooed at that shop. I actually may be leaving the shop I am at now because I have a job interview there on Monday. I just feel like a shop should look appealing(good work, clean) but be some what intimidating at the same time. That way people don't ask you if they can do dumb shit while they are getting tattooed. I hate those situations, I always feel awkward being the voice of reason. And I always feel like they can read on my face, me cursing them in my head.

I don't do that stuff, not because I'm half Puerto Rican which is the case but because I choose not to makey money on stuff that's in direct opposition to my conscience. You don't have to pass judgment to tell someone straight up that they're entitled to get what they want but they won't get it from you. I understand that it can be difficult for the first time it walks in the door and you're unprepared so get prepared. Determine your boundaries on how you choose to make your living and stay true to them. Everyone I work with knows what I will or won't do and respects my decisions. What I believe I don't push on people but I believe firmly enough that I never feel conflicted. A lot of us got into all of this because we choose to live on our own terms. I've never felt the need to trade that in for a day's pay.

Comparing Black Power symbols to those of the Nazi's seems a little harsh. The former are symbols of pride, pride of overcoming discrimination and oppression, something all the white people who like to use the term "White Power" have never had to overcome, and are in fact the ones perpetuating that oppression. One symbol is promoting equality while the other is doing just the opposite. Black Power movement leaders didn't execute (or order the execution of) millions of people.
But yeah, this just sounds like an all around uncomfortable situation. Post updates.

My first tattoo at a shop, I was 21. I walked near closing time, for a large stomach tattoo. I didn't know any better at the time. So I was quickly informed of my stupidity and quoted a high
price. Which I said I would pay. The point I am trying to make, is no body was trying to be my friend, or give me great customer service and they should not have to. All anyone should expect walking in to a tattoo shop is a good clean tattoo. After that tattoo I went back for more, and more. Years later I started tattooing, and I still get tattooed at that shop. I actually may be leaving the shop I am at now because I have a job interview there on Monday. I just feel like a shop should look appealing(good work, clean) but be some what intimidating at the same time. That way people don't ask you if they can do dumb shit while they are getting tattooed. I hate those situations, I always feel awkward being the voice of reason. And I always feel like they can read on my face, me cursing them in my head.

My first tattoo at a shop, I was 21. I walked near closing time, for a large stomach tattoo. I didn't know any better at the time. So I was quickly informed of my stupidity and quoted a high
price. Which I said I would pay. The point I am trying to make, is no body was trying to be my friend, or give me great customer service and they should not have to. All anyone should expect walking in to a tattoo shop is a good clean tattoo. After that tattoo I went back for more, and more. Years later I started tattooing, and I still get tattooed at that shop. I actually may be leaving the shop I am at now because I have a job interview there on Monday. I just feel like a shop should look appealing(good work, clean) but be some what intimidating at the same time. That way people don't ask you if they can do dumb shit while they are getting tattooed. I hate those situations, I always feel awkward being the voice of reason. And I always feel like they can read on my face, me cursing them in my head.

My first tattoo at a shop, I was 21. I walked near closing time, for a large stomach tattoo. I didn't know any better at the time. So I was quickly informed of my stupidity and quoted a high
price. Which I said I would pay. The point I am trying to make, is no body was trying to be my friend, or give me great customer service and they should not have to. All anyone should expect walking in to a tattoo shop is a good clean tattoo. After that tattoo I went back for more, and more. Years later I started tattooing, and I still get tattooed at that shop. I actually may be leaving the shop I am at now because I have a job interview there on Monday. I just feel like a shop should look appealing(good work, clean) but be some what intimidating at the same time. That way people don't ask you if they can do dumb shit while they are getting tattooed. I hate those situations, I always feel awkward being the voice of reason. And I always feel like they can read on my face, me cursing them in my head.

Hey man, Its Nathan... we work together.