artistic responsibility

Being a tattoo artist is an amazing experience but with our talents also comes alot of responsibility,or atleast there should be.I as an artist have never shied away from helping people express themselves,regardless of how severe that expression may be.If I truly feel the customer is of sound mind and adamant about their decision.If a militant muslim walks in and wants "kill whitey" across his face......COOL lets do it!!! Same goes for brown pride,white power or fuck god. truly I think it's great if you really want it.At the same time I had a really sweet bus driver woman who was going through some pretty rough medical treatment,

that was really messin with her head,come in asking me to tattoo swastikas all over her. no fuckin way.....she was obviously not doin well mentally.I didn't take her money and ruin her life...instead i sat her down and talked her out of making a really bad choice.Same goes for the 18 year old from T.O. who just met the nicest skinhead who just got out of prison,so now she wants to get a pink swastika so he'll love her even more.God forbid her jewish parents see it, she'll be cut out of the family law firm money.....ha ha ha but seriously,some people just don't seem to grasp how permanent tattoos and piercings and implants really are.I honestly feel that it is my place to advise against poor decisions.I do this for love of my art,thank god it also pays the bills but ultimately I want to affect peoples lives in a positive manner.Not be a part of something that will cause pain or grief for years to come.Ultimately it is always in our power to say NO.please think before you ink...and if you don't, hopefully your artist will.and by the way.....YES, IT FUCKIN HURTS.......

TIPPING YOUR TATTOO ARTIST

have you ever wondered how much you should tip your tattoo artist??? you're not alone,I hear this alot.Whats an apropriate tip??? really depends on how happy you are.Just like anywhere else in life ,if the service was great,tip away.If it sucked.......fuck em.As an artist i have gotten $20 tips for $200 tattoos and $500 tips for $500 tattoos.If you can afford it 20% is great and if not,just show your appreciation however you can.A simple thank you will suffice but I'm tellin you,tattoo artists love to be fed..Speaking for myself,I work 60 to 90 hours a week which doesn't leave alot of time for healthy eating.I've had cute little old ladies bring me back homemade cookies or a plate of chicken that made me feel more loved than cash ever could.It doesn't always have to be about money but don't quote me on that.Artists rely heavily on tips just like waitresses.Our overhead is huge. So basically if you want a happy artist,do your part to make him or her happy BUT make em earn it.

remembering loved ones

Well folks,this one is hittin close to home today.I'm sittin here with tears in my eyes because I just found out my grandma died.Ofcourse bein the kind of person I am I instantly started workin on a tattoo to remember her by.You see,my grams was scottish so what better to symbolize her passing than the funeral bagpipes being played.I find when i get tattooed or do tattoos in remembrance,it truly takes this art form to a new level.Something about the pain soothes my mind and something about the blood ties me to the tattoo and its meaning.Nothing else on earth can do that for me.When I tattoo people who want to remember someone,I feel their pain,i feel tied to them and honored to be a part of something so personal and so important.I actually feel like i'm having a positive affect on someones life.God,I love that!!!! Tattoos go so much deaper than some people out there will ever fathom.As for me and mine,We understand the magick of this thing called TATTOO.