bashing seems to be the business

I'm from a small town in Ohio where, it seems to me, that all that goes on here is bashing others work. I'll go into a tat shop to get quotes and the first thing I hear is, "where the hell did you get that one done at?" like it is the worse tattoo they have ever seen. Now I know for a fact that mine look good, nice crisp lines, no fading what so ever, and all of my work has been done by very professional tattoo businesses. One in particular was a tribal peice I had done on my right arm by an artist at Debbie Lenz's shop Artistic Dermagraphics in Boardman, Ohio. It is as black as the day I got it, 10 YEARS AGO! I do understand that everyone has a different style, and most artist are good at his/her style, but I'll be goddamned if while I'm sittin your shop for a session that I want to hear the artist bashin on the rest of my work, especially when it looks good! Everyone in the general public likes my work, so why is it I have to hear, "I could've done that better" every time I go into a shop. Quit bashin peoples work and get on with your own work. I actually quit going to one artist because I sent my buddy there to get a quote on a half sleeve. He had done some time in the pen and got a few tats in there. He wanted to keep them because it reminded him of that time in his life. The owner of the shop was actually so big headed that he said he would not tattoo him because he did not want his work beside that shitty work he got done in the pen. I'm surprised he did not go back to the pen after that! Artists, quit bashin and start tatin.

If one of my people at my shop was ever found to demean anyone elses work or making derogatory comments about other business they would be in deep shit! I think its not only rude but totally UNPROFESSIONAL to act in this manner.I am not sayin we are perfect and sometimes its hard not to say "Why did you let someone put that piece of CRAP on you?" Or when we hear "Yeah I only paid a six pack and ten bucks for this half sleeve and the guy did it in my kitchen!"it is difficult not to explode with laughter. As sad as it is however, I have met some really good artists who somehow felt it was their sacred duty to scrutinize and criticize every tattoo they see. I do not understand or condone this behavior...it serves no positve purpose.Now if ya back me into a corner and ASK for my opinion.....I WILL give it to you...Don't ask if ya can't take the truth.There is criticism and there is criticism though....Ya don't have to be a dick with ears to bs honest....its called "discretion" Sorry ya had a bad experience tho!...Taz

I've had the same type of experience (rural Ohio hmm.....) only I trusted the basher as he covered up the tattoo he was bashing with a tattoo that I am currently getting lasered. Shame on me for not doing my research and shame on them for being shit slingers x2.