REPOST:tattoo etiquette

Tattoo shop Posted by Pyrrhus Darwin Castello from IP: 85.157.255.6 on 01/16/07 Finland (I tried to post this once, but nothing happend. If this is a douple post, feel free to delete the other :) ) I posted this same topic a while back in www.nickbaxter.com there has been some excellent answers, but since there is less people posting, I thought it would be nice to spark the conversation in here too. I really dont see a lot discussion on subjects like these. As madmosher said so well in Nicks site "All these questions relate to the personal side of our trade, which is extremely important. Afterall there is a person attached to that skin we tattoo everyday!Lol But seriously its an important part of our "job" and one that shouldn't be taken for granted. Nobody wants to hand over £1000's and spend hours in the company of an asshloe with an attitude problem." So I will put the same questions here, so we get different kinda views in same subjects :) And if same questions are directed to one person (they were to Nick originally), dont let it bother you :) 1.) I look at a tattoo art as something that I really respect and love, and I think it would be good to show it to the artists in other ways than just money. So if im getting a tattoo (from anyone), would it be weird if I brought a gift to the artist? Like in the "old-school" way. That there the masters and I show my respect towards them by getting them something they might like :). And if its ok, wheres the "limit", if there is one? And how do you personally (or any other artist here) react to something like that? 2.) How do you know if its ok to speak during the tattoo? And I dont mean that you have to be silent :) But how do you can tell if its ok to talk about something, like for example the meaning behind the tattoo, or about the dog in the street etc.? 3.) About the meaning. How much is enough info? Where do you draw the line? Because I dont know if its still the same belief as it used to, but to many Tattoo artists are like bartenders etc, a people that you tell your secrets. Do you draw the line somewhere and try to direct the person getting the tattoo to speak about something that might more likely to help the tattoo idea, than just "went"?. 3a.) When does a Tattoo client became a friend or more than just a client? Might be a hard, and perhaps too intimate, question, and I dont expect you to ewen answer it :) 4.) And this one is something that you dont have to answer if you dont like to. I have heard here and there that some tattoo artist let you get tattoos that cost next to none (sometimes they dont) if they can tattoo art that THEY really would like to do. So is this common thing? 4a.) If your tattoing someone and they want you to interact with you during the process, as in they tell about there take on some subject and then ask if you would like to ad something of your own (as in maybe something little more personal), how do you react? 5.) Many people when taking tattoos, can get REALLY exited. How do you artist feel about this kinda behavior. When someone if really into your stuff, and he promises maybe before the tattoo and after the first one, that "You can have the rest of my body" etc. Maybe because they are very polite (Like when you promise yo will came back to a store and buy that washing machine. But you newer do ;) )or are just in the heat of the moment and maybe want to bond or something. Well, how do you react when a person has said this to you and they have presented you with a idea or had there first tattoo etc. But then they change there mind, and go to a different artist. How do you react? Does it make it better if they explain it to you, that why did they do this? Or do you feel bad. And does this happen a lot? 6.) How do collabrations work in clients point of view? If a artist does a collabo with some other artist, how does it get started? Can I client suggest an artist that he would like to see someone working with? I mean, if I would get a tattoo from artist X (and he would be a artist that I normally go to), and I really like artist Y work, could I just contact the artists Y and ask if he would be intrested in doing a collabo with him, the X? First off course it should be a artist that X likes too, naturally. And maybe you should ask X first etc etc. How would the react if client knows 2 great artists and desided to take the other one with him, when hes going to get tatooed by the other? Like what if I would get tattooed by YOU (if your a artist) and I would bring someone like Filip Leu with me to do a collabo? :D Please explain in so many words that you like EVERY aspect of this kinda stuff :) 6b) How do artists normally take situations where client gets some art done by some other artist (dont have to be even a tattoo artists), then brings the art to them and asks them if they would tattoo it. How do you/they react? And what if the art is the kinda art that the tattoo artist himself does mainly, do they feel bad if client brings something to them that THEY could have maybe done too? How do you/they react? Fire away :) Reply to This Topic Create New Topic Message Board Main Page Replies: RE:Tattoo shop Posted by Pyrrhus Darwin Castello from IP: 85.157.255.6 on 01/16/07 Finland The topics name should be Tattoo shop "rules" :) top of page RE:Tattoo shop Posted by Pyrrhus Darwin Castello from IP: 85.157.255.6 on 01/17/07 Finland This topic goes unnoticed by its silly name, so if you (Gabe) could be SO KIND, that you would chance the name to something like "Tattoo etiquette" If its possible, because I think this is a good topic :) Thank you.

hey, sorry been busy busy and this is a long post. Gifts for your tattoo artist will almost always be happily accepted. Too big? Who knows, too big is too big I guess. The artists at our studios react to gifts with a "thank you!". Dont be weird about it though. How do you know if its ok to speak... Well, I would suggest talking to your artist and if they are gruff and look at you with shut the #@$%^ up eyes, then I wouldn't talk much more. If they keep the conversation going, then chat away. Most artists like to concentrate and listen to music when tattooing, but many like to chit chat with the client ala are bartender friendly... Unless your crazy. As far as getting free tattoos, you know the rule is you get what you pay for. As far as a client changing their mind about artists, I feel that a clients skin is their skin and an artist has no ownership over it. I dont tattoo, but as the owner of a studio I dont mind if any of our studios clients go somewhere else, we only want to tattoo people really excited to be tattooed by our artists. That said, I do believe that the client has an obligation to compliment the dissed artist with the choice of the new artist. Collaborations can be logistical nightmares, but basically if you want artists X and Y then you need to contact the artists and see if they are into it/can swing it. Might be easy, might be hard. Good luck! Most of the artists we work with wont copy other tattoos brought in, but will use them for reference and do something unique. Usually something more better! I think thats it, sorry bout the delay!

Thanks Gabe!. No worries about the time it took. Couple of days aint nothing :) Here are couple of clarifications The "free tattoo" thing. Example http://www.marcuskuhn.com/marcus_kuhn_bio.php He says in there "I offer a day rate of four hundred and fifty dollars on Tuesdays and Wendsdays for my choice traditional Americana, Japanese, Tibetan, Hindu, or West Coast black and grey fineline work. Thursday through Saturday all work is one hundred and fifty dollars per hour." Thats what I meant as "free" tattoos. I dont know about the size he does, but if you are looking for quality and just want something japanese etc. this kinda deal is pretty good. If the day is 8 hours, you can get pretty big pieces on that time. So of course I wasnt talking about some hackers, but artists that can produce art (like Marcus) :) And was just thinking do other artists do this kinda stuff? I would think that not everytime that tattoo artists do tattoos, the image is EXACTLY like the one he is craving to do. So in that sence, I think that kinda stuff is a good idea, if someone wants art and doesnt have anything specific on mind. Then the tattoo artists could make art that he maybe doesnt get to do so often. Because we are all indivuals, and I wouldnt think that tattoo artist is any different. If you know what I mean? About the "art form other artist". What I meant was this. Lets says someone like Dali would still be alive (doesnt even have to be such a legend) and I would get him to desing myself something. Then I would go to a tattoo artist who does that type of stuff, AND he would paint himself. So would it be disrespectful to him, if I brought art with me that other artist has done (NOT a tattoo artist), knowing that he does same kinda art himself?. If you get my point? And its good how you said "I do believe that the client has an obligation to compliment the dissed artist with the choice of the new artist. " My thoughts exactly. I mean, I wouldnt NEWER do that, that first would get art from someone like Joshua Carlton, and then get some piece of shit tattoo from some ok and less tattoo artist. I can think a reason why anyone would do such thing. I think its disrespectful to the artist and same time to all others artists that put there soul and time perfecting there art.

Posted this in tattooz.net too. http://www.tattooz.net/default.cfm?SiteMenu=Forum&ForumMenu=Topics&Topic=1

Posted this in tattooz.net too. http://www.tattooz.net/default.cfm?SiteMenu=Forum&ForumMenu=Topics&Topic=1

Another thought just crossed my mind. I was reading Paul Booth interview where he talks about opening the new studio. And the interviewer asked him "What do you charge?" Paul: If price is an object, you’re in the wrong place. Of course I agree, BUT, one thing has been on my mind. If the price isnt and shouldnt be a issue, why do many tattoo artists have a hourely rate of 200-300$? Doesnt that exlude the people who are madly in love with tattoos, but just dont make that much money? If the price shouldnt be a issue, why its is sometimes so high, that it BECOMES an issue for people who arent so wealthy? Of course the old saying "good tattoos arent cheap..." is true. But it seems somewhat "elitist" in a way. That someone has to work overtime or save money for years to get tattooed by the greats (not to mention the waiting lists. Which is natural of course), then I can somewhat understand people who go to a maybe lesser artist, because it costs them maybe 70% less. Could this kinda behavior be in some degree be caused by the prices of great artists? And im not saying they shouldnt earn a living. It just seems that if the art is there life, then the money shouldnt come in way of someone wanting that art for them. And this isnt a "attack" against Paul, just his words got me thinking.

Ack, I lost my post so heres a quickie. Paul said price better not be an issue cause there is such a demand that he can command a very high price, not that money doesn't matter. If i put myself in Paul or Guy or Philips head and think about all the people and the spotlight and crap and baggage that comes with it i think I might charge $300 an hour too. Luckily the masses wont go without quality tattoos because a large part of an A+ listers clientele is other artists who learn... you will always be able to get reasonably priced tattoos.

Didnt think about the other artists learning from them side. Was maybe too obvious :) But theres still the unique aspect that the great ones have, the part that you cant learn. The thing that makes them who they are. And thats why it can suck if you dont get tattoo from them because the money issue.

tis true, of course they are unique. Nature is cruel sometimes... there will always be the best of the best, and often it will take bucks or serious power to reach them. In some ways it insures that only the people who *really* hustle can get work from the best. I have a feeling if you were someone who hustled for 15 years making the world a better place and had a real good idea that peaked one of the A+ artists interest, then you might still be able to get something done. On the otherhand, maybe not. So, In short, I agree, it sucks that people who dont have money cant just get the best. I still cant afford tattoos, though, Im lucky I worked real hard to have something of value to trade.

Pyrrhus...how ya doin?...Ya know not everyone can afford a Ferrari or a Rolls Royce...some people gotta drive Pintos man!...I have seen paul take a guy at a show who only had $47 bucks and do an hours worth of work on him, and because he was so entusiastic Paul loaded him up with merch, t shirts etc!