the guidelines for a pro

Its amazing how all the Pros (or should i say legit Artist) bag on scratchers (or should i say kitchen workers) the way i see it, is a Tattoo Artist is like a Restaurant, there is Crap and there is Fine Dining or 4 Star,,,,all have to follow Health Codes You can get a low quality meal @ the Crap restaurant...but still be satisfied, at the same time you could go to a 4 star restaurant and get Food poisoning? tell me people have choices if you Pros are insecure about Scratchers keep your Standards High, alot of you think your work is great when it really is not.just because you have a Restaurant it doesnt mean the Food is Good, also that policy of intership where you have to pay to learn is Bullshit, People dont work for Free (just to get Coffee) Strippers pay to Dance in high End Clubs but still make more Money at the end of the Shift. One day the goverment will make a reform to set standards of who is allowed to tattoo....at the mean time we should help each other and enjoy this Art form before the Goverment restricts it.

i personally think most of what you said is bull shit. people come to shops for quality work and for the added sucerity of knowing they won't walk out with aids. most of these scratchers do piss poor work and don't know shit about sterialization. i personally spent the good part of a weekend in a class room at a convention learning how not to infect someone. i've meet scratchers that had no idea what an autoclave is let alone how to use one. would you go to someones house for open heart sugery ?

Some of your ideas make sense however some are just off the wall. I personnaly LOVE to have a young artist who shows skill and work ethic come to me and ask for a leg up...But for every one that is about his/her shit there are a hundred that think they are gods gift and in reality suck hot shit. THIS IS NOT ABOUT KEEPING SERIOUS PEOPLE OUT OF THE BUSINESS!...It is about doing what we can as professionals to keep the standards up and raise the bar so to speak. When a prospective apprentice comes to us we carefully evaluate not just if he/she is a "real" artist but if they posess the drive and committment to bring something to the table. Yes we charge a large apprentice fee mostly to see if the person in question is serious enough to make the sacrifice for the art..BUT We never make them pay thousands up front...just enough to make sure that they are serious..and I NEVER make em pay the whole amount if they show me they are dedicated and serious.IN FACT MOST OF OUR APPRENTCES NEVER PAY MORE THAN A COUPLE HUNDRED BUCKs!...which they get back ten fold Sure there are scumbag shops (apprentice mills) That survive and prosper by charging assloads of cash up front for second rate appreniceships and turn out substandard artists...but at least give props to those of us who sincerely want to improve this our ancient art and do our damnedest to nurture our apprentices. I'm not tryin to keep ANYBODY out of our business...on the contrary every good dedicated artist that comes out of my shops makes my black little heart swell with pride!!!Now bein practical there are some people who just cannot hack it!! Whether from lack of dedication, laziness, drug and or alcohol issues or whatever.... not every one is cut out to be a tattoo artist..Just a fact of life Kid!

It never ceases to amaze me that the only people that stick up for scratchers are (big shocker) OTHER SCRATCHERS.

YOu guys see alot of posts from me and most of the time I have similar opinions with you guys, but as far as this idea that a building with papers on the wall makes you better than a good and I do mean good kitchen magician is crap. I do own an autoclave and ultrasonic cleaner. I keep all my equipment bagged when I use it and make sure my barriers are sufficient to stop the drips and leaks from spreading all kinds of shit. All my needles are new and only used once. I consider myself a clean tattoist and my work is done in none other than my extra bedroom that has been converted into a studio. I have never been apprenticed nor do I plan on it anymore given that the closest shop put out substandard work and are overcrowded. One day oklahoma will open up to tattooing and my shop will put these border shops out, until then I'm going to scratch away.

I Hat to defend this...BUT! Massachussetts was just like this till recently.....Seems just a short while ago many fine artists were in the same boat as him and also underground. I STILL think you are talking about the exception rather that the rule. MUST scratchers are just that...SCRATCHERS

Who cares....Man I have no problem with you working out of your house if it is as you say...and I'm sure it is...but ya gotta agree that there are exceptions to any rule and by what ya say you are one.of those exceptions And I agree there are a lot of so called "legitimate" shops that should never be allowed to touch skin...I would love to see your work..are ya posted anywhere? I will admit I have worked out of my home ...when I first got here from L.A. my shop wasn't ready fro two months so I had no choice IT CAN BE DID!..However I made damn sure it was temporary. Now you bein where you are I can conmiserate with your situation..Sometimes ya gotta do what ya gota do Ya know So any fuggin way, lets see some of yer work dude!...I wish ya the best of luck gettin it all together...and to be 100% honest I do not consider anyone a scratcher just cause the situation limits where you can work.........Peace baby!!....TAz

Thanks for a little understanding. I am definately with you guys on scratchers. I meet on any given week around this area at least one idiot with a machine poking away at ignorant people who wouldn't know a bad tat if it were [and usually is] staring at them from thier arm. I do alot of times stick up for "scratchers" because I have had to spend alot of money, time and what not getting to where I am on my own without an apprenticeship or any other formal training and in alot of people's minds that makes me a scratcher and gets me alot of grief from people who haven't even seen what I can do. On the other hand I did screw up a few friend and family members learning how the tattoo medium is different from any other. For you guys who would like to see some of my work. I am in the process of setting up a myspace page to put up a few things so everyone can see I'm not spouting crap of the mouth. PS: All the bs you guys gave me when I first got on here a few months ago has helped me alot and I thank you very much. Even though some of the comments have irritated me the message has set in.

To the Gentleman name "TAZ" who replied on this Post, I have to say that you reply to alot of Post and every comment you give is very true and kind, you never downsize anybody...you my friend represent a True Professional. I one day promise to bring money your way to support you and your shop.

Hey Bleeding Heart. THAT was one of the BEST posts I've read here so far! Hats off!

Who you callin a gentleman????? Thanks tho...ya made me blush all the way down to my claws! TAz