I love tattooing I enjoy hearing your ideas, stories, wants, loves and fears. But there are some basic rules when you're in a tattoo shop that make the experience great for everyone involved and some things you'll want to avoid.
Firstly, try to be respectful that I'm usually booked in advance. Sometimes I can squeeze in small walk-in tattoos but generally to do my best work I design your piece from scratch, or take the idea in your head and try to develop it into something you and that little old lady behind you in the check out line (or your mother) will love. I offer free consults and ask that you try to make an appointment with me to discuss your ideas, get to meet me in person, see the shop and understand the vibe before making any commitments. I try my very best to be organized and punctual so when you're in the chair I'm not getting too sidetracked. Best of all, consults are always free!
It's a great idea to have a list of things written down that you want to incorporate into your piece. I'd rather have too much to pull from and challenge us both than not enough. The best permanent body art comes from a great dynamic of what you've been through and why you're getting this tattooed. Though I do occasionally tattoo humorous pieces - there's always a reason behind it. Don't walk in asking me for lips on your ass or a Power Ranger in your armpit unless there's a legitimate reason.
We appreciate your tips! We aren't salaried or hourly workers, and don't get any benefits or allowances in our line of employment. I consult, research, and draw for free and repeat this process until we're both happy - for free. The money you pay goes to the shop for rent, insurance, licensing, perishables, etc, etc, etc, before we take our fraction. I've often given back too large of a tip - but we do rely on your tip not only to support ourselves but artists take it as a sign that you're happy with your art.
If you only have twenty dollars and want a half sleeve that your homeboy down the street gave you - please, continue to patronize them. You get what you pay for. I take great care of long-term and repeat clients but I don't give out deals for matching infinity bands on your pinkie. There are many good shops out there that will gladly accommodate bulk flash art. I prefer to tell your story the best way I can and give you a one-off piece you'll love years from now instead of that amazing cover-up of your exes names that's already been covered up by your new exes name.
Tattoo shops are fun places. There's always a great conversation about something, good music, and often a movie or two playing to keep creativity up. Crying babies will be given double shots of espresso and razor blades to play with. Tattooing is not easy and shifting our focus or startling us turns a nice portrait of someones mom into a pirate accidentally. Have fun, but please be mindful of the client in the chair. We don't have erasers.
If you smell bad, come in drunk, high, or participate in any general type of obnoxious or violent manner we will ask you to leave. Period. There is a line and if you cross it I will hire disbarred Mormons to knock on your door every day at three am for two weeks.
Please eat before any tattoo, any size. Not a tic-tac and a banana - please consume a substantial meal to keep your blood sugar up during the appointment. And if you ever feel light-headed or strange let me know immediately. Fainters are no fun for anyone and we keep an angry midget in the back to draw sharpie penises on your face if you do.
Lastly, ask questions - it's literally my job to help! You, the client make the journey enjoyable and I often become good friends with my clients based upon the intimacy you have to share with me about your art and then the conversations in my chair. You're literally the best part about my job - please don't make it the worst.
Aloha!
