A Note From Doug

As a working tattoo artist in a shop, the income I have is strictly made in the shop, no other jobs. Now as I say this, realize that this is my opinion, I cannot speak for any other artist as a whole, this is just my view point, and an honest one at that. I feel that I do my tattoos, which are reviewed by the public as high quality, at a very descent price, considering the averages for the nature of the tattoos I do, being portrature and realism, sometimes involving a high volume of color. Even though my clentel are still coming to me, I'm finding it hard to create new clientel. The answer to this issue is presented to me on a daily and there never seems to be anything I can do about it. So I'm gonna say something I wish I could tell everyone that comes in the shop, everyone that stops me in public and asks me random questions about my work.

Its a common saying when it comes to tattoo, A good tattoo ain't cheap, a cheap tattoo ain't good. As a whole, this is a fair approach, but I'm gonna take a bold step and say thats complete bullshit. This is my reasoning and its important to read why I feel this way.

I say that a cheap tattoo can be great if you find a tattoo artist. By this i mean a true tattoo ARTIST! Not a flash artist, not a dude that bought a "gun" online and has a bunch of inks for your tat needs (puke a little in my mouth).

Look, tattoo shops on an average expect their clients to use common sense and LOOK and ASK about their artist and the the state of the cleanliness of their work station. Most shops aren't gonna shove a portfolio under your nose so you can inspect the quality of your artists tattoos, that is unless they are proud of their artist. When you go into a shop, its your duty to yourself to look at the quality of the work your artist does. You'd feel quite the fool to get a permanant piece of work on your body by a hack, especially if you could have prevented it.

That being said, your enthusiasm is paramount in you getting a tattoo to be proud of. Searching for a good artist should be just as important. But heres the key, the one that people on an average choose to ignore. If you find an artist that can share a common vision, you can have FAR more satisfaction in your tattooing experience. I see people go to these tattoo conventions, maybe they have one tattoo they got at home or on a vacation, and they were curious. They come and see these unbelievable tattoos and think, there is NO WAY I could ever afford to have a tattoo like that. The shear amount of hours that an artist puts in on one of these pieces has to amount to handfuls of cash. The truth of it is, most of the absolute best tattoos you see in magazines and all around town didnt cost anywhere near as much as you may think. The truth is, that person and that artist that did the work shared a vision. That person surrendered a level of control to this artist and that drove the artist to perform at that much higher of quality. That tattoo speaks for that artist, and in allowing that freedom has given that artist a chance to shine. Every true tattoo artist i have ever know has the most light and imagination in their eyes when the finally get the chance at this.

The problem as a working artist is that everyone assumes that these tattoos are too expensive, and in turn they choose to have someone lesser do their work, someone whos out for their money, someone who doesn't give a shit that you saved for months to get his work that means the world to you and will speak for you forever, a constant judge of character for the world to see. They are unhappy, and end up in my lobby, because they are completely fed up with wearing this work forever, and now i have to cover it. Now listen, I made bread and butter for years on covering up others mistakes or poor choices, and I'll continue to do it as long as its needed, but this situation could have been avoided. But this comes right down to being educated about this at all. There is no class or TV show for you to watch where you can truly get a proper view of how you should approach getting tattooed. anything that does exist like this are mearly ploys to attract your business and money, its never about true artistry. I must admit in stating that, that this note could be viewed in that same manner, but I accept the hypocrisy involved in that, as I said I am a working artist.

I really feel that I speak only for artists that care deeply for this business and this art. Their are plenty of people in this business that would choose to argue my words, stating that cheap tattoos are meant for the lesser class individual,mostly so the public will stop going to home shops and kitchens, recieving horrible dangerous tattoos from scratchers (unlicensed, home artists with sub standard sterile process). As this seems on the surface as a noble cause, its really about the location your considering. Some do it for money, some do it for public health safety, some do it just to stop the volume of cover-up work they DON'T want to do, and some are all of the above. And some do it, because they want their clentel to only have the best tattoos that they can give. They want to be able to put good work, next to good work. Pay attention next time you see someone with a bunch of shitty tattoos, that has one really good tattoo. I promise you'll think to yourself, wow, should have found that artist to start with!

As far as cleanliness is concerned, I really dont know what can be gone into, people. Use your brain!!! If it seems dirty to you, it probably is. I won't bother telling you the horrible things you can get from getting a tattoo at a home. Just look up blood born pathogens on your google, I promise you can get any of those. Seriously!? If I say anymore it will come off as rude.

I know I'm ranting so I'll get to the point. Cheap tattoos aren't good, Good tattoos aren't cheap??? Well I guess that you should ask you self a question first.... How important is this tattoo to you? How important is it that this tattoo represents you? Amazing tattoos can be CHEAP AS HELL, its all in taking the time to find the right artist. Find an artist that shares your vision, someone that can understand art the way you do. It may not be as cheap as "that dude up the road", but it can change your whole life to have a good tattoo. That much I can guarantee.