Around the tattoo scene you will hear lots of bitching about Kat Von D or other artist that appear on the programs. The bitching is coming from within the profession mainly artist. Why you bitching? Miami Ink was one of the first shows to bring tattooing to the mainstream then from there LA INK. Without those popular shows tattooing could of remained in the bottom of the barrel in society. Those fantastic artist brought tattooing into the modern age. With tattooing coming out into the open laws regulating the industry finally started surfacing in Illinois.
Illinois passed a more stringent law in Sept 2008 and the enforcement of the laws have finally started coming around. Before taking over our present location at 611 Blackhawk Blvd in South Beloit this place would've never been able to pass a state inspection. One of the reasons I believe the operator shut it down. What the health regulations do is force the operators of the shop to be sanitary and responsible. The tattoo industry has come a long way since the dark ages. No longer is it bikers, convicts or military getting them. Thanks to Kat Von D and others the industry has gone mainstream with Doctors, CEOS, and other high profile people getting into the action.
So all you tattoo artist out there who like complaining about Kat or Cory Miller-take notice. They are the main pushers behind this industry coming into it's own. Now it's our responsibility keeping it mainstream. Keep up on the local laws, be responsible and know limits of your abilities. Don't always be about the money and treat your customers with respect. The industry should grow from there if we do our best to keep it real.
www.aberrationink.com