Updates from Dunlop Street Gimmelove!! Some pictures to keep you guys updated over the week. I will update mine later too!! Stay tuned.

-Gabriel


Eric's updates... really beautiful and outstanding works.









Eric is contactable @ 94380436.
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Here are Darren's update. So cool ass new skool stuffs and a kick ass dragon!!!









Darren is contactable @ 97989755.

What are Tattoo Conventions really about Anyway?

In the world of tattooing there is no better place to be then the Convention Circuit. The Tattoo Convention circuit is not only a place to make a hell of alot of money for tattoo and body piercing artist but also a way for artist to have their work judged by their peers in the industry. Many conventions held around the world each year always feature some of the best and brightest talent in the industry. The convention circuit is where you can meet your favorite artist and actually get pointers from them about new techniques in the industry. 

Aberration Pro Custom Tattoo  will have James attending a lot of the local and National Circuits. James will be bringing along some apprentices so they can get their feet wet outside of the shop atmosphere. Tattooing is just more then sitting in a shop doing one customer after another. It's a lifestyle that one gets into. Tattooing is not only expression through art but it is also getting out there and seeing the world around you. How can one really express an artistic side without getting out there and experiencing life and what it has to offer?

On the convention circuit you have to sit back and take everything you see and hear in. From the rides by car from city to city, to the seminars giving on different subjects by the artist themselves. What you take from your travels on the circuit will reflect in your art at home. What you learn on the road from the many different seminars will have a positive impact on your work as an artist. Every tattoo artist needs to keep learning. Like anything else if you come to a complete stop your work will suffer.

Some of the conventions I wish to hit in my career are the one in Tokyo and England. Most have to remember the greats are not always located in the States. Many of the best artist I believe come out of Japan. The Artist in Japan are still very much trained by the Master/Student tradition. In my view Tokyo Horitoshi First is the best artist Japan has to offer. Most of his work is by hammer needle combination.

He will be attending the Las Vegas Convention in 2011. I look forward to meeting him.

under construction

I needed the easy web page to print valid web address on my visit card. And because myspace is dying and its getting crowded on facebook, this blog is my salvation to share and show my stuff.

I will place here some of my tattoo works and some drawings... maybe paintings as well.

The time will tell... or show.

Sean's updates from GimmeLove1@40b Sago street

Below are three original paintings done by Sean using a mixture of both digital and oil...He's currently looking for interested parties to have any one of these painting to be transferred on to skin...Interested parties pls email him at sean_hotmail@hotmail.com or ring him up at +65-84844838! Hurry before its gone!!!







-Baldwin_

What does a coloring book have in common with tattooing?

What does a Coloring book have to do with tattooing? Well I get this all the time from some new Apprentices that start our school. I'm quick to point out that even after 16 years of tattooing I still have them around the house and use them any chance I get. Most of the time while sitting at the shop you'll find me doing random flash sheets of the wall. It's not only relaxing and makes you focus more on something fun, it really helps me develop a shading plan with different shapes.

I had two students tell me they thought they couldn't draw and they were doing bad. My response was simple. Yes you need your drawing to not only be creative but also if your stencil wipes off. Let's face it everyone tattooing is just like the old reliable coloring book. We put the stencil on and color it in when the line work is done. Thats the basics when you look at it really close up. I told them we are all not the best artist on paper but if they can master the lining and shading in a coloring book then they could really make an impact on skin.

To many times in the industry I heard artist bash those without much drawing skill on paper. As soon as those same artist that were bashed got on skin they would just run over those with advance art skill. Going from paper to skin is two different mediums. Not all people like drawing on say paper. Some don't like doing anything but working with clay. So does it really make a difference if someone can draw suburb on paper and not do the same work on skin?

Tattooing is the art that will take a lifetime of learning. It seems like every couple of years some new fad or style comes into the industry. We as tattoo artist have to adjust to the trends and help those around us who need the help also adjust. I cannot say it enough. "Just because someone isn't a pro at drawing doesn't mean they can't make a great tattoo artist."

Tattoorism: Sean Returns, Part 2

Last week, I shared more of reader Sean's vast tat-alog here. It's time to finish off our inventory of this very generous fan o' the site. Let's see what we have:

...I got a clipper ship on my upper arm.  The ship is navigating through a background of clouds and lightning bolts and has a banner underneath reading “Hope.”  Its meaning follows the same idea behind my anchor tattoo.  Hope is a huge part of having a positive mental attitude, which I try (sometimes with little luck, of course) to hold at all times.  It’s a reminder that you can make it through stormy parts of your life, no matter how bad they get.  It’s also done in the traditional style I love so much.  The tattoo was done by Mike Schweigert at Electric Tattoo in Bradley Beach, NJ.

While attending [the 2010] Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention, I decided to get a tattoo to commemorate my first convention.  For as many years as tattoos have been a part of my life, this was my first convention...I got a blue rose with a candle spouting out of it in between my sparrows and flower on my outer elbow. 

I’m a firm believer in everyone having a different reasoning for getting tattoos.  Some are used as place markers in one’s life, some are used to remember an event, some have deep profound meanings and some are just aesthetically pleasing. I could probably come up with some in depth meaning behind the tattoo, but in the end, I got it to commemorate my first tattoo convention and that’s pretty much the only reason.  Done by Rocco at Death or Glory Tattoos in Westbrook, Maine.

Finally, I got my outer elbow to forearm done with a snake coiling through a skull and dagger and impaling itself on the dagger’s blade.  

I usually try to go out of my way to ensure that my friends/family/other people in general are happy, more often than I would like to admit, putting their happiness before my well-being.  This tattoo serves as a reminder for me not to do that so much, and to focus on myself sometimes.  The snake can be viewed as a protection figure, coiling around and through the rest of the tattoo, but has also caused injury to itself by doing so.  Basically, its my reminder that as much as I would like to help others, I need to keep my own happiness and well being in mind before I choose which action to take or I’ll end up injuring myself in the process.  Done by Mike Schweigert at Electric Tattoo in Bradley Beach, NJ.

A hearty thanks to Sean for continuing to share his tattoos with us over the years!

Competition Amongst Tattoo Artist

As with everything in life competition exists within the Tattoo Industry. This competition increases even more when a shop is located in a heavily populated city where other shops are located. Chicago for example has well over a hundred shops both in the city and in it's suburbs. Rockford is Illinois third biggest city and it also has plenty of shops competing for the consumers dollar. That competition among artist can be very competitive to outrageous, this past week I had to let an artist go because of the competition took a turn for the worse.

This artist was good, but he let his personal life and jealousy for a co-worker drive him to the point where his whole attitude effected his job. Competition is great for the industry but at the same time we as artist have to keep it within reason. I can see a friendly kind of goofing around or giving someone shit about how they do things. But when that friendly goofing around turns into jealous outburst then it's time to nip it in the butt.

Every one in the industry needs to keep that in mind because the industry has come to far to go backwards because of something one shop does against another.Tattooing has become main stream and in order to succeed in the industry an artist must get out there and promote themselves to the public. I ponder something that someone told me this week about how they talked the shop up more then they should've. That statement made no sense to me because isn't it the artist who wants to make money? In order for the artist to grow their business they have to get out there and promote the business.

The last couple of posts have dealt with what kind of stuff can go on in a shop and what to expect if your thinking about opening one on your own one day. The biggest thing about opening a tattoo shop everyone has to realize the amount of competition out there and how to deal with it. Do you have the network marketing skills to promote your self? Do you know the mediums that your target base is going to be? Does your business plan deal with your competition? All very needed questions that warrant an answer.

Opening up a shop isn't about going and getting flash or tattooing. It's a business with lots of ups and downs. In order to prepare for these ups and downs one must get experience in the field first. If your not with a shop who is currently strong in the marketplace then you will have a hard time learning what to expect in this industry. On a day to day basis the following factors apply to running a shop.

1. Competition and how to respond to attack ads or ill will
2. How to bring the customers in so the shop and your artist make money.
3. Current Economic situation and how to adjust to it.
4. Promoting the business within the shops means and getting a return on investment
5. How to keep a good shop atmosphere for the employees and customers.

Not to mention how to pay the rent and bills the shop is responsible for. Many artist have trouble with the shops out there charging a 50 percent commission on a tattoo. Well the shop is responsible for all the rent, utility bills, up keep on the building, advertising which cuts out a big percentage of the pie. After these factors the shop is lucky to break even on what it splits with an artist. Thats why you see most shop owners also tattooing because thats actually their profit for the month.

Lets remember this when you want to open your own shop. Is it better to just work for a shop because your not responsible for any of the bills except for promoting yourself. Or do you want to dive into the owner aspect and hope to turn a profit?

Newsday on Tuesday?

Newsday on Tattoosday?

So winter makes me consider desperate measures. As I've trickled down to two or three posts a week (believe me, it hurts me more than it hurts you), I've occasionally toyed with the idea of reporting on other things in the tattoo community, other than the Bill-o-centric encounters I have in the City That Never Sleeps. I've even gone so far as to write a few posts and then never published them. The reality is, however, I am facing a scarcity of inkspotting occurrences, and I'm just going with the flow.

So, here we go.....

I recently got an email from someone representing a Guide to Art Schools website, listing Tattoosday among the top 45 tattoo blogs. Considering how specific the site is, I'm honored to be included, especially among some of my favorite tattoo cyber-destinations. You check out the list here:
http://www.guidetoartschools.com/library/best-tattoo-blogs.

And since we're throwing around the work "Best, " I received word about a  new tattoo reality show currently in production for the Oxygen Network. Its working title is "Best Ink" and it sounds rather compelling. Check it out:

Capturing the drama and culture of the tattoo scene, "Best Ink"(WT) will feature approximately 12 top tattoo artists as they compete for a cash prize and bragging rights. These unique artists will produce bona fide masterpieces on skin -- something rarely seen in the competition world. The permanent artwork will be created for -- and on -- real people in a variety of challenges to showcase the artists' talents. Only one artist will win the ultimate prize of BEST INK (WT)

Casting details are here.



And, finally, in a creepy news story, but one that certainly nipped at my curiosity, the artists at Sacred Art Tattoo Studio in Tucson are getting some publicity, as they had the dubious distinction of tattooing Jared Loughner last fall. Not to feed into the media frenzy surrounding this guy, but I was curious, so I just had to look into it. Read all about it here.

So what do you think? Should Tattoosday Newsday becoming a regular feature? Feel free to comment below.

Did you know?

Hello Everyone It's Ann with Aberration Tattoo......

Let's ponder this..... Did you know????

 Tattoos are made by inserting pigment into the skin with an electrically powered solid needle that punctures the skin between 50 and 3,000 times per minute (makes me think of a sewing machine - yikes!!). The needle penetrates the skin by about a millimeter and deposits a drop of insoluble ink into the skin with each puncture.

When you look at a person's tattoo, you're seeing the ink through the epidermis - the outer layer of skin. The ink resides in the dermis - the second layer of skin, just below the epidermis. Dermis cells are far more stable than the cells of the epidermis, so the tattoo's ink will stay in place, with only minor fading and dispersion (spreading out), for a person's entire life!

Tattoos I Know: Paul's Taíno Ink

Last summer, my friend Paul had some new work done by Pierre at The Fort Apache Tattoo Studio near Penn Station. You can see some of his old work here and here and here and here (yes, he's a regular!).

Fort Apache is up several flights of stairs, but it is conveniently close to my day job, which makes up for the aerobic ascension to the shop on 31st Street.

This is what Paul had tattooed on his right forearm:

These four symbols are petroglyphs from the Taíno culture in Puerto Rico. They are one way Paul has chosen to acknowledging his and his ancestors' culture, in ink.

From top to bottom, the symbols each have literal meanings, and then personal meanings for Paul. The triangular piece is a zemis, pointing in three directions - to the sky and the Creator, to the underworld and the realm of the dead, and to the world of the living.

The second petroglyph is Sol, or the sun and the fourth design is the coqui, or frog.

Thanks once again to Paul for sharing his latest installment of ink here with us on Tattoosday!

Tattoo Shop Atmosphere

A tattoo shop has long been considered a extension of many artist family. Lets face it with an artist creative side to blossom the place where he or she works has to be up beat and nurture the creative side. Sometimes this comes with risk to the shop in the form of too much drama and it's up to the owners of the shop to make changes when needed.

I've personally worked at shops that were both fun and a drag, when I opened Aberration Pro Custom Tattoo I wanted it to have an atmosphere of fun and learning. I've learned many important lessons in my time owning the shop. Drama can be a morale killer and also effect the way customers and the art they receive. So when it generally comes to things effecting the customers I have to step in and fix the situation. I really hope that I can make the right decisions so the atmosphere can stay fun and exciting.

One thing that is certain is that it takes the entire staff to work together as a team to run a shop. The shop is never defined by just one artist or even the owners. A shop is defined by all that participate in making the shop the best it can be. I've seen lots of shops come and go in my time in the industry because the morale of the shop effected the customers and they would stop coming. I had an instance were two apprentices started going out together outside the shop. When they were inside the shop they would ignore customers and make the shop look bad. I had to get rid of them because they couldn't keep personal stuff outside the shop and caused all kinds of drama.

It wasn't until this past week me and my partners decided it was time to enforce a rule where staff cannot date each other. If they do then they need to keep it quiet and out of the shop.When staff start dating each other they forget where they are when they are working. They show displays of emotion that wouldn't be accepted in any other work place atmosphere. So now to avoid any more problems within the shop the decision to stop it all together is the best way to prevent any more problems.

Artist are sometimes a little slow when it comes to the economy. They are use to making great deals of money everyday and forget that we either feast or go hungry because we work on a percentage only. There is only a handful of artist out there that can name their price for a shop to hire them. Most of these artist who think they are hot shit go store to store for 5 or 6 months and either quit or get fired because they get use to a daily routine. They start relying on the shop to bring them customers instead of getting their work out there. When that starts happening they change the morale of the shop because they are not making the money.

Owners and even other artist have to stay on them type of artist and push them to network and get the word out. Last case effort has to be for an owner to understand when to say enough is enough. If the artist don't have the drive to make his own career go then it's time to part ways with that artist. An owner can only take so much before he/she has to say enough is enough. Yea the shop might lose a few customers here or there because the artist is no longer there. But on the flip side the owner will gain more customers because the atmosphere in the shop will change back to a positive nature.

This is something that come Wednesday I will discuss with the apprentices. Most of them want to operate their own shop one day. This topic here is a make or break for any shop. As future tattoo artist/owners you always have to put the shop first. It's your business and how you will be making a living when you graduate.

Polynesian shoulder tattoo design photo

Hi,

A few weeks ago I sold one of my tattoo designs, shoulder tattoo 143 to a customer. Recently I received a great picture of the finished design. It's a Polynesian shoulder sleeve, with tribal elements like turtle shells, shark teeth and a mask.
It also has some Koru Kiri tuhi shapes. This particular tattoo is done really crisp, nice tight lines and flowing curves.

In the picture you see the flash design next to the finished tatoo



Kind regards, Mark Storm
info@storm3d.com
tribalflashtattoosblogspot.com

Lightbox caption with paypal button

Hi,

On my homepage at storm3d.com I have 9 thumbnails of my latest sketches and finished designs.
Until recently I simply linked these images to my other blog on which I also sell my designs, http://tribalflashtattoos.blogspot.com.
I discovered a simple script, Lightbox, which is used to overlay images on a webpage, and implemented it to display my canvas prints.
No problem thus far...

Recently I visited a website that also had the Lightbox script, but also included a Paypal button in the caption, so visitors could easily buy the print/photo with a simply click.
It would be really nice to have such an option on my site as well.

It seemed quite easy to make a new button in my Paypal account and copy the html-code in the lightbox "title" code.
Unfortunately it wasn't that easy...
After a few hours of trial and error I discovered this webpage.
I downloaded an adjusted "lightbox.js" file and copied it to my server.
Then I changed the "title" tag in a "caption" tag and voila!

Here's a picture of the result on my homepage:














Kind regards, Mark Storm
www.storm3d.com

Updates!!! Here is a recently finished piece on Lawrence. On the other side of his leg is the cover up with another koi that i done weeks ago. Koi fishes... I like!

Enjoy...

Jeremy's backpiece. We should be completing the background soon, i hope. Stay tuned...

A koi fish again. Cover up of a old tribal on his arm.

Calvin thigh piece. Snake with flowers. More snakes!!


Ok... i done for this week. I will update Eric's and Darren's recent work really soon. Do check back!

Gabriel
93388479
inkedz@hotmail.com

Niki's Memorial Foot

Alas, with winter setting in, spotting tattoos in public is seasonably challenging. Thank goodness for ink on uncovered extremities, like hands and the occasional foot!

Case in point, earlier this month I met Niki in Penn Station after spotting this dagger on her foot:

She had this, one of her three tattoos, done three or four years ago a couple of years after her father had passed away.

It is a memorial that is based on a necklace her dad wore. When I asked her, after the fact, if she still had the necklace, she said she didn't, but said it was a lot like this one. She added "my dad bought it the Christmas before he passed away and it really showed off his sarcasm and style because he was very much into motorcycles and whatnot".

Wisely, in my opinion, she kept the design, but excised the words on the necklace from the tattoo!

Niki had this done by Marc at Ink Link Tattoos & Piercings in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Thanks to Niki for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Augustine's update from Dunlop

oh, btw, I am on facebook... finally, add me at insaneskinart@yahoo.com, thanks.

Augustine

Ian Francis updates from Gimmelove1 @ 40b Sago Street

Ian has been working and drinking hard with me since he joined us last month and below are some pics to prove it! (not the drinking part though) Life at Gimmelove1 couldn't been better ever since Ian, Sean and Yin joined me and cindy! So much fun, chemistry and inspirations in the studio now that i can't even find any excuses to turn up late! Check out Ian's recently completed amazing b/g back piece in his own very style below and not to forget his beautiful rendition of our very own Singapore's icon, the merlion! For appointments, pls contact Ian at +65-90026234! Enjoy!







-Baldwin-

Sean's updates from GimmeLove1@40b Sago street

Below are some pieces that Sean did after he joined us at GimmeLove. Check out his amazing colour works that leaves mi speechless everytime i went out of my room to check out what the other guys are working on. Anybody interested in his kind of style of colour works, pls call or sms him at +64-84844838 for appointments now!!! You will not regret it! Enjoy the pictures below!







-Baldwin-

Photo of a tattooed tribal design

Hi!

Every now and then I receive pictures of people with my designs tattooed.
Here's a really nice example of one of my tattoos applied to a guy's shoulder and upper arm:














On my website this design is in the "Shoulder" section, number 140.
You can click the sketch to visit the gallery




Kind regards, Mark Storm
info@storm3d.com
www.storm3d.com

Workforce and Tattoos!!!

Even in 2011 as the tattoo industry has slowly become  mainstream the body art that people get can find that they no longer have a job. It's funny how slow that the work place has not changed with the rest of society. Doctors, lawyers or even congressman get them- this should show the world that body art has come full circle and acceptance should almost be assumed. This is not the case and I don't see it anytime soon either. The problem is still the older generation is still in charge and they haven't been able to change with societies views. With this in mind we as artist have to be proactive in protecting our clients interest.

What's it mean to to protect our clients? When an 18 year old kid comes in wanting a name or other design on the neck it would be our responsibility to discourage that from happening. Why let someone that young get a tattoo in the neck region when you as an artist know that it won't be accepted in his/her workplace. Clients usually come into the shop all gong ho getting tattoos in spots that are not socially acceptable, friends usually get them there and they think it's cool. Or the famous let me get my boyfriends name on my neck and I ONLY been with him for 2 weeks. Education is much of our job as tattooing someone. If you knew something bad was going to happen to someone would you not try and warn them before it happens? Same thing as education and your client.

I know as a tattoo artist personally with all the tattoos I've got that it would be very hard if not impossible to get a job at a bank or say selling insurance. Why? Because with dealing in the financial sector people have the image of some professional looking person. If you have a client in that profession it's probably better for them to place a tattoo in a place where it can be covered by clothing. Hands, neck, even below the elbow wouldn't be a good idea. One thing I believe and emphasis to lots of women is the fact that society still doesn't accept tattoos on arms for females. I'm seeing a hell of a lot more of them these days but have also heard the troubles they are having getting employment. So yes it's personal preference for location of a tattoo. But be responsible and warn your clients about the potential side effects and hassles that can occur.

Personally I will not do side of the neck tattoos on anyone 18-23. At this age I do not believe that a client has settled into a career and the tattoo that I put on can cost them in many ways in their desired career. Boyfriend girlfriend names are the same. If I did this I know some time in the near future it would be covered up. I've been in the business a long time and the story is always the same 2 or 3 weeks later. So artist in this industry need to be pro active and involved with their clients. Education will always pay off because the client sees that you care about their interest and it saves you as the artist a big headache in the end.

Clark's Tattoo Incorporates Utah Wildflowers and a French Surrealist

Back in October, I briefly met Clark when I was passing through Penn Station at the end of the day. He was waiting for a train, so we didn't have a lengthy discussion, but he did let me photograph his right forearm:

There are two significant elements to this work. Clark is originally from Utah, and he has chosen to acknowledge this in ink by having Utah wildflowers incorporated in the piece.

The figure is bordered by the French phrase "Nul n'est censé ignorer" which can be translated as "ignorance is no excuse." The figure is based on the work of French painter and poet Francis Picabia.


Clark credited both Jonah Ellis and Joss Macetti at Graceland Brooklyn for work on this tattoo.


Thanks to Clark for sharing this with us here on Tattoosday!

A Diversion: A Tattoo Across Time

Well, folks, at one point I had over fifty days of material backlogged, but I've been rationing of late, and tattoobernating a bit. I've less than seven days of posts remaining and this cold weather has everyone hiding their ink because of the cold.

So, until it heats up, check out this piece by writer Shonna Milliken Humphrey in tomorrow's New York Times.

It's a very nice essay and it is ink-related.

Read more about the author here.

The Age of the Scratcher

The Age of the Scratcher!!! Isn't it so? With tattoo kits being sold all over the internet on sites such as Ebay and Craigslist we in the Studios are seeing more and more of the above kind of tattoos on a daily basis. Being self taught isn't a big deal to me as long as they would educate themselves the right way. Videos or Dvd's isn't really going to show a person how to set needle depth or machine tuning. Individuals who just go and start tattooing on a persons skin is quiet frankly an idiot. How could they have a mind of ease to just go screw someone up? Before going off on the deep end I think we as artist should really place the blame where it belongs.

It's Tattoo suppliers such as Superior Tattoo who is famous for selling to who ever has the money. This is why  hardly any professional shop will by from them. I refuse to buy from any supplier who doesn't request our EIN number or business license. I put much of the blame not on the scratchers but on the Supply industry. The supply industry is the number one industry that SHOULD be regulated. You won't find any medical supply stores selling their items to anyone not licensed to buy. I believe the shops around the country should boycott the suppliers that advertise directly to the non-professional tattooist.

When tattooing many different kinds of bloodborne and infectious diseases exist in the process. Those not trained in the art will most likely get into a situation where disease is spread and walk away without any liability what so ever leaving the person tattooed in the ER with a 10 day regiment of antibiotics if they are lucky. A story of a women who got infected with Hep B can be found here. This lady has some responsibility herself on getting this condition because she should've went to a reputable tattoo studio. Even though the artist was licensed he shouldv'e never did it outside his states regulations.

Now A days it's just not getting a bad tattoo from these people. It's a life threating to go somewhere just because of price. Aberration Pro Custom Tattoo has adopted the policy of giving great artwork for prices people can afford in this economy just to try and help people avoid going to individuals without any training. Our apprentices are put through exercises every week to learn the trade. A lot of them are tattooing grapefruits and bananas right now doing all sorts of exercises. Some probably wondering why the hell they are drawings lines here or shading the entire grapefruit in. The reason behind alot of the exercises is to get them familiar with the machine, controlling needle depth, finding a groove they can work comfortable in. Most scratchers don't even now how to bust down a machine more less control it on skin.

I'm hopeful one day that the government will require regulation of the Supply Industry instead of going after or making it tougher for the studios. If they would go after the source then it would be much more less likely to see breakouts of Hep B like in the 70's in New York that led to a ban on shops until just recently. I can tell you most shops care a lot about how the work comes out and also the customers safety. I've had people call into the shop asking if it were ok to put needles they used on someone in an oven to reuse them. Yes this is the kinds of scratchers out there tattooing people right now. Hopefully the future of tattooing isn't screwed up because of these kind of people running around out there.

Steel Barrels versus Disposable Barrels

When I started tattooing back in 1994 I used steel barrels. Disposable barrels still were not widely used in the industry. I also started out using a brass frame machine. The weight that the two were combined was nice and heavy. With how heavy the whole set was enabled me to throw down lines like butter. The steel barrels also aided the machine in how it sounded and how I was able to tune it. In 2005 I decided it was time to go with the industry standard of disposable barrels. Up until like three weeks ago I was totally behind the idea of using just disposable equipment at the shop.

With disposables I've found only a few advantages over the steel counterparts. They were one time use and the artist threw them out. The public liked this idea because for years the industry used it as a marketing tool to get customers in the door. The tattoo industry tends to market the fear of catching some disease to the public in order to get them into the shop. Well as many of our students learned last night during our sterilization class a tattoo shop can be more clean then a hospital.

Our class was on the process of how we get our equipment sterile. The State of Illinois mandates that all shops who use steel instruments have an ultrasonic cleaner and spore tested autoclave. At Aberration Pro Custom Tattoo we actually go through more of a process then required. We use three processes to kill and sterilize all of our equipment. Chemical, Autoclave Steam, and UV sterilization up to the minute a customer comes in for a procedure. Many have called it overkill because we have an up to date spore test, but at our shop the safety of the clients and staff is priority number one. With our processes we are able to achieve 100% sterilization.

So with the shop doing more then whats required by State Law the artist are able to enjoy using equipment that is better then disposables. Disposables usually disrupt the machines tuning and the needles ability to ride on a smooth surface. If you ever pulled a disposable barrel out of a package you notice the artist has to cut some of the ends of the barrels off. So instead of giving out bad work thats the main reason I decided to go back to steel. Every artist has their way of doing things, Aberration will be a MOMS and Steel only shop because the quality of the tools affect the outcome of our procedures.

Photos of Maori/Polynesian leg tattoo

Hi,

On October the 21st I posted some pictures of a lower leg tattoo design:












Yesterday I received pictures from the customer with the final tattoo.
It's really nice to see how the design turned out and fits exactly.

You can see that both sides of the tatoo design above create a really nice pattern on the back side of the leg:













I'm a big fan on this kind of "band tattoos", so if you are looking for a similar band on your lower- or upper leg/arm, please feel free to contact me.

Kind regards, Mark Storm

Celina's Tattoo Gives Her Strength and Courage

Last month, I received a phone call when I was walking through the Borders at 2 Penn Plaza. I sat down in one of those comfy chairs and noticed, once I had finished speaking on the phone, that the young lady sitting next to me had an interesting tattoo on her right wrist. I asked her about it and Celina kindly shared it with us here:

Celina explained that she had originally hoped to have this done in Aramaic, but that she and her artist couldn't find the proper script, so she chose this one instead. It's an old Hebrew script, which I can recognize a significant part of, thanks to my many years of Hebrew school in Hawai'i.

The words translate to "Be strong and courageous," from Deuteronomy 31:6:

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

The Hebrew phrase,     
 חִזְקוּ וְאִמְצוּ
is spoken by Moses, on behalf of God, addressing the Israelites after they have fled Egypt and are about to embark on the journey that takes forty years and eventually leads them to the Promised Land.

This phrase resonated with Celina, who had this tattoo done before she moved to New York from the San Francisco Bay area, and was about to embark on a journey into the unknown.

She credited the artist Chris Evans, in Santa Cruz, California, with inking this tattoo.

Thanks to Celina for sharing this tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

What Laws would be good for our industry in the State of Illinois that other states currently have?

STATE	STATUS
Alabama	RegulatedState	Licensing and Facility Inspection Under Department of Health Services tattooing of minors is prohibited; blood borne pathogen training program required
Alaska	Regulated State	Sec. 08.13.217. Tattooing or body piercing on a minor. (a) A person may not practice tattooing on a minor. (b) A person may not practice body piercing on a minor without prior written permission from the minor's parent or legal guardian and the presence of the parent or legal guardian during the body piercing procedure. The person who performs the body piercing shall keep a copy of the written permission on file for at least three years.
Arizona	Regulated State	HB 2666-441-H (Revising Title 32) Permanent Makeup is regulated separately from tattooing; tattooing of minors is prohibited; It is unlawful for a person to engage in the business of tattooing out of a home...
Arkansas	Regulated State	Regulated separately for body tattooing; tattooing of minors is prohibited
California	Regulated State	AB 186 requires registration with county health dept and facility inspection.  tattooing of minors is prohibited
Delaware	Regulated State	Tattooing of minors is prohibited
Colorado	Regulated State	Licensing under the State Board of Cosmetology;  Permanent Makeup is regulated separately from tattooing 25-4-2103. Parental consent for minors. NO BODY ARTIST SHALL PERFORM A BODY ART PROCEDURE UPON A MINOR UNLESS THE BODY ARTIST HAS RECEIVED EXPRESS CONSENT FROM THE MINOR'S PARENT OR GUARDIAN. FAILURE TO OBTAIN SUCH PERMISSION BEFORE PERFORMING BODY ART PROCEDURES ON A MINOR SHALL CONSTITUTE A PETTY OFFENSE PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS.
Connecticut	Regulated State	tattooing under the supervision of a physician and regulated by the Dept of Health Procedures• Facial tattoos may only be done by licensed physicians • Injection of chemicals into the skin by tattoo artists to remove tattoos is illegal • Customers must be sober • Signed consent forms required • Parental consent forms required for minors • Artists must keep records on every customer for at least 2 years • Oral care instructions required • Acetate stencils must be sanitized
Florida	Regulated State	permitted under general endorsement of MD, DDS or DC. 877.04; tattooing of minors under age 16 is not legal
Georgia	Regulated State	state statue prohibits tattooing within 1" of eye; tattooing of minors is prohibited; licensure required by department of health
Hawaii	Regulated State	Requires exam, license & registration and with physician supervision tattooing of minors is prohibited
Illinois	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited
Idaho	Regulated State	Parental consent is required for tattooing, branding and body piercing of any person under the age of eighteen (18) years. No tattooing, branding or body piercing may occur on any person under the age of fourteen (14) years. Piercing of the ear lobes and piercing for medical purposes are exempted from this legislation. Penalty for violation is an enhanced misdemeanor with additional penalty for subsequent violation withing one year. SENATE BILL NO. 1281
Iowa	Regulated State	regulated by Public Health Dept.; tattooing of minors prohibited
Indiana	Regulated State	Senate Enrolled Act 13;tattooing of minors is prohibited
Kansas	Regulated State	regulated by state board of cosmetology;  tattooing of minors is prohibited; licensure and training must be approved by board of cosmetology
Kentucky	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited
Louisiana	Regulated State	A. It is unlawful for any person to tattoo any other person under the age of eighteen without the consent of the parents of such person.B. It is unlawful for any business entity to pierce the body of any person under the age of eighteen without the consent of a parent or legal custodian of such person. Licensed by Department of Health
Maine	Regulated State	Micropigmentation Regulated separately from body tattooing tattooing of minors is prohibited;certification by the AAM required
Maryland	Regulated State	Regulated by Board of Cosmetology; cosmetic tattooing is illegal and prohibited in a beauty salon.
Massachusetts	Regulated State	state of Massachusetts has legalized tattooing and classified Permanent Makeup under Body Art.  Each city in Massachusetts will have their own restrictions through the Board of Health. Board of Health in Cambridge requires AAM certification; For more information you can contact Marie Eileen O'Neil AC 617 624-5280,
Michigan	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited; facility license required with Dept. of Health
Minnesota	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited; tattooists are not regulated by State government in Minnesota. Tattooists may be regulated by city or county agencies.
Mississippi	Regulated State	registration and licensure governed by Dept. of Health
Missouri	Regulated State	HB343 tattooing of minors is prohibited ; licensure required
Montana	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited; regulated by health board with physician director
Nebraska	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited
Nevada	Regulated State	Tattoo artists must be licensed by the city in which they live. The regulations are set by the county where the technician resides.Clark County currently has strigent regulations on health permits and inspections. Washoe county requires a license from district health department for "invasive body decoration establishments".
NewHampshire	Regulated State	distinguishes tattooing and cosmetic tattooing; Tattooing of minors is prohibited. Photo ID is required.
New Jersey	Regulated State	Tattooing of minors is prohibited. Photo ID is required. New Jersey has adopted new codes for tattooing, permanent makeup and piercing. Certification by the AAM required
New Mexico	Unregulated State	no legislation only statutes for animals
New York	Regulated State	new regulations have been proposed. As of 1999 tattooing is now LEGAL in New York City; tattooing of minors is prohibited
North Carolina	Regulated State	Requires annual permit, tattoo removal prohibited -. Some local prohibition (Wake Co.); tattooing of minors is prohibited and is considered a felony
North Dakota	Unregulated State	only regulations on tattoo equipment
Ohio	Regulated State	OHIO Code Regulated by the  State Board of Health . Tattooing of minors is prohibited
Oklahoma	Regulated State	House Bill 1964 has been passed & signed by governor: tattooing only by licensed medical practitioners in course of practice until new guidelines are placed into action as mentioned in HB1964
Oregon	Regulated State	Requires 368 hrs. Training at state approved school, written exam. DDS authorized to give anesthesia injections for lip procedures tattooing of minors is prohibited
Pennsylvania	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited; new restrictive codes; illegal for cosmetologist to provide permanent makeup in salon according to the State Board of Cosmetology
Rhode Island	Regulated State	2000 Legislation The director of Dept of Health  shall promulgate rules and regulations which provide minimum requirements; tattooing of minors is prohibited
South Carolina	Regulated State	Tattooing has been voted in South Carolina. Click here for the state laws
South Dakota	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited
Tennessee	Regulated State	Requires 1 yr. Apprenticeship with tattoo artist that has been licensed with the state for min. 3 yrs., registration with local health dept., inspection, and permit. Tattoo removal prohibited. tattooing of minors is prohibited
Texas	Regulated State	Sterilization Standards under the Health Department. SB 1812; tattooing of minors is prohibited
Utah	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited; some regulations by County Local Ordinances only: Toole County, Salt Lake City
Vermont	Regulated State	registration requirements under the office of professional regulations 3 year experience as tattooist required; tattooing of minors is illegal
Virginia	Regulated State	tattooing of minors is prohibited; Study of tattooing safety by Department of Health 2001
Washington DC	Unregulated District	none presently; no licensure required
Washington	Regulated State	HOUSE BILL 1042 pending approval by governor. new standards for tattooing. If you know regulations in Washington, please let us know
West Virginia	Regulated State	Tattooing of minors is prohibited; business registration certificate & register with their local or regional board of health
Wisconsin	Regulated State	Tattooing of minors under 18 is prohibited; regulated by Department of Health; The practice of medicine and surgery is further defined not to include tattooing and body piercing when done for purposes of bodily adornment ( Dec 1999).
Wyoming	Regulated State	State of Wyoming tattooing of minors under age 18 is prohibited; unless emancipated minor