Thing Everyone Should Know!

First let me say there is a major difference between tidy and clean. I keep a very clean shop but my drafting table and office desks are almost never tidy. As with most artisits in the midst of a project reference materials are important and god help anyone who wades in to organize my choas.

Dirty is what you never want to see in a tattoo studio.

This is the section my site where I get to rant. I will endeaver to keep the progression of my thoughts as tidy as my drafting tables.

Health and safety in California tattoo shops is the soap box I am quick to jump on. You, the tattoo customer deserve to know the truth. We are not regulated, you take your life in your hands when you walk through the door. It is easy to assume that any licensed shop you visit is a clean safe place but you would be wrong.

In the state of California there is no blanket law, other than age, regarding tattoo safety. It is a county by county basis and very few counties have elected to become involved in this business.

Several years ago I worked with Assembly Women Valeri Brown to draft and impliment the OSHA standard regarding the handling of blood borne pathogens to apply to my industry. A well known politition approached me after I addressed the Assemle and said "People who get tattoo get what they deserve." I agree we all deserve a safe tattoo but I don't think that's what he meant, the law failed.

So we are a self regulated business which means the immates are in charge of the asylum.

Hair dressers and barbers are regulated, nail salons are regulated, and they still had out breaks of flesh eating bacteria, these people are not supposed to break skin...

Tattoos are not pretty pictures on skin, they are UNDER skin.

So as I step off my soap box I want to tell you a few things you can do to protect yourself and enjoy your tattoo experience.

To learn more you are welcome to come to the shop and we are happy to teach you more.

1) Does the shop's general apperence look and smell clean? While zoning and rental prices can effect the location and neighborhood, a shop is situated once you walk in the door that is the owner/artisit's domain and reflects the attitudes and dedication of the staff. (A little trick is after hanging out for a while in the shop ask to use the restroom. If it is clean and well outfitted that is a good sign.

2) Are they happy to answer questions about safety issues or are they secreative. If so what are they hiding? If you ask to see the spore check record of their sterilizer and it is met with either a blank stare or a refusal - leave!

3) Do they have you fill out a release that includes more medical information than personal information? This is very important. Example: If you have a condition which requires you to take antibiotics before a dental proceedure you should do the same before getting tattooed.

4) Do you see universal precautions begin practiced that mean nothing that can touch a tattoo in progress should be unprotected sometimes that means as simple as a plastic bad covering a machine or spray bottle. Every person should be treated as though they have hepatites, HIV, and tuberculasis rolled into one. That way nothing thouching open skin touched anyone else.

5) Do you feel rushed or pressured into making a decision? This is not a good sign. You will be waring the consequences of your choice until the worms are farting ink. Tattoo removal is a painful, expensive and not always effective medical process. If you are thinking of it as an option before you are committing to a tattoo then don't get a tattoo. Not everyone is meant to be tattooed.

Trends come and go, don't get a tattoo because someone famous got one or because it might seem like a way to prove your love...

Your artist is supposed to know when and where a tattoo will work for a lifetime.

The artist's who say they will tattoo anything on anyone, anywhere are to be run from. Certain spots don't age well and in our society a tattoo on face and neck is still a job stopper.

I have a policy of doing names in red or green. We recognize that everyone wants their love to last as long as their tattoo, but I am afraid that is not always the case, so red and green are future roses or ivy.

6) You want to see samples - lots of samples not just flash on the walls but actual tattoos and tattoo photos. The best way to find a lead on the best shop around is if you see someone sporting a tattoo that you would actually wear. Walking samples are the best and tattoo collectors are usually more than happy to share if they have had a good experience and even more willing if their experience sucked.

This is a business where art degrees mean little unless it can be applied to the mechanical skills needed for tattooing. I know tattooists who can't draw a straight line with a ruler but they can lay down a wonderful line and solid blanket of color everytime. There are those who can copy the same piece of flash (packaged tattoo art) over and over without a change "that's a skill."

7) Now we come to price. Most people don't have any idea of the type of overhead involved in running a clean, safe shop. Disposible everything is desirable but very expensive. You don't want people cutting corners with your body. Since this is the only piece of artwork you'll own that can never be taken from you don't be cheap a good tattoo is worth waiting and saving for.

Logic comes into play here. It makes perfect sense that a shop in a high rent, tourist area might charge a lot more for a mediocre tattoo than a shop in a bad neighborhood that has a solid reputation. Don't pic an artist because you saw him or her in a tattoo magazine. (Many magazines feature their advertizers on the ones that they think will sell the most issues.)

Prices should be clear and up front, some locations on the body may cost more but this should be posted openly otherwise the price might be affected by the car you drive or the clothes you wear.

OK now that you have the basics. Why do people come to me, why am I unique?

Magic. I am proud of my connection to the time honored tradition of tattooing. Connecting mind, body, spirit making every tattoo a very special experience. I love to help the client incorporate their heritage, ethics, artistic aesthetic, and body image. I consider enhancing a clients way of regarding himself to be as important as the placement on the body of the tattoo. I believe a tattoo can be reflective of all the clients is.

My personal collection of tattoos include genie's lamps which reflect my name, a viking boat for my norse heritage, displayed on the shields on the boats gunwales are my parents and childrens astrological signs they said which billows forward has a celtic harp which reflects my favorite part of being Irish. My astrological sign is buried in the clouds and smoke surronding my ship. My left side including my left arm is covered with autograph flowers given to me by all the artists I have been privilaged to work with.

My right leg is covered by two fabulous masked genies and bottles done by Apcahe Jil many years ago.

A dragon (I was born in the year of the dragon) done by Sergio Acat covers my entire torso.

I can actually say I do not regret any of my tattoos and my goal is that my customers feel the same.