Inked Talk

Eyeball tattooing - not a tattoo of an eyeball on skin, but a tattoo on the eyeball itself. Sound painful? For most people, that very thought is the stuff that nightmares are made of, but for Pauly Unstoppable, a Canadian body modification fanatic, it became a reality. Unstoppable is no stranger to unusual and extreme body modifications, but this eyeball tattoo is thought to be the first of its kind.

Over forty needle insertions were needed to add the blue hue to the white of his eyeball. UK’s tabloid, The Sun, featured pictures of the procedure in progress. Unstoppable appeared to have utmost faith in the procedure. “The procedure was extensively researched and done by people who were aware of the risks and possible complications and that it should not be casually attempted. “Now that this experiment has been started, please wait for us to either heal or go blind before trying it.”

The race for the most extreme body modification seems to know no limits. Unstoppable’s website features a huge list of tattoos, piercing, stretching, scarification and implants, some of which are downright cringeworthy, as well as a beautifully simple explanation of why he does what he does. So far the website hasn’t been updated to include the eyeball tattoos, but it does have a long list of future planned modifications, so the website, like Unstoppable, appears to be a work in progress.

To read more about the eyeball tattoo procedure, and to see more pictures, visit The Sun’s website.

For more about Pauly Unstoppable, including his photo gallery and modification list, click here.

Fresh out of rehab, troubled singer Amy Winehouse probably has more on her mind to worry about these days than the rather poor quality of her many tattoos. She was, however, recently spotted with a rather attractive new tattoo on her back. This one appears to be an American eagle perched upon a red, white and blue Ankh.

The Ankh is an Egyptian symbol of life, and the eagle is a very American emblem, so the combination of the two seems like a rather odd tattoo choice for a British woman, but the beauty of a tattoo is that we all get to attribute our own meanings and sentiments to our ink. Her latest is definitely a nicer quality than several of her other ones…perhaps she is at least turning over a new leaf with respect to her ink.

Sometimes those tattoos just don’t turn out quite as nice as we had hoped. And sometimes, something that sounded like a great idea on a Saturday night after a round of drinks doesn’t look so pretty on Monday morning. But the beauty of tattoos is that they are there, for better or worse, for a long time. And sometimes it seems like some ink just exists to set an example of what NOT to do.

WNOR FM99 is sponsoring a bad tattoo contest, and their website has pictures of the worst offenders so you can cast your vote. Even if the station isn’t in your listening area, the website is definitely worth a click because there are quite a few tattoos pictured that make you hope that both the artist and the tattooed were quite drunk at the time. The votes will be counted and the winners will get gift certificates to a tattoo shop - assuming that their horrifying ink hasn’t frightened them away from tattoos permanently.

Want to see a few of the highlights? Of course you do.

I think that one is pasta. Sitting underneath a house:

There has to be a story behind this one. Does anyone recognize that face? Or that butt?:

Kids shouldn’t use tattoo guns. Neither should some adults:

Is that an extra…leg? What IS that thing?

Does that say “pump ass” or “dump ass?” I can’t decide which would be worse.:

The ladies like my peniswrench:

It’s a…jellyfish? Curtain? Space invader?:

This is just a small sample of the wall of shame that is posted on the radio station’s website. There are plenty more on the station’s website, too! So cast your votes, and go thank your tattoo artist for doing a great job on your tattoo.

Women are getting tattoos more than ever now. A Harris poll conducted in 2003 revealed that about as many women as men are getting tattooed. Female tattoo artists, however, are still a minority.

This week Inked Talk chatted with Trista Marie, a tattoo artist at Custom Tattoo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Relatively new to the scene, Trista Marie has been tattooing for three years although she has been a tattoo enthusiast for a long time.

Inked Talk: You have a number of very prominent tattoos yourself. Which came first, your own tattoo collection or the interest in tattooing?

Trista Marie: My interest in tattooing came to me at about eleven or twelve years old. I started tattooing myself at about twelve, homemade crappy tattoos. I have them all either covered or lasered by now.

IT: You obviously had an early interest in art. Where did that come from?

TM: I have been drawing and creating ever since I can remember. My grandfather was an artist. He painted and drew comic strips. When I was really young, we would sit together and draw, color, and watch He-man. A lot of my inspiration comes from him.

IT: You have made great strides since your childhood tattoo work. Was that the result of a traditional apprenticeship?

TM: I started my apprenticeship at Zoe’s (Zoe’s Vicious Circle in Milwaukee). I finished at Starship Tattoo. My apprenticeship could have been a little more thorough, but I was tattooing professionally by early 2005.

IT: Do you find that people are surprised to see a woman tattooing?

TM: My experiences differ day to day. Most people perceive me as a counter girl or piecer at first glance because it is so uncommon. In the past, customers have asked me “Is he going to do my tattoo?” or “When does he have time today?” It can get on my nerves, but there nothing I can really do about it. People have their own perceptions on the tattoo world and being that it is mostly males in the industry, people are often surprised when they see a women tattooing. There are some people that say they would never get tattooed by a women because they think a women couldn’t do the same job as a man. Some people prefer to get tattooed by a women because they say we are more delicate and pay attention to more detail. I think it doesn’t matter what sex you are as long as your passionate about what you do.

IT: Your artwork has a distinct and unique style. Who do you consider to be your biggest influences?

TM: They are so many to mention, I don’t know where to begin. If it inspires me, its very influential to my artwork. I really like Patrick Nagel, Dali, Frank Kozik for starters. Michael Hussar is a very exceptional painter. I very much enjoy Tara McPherson’s work. Then there are artists such as Guy Aitchison, Michelle Wortman, Josh Woods, Brandon Bond, Nikko Hurtado….the list could go on.

IT: What has been the biggest challenge for you as an artist?

TM: That there is only twenty-four hours in a day. There needs to be just a few more hours in the day. Then maybe a could get 100 things done instead of only 50.

Be sure to check out Trista Marie’s Myspace Page, and if you are in the Milwaukee area, see her at Custom Tattoo on Farwell.

Your best friend just got his girlfriend’s name tattooed on his arm. He and “Angela” have only been dating for a few weeks, but they are completely in love. You razz him a bit about the tattoo, saying he’s going to regret it in a few weeks when Angela has moved on, but he’s convinced that she’s the one. And if she’s not, the “Angela” on his arm is going to stay with him forever.

Many of us cringe a bit when we see a name tattoo. Perhaps that’s because we think that permanently placing another’s name on your skin is an excellent way to jinx a good thing. Or perhaps it’s because people outside of a relationship can see the future of the relationship far more clearly than someone who is blinded by love. But is a name tattoo, in and of itself, always such a bad idea?

The answer depends upon how you view tattoos. To some, tattoos are accessories, like a pair of earrings or a purse. They are there because they look good, and while they may have some meaning or significance to the wearer, their primary purpose is decoration. For these people, the name tattoo functions like wearing your lover’s class ring - it is a symbol of the relationship at its present time. But a class ring comes off when the romance is gone. For those whose tattoos are mere accessories, name tattoos may not be a good choice, particularly in the context of a dating relationship.

Amy Winehouse has her husband’s name tattooed on her chest:

For others, their tattoos are more like memorials - they are symbolic of a special time and place in their lives. Some get tattooed to commemorate the birth of a child or the passing of a loved one. Others get tattooed to memorialize an achievement or life experience as is the case with some military tattoos. If your tattoos are more than merely decorative - if they function as a record of your life - then isn’t a name tattoo completely appropriate? Perhaps your friend and “Angela” break up after a few years - he may get over her but he won’t ever forget her completely. What is the harm in having an ink tribute to that time in his life? For those who view their tattoos as their own living records, name tattoos seem entirely reasonable.

And if not, there are always cover-ups.

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Watching House

Browsing Kat von D and company’s LA Ink website today I noticed a feature called “Tattoo Mistakes,” which was a brief article outlining some common mistakes that people make when getting a tattoo. The advice was certainly good:

5. Poorly Sized Tattoo - getting a tattoo that is too small or that doesn’t fit well on the body part where it is placed. A tiny tattoo can certainly be beautiful if done well, but getting a dime-sized flower on your thigh just for the sake of having a tattoo is likely to lead to future regret…or a tattoo that from a distance looks like an ugly bruise.
4. Cheap Tattoos - a common tattoo shop sign says “a good tattoo ain’t cheap, and a cheap tattoo ain’t good.” Be thrifty when it comes to car insurance - don’t skimp when you are permanently marking your body.
3. Lover’s Name Tattoos - A Harris poll from 2003 cited getting having a former lover’s name in a tattoo as the biggest reason for tattoo regret. Opinions differ strongly on this one, but that tattoo is going to stay forever so make sure you’ll still want to read “Lisa” on your arm even after Lisa has left you for your brother.
2. Impulsive Tattoos - I wonder how my friend from high school likes the Kermit the Frog she had tattooed on her inner thigh now that she’s in her thirties. While it may seem cute or funny now, are you going to think so a few years down the road? Or even the next day? My personal tattoo litmus test is if I have an idea for a tattoo I have to like it for at least a few months before I decide to get it done.
1. Being Drunk - Tattoo parlors simply shouldn’t tattoo someone who is obviously intoxicated, but the real responsibility lies in the customer. Don’t make any decision that you have to live with forever while you are drunk.

While the LA Ink suggestions were excellent, other artists have had additional suggestions to avoid making tattoo mistakes:

Be comfortable with your artist and his work. If you aren’t sure about your artist’s work - if you don’t like his style or you aren’t comfortable with his take on your tattoo idea - don’t do it! Don’t get pressured into someone else’s vision of your tattoo. Shop around - there will be someone out there who understands what you want and who can help you make that idea work for you.

Do your homework on the tattoo shop. Tattoos really can be hazardous to your health if done in an unclean environment. Be sure that your tattoo shop has a good track record of cleanliness and compliance with health codes. If there’s anything about the shop that makes you feel uncomfortable or question its cleanliness, leave. There are other tattoo shops that will be happy to help you out - don’t risk your health on a bad one.

Ask questions. Particularly for a first tattoo, if you have questions about the tattoo procedure, about aftercare, or about anything, don’t be afraid to ask. It is better to ask than learn something the hard way later. The tattoo guy may look scary, but if he’s truly a professional he’ll have an answer to your question.

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Current Event Watch

Has the availability of laser tattoo removal changed people’s attitudes towards getting a tattoo?

Not long ago, a tattoo was a lifelong commitment. The ink you selected would stay with you for the rest of your life. Time may fade it and scars may mar it, but it will be there, for better or worse, forever. The significance of that is obvious: choose carefully when selecting a tattoo. Don’t get a tattoo on a whim, don’t pick something out that you aren’t one hundred percent certain about, and don’t get inked in a place you’ll regret five, ten or twenty years down the road.

Have those careful considerations changed with the availability of laser tattoo removal? Has the decision-making process on the part of the consumer changed because he or she knows that if they end up regretting their ink they can have it erased?

The laser tattoo removal process works by using short pulses of intense light to actually break down the tattoo ink pigments. These fractured pigments are eventually broken down by the body’s immune system. Different colors and different types of inks break down differently, which means that complete removal of all tattoos may not be possible, but the vast majority of tattoos can be substantially “erased” by this procedure. The procedure is far from painless, and it is relatively pricey. But even with these well-documented drawbacks, it is still an option that the consumer is aware of when getting inked. Does that fact change how people shop for tattoos?

Statistics on tattoo regret and removal are sketchy. A Harris poll from 2003 suggests that about 17% of those surveyed regret at least one of their tattoos. Would that 17% have the tattoo removed if given the option? That’s hard to say. Certainly there are good reasons to remove certain tattoos. Reformed gang members may wish to remove the markings of their past affiliations in order to become gainfully employed. But anyone with the cash and the gumption can have their tattoo remove by laser, no matter how innocuous their ink is.

It is difficult to say what is in a person’s mind when they are selecting a tattoo, but for better or worse, certainly the availability of laser removal has played a factor in some people’s tattoo decisions.

Tattoo artists, I pose this question to you: What has your experience with your own customers been? What would you say to a customer who, when selecting a tattoo, says “I can always have it taken off later if I don’t want it anymore”?

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Retro TV

Today is Valentine’s Day, and what would be more appropriate for the occasion than a look at a timeless classic: the heart tattoo.

There are endless variations of the heart tattoo. Many people emblazon a heart with their lover’s name as a permanent tribute to their love. Others use the heart as a symbol of respect and admiration for family, such as the “Mom” heart tattoo. People find the permanence of a tattoo to be strongly symbolic, as sort of a monument to the endless nature of their love or feelings that do not fade away. Fortunately, for those who make mistakes, tattoos can be altered and covered up, and even removed entirely.

The heart with a dagger through it is another common variation, with interesting origins. A pierced heart may modernly be symbolic of a broken heart, betrayal, or love withheld. The dagger is symbolic of stealth and secrecy: the classic weapon of the assassin. It is effective only in close range, and on a symbolic level that is very appropriate because the harshest wounds and the deepest hurt can only be inflicted on us by someone who is intimately close to our hearts.

These wonderful love-related metaphors associated with the dagger through the heart conceal an even more interesting origin of the tattoo: the dagger through the heart as a symbol actually finds its beginnings in Christianity as the Sacred Heart of Mary. In Luke 2:35, Simeon prophesies over Jesus and speaks of what salvation will come through Him and says to Mary, “…and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.” The rendering of the Sacred Heart of Mary with a dagger piercing the heart is symbolic of Simeon’s prophecy coming true.

Perhaps even more interestingly, Voodoo lore, which often co-opts symbolism associated with Catholicism, also attributes meaning to the dagger through a heart. It is a symbol of the Voodoo loa (which can be interpreted roughly as a Voodoo “goddess”) Erzulie. Erzulie is the feared and loved symbol of beauty, female energy, and vengeance.

Like any tattoo, the heart tattoo can have as much or as little meaning as its bearer attributes to it. It is interesting to dig deeper into the origin of some of these more enduring designs, such as the heart tattoo, to find out what lies beneath the basic assumptions we make about such tattoos.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Angelina Jolie in Iraq

Inked Talk is debuting a new feature today: Tattoo Website Reviews. Every week we will be spotlighting a new website that features some aspect of tattooing.

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Website Review: Inked Inc.

Inked Inc. features beautiful photos of tattooed professionals. The Inked Inc. project is more than just a website - the project includes a hardcover book, an online photography portfolio, a traveling exhibition, a line of apparel, and even an online community where readers and fans can share their own experiences as tattooed professionals.

The site’s creator, Dave Kimelberg, is a corporate attorney and photographer in Boston, Massachusetts who happens to be extensively tattooed himself. His experiences in covering up for the corporate world inspired him to share the lives of other inked professionals in beautiful full-color photos.

Many of Kimelberg’s photos feature the subjects covering their ink in “work appropriate” attire followed by photos of them displaying their tattoos. The Inked Inc. Youtube video gives a good overview of “before and after” type photographs.

There can be no doubt that tattoos have become more and more mainstream in recent years. People from all walks of life are not just getting tattoos, they are getting large, loud, wild tattoos and displaying them for the world to see. While corporate culture as a whole still frowns on body art, the tide is turning as more and more professionals are getting inked. Obviously, there are tattooed professionals out there, and there are probably more than anyone really realizes. How long will it be before they can stop covering up for the workplace? Time will only tell whether will we ever see the day where a physician with “Mom” tattooed on his forearm won’t make the general population do a double-take. The fact that Kimelberg’s photos are so interesting is a itself a commentary that the day has not yet arrived, but that there is a segment of the population who is fascinated by its coming.

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Homebiz Chat

This story is old news, but its such an amusing tale that it is worth revisiting.

January 25, 2006. Kansas City, Missouri.

Linda Falls just wanted to save some money on her tattoo, but she ended up with a trip to the hospital. Falls and a number of other women in a Springfield, Missouri apartment complex purchased tattoos from a man who appeared at their door with a tattoo gun, offering his artistic services.

Tamra Eason described his tattoo gun as “homemade,” but paid him for a tattoo anyway. “It was wrapped with black tape, had a pin underneath it, had fishing wire going through it, you could tell it was a homemade gun,” Eason said.

Tamra Eason and Linda Falls

Linda Falls passed out the day after receiving her tattoo. She was later hospitalized. An effort was made to advise the women who received the tattoos that they should get tested for hepatitis and HIV.

They say some people exist solely for the purpose of being a lesson to the rest of us. I think these woman may be here for just that reason. Thanks, ladies.

Not quite ready for permanent ink? Henna tattoos seem like attractive alternatives: they are much less expensive, they can look very beautiful, and they wash out in a matter of weeks. So what’s not to like?

The henna plant, Lawsonia inermis, itself is a pretty benign substance. It produces a brownish red dye and for years it has been used for body art as well as leather and fabric dying. Few people experience allergic reactions to the plant material.

Unfortunately, in an effort to produce darker colors of dye, it is not entirely unusual to see “black henna” tattoos. This “black henna” is often not henna at all. It is made with black hair dye, a substance containing para-phenylenediamine (PPD). The result is a jet-black henna-style tattoo. However, PPD is not approved for use on the skin (although for some reason it is approved for use in hair dye), and in a good percentage of the population, PPD produces a severe allergic reaction, including blistering, scarring, itching, and a permanent sensitivity to PPD and other related chemicals. Depending on the placement of the “black henna” tattoo, this kind of damage can be extremely severe and permanent. Once a sensitivity is obtained, something as simple as dying one’s hair can become life-threatening.

Permanent damage from a “black henna” tattoo:

These so-called “black henna” tattoos are found most commonly in tourist areas, and because the allergic reaction often does not show up for a few days, the “tattoo artists” using this black henna rarely see the damage that they have done to their customers.

If you are still interested in getting a henna tattoo, educate yourself first. How do you know that your artist is using pure, unadulterated henna?

* Ask. Good henna artists will be very aware of the dangers of PPD and will discuss them with you. If you don’t feel the artist is being fully honest with you, go with your gut feeling and proceed accordingly.

* Black henna will be jet black, and it will stain the skin quickly. Regular henna is more brownish and must be left on the skin for hours, or even overnight. Ask the artist how long the “henna” should be left on the skin.

* Ask how long the henna tattoo will last and what color it will be. Regular henna will last for a few weeks, but it will be brown. A PPD-adulterated substance will be jet black for longer than a week. There are some safe black “body paints,” but they only last a few days. If your artist tells you that the tattoo will be jet black and last longer than a week, you are probably dealing with a substance containing PPD.

The bottom line is: be careful. Henna tattoos can be a beautiful, temporary alternative to traditional ink, but a lifetime of medical problems and suffering aren’t worth it. Do your homework before you get a henna tattoo.

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Globally Green Living

Welcome to a new feature at Inked Talk: Book Reviews
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Tattooed Women by Spider Webb

Today women with tattoos aren’t all that out of the ordinary. Women are getting ink at nearly the same rate as men these days. That wasn’t always the case, and that makes this book a neat find. Originally published in 1982, this book features photographs of very heavily tattooed women. Many of the photos are surprising in their beauty, and few of the featured tattoos are subtle. These are women who in their day truly dedicated their bodies to ink. While the photographs are printed on quality glossy paper, the entire book is in black and white, so you will have to use your imagination to envision the ink in its full beauty.

While the book is a truly excellent source of photos, it has little else to offer beyond eye candy and perhaps artistic inspiration. It would have been interesting in at least some cases to learn the lives of the women beneath the ink: Who were they? When and where did they live? What prompted them to get their tattoos, and how did the world around them react to their body art? However, about the only text in the book are some rather trite Oscar Wilde quotes about women.

The original printing of this book is long gone, but Schiffer Publishing still offers it as a “Schiffer Classic Book.”

If you are interested in picking up a copy:

# Publisher: Schiffer Publishing (August 30, 2001)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0764315404
# ISBN-13: 978-0764315404
# List Price: $19.95
# 139 Pages
Amazon.com - Tattooed Women by Spider Webb

EBay Search for Tattooed Women by Spider Webb

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Astrology Explored! Visit the Blog!

For Mikki Jeane, tattoos are about more than just body art. A musician, a wanderer, a promotional model and a true tattoo collector, her ink is a reminder of places she’s been, people she’s met and the music she loves. For this week’s Tattoo Spotlight, Mikki Jeane shares a little bit of her collection and her life.

Mikki Jeane gets a tattoo in every state she visits, and she is quite the traveler. She has each tattoo artist sign and date his piece of work, as though it was a souvenir of her trip or a memento of that piece of her life.

Mikki Jeane: You got it, souvenirs they are. And I never choose a shop beforehand…it’s mostly just which ever one has the right vibe while I’m cruisin’ by.

I have thirteen tats which blend very nicely together. They are all super memorable with mighty fine stories behind them. If I were to choose one it would be my Libra scales with a guitar in the middle. On one side of the scale there’s a bag of money and on the other side there’s a clock. It means I can’t balance money or time but music keeps them both in check. The day I got it is the day my mother passed on and she was also a Libra.

Mikki Jeane’s music is a big influence on her tattoos.

[I have] a tribal rose that says “darkness imprisoning me,” part of “One” by Metallica, the first song I ever learned on guitar.

I’ve been jammin’ for a long time now and that’s what led me to all these bad ass cities. My tunes are pure pain and they really hit your soul. I’ve lost 3 brothers, my uncle, and my mother and that’s why I hit the road in the first place, to give people a piece of my heart that I once gave to those I lost.

Mikki Jeane’s time in Milwaukee is coming to an end, as the wanderlust is taking her to the the sunshine and beauty of California. She left with a beautiful parting thought that seems to define her life and her travels: “YOU CREATE YOUR OWN REALITY.”

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451 Press Blogger Plug Time: Indie Music Chatter

INKED Tattoo Studio of Sherborne, Dorset is a relative newcomer to the United Kingdom tattoo scene, but it is making a big impression. INKED has maintained a top three ranking on the United Kingdom’s independent tattoo shop review site, www.uktattoostudios.co.uk, throughout the past year with its impressive number of favorable customer reviews and incredible art. This week the shop’s proprietor and artist, Andy Potter, took some time to talk to Inked Talk about his experiences as a tattoo artist and shop owner in the United Kingdom.

Inked Talk: What sparked your interest in tattooing?

Andy Potter: I have always had an artistic background. It was one of the few subjects when at high school I remained interested and focused in, especially renaissance art and graffiti. Without wanting to sound cliched, I hated my final school years, but my interest in art led to my interest in tattooing. In frequent days that I was absent from school I was actually often in my local tattoo shop, sweeping the floor and shaving arms for the stencils!

IT: In the United States, while some great tattoo artists are completely self-taught, tattoo artists traditionally (or perhaps preferably) go through some sort of apprenticeship to learn about both safety and technique. Is there a similar apprenticeship system in the UK? What was your experience, and would you consider it “typical?”

AP: I got my first tattoo at the age of sixteen, before being fairly well-inked within a year, which led to an ‘unofficial’ apprenticeship if you like during the next two to three years. Following this period of teaching, I gave up any hope of working within the industry. However, I always loved tattoo shops and always had the idea in the back of my head that one day I would take it up again - but only when the time was right.

Following a discussion with a friend who was a tattoo artist I made a decision to return to the industry. He had been using rotary machines, but had fancied a change to the more traditional coils. When they arrived they were in parts and he was totally clueless to how to put them together. I offered to help, set them up and they ran real sweet! This was the kick up the ass I had been waiting for and I knew that tattooing was going to be my career. So it was a case of fully re-equipping myself, brushing off the cobwebs and slinging some ink! It was a strange period prior to opening the studio, as it was almost like riding a bike again after several years out of the saddle. So although I have had a formal training etc, it was almost like a period of self-teaching during my return to the needles! I have been tattooing on and off for sixteen years, although the last six professionally.

IT: Do you require special licensing or certification to tattoo in the UK?

AP: Yes, registration and compliance with your local health authority, for both tattooing and body piercing. I actually think these laws should be tightened though as there are too many people purchasing kits from eBay in the hope of becoming the next Chris Garver or Kat Von D.

IT: Tattoo styles and placement seem to go through phases. We all saw the tribal lower back tattoos reach their height of popularity a few years ago and then wane. In your experience, what is the most popular style right now?

AP: The most popular thing at the moment in my studio is sleeving. It is all different though as most are custom pieces. Ranging from B&G Graveyard scenes, New Skool skulls and roses to full colour battle scenes from Transformers!

I am just so glad that ‘Tribal’ tattoos seem to have ran their course as I hate doing them.

IT: What is the biggest challenge for you as an artist?

AP: As the sole artist at my studio, this has to be the variety of styles and requests that I get. But apart from that, educating younger clientele about just what can and can’t be be done and the fact that is so important to get ‘the right’ tattoo, not one on a whim or because their mates are all getting ink.

IT: What about the challenges of being the shop owner as well as its artist?

AP: I actually prefer to be my own boss and the success of my business will be measured purely by my decisions.

IT: What is the most unusual, unique or just plain odd tattoo request you have done?

AP: One of the coolest recently was to tattoo the image of a baby’s palm print for a young couple who lost their daughter several days after her birth. We coincided the appointment for the first anniversary and it was quite moving to see the comfort that a piece of my work gave them.

Having said that I wouldn’t ever imagine doing anything else.

Thanks for taking the time to talk to Inked Talk, Andy.

Readers, for more information on INKED Tattoo Studio, visit the reviews and gallery on the UK’s Independent Tattoo Review Site, UKTattooStudios.co.uk, send a friend request to INKED’s Myspace Page, or call TEL : 01935 813130.

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And while we’re talking about the UK, here’s a plug for a fellow 451 Press Blogger’s site, POPBuzzUK.

Apprenticeships used to be the common method of learning a trade, be it carpentry, masonry, or fiber arts. While apprenticeships in those fields are no longer commonplace, the apprentice/mentor relationship is very much alive and well in the world of tattoo art. Tim Phillips, an apprentice in his second year, has taken some time to talked to Inked Talk about his experience apprenticing under Tony of Tony’s Tattoos in Hartsville, SC.

Inked Talk: How did you come to work in the tattoo industry? What got you interested in tattooing?

Tim Phillips: Well, I’ve always been into art, and I’ve been drawing since I was a little kid. All I did in school was draw. I took advanced art classes in high school and always excelled in them. I also attended a graphic design school in Arizona and some art courses in a community college in Ohio. One day a friend of mine asked me if I could do tattoos. I replied that I’d give it a shot, so he bought some equipment off of the internet and I practiced on him! I loved doing it, but I didn’t want to do it like that. I wanted to be professional. I got online and did some research and asked a lot of questions. The tattoo artists were very reluctant to give out any useful information other than “get an apprenticeship.”

IT: How did you get into your apprenticeship?

TP: South Carolina had just legalized tattooing, and a man named Anthony Howland had an ordinance passed allowing the use of tattoo shops in my county. I followed the story in the local newspapers and come to find out the shop was opening right down the street from my house. I gathered up the nerve to stop in and ask about an apprenticeship. Well, apparently so had every other hack-master in the county and all were turned away! He asked me if I’d brought any art work with me, to which I said “No.” He then snapped back, “Well, how the hell are you gonna get an apprenticeship without any artwork!?!”
I quickly went home and returned with a portfolio that I had prepared for such an occasion. To make a long story short, it turned out we were both from Ohio, very much into art, and he liked my work so he agreed to teach me!

IT: What has been the progression of your apprenticeship? Where did you begin?

TP: Of course I had to learn the procedures of sterilization and cleaning the shop. As far as tattooing, first I did countless hours of nothing but drawing and watching. I watched the application process over and over and over. On top of that, I listened. Tony does a lot of talking, and I do a lot of listening. He is a goldmine of information and he is always teaching me something new. It’s sometimes the things that seem like meaningless tidbits of info that turn into valuable advice when faced with a certain situation.

I’ve heard so many horror stories and see on television how apprentices are treated, however Tony has treated me more like a son, and has always been good to me and my family. I respect him a lot for that.

IT: Tattoo kits are available for sale to the general public on the web, on eBay, and so forth. What, in your opinion, is the value of apprenticeship?

TP: Self-taught tattoo artists learn from trial and error. Unfortunately, when it comes to tattoos every error is a permanent one, and that’s not including diseases and infections that can be transmitted if the procedures are not done properly. Apprenticeship, having a personal teacher, is very important. You need to surround yourself with it and be indulged. Being a tattoo artist is a lifestyle and is not a simple 9 to 5. Either you’re in or you’re out, and if your only influence is a web site, book, DVD, or backyard scratcher you will never be a “tattoo artist.” In the same way that you cannot learn karate by simply buying a black belt, you cannot be a tattoo artist, without a good instructor, by simply buying equipment.

IT: Is there a particular piece or project that you have done yourself that you are especially proud of?

TP: It is a tattoo on the calf of my mentor, Tony. It is a controversial piece depicting the devil whispering into the Pope’s ear, and the Pope has his hand on a young boy’s shoulder, and the little boy is crying. However it’s not so much the subject matter that makes it one of my favorite pieces. I am pleased with the way it looks and is probably the best tattoo I’ve done yet. It’s one of my favorites simply because it’s one thing that I could give Tony as a token of my appreciation for all that he’s taught me, and done for me. I am happy that he is proud of it, and in turn proud of me. That’s why it’s probably my favorite.

IT: Do you have any advice for someone who is interested in learning tattooing but isn’t sure where to begin?

TP: Draw, paint, draw, color, draw, trace, and draw. Then find a reputable shop in your area, bring your portfolio, and ask HUMBLY for an apprenticeship. If given the opportunity, take full advantage. No matter what you think you know about tattooing, assume that you don’t know anything, because you don’t. Ask questions, observe, and most importantly shut up and listen! Finally, work hard. There is no replacement or way around hard work and dedication. Jump in with both feet, and see how much you will learn!

Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, Tim. Readers, be sure to visit Tony’s Tattoos on Myspace (and definitely check out the tattoo pictures he has uploaded - you will NOT be disappointed - there is some great stuff in there!). When you are done there, visit Tim Phillips’ own Myspace page - he too has some amazing work.

If you are in the Hartsville, South Carolina area, be sure to check out Tony’s Tattoos - you can see from the pictures in their Myspace pages that their custom work is amazing! (843) 383-0555.

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Time to plug another 451 Press Blogger’s work: Check out Cinema Hype’s neat piece on Persepolis.