Since Libs and I are tattooed, we've been watching both TLC's Miami Ink and A&E's Inked. Here're some of my (I refuse to speak on behalf of Libs) reactions;
1. Why does every single tattoo mean something? Of the tattoos I have, only two have any significance. And even then, I could cover them up and not feel too bad about it. However, on Miami Ink every single friggin tattoo done has some higher power meaning to it. It's pretty ridiculous. I have a sleeve that's payment for work I did for the artist. And two tattoos that are just to celebrate a long weekend one year after the other. One on my leg because I was in LA and wanted to see what an LA shop could do. My first was just to get a feel for tattoos. "What can you get done in an hour and half? This? Great, let's do it." Come on, people. Tattoos don't necessarily have to be more than something you appreciate artistically. All this does is make people ask me or Libs "What do all your tattoos mean?" Which is generally a stupid question.
2. Give an indication of how long these tattoos take. The guys from Miami Ink do half sleeves, or chest pieces in what seems like an fifteen minutes. This simply isn't indicative of the actual time needed. Usually the only thing that lets people know that getting a large piece is an endurance test is the tattoo artist will say, "And he/she did the whole sit at once." Otherwise, nothing. When you do your glamour shot of the finished piece, put a little number somewhere telling people how long it took. Even before these shows and I was hanging out in the shop I did work for, the people that walked in and asked for a big ol' tattoo figuring it took an hour at most was staggering. Let's make sure people are informed. Even the smallest tattoo I have took just over an hour.
3. Inked guys, c'mon. You're in Vegas. Let's not pretty it up and make it seem like you're doing mind-blowing work. You're doing walk-ins for drunks. They get married in Vegas at the drop of a hat, we know the tattoos they get are the same. And I guess it disproves the theory that "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas". It's also why they have no concept of the actual cost of tattoos. $250.00 for a tiny bunny head? Bitches, please.
4. Dizzle, shut up. You're not even remotely interesting. Sorry, that's a personal reaction. You're an idiot.
5. Both of you. If the work you did is sub par, don't show a glory shot of it. It's ridiculous. "Ooooo, I love it." Yikes. If I had that poop on my
insert body part here, I'd make my own laser to get it off.
I know tattoos are a personal taste thing. People that get a tribal sleeve won't like the japanese sleeve I have and vice versa. Honestly, with the increased popularity of tattoos, be aware of why exactly you're getting one. A tattoo is for life. Make sure you're doing it for the right reason. And understand what the implications of having a tattoo are. Societal reactions, etc. A responsible tattoo artist won't let virgin skin get a neck or face tattoo because you simply won't be prepared for how people will all of a sudden treat you. A visible tattoo, mind you. Tattoos that are perpetually covered mean little to nothing. Heh.
