Protecting Your Identity. |
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 Jan 18 2008, 05:59 AM
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#1
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A professional tattoo artist on this forum has recently
been outed and as a result they have received threats from the established tattooing community. This has resulted in them asking for their posts to be removed and as we take the security and well being of our members very seriously we have had no choice but to oblige. There is a gradual but growing acceptance within the established tattooing community that it is far better to educate those who are set on a place within the business, but unable to apprentice, than to exclude them completely. As we all know "Self Taught" doesn't necessarily mean "Scratcher". There is still, however, a hardcore within the tattooing world who will never accept this a valid route into tattooing. We would respectfully remind users that there is still some considerable animosity from some quarters of the tattooing community toward self taught tattooists and those already professional who help or advise them. We would strongly recommend, therefore, that you refrain from posting any photographs of your face or any other identifying info such as your email address or shop address on the open forum. You should also take steps to protect yourselves in PMs. if you are not 100% sure about the person you are communicating with. These are not new forum rules at present but they are sound advice. It is with a heavy heart that I write this post this but, as we all know, the vast majority of users in this community are decent and respectful & honest. -------------------- We are all laying in the gutter but some of us are looking for spare change...
Tragic Bio.. Joe Sleepy on MySpace Merchandise JoeSleepy on Zazzle.com |
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Jan 18 2008, 06:26 AM
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#2
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Well said Joe, it is ridicoulous. Im sorry but I think alot of these people that are against us trying and being somewhat self taught is stupid. Alot of members on this forum are trying to learn and get apprenticeships and if someone can not realize a real attempt, they should leave this forum and stop harrasing certain individuals. I know myself and others on here, have full time jobs and fulltime familys and it is damn near impossible to dedicate time to getting a apprenticeship or giving 4 hours a day to a shop to learn.
they call us "scratchers", how be they do us a favor and scratch our ass! Sorry for the rant but i think this is retarded and obnoxious, you dont like someone trying that doesnt know..........get over your ego and take them under your wing and explain to them how to do things the right way. -------------------- "TATTOO'S ONLY HURT IF YOUR A WIMP!"
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| Guest_bulldog joe_* |
Jan 18 2008, 06:42 AM
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#3
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very smart and sound advice joe!
i cant believe there are people out there who have so much anomosity and/or jealousy that they would lurk our forum and "out " people so to speak damn.... people just seem to get worse everyday .... it's sad, really.... |
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Jan 18 2008, 07:33 AM
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#4
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Damn, Hindsight is always 20/20 isn't it?
When you say outed, I hope you don't mean someone was dropping names to stir up shit? -------------------- Left foot, Right foot. Repeat |
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Jan 18 2008, 08:45 AM
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#5
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This is truly unfortunate. This place has been the most responsible board I have come across. We openly advocate people seek apprenticeships, promote the use of disposable needles/tubes, encourage people to take Blood Borne Pathogen courses, and promote general safety and the spread of information to reduce the number of "scratchers" practicing the art unsafely. The goal of this site was never to spread the gospel of tattooing (either you've drank the Kool-Aid, or you haven't). People who love the art want to contribute and will do so by any means. We've just tried to create a community that can steer those who want to learn in the right direction.
To those who may come across this board and scoff, might I remind you that there was a time when you were once in the same position. While you may have been fortunate enough to find a mentor, due to the increased popularity and main-stream acceptance of tattoos the field has become greatly saturated and most major cities have hundreds of artists, with hundreds more waiting in the wings for a chance to apprentice. It is because of this fact that apprenticeships are so difficult to find. Some might retort that a hair-stylist needs a license, why should it be any less with something permanent (and potentially risky) like tattooing. I would completely agree and would again say that I am sure everyone here would gladly take the route of an apprenticeship. The main difference is there are hundreds of beauty schools you can enroll in. The same is not true for tattooing. And considering that one with the desire has access not only to numerous tattoo supply companies, but to even in the absence of professional equipment can perform crude work with only a sewing needle and over the counter ink. It is my hope that the latter is not the only option for the hungry. With proper guidance, relatively decent equipment, and the observance of safety precautions we can help to make those who are determined to tattoo already a little more educated and ultimately keep others safe. Professional artists need not be threatened. Your work is what determines your demand. I am still spending far more money than I should adorning my body with the work of the best artists in my area. We all love tattoos. That is not debatable. I only hope that you can look to your own story and remember what it was like when you first realized you loved the history and art of tattooing. -------------------- Stay humble.
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Jan 18 2008, 09:05 AM
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#6
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right or wrong this is exactly why i will be stumping up the fees to get my licence in the next couple months .. not to portray myself as a 'licensed pro' as i will not be 'pro' nor to start charging (i am not worthy yet of fixing prices to ink) but i hope it sends out the message that i have passed requirements needed to get licensed in the ways i go about practicing tattoing ... cleanly and safely ... and that i am serious about learning!
its a shame now that we have lost a couple pros due to being ousted by fellow artists ... but we won't be detered in our quest, and we will endeavour to prove that we practice as the Trials promotes!! -------------------- Facebook me ... blackwidow footie/myspace me ... bwidow2001
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| Guest_lefty_* |
Jan 18 2008, 10:15 AM
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#7
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i've taken the advice of administration and have removed all my contact info....and no longer post pics of myself. sad really..
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Jan 18 2008, 10:56 AM
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#8
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-------------------- Loneferret
___________________________________________________ *** The comments expressed in this reply are those of it's owner, and does not necessarily reflect opinions of the rest of the moderating team or other forum members. *** "Freedom is a right for all sentient beings..." I want to become a tattoo artist so I can shed this geek image people have of me... I swear that mans put more machines in kitchens than huck spaulding.      |
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Jan 18 2008, 01:53 PM
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#9
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What can i say?..More than a few established and respected artists started on their own. The first thing i look for when i'm reading interviews with pro artists is how they got into the game and more often than not (and i'm not exagerating here) they were self taught...Maybe thats a uk thing but the likes of Louis Molloy, Paul Myth Naylor and Joe Myler in Ireland are all self taught and winning award after award. Xed le Head at 'into you tattoo' and the amazing Steve Byrne - both self taught...the list of top artists goes on and on, seriously. We all know that the only realistic way for people to get into tattooing is probably to teach themselves simply because of the closed attitude of the industry and a forum like this is providing an amazing service to all of those people determined to follow their dream. Since i've been coming to this site (pretty much everyday since last summer) i've found it an invaluable source of fantastic support and pooled knowledge...it's taught me so much!!! There are people (or have been ) that post work that really has no right being on skin and most people let them know that. We're a straight shooting bunch (on the whole) responsible, tattoo loving adults aware of the risks and pitfalls helping each other tread a careful and considered path into a wonderful arena.
I love this forum and would never consider myself a scratcher. i KNOW that i've got a lot to learn but i also know that some of the work i've done is at least as good (and sometimes better) than a lot of work i've seen by so called 'pro' shops and artists. I'm here to stay and even when i am kicking their asses at shows and conventions - and that WILL happen - I hope i never stop coming and learning and sharing. vive la resistance! Fuck insecurity! be proud to be learning and lets keep on keeping on. I couldn't have done any of the pieces i've done this far without everyone on this forum. xx |
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Jan 18 2008, 02:15 PM
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#10
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Well said Redpearl ... i for one will not be detered from doing what i love to do! just because i am not an apprenticeship as yet doesn;t mean that i don't strive to seek one when my time comes and until then i will study with the help of this forum, with the help of books by the likes of Guy A, from every program and documentary i can come across in a bid t give me a better understandin of ever apsect of tattooing. I don't claim to know much, i don't claim to know enough but i appreciate what Jason and the veterans to ink are doing here. I absorb every letter of info given by the pros that give us their time and i will one day show them that i was worthy of that time and advice! i don't want things to be handed on a plate - i believe in working damned hard for what you want and devoting time and money investing in a future for me and mine!
i am confident in that i am following the strictest of hygiene regimes and have satisfied the authorities here. I am listed with the relevant authority. CC s always as the forefront of my mind. I have done numerous tattoos on family and close friends and can say that none have suffered any ill effect as a result! i tattoo for free bearing all costs myself having made personal sacrifies to finance my equipment/sundries ... therefore showing i am not in this for the £££ ... i do it because i love ink, i love learning about and respect the traditions, the artists of past and present and suchlike! its just a shame that we are all tarred with the same brush as those who have no idea and no care for hygiene, who do shitty tattoos for big money and who won't heed advice when given. we can't change the attitude that comes our way re scratchers but i strive to prove i am more than just another hack!! -------------------- Facebook me ... blackwidow footie/myspace me ... bwidow2001
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Jan 19 2008, 06:58 AM
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#11
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thats sucks, but I cant say that Im surprised......Ive never posted a pic of myself or given the name of the shop I work at just for that reason..
Wether we like it or not, we all have to understand that alot of "pros" look down at what we do here, and ESPECIALLY on another "pro" providing information and help.. Kinda sad that whoever is "outing" people has nothing better to do (draw, tattoo). I guess it seems to go hand in hand with the whole "rockstar" attitude thats so prevalent in the industry....ALl I know is that Im proud of where I came from, and wont ever forget it if Im lucky enough to make a living tattooing in a shop.....the whole"scratcher" tag gets thrown around alot...too much. While agree there are those that arent clean and safe, thats not what I see here..When someone is being a jackass they usually dont last long.... -------------------- "There’s a fine line between clever and stupid." - D. St. Hubbins
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Jan 19 2008, 10:10 AM
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#12
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Bullying behaviour takes place in all kinds of industries - I think maybe the best course for an individual is always to attempt to achieve a high level of competence in their field and ignore other people's pettiness. It is a shame that the internet allows the type of anonymity that allows cowards to victimize other people. Be yourself, aim for excellence and try not to hurt other people.
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Jan 22 2008, 10:12 AM
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#13
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Wow...some people never made it to a high-school maturity level it would appear. I've heard an old saying that I'm sure most of you are familiar with... "Information is Power" and that's the truth. It's true in the sense that information will empower it's holder for good and bad reasons alike. Regardless of your age, race, walk of life, etc one thing is true about ANYONE that has this power. You weren't born with it.
I love this art, I love everything about it. What a lot of people don't realize is that the skin was the earliest recorded medium to perform art on - and what we know of today as 'Body Modification' has been going on even longer. As a person that loves and appreciates this so much, how can you attempt to repress or hold back anyone else that wants to celebrate it? These hardliners need a hug or somethin'. They didn't invent it, they don't own patents or rights to it, and I would wager that most of the people that are so outwardly against newcomers that don't go through a traditional apprentiship are more worried about competition than they are anything else. Maybe they're mad because they had to be someone's 'shop bitch' for 2 years to get where they are, and someone else was able to read & practice on grapefruit for a few months and is already at the same point in the learning curve. My main pearl of wisdom here is this: If you starve a child it will not grow. If you starve someone striving to feed on information, the same is true. Now wrap your head around this, hardliners: People will always make the best decisions they can make with only the information they have available to them at that particular time. People that are already driven to do something are going to do it, regardless of what these hardliners thing. The bad part is, without the knowledge of how to identify overworked areas, what lines are supposed to properly resemble, etc most of them don't know they're screwing up. If you are trying to keep these people from learning, you're effectively promoting horrible amateur tattoos. People that come to a place like this are trying to learn and do it the right way. They won't proceed until they are doing it the right way and THEY LEARN HOW TO IDENTIFY RIGHT FROM WRONG. That's the most important thing. If you're a "Pro" and you can't think of something helpful to add here...add nothing. Everyone knows where they are in this art, they don't need a self-proclaimed know-it-all to tell them where they are. If you're so worried about it, then educate your own customers, perhaps some of the talented up-and-comers here won't steal them from you...it seems that's what most of the worry is. |
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Feb 19 2009, 01:39 AM
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#14
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ok i never give out my personal info anyway
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Jul 28 2009, 02:40 AM
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#15
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think i have an idea who - its sad really what harm is it doing - if people want to tattoo - they will - if they can find no guidance then most here would be sat making prison tattoos and passing on every disease known to man - if the shop owners are so against self tought - why dont they offer more apprenticeships? rather than think theyre some sorta underground rockstars exclusive to themselves - see it all the time on other forums - these pussies think theyre gods right hand man or some shit - pussys the lot of them
-------------------- Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are good is like expecting the bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian
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Aug 2 2009, 01:20 AM
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#16
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QUOTE (ink-sink @ Jul 28 2009, 05:40 AM)  think i have an idea who - its sad really what harm is it doing - if people want to tattoo - they will - if they can find no guidance then most here would be sat making prison tattoos and passing on every disease known to man - if the shop owners are so against self tought - why dont they offer more apprenticeships? rather than think theyre some sorta underground rockstars exclusive to themselves - see it all the time on other forums - these pussies think theyre gods right hand man or some shit - pussys the lot of them Shop owners don't offer more apprenticeships and apprenticeships are hard to get because there simply is not enough of a market to support all those who would like to tattoo for a living. It's basic supply and demand. Right now there is a lot of supply (tattoo artists) and low demand (customers who want tattoos AND have the money to pay for them). The economy is in the shitter and has been for a few years now. If a shop owner barely has enough business flowing through the shop to keep himself and his established artists afloat, why would he train an apprentice? That would just be cutting the same pie into smaller pieces! Apprenticeships are usually only offered by a shop when they NEED to get another artist trained in order to handle a higher volume of business. When clients have to wait for 2 hours to get tattooed because there aren't enough artists available, that is when an opening becomes available. The first choice to fill such an opening is always an experienced artist who can take walk-ins immediately and has his/her own clientele (generates revenue). Sometimes an apprentice is trained to fill a slot if there is no experienced applicant. An apprenticeship may also be offered if the aspiring tattoo artist shows great potential; as a tattoo artist, AND as a revenue-generator. Someone may think they are a good artist, but there is a huge difference between a good artist..... and someone who is a good artist AND is serious about studying this as a profession AND is good with sales & marketing, AND has the motivation/dedication, AND who strives to continuously improve their art in a serious way, AND can fit apprenticing into their schedule, AND has no substance abuse issues, AND is dependable, AND shows up on time etc etc etc. Only the top candidates are chosen in these situations. The third scenario is an aspiring artist paying for an apprenticeship. This is often because the first two scenarios don't apply, or because the "mentor" just wants your money (or both). My advise is for aspiring artists to work their asses off and get themselves together as a "total package" in order to "wow" and impress a potential mentor. This has become a competitive field. Sure, some hacks slip through the cracks, but to really succeed, you need to be at the top of your game. For every 50 people who would love to land a great apprenticeship and tattoo for a living, there is probably only ONE who really has it together enough to score a good apprenticeship (for free) at a good shop. Be that one in 50! Even AFTER learning/going through an apprenticeship, you will still have a long road ahead of you because you need to treat it as your own individual "mini-business". You become the owner of your own small business. You need to get your name out there, market yourself, establish clients, etc. All of which takes time (and motivation) before you will make a decent income. This tattooing business will not just fall into your lap. In order to get it, you have to really want it, and work your ass off to get it. . . . Before, during and after your apprenticeship. -------------------- www.ginawhittam.com |
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