Serious Tattoos For The Serious Collector

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. I do mostly large work like sleeves and full backs but I set aside a certain portion of my time for smaller jobs too. There is a certain kind of fun to doing a really cool tattoo that I got to start and finish in the same day.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Do lots of research and know that you get what you pay for at any tattoo shop. I go out of my way to make sure that you get the best service and are very well informed of all details before anything even starts. It is important for people to know what all there options are in such a permanent business.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Often tattoo shops and artists spotlight art that has been copied many times over. Rarely are they really creating something new at all, much less specifically tailored to an individuals needs. Focus on the artist and not the shop, that is where you can get a true measure of consistency. After that make sure you do your homework and go over the details. Don't be afraid to wait or spend a little more to have things done right. Hire an experienced expert and take their advice!

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Can I see your portfolio or website? Is this reproduced artwork or is it truly something created just for that person. How long will this last before it begins to show its age? Is their personal style right for what I want to have done? How long might I have to wait to get in with an artist that is truly in high demand? Considering all that, is it worth going to where my buddy got their "just okay" tattoo because it is faster and easier and I just kind of want it right now?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. This should always be considered permanent so give it due respect. Awards, popularity, touting years and years in the business and being published may seem very impressive but in the long run they don't guarantee any kind of real quality. It is something you have to judge for yourself. Remember, bright and favorite colors can be applied by any average artist. the thing to evaluate is clean and sharp lines, smoothness and thickness of color, and overall fit and impression with the contours of the body.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I offer the highest in quality as well as always striving to incorporate the most progressive in tattooing without compromising quality or long term integrity. Bright colors, smoother fades, and subject matter that other tattoo artists find out of their depth is what I specialize in. To truly appreciate them you should get a close up and in person look at them. It can be hard for outsiders to see all the little difference but there is a reason that I tattoo so many other tattoo artists in this city. THEY COME TO ME TO KNOW THAT IT WILL BE DONE AT ITS BEST!

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I love the chance to offer what I love to other people. I can see the moment when a person realizes the true potential of this art form and I love to help them fulfill it. That is a large part of why I try to have so much range in my work, so I can help them no matter what style they want to get work done in. Even if they ask for something I am not into (very rare) I always help refer them to the best person for the job to be done right.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. People ask about price and the wait list most often. Unfortunately there is no simple answer to these but I always do my best to address this once I have a few more details from them and we have had a chance to do a consultation face to face. Having seen them, the art, and the skin and area in person I can give a much better estimate.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. Hah, yeah, a lot of funny stuff happens here but you might have to see me in person for me to tell you about a lot of them. As hilarious as they are they may not be appropriate for a website.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I do, but I also like the chance to educate people on this stuff too. I love being able to be that person to open the door for them. There are so many great things out there that your average person just does not know is an option. I get to help them, that is awesome!

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I had always wanted to do it growing up but I would have to say that the real opportunity just fell in my lap. I consider myself really lucky to be able to do something I love for a living, and I think that it shows.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. My favorite always seems to be whatever I am currently working on. Right now it is probably a Balinese mask over this guys whole back. it is a lot of fun and the guy is a great client to work with too, so that always helps.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I definitely do. I am always self educating and attending as many seminars and conventions as possible. That way I get to learn a lot of new stuff and pass it on to my clients.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. Rotary machines are making a strong come back, again. These things tend to go in cycles. A lot of artists have not been around or at least paying attention to realize that. I have to say removal is getting better and more reliable and that is definitely a good thing. A lot of people have made a lot of poor choices out there and having the chance to correct some of that is great.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. Again I would have to go back to that Balinese mask on a full back. It is not nearly done but we are several sessions in and just now starting the shading. Most people underestimate how much time and work really go into making quality art. I have never understood how so many artists cut corners and then boast about how fast it went or how cheap it was. Nobody really wins that way, the client will eventually see the flaws and either have to live with it or pay to have it fixed.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. It is not complicated at all really. Just hourly, per session, depending on how much they want to sit for that day. A deposit has to go first though, it just guarantees that people don't flake out, without notice and train-wreck my schedule.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Definitely go to art school first. There are honestly waaay too many tattooers out there already and that way not only will you progress faster in a competitive field but you also have something else similar to work with if it turns out that it is not for you.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. What is the most common mistake people make?

Poor choices for sure. People get all fired up and just have to have it done now! I get it, I have been there, but tattooing is all around us now days and even a child should know better than that. Always sit on an idea and do your research for as long as you can stand to first. I promise, it will come out better for it.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. What separates great artists from just average artists?

Effort. Plain and simple. Talent and artistry are important but anyone can see how in most shops the artists will do just enough to get by. They don't seem to really care about the end result as much as looking or playing a part. When they get serious (usually much later in their career) they drop the too cool act and really start to focus on the details of what makes better art.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. What is the best way to contact you?

Email for sure. Before any art gets started it is really important to do a consultation face to face to iron out some details, but email me first to set that up. Either through my website at theSuperstition.com or onesidedless@gmail.com. Thank you for the interest!