I get a call last night from a scratcher wanting to buy inks because he doesnt have a current license or health inspection due to being in prison for the last 6 years. (Im not putting down convincted felons. I met some rather talented ones in the almost 12 years the state had me for.) Today I get a message saying theres a guy that moved from a large metro city (hehe) to a county with a total population of less than 8,000 to set up a shop. Its not that difficult to get a license if you are licensed in another state. Its also not difficult to pay off a local shady shop owner and have them sign off your apprenticeship paperwork just to make a quick buck so you can dick over the state. Im sure many other artists in the area will agree with me that it comes down to a matter of principal. We did our apprenticeships and learned how to tattoo the proper way and only received our license when our mentor felt we were ready. Not just cleaning the shop and learning the ways of business, but the correct way to tattoo and ensure a safe, clean environment when doing so. We dont treat anyone like our street shop is a tourist attraction. We care about clients to ensure they will come back. Any asshole can get on eBay and order a tattoo kit. Shit machines, thinned out inks, bent and dull needles. Half ass products in the hands of a half ass concerned idiot who knows nothing of preventing you from getting HepC or staph from bad habits thinking saran wrap and boiling needles are a stop-all. If they cant keep a shop open longer than six months, they are either working illegally or they are avoiding the health department because they are unsanitary. Common sense is a prerequisite for permanent. Do your research. Ask for porfolios. Ask about sanitation procedures. Dont settle for substandard work because of lack of funds. Quality always overrides quantity.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 23:07:52 +0000
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