What should someone look for when choosing a tattoo parlor/shop?
The good shops usually post their live spore tests so that people can see that their sterilizers have recently passed and are functioning correctly. (ever wonder why your Dentist doesn’t post them?) Test strips or indicator tape is not an accurate method of testing an Autoclave sterilizer. Oh yeah, if the shop doesn’t use an Autoclave, run away. New Needles should be used for every person and should be individually packaged in sterile pouches. Everything that the artist touches with gloves should be bagged including their bottles, clip cord, machines and power supply knob. This prevents cross contamination. Hepatitis can live in dried blood for up to a week so make sure your tattooer practices safe tattooing. |
What do you look for in a potential client? Have you ever turned anyone away? If yes, what was the reason?
If I smell alcohol or your eyes are red and glossy I turn you away. Impairment makes for fidgety people, alcohol thins blood making the tattoo process take longer and being high makes you more aware of how getting tattooed feels. I have little tolerance for people who try to deal down my prices because I feel that they are depreciating my self worth. I do understand that it’s normal for people to try and get a deal and I end up warning them not to deal me down. Some insist on getting me to lower my price and I just walk away. I am honest with my pricing and treat everyone fairly. If anything, I usually wind up undercutting myself!!! I also don’t like it when people come into the shop like they own the place, it’s just annoying. Potential Client? I’m most comfortable with those who know what they want and where they want it. I like people who are open to my suggestions when it comes to their tattoo and how it sits on their body. People who want custom one-of-a-kind pieces always peak my interest.
How did you start out and how did you become as talented as you are today? (i.e. worked on friends first, apprenticeship, etc.)
Thank you for your compliment, that was kind… I started out cleaning toilets and scrubbing floors in a tattoo shop like most apprentices do. I was never able to touch a shop client until I got enough practice and yes I did have close friends who were willing to be my guinea pigs!!! The caliber of my work is a direct reflection of my belief that one can never stop learning in this business. I can always look back at stuff I did three years ago and see how I’ve advanced… any artist of any canvas can. |
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What tattoo is just played out/too common and you wish people would reconsider getting?
Corporate Logos (ie. Playboy, baby phat) are number one on my list. Things that are here today and gone tomorrow should be reconsidered. If I can talk someone out of getting lettering, I will. Why? Because I don’t feel it’s necessary to spell out things for other people. I could’ve written ‘mom’ on my arm but instead put on a rose and when I look at it, I think of her. I don’t really care if other people know why there is a rose on my arm. Kanji is overplayed too although they’re great for practicing apprentices!
Tell us something we don’t know about your profession.
There is a lot of work that goes on that you don’t see. I get to the shop early and leave late doing cleaning, sterilizing, needle assembly and other general duties. At home, I have my own art room where I do my custom drawings for people. Remember homework? Yeah you do… I do it every nite! Tattooing takes dedication. People don’t seem to appreciate that I put myself at risk everyday when I tattoo… Those needles are less than an inch away from my fingers ya know!!!
I know a lot of people from different minorities who’ve told me they don’t feel comfortable walking into certain tattoo parlors. What’s been your experience as far as that goes?
I can’t speak for other shops, nor do I care to. How they treat their clients is none of my business. I’ve lived my life around minorities. We all learned what prejudice was early in life and we are the products of our parents. I think that prejudice is slowly deteriorating. It take hundreds of years to disappear and I’m not even sure if it will ever completely go away. Look at the 20’s, the 60’s, the 80’s and then look at today and tell me that things aren’t getting better. If your uncomfortable walking into a tattoo shop because you feel like your being treated differently, walk away and get a better tattoo experience elsewhere. The tattoo shop business runs by word of mouth. It’s a tattoo artist’s number one form of advertising. Ask your friends where to go that will treat you good… I always ask mine.
In your experience, where is the most painful place to get a tattoo?
The most painful places are where you are most sensitive to touch. A lot of people think that it’s where there is bone, and that it doesn’t hurt where there is fat. Pinch the bottom of your butt cheek and tell me if it doesn’t hurt for hours! How about behind the knee? The ditch of your arm? Side of your neck? Bone doesn’t feel pain, nerve endings do. |
What advice do you have for anyone out there who’s thinking about getting a tattoo?
Educate yourself like you are doing now by reading this… do a google search for ‘safe tattooing’. Knowledge is power. Don’t worry about price and find an artist who’s work you like and that you can get along with. A tattoo is with you for life and I know you’ve seen some crappy work out there. Don’t be afraid to travel a bit if you really like someone’s work. I got regular clients from Michigan!
Can you somewhat describe what the pain sensation/factor is in getting a tattoo. Who in your experience has the higher pain threshold, men or women?
A tattoo really is a feeling on it’s own. Ask ten people and you’ll get ten different answers. One common element is that it feels like it’s burning… Kind of like that burning feeling you experience if you’ve ever landed your hand on the concrete when falling. The only discomfort you feel is when I’m actually working the needle on your skin. You don’t feel anything when I go for more ink and I soak my towel to be kinder to you when I wipe. Afterwards you might feel a very minor tingling or light burning but it’s nothing… A few days and it gets itchy. Sometimes the itchiness can last up to a month or two.
Men don’t like to show that their in pain which makes it hard to tell. It’s my experience that women, in general, can take pain better on the chest and lower back/hip/stomach area.
If the money wasn’t there, would you still be doing what you do?
Yes, if I was financially secure I would still be tattooing. I absolutely have a passion for it. I’d probably cut down my hours a bit to spend more time with family though. People think tattooers make a killing but in truth we don’t. My buddy who is a taper in construction made more than me last year.
Any advice for someone who’s thinking about becoming a tattoo artist?
Do not attempt to learn the trade by yourself. It’s one thing to harm yourself, but it’s a terrible injustice to harm others. Learn in a professional and reputable shop. Most shops won’t take you unless you have a really good art portfolio so work hard on that. Buy lots of tattoo magazines and research books to better understand tattoo styles. A lot of shops aren’t taking new people due to the over saturation of people who are tattooing today so you really got to make a good impression. If you have already been tattooing on your own and are trying to get into a shop, you’ve already made a bad impression. Be a tattoo collector before being a tattooer. The life of a tattooer is not all that glamorous and you won’t get out all that much. During my apprenticeship I was working full-time and working in the shop… I lost my girlfriend because of it! … and finally, most important… be humble, nobody likes tattooers that act like rock stars.
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To view more of Chris' extensive portfolio click
here.
To check out Lower East Side Tattoo's website click here. |
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