Mission Statement
There is a reason I have decided to write and maintain this blog. I am taking a very different approach to the trade of tattooing and this blog will be one of my tools along with my machines and needles. A handful of artists will agree with my motives but most will not. Most will shun me, blackball me, and even condemn me. But honestly, that does not faze me much. I don’t tattoo to be cool, or in hopes of being embraced and accepted by the tattooing community; I don’t tattoo with the aspirations of winning some underground, badass popularity contest; I tattoo because I have to. I have an insatiable desire TO tattoo. When I am inking skin in a beautiful, artful, tasteful, and meaningful way, I feel totally at peace with the world. I can only surmise that I am meant to do this.
That being said, I’ll get back to my reason for this blog…
In this industry there are basically only two categories: the pros and the scratchers (or hacks). To the pros, a scratcher is anyone that has not followed their very iron-clad criteria for being a pro, which means they haven’t apprenticed under a pro, in a pro shop, for God only knows how long doing slave work (almost in a hazing type fashion), prostituting their own skin pretty much as ad space for their supposed mentor, and paying out. Now I’m NOT SAYING this is what all apprenticeships are like so all you “pros” out there don’t get your knickers in a twist. I’m saying that this is what I’ve heard tell of over and over again. I can’t say first hand by experience – I am merely reporting what I’ve read and heard repeatedly.
What I have learned by experience is that no “pro” will share any information whatsoever with anyone unless they are apprenticing under them. And unless you are apprenticing under them, or have apprenticed, you are a scratcher PERIOD, and to the so-called ”pros”, scratchers are the scum of the earth. It doesn’t matter if the artist has been tattooing for over a decade, follow every and all SOP (and then some) as per Government Health and Safety standards and guidelines. It doesn’t matter if the artist has a very professional and sterile studio along with a very professional and sterile set of work ethics. Doesn’t matter if the artists could tattoo right along side of many of the “pros” and complete work just as good (if not in some cases, much better). Doesn’t matter if the artist has passed Bloodborn Pathogen courses that are recognized by the WHMIS (Controlled Products in the workplace) – OSHA and hold certification. Doesn’t matter if the artist’s studio has passed inspection by the Health Unit and the artists has passed a local Health Unit exam on Infection Control for Personal Services Settings and been granted certification and a business license. Nope, none of that matters; you’re a scumball scratcher.
As angry as I might sound, I assure you I am not. The rejections of information only made me stronger and more hungry to learn. The more questions I had refused, the more I studied on my own; the more it made me want to study on my own. The shame truly is that I think the politics of the tattoo industry (and I’m sure many industries), is just wrong. To be labelled a scratcher or a hack by a professional tattoo artists can be devastating to a very promising career. I understand that there are a lot of people out there tattooing out of their kitchens, not adhering to any health and safety practices, doing little more than tossing their gear around in a margarine container with some sudsy comet and calling it clean. I’ve seen bad work, dangerous work, and seriously infected work. Believe me, I do understand the term hack or scratcher, but to treat every tattooist that way is — for lack of a better work – discriminatory.
Look, I’m no Devries or Tyrell or Aitchison or Baxter, but I aspire to be at least close someday. I respect the art and trade of tattooing. It isn’t cool or fashion to me; it’s serious. So considering everything I’ve been through to get where I am (and I got here completely on my own with practice, skill and smarts because to the tattoo industry of so-called “pros”, I am Typhoid “scratcher” Mary: I refused to apprentice under anyone). I’m sure many will say to me “you say you respect the trade; you couldn’t be more disrespectful by refusing to apprentice…” I have nothing to say to that. That is their opinion. To respect the trade of tattooing doesn’t mean I have to respect the completely unreasonable politics that dirty it up and make it anything BUT an art form of passion and meaning.
I’ve gotten a little off track again. My reason for this blog: I want to help others that are in the same position I have been in. I know how frustrating it can be to have doors closed at every corner simply by asking a question. I know what it’s like to ask a question and get back: “…if you have to ask that, you shouldn’t be tattooing.” I’ve even seen a potential tattoo artist ask a question in a forum and a reply came back saying that “…hacks should be shot”. Nice huh? How can anyone learn anything with that kind of attitude and rejection? How is that in any way fair or humane?
Screw that and that way of thinking!!
If you have a question that I can answer, I will. If you need help that I can offer, I absolutely will. I’m sorry pros, I rebel against your code of pretentious, cliquish politics. I’m a nice person; a helpful person. I’m also a tattoo artist and this is my New Graffiti.
Any potential tattoo artists that want to comment, ask me anything or consider starting up a forum with me that caters to potential artists and shuns the bad politics, please contact me.
Cheers
Evie
February 21, 2012 at 9:36 am
Thanx for the awsome tat Evie-youmaboy
July 19, 2011 at 10:47 am
I apprenticed under an old-school dude back in the early 90s. Out West – old dude’s name was Dave and he had the biggest beer gut Ive ever seen. He was awesome and taught me all he knew. He never asked me to do anything crappy or get coffee or clean toilets and this apprenticeship was free – it was like working for him for no pay, and that is what it should be. But that was a long time ago and Ive had to learn a lot since then on my own and by trial and error – just like everything else in this world. Look – if you got it, you got it. All this shit you see on TV is BS – its like: half finished tat, clean everything up all pretty…”and action” one tiny clean outline pass – one little wipe …”cut!!!” Reality TV isn’t reality ppl. And this trade is fucked! Ya know what it is new graffiti? They want the market for themselves. They don’t want competition. If they do take you on, they slave you, crap on you, charge you (in a lot of cases outrageous numbers), use you as forced promo skin, and it takes you years before they say youve “earned” the right to be an artist. I’m as frustrated with it as you are girl. I did work as an artist for several years but my wife had twins a few years ago and I had to take on another job to supplement and that ended up being full full time. I still tat out of my office/studio though and I’ve been called a scratcher because of it. Don’t let it get to you. Like I said, if you got it, you got it. I looked at your site girl and you got it. I can see that if you keep at it, you will be freackin top drawer and they’ll be climbing over eachother to get an appointment with you. Just don’t give up OK? Its cut throat and they are MFs…just keep working no matter what they say.
James W.
R
March 11, 2011 at 9:40 am
I agree that the politics of the tattooing industry are f***ed up! and I find the best artists are the underground artists that don’t bother messing about with politics but rather focus on the artform itself. Long live the indie inker my dear. Your work is quite lovely by the way. Keep up the good work. If I’m ever overseas, I’m going to ring you up to hopefully add to my sleeve in progress – could use a nice little spider in the mix.
January 18, 2011 at 11:19 am
To me, illustration/fine art is illustration/fine art no matter what the medium. This business of apprenticeship is a load of crap. You are meeting all of the health and safety guidelines and you are an extremely talented artist. I’ve had some pretty big clients as an illustrator and no one ever asked me if I had apprenticed under anyone or had any schooling in the arts of any kind. I had the high quality goods and I delivered. Any time an emerging artist came to me for advice or guidance, I was more than happy to give it freely and I’ve had new artists email me from all over the world. Why on earth would I discourage them? They are about to embark on a career that hopefully will enrich their lives as well as the lives of others. I wouldn’t dare put myself up on a pedestal for fear of what – a little healthy competition? There are thousands of incredibly talented artist out there whose work will never see the light of day because they were shunned and discouraged and that is so sad. It is a tremendous loss. I take pride in seeing a budding artist do well and I am especially proud when I know that I helped to encourage or inspire them.
Anyone who does not agree with me has a serious insecurity complex.
January 14, 2011 at 3:08 pm
You go baby! You know I support you on this. I’m up for a good rebellion anyday. And kudos on the new direction for the NG biz. I miss the zine and the laughs we had (Charmin, we miss your wipes for sure), but I dig this new direction. I’m next in the chair for some pain girl.
Rick