you - resonanteye

translations, communication, and taking the time.

6th of January 2018

In ethics, health and safety, love, Tattoo Advice, tattooing, true stories, you,

I have tattooed a significant number of developmentally disabled and non neurotypical people.

I require caretakers to cosign all paperwork, if the person has a legal guardian. No matter what, everyone I tattoo must be over eighteen.

I require that I am satisfied they completely understand

1. the concept of permanence
2. that they will be in pain, and cannot move during the process
3. that they, alone, without coaxing, can express to me in some manner, what they would like tattooed on them.

if that’s written, ASL, using a speech to text device, or a person as a translator… all those are OK. they must be the one making the request, not their caretaker. that’s all. no coaching, no coaxing, no talking OVER the person who wants a tattoo. the request has to originate from my client only. the understanding of the outcome and process has to come from them. it’s their life, their body and decision. I need to know they are capable of making that decision, and that it’s THEIRS.

I have worked on people with almost no communication abilities, and not a one of them was coaxed or pushed by the caretaker. that in itself would cause me to refuse the service, since I wouldn’t be certain who had made the decision. I’ve tattooed people who used a caretaker to explain what they were saying, people who used a tablet or phone to tap in words painstakingly, I’ve taken basic ASL and can usually find a better -versed translator if my skills aren’t enough. I’m willing to take the time to explain every single thing that will or could happen, if someone needs the time and the explanation.

tattooing isn’t rocket surgery. it’s easy for me to explain, I think. there have been a few times when I felt the person really didn’t understand the concept of permanence-and so-

I have asked for doctor’s notes, and I’ve had people bring them, also. sometimes it’s me, unable to explain in a way they can understand. I defer to doctors; I realize that a lot of people need a different form of communication than I can provide and I’m willing to wait and see if someone more well trained in communication can make it understood.

I just do not want to do harm, to my clients, my potential clients, and especially to those who already have to go through a lot every day just to live in the typical world. if I’m certain the person understands the decision and had made it on their own I’ll do the work.

hell, that goes for face tattoos too, ya know?

any tattoo. I have turned away people who are verbal, neurotypical, etc simply because they do not understand the concept of permanence, or that they have to sit still for the process itself.

I’ve done face and hand tattoos on people who understood the gravity of the decision. (thinking about it for a long time isn’t an indicator of that understanding)

in other words, I welcome anyone who really wants a tattoo, and I want to do a good tattoo on them, and not cause harm to them in the process. I’m interested to know if anyone has questions or thoughts, too, on ways I could make communication about tattoos easier for people who struggle with social abilities or with communication in general.

I want my clients, my people, to feel at ease.

°°°additional notes°°°

Anyone who needs accommodations to get tattooed by me and isn’t certain if they’re in place, please do ask. we are wheelchair accessible; I have multiple furniture we can position you on safely and comfortably.

anxiety reducing things like your own pillow, headphones, etc are all welcomed. I’m not fluent in ASL but I have the basics and will scratch notes on paper with you for as long as we need to take.

if you are non verbal, you can bring and use a person to explain, you can write or sketch or doodle or print out images to show me, you can bring a tablet or phone and type at me, you can email me. this is all OK by me.

if you’ve got social anxiety, I do consultations via email and can schedule you on a day which is typically less busy, and we can set up so that you don’t have to interact with others. if you’ve a fear of unfamiliar places, you can come in briefly to visit and become more familiar with me and with the space before your tattoo day.

therapy animals aren’t permitted in the shop, per the health department. working service animals are permitted everywhere except the working procedure area- they cannot come into that area during a procedure, but can be in the waiting area, where one of us can easily reach for you. service animals in training aren’t permitted in the shop, and uncontrolled animals have to leave. these are state rules; both states I maintain licensing in have similar rules for us to follow.

I’m not a standard model human, so I know what a pain in the ass things can be, sometimes. you don’t have to lay your life open to me, I’m not a therapist. I don’t want to make you do more work than you’ve got to do, just to get a tattoo.

everything on this earth is set up for the normal folks; it’s hard enough already. if you don’t see an accommodation listed here and you need to know, ask. I will do all I can. you don’t have to explain why you need a thing. if I can do the thing, I will.

everyone who can want a tattoo and understand what they are, who can ask for one in some way, and pay for one, is welcome on my table.

you might need a doctor’s note if you:

take blood thinners
have a heart condition
have a compromised immune system
have diabetes and want a foot tattoo (to rule out neuropathy, so we’re sure it can heal)
can’t communicate well enough with me to express your understanding of the process or permanence of the tattoo

I’ll still tattoo you with a doctor’s OK, though.

I won’t tattoo you if:
you are pregnant
you are nursing an infant under one year old
you can’t understand the need to sit still for the tattoo process
you can’t understand the concept of permanence
you are under eighteen
your tattoo is a symbol of hate

if you’re in any doubt, email me. resonanteye at gmail dot com. we can figure it out.

tarot tattoo series; reading your inner symbolism

6th of December 2017

In art, clients, collaborative work, deep thoughts, female tattoo artist, female tattoo artist pacific northwest, female tattoo artist spokane, love, original art, questions, tarot deck, tat zap wizard, Tattoo, Tattoo Advice, tattooing, traveling tattooer, you,

I’m currently doing three-card reading tarot tattoos. I pull cards and use related symbolism to do a spontaneous image tattoo on whoever signs up for it. these tattoos can’t be planned in advance, but can be booked ahead as a time slot.

images are based on symbols/reminders/ideas that the deck suggests; are drawn by both of us together, on the spot; I want to make it a collaborative process. the colors and symbolic images that call to you and the design elements that carry a positive message to you- that’s what we’re reading for.

I did tarot readings before I was a tattoo artist. I’ve always worked with the Thoth deck, and I consider tarot to be a way to access our subconscious mind and find ideas and solutions, rather than any kind of outside or spiritual communication. I am not theistic and I think that connecting to our inner selves is valuable, in its own right.

I’ve worked with tarot in this way for 25 years or more.

I see tarot as a way to access our inner selves through symbolism. the tattoo tarot work I’m doing, I’m reading the cards to see what imagery will best fit you in the present and give you a positive feeling into the future.

with your input, I’ll pull three cards and we will examine them for their connection to you and your life, your goals. then we will use symbolism and color choices from those cards to create an image for the tattoo. these readings are to find the right tattoo, not for further life guidance. (they’re readings for a specific purpose instead of a general reading).

The reading we do is only about the tattoo you will get, and is to guide us to choose the right combination of items and symbols to give your subconscious self a boost, or reminder.

As I said I approach it as a way to access the inner, higher self- a kind of Jungian approach. Spiritual content in these readings is fully your decision and what you bring with you to the cards, and isn’t my work. that is the content of your contribution- it’s your decision, your choice. I’m simply a conduit for this.

it’s up to you to decide what to take from it. for me, it’s a way to clarify and condense into an image, the things your full being wants or needs to see. I would not presume to call it “healing” work at all, I am not a therapist. I’m simply there to explain the cards, help you find symbols that resonate with you, and make a good tattoo from them. if there is healing, it has come from within you, because inside you is a whole, healthy being. this is not me, it is you, your own self. I’m honored if you let me be a tool you can use for this.

you can call the shop to book- simply decide the amount of time/money you’d like for a session, and we will draw to suit that. we’ll draw together after the reading, so the art is collaborative between us.

I’m leaving Sundays open for this through the winter, but any day is all right. they’ll note that it’s a tarot piece in the appointment notes when they take a deposit and set up the time. the shop is aware and ready to set up time for you, our counter staff is amazing and they handle all my scheduling for the shop. (509-426-4465) is the number here- you can also email me and I can have counter staff set up a time and date via email.

I know limited ASL but can likely find a fluent translator if text/writing isn’t enough. we are wheelchair accessible and I can put up screens if you need an enclosed space. you may bring a comfy pillow, headphones to wear during the tattoo itself, or a friend to talk to.

if you need anything else in the form of accommodation, let me know.

everyone here is amazing and helpful

I use proper and modern, clean and sanitary techniques to apply the tattoo. using a premium machine and a full setup, with all disposable, single use equipment.

if I’m going to ask the muse (in any form) to assist me I feel I should carry out the work in the best possible way I can, do the very best tattoo I’m capable of, with the best tools and equipment available.

I feel that to use less than the optimal equipment and setting would be an insult to the process used to find the design.

I will not be doing these at conventions, as there’s too much distraction from the crowd for us to focus properly. if I am visiting a shop near you I will offer these there.

xox

livestrong is incorrect! PSA. PLEASE SHARE.

24th of September 2017

In clients, dos and donts, ethics, female tattoo artist, female tattoo artist pacific northwest, female tattoo artist spokane, health and safety, learning, oregon tattoo artists, questions, tat zap wizard, Tattoo, Tattoo Advice, tattooing, tech, you,

PSA: SHARE!!!

if you have read/are using that site as a source of info about tattoo inks please PLEASE be aware-

THE SOURCE THEY CITE IS COMPLETELY NOT CREDIBLE WITHIN THE TATTOO INDUSTRY.

THE SOURCE THEY USED IS INCORRECT.

THE INKS (BRANDS) THEY LIST ARE REALLY TERRIBLE FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS AND YOU WILL NOT FIND A TALENTED PROFESSIONAL USING THEM.

they used a fake, crappy online “tattoo school” scam website to get their info. the inks listed include two brands with recalls (!!!!!) and a brand that has really low pigmentation. those brands were listed as “good” only because they’re potentially available to non professional artists!!! Most amateur grade and publicly available inks are made with all sorts of contaminants, and some are dangerous.

The scam school website they used as a reference is NOT a reliable source for information.

THIS IS A BAD SOURCE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT TATTOO INKS.
professional grade tattoo inks are not available to the general public, contain nothing extraneous, and you won’t find out about them through “how-to tattoo dot com” or some crap like that.

tattoo inks available to professionals show no toxicity in ingredients, are not hazardous, and are usually vegan (some brands of black are the exception to that).

if you have questions about ink, ask your tattoo artist. we will always answer questions for you and we have msds sheets as well. (these images are an example, from a brand used by many professionals.)

(this is from one of several brands often used by professionals)

I’ve seen reference to this website several times now, so I decided it was time to let people know this is NOT CORRECT INFORMATION.

Please, please. If you have concerns about the inks, ASK YOUR TATTOO ARTIST. If you do not trust your artist, FIND ONE YOU TRUST. Get tattooed by professionals only!

why some shops are cut rate, who drew the lion?

9th of August 2017

In art, artwork, clients, complaints, dos and donts, drawing, ethics, female tattoo artist, female tattoo artist olympia, female tattoo artist pacific northwest, female tattoo artist spokane, health and safety, how-to, love, money, nomad tattoo artist, old school, oregon tattoo artists, original art, original drawings, questions, tat zap wizard, Tattoo, Tattoo Advice, tattooing, traveling tattooer, you,

the reason some tattoos/piercing shops have really low minimums or hourly costs:

little experience or inconsistent abilities,
substandard, imported inks (could be risky to you),
don’t provide follow up
like good aftercare and personal answers to questions (this should always be available!),
don’t care about touchups or fixing a piercing that healed improperly,
substandard materials in jewelry, (dangerous!)
inconsistent machinery or other actual tattooing gear,
not paying for licensing or training (legally required but people will cut corners),
not paying taxes, insurance, or other necessities
they have known you for twenty years and actually are your real life friend.

my minimum/hourly ensures that I cover the shop’s commission, my equipment (good stuff), and a living wage for a professional in a trade. it also covers any and all time you need to ask me questions afterward via text or email, touchups if needed, aftercare info and good bandaging, continued contact with me in case you have questions, and twenty years of experience.

it’s my hope that everyone I tattoo, even when they get tattooed by other artists besides me, ONLY ever gets AMAZING tattoos after they get work by me. I want all you guys to get worked on by great artists that treat you well and value your patronage. I know the piercers I work with are the same, they use the best, modern, safe, high quality things and will always help you after.

If you’ve been tattooed by me you can always contact me with questions about anything tattoo related. I’m always here. even if I only did a dot on you. You guys are my people. I want you all to look and feel good.

This is what my hourly and minimum cover, and they’re cheap at the price.

(also, I have PUMPKIN SPICE)

Below, the first kind lion with cherry blossoms and lotuses, was drawn by Guen Douglas. It’s a really good drawing.

She drew it as a custom tattoo for one of her clients. Since then, tons of people have fallen in love with it. That’s fine. A lot of people have copied it exactly though, and that’s not fine!

If you want an amazing lion tattoo it’s OK to say “look, like this, amazing” and bring it as reference or an idea that appeals to you… then have your artist draw you your OWN lion and flowers. Pick your favorite flowers. Make the lion have the kind of look on its face that you want to feel. Hell, pick an animal you identify with instead of a lion! All these things are possible.

The second picture is a fierce lioness with acacia and freesia that I drew for someone. If you pick a good artist they will make you something amazing that is YOURS, not a copy of someone else’s. If you don’t have a good artist… GO GET ONE. If you’re completely fixated on that lion that Guen drew… may I humbly suggest that you contact her and GET TATTOOED BY HER. She drew it! She’s really good!

Of course if you find a tattoo online that you love, I’ll use it as the basis for your idea. YES. I won’t copy someone else’s tattoo exactly, line for line. that’s THEIR tattoo. We will come up with changes so that it fits YOU .

xox

by Guen Douglas

by me, anji marth

On memorial tattoos.

27th of July 2017

In clients, deep thoughts, ethics, female tattoo artist, female tattoo artist pacific northwest, female tattoo artist spokane, health and safety, journal, love, motivation, nomad tattoo artist, personal, pictures, questions, step by step, tat zap wizard, Tattoo, Tattoo Advice, tattooing, traveling tattooer, you,

When you’ve lost someone close to you, tattooing is often a tool you can use in your grieving process. I do many memorial tattoos and I know from my own personal experience of getting them, that it can be really emotional.

The best thing to do, first of all, is to contact the artist and set up a consultation. Every artist is different, and what I do may not be what all artists do. So check in first, before assuming anything. That said, I deal with memorial tattoos by taking my cues from you. some people are light hearted, remembering good things. others are in mourning and need to cope with that. I’m not a therapist, just a person, so here is my take on memorials and how I set things up for you if you want one.

You might want your own soundtrack. This is fine- the shop doesn’t need to change their music for this to happen. The shop music is for the people working in the shop and we don’t change it- however I’m more than happy to work on you while you listen to your own calming music or meditation tracks on good headphones. If you don’t have good noise reduction headphones, let me know- I have over-the-ear ones that are amazing, and will keep out the hustle and bustle of the shop for you, so you feel safer. I’ll let you borrow them.

I’ll put up a screen if you’d like to have more privacy. Crying and feeling emotional are common things when we get memorial tattoos so please don’t feel worried if you need a moment to let it out, or if you get overwhelmed during the tattoo.

We can take breaks as needed. I usually charge for a break, if it’s one you need and not one I need- but in this case I stop the clock. i don’t charge for that time. It can take some minutes to calm down, to refocus. I respect that need and I want the tattoo to come out perfectly, so a little break for you to cry or breathe it out is OK. It’s not unusual and I’m not thinking poorly of you. There’s no need to get embarrassed about it. Everyone on earth loses things and people they love, and I have been through it too.

Bringing along comforting objects like books, photos or a pillow can help, especially if you have sensory issues. A familiar (clean) blanket and pillow are always ok. A photo for you to look at, a book, or videos through headphones. this can also help you remember the good times, and make your tattoo a celebration of the person’s life instead of just a sad moment thinking about the loss.

You’re welcome to bring a friend or loved one who is sharing in your grief, so that you can have someone to talk to, who really understands. I highly recommend this. Bringing someone along who also knew the person, or who is very supportive of you in your life, can really help. it’s difficult for me to both commiserate with you AND do the tattoo perfectly, so having that friend along to hold hands, tell stories, or just vent to, will help you get through things and still walk away with a good tattoo.

images are always good, not just words.

I do a lot of lettering, dates of birth and death, names, as memorials. This is very classic and totally ok. It’s just fine to do a memorial that’s simple and understated. I also do a lot of meaningful images related to the person who died. If there was an in joke between you, a pet name, or something you both loved, using an image of that as your memorial is a great idea and a really good way to remember the person going forward- as someone who had a positive impact on your life in an active way.

think of your loved one as a star. what were their greatest hits? what was their joy in life? did they create something wonderful, do something valuable? these are all good ways to think of images to memorialize them, rather than just letters.

I’ve also done tattoos that include cremains. This involves several steps- you’ll have to sift the ashes to get the lightest, finest ash. I’ll only need a tiny bit (the ink cup I use to pour out your ink into is very tiny, think a few drops) so a little sprinkling on top of that tiny cup is what we will use. You’ll need to bring them in the day before your appointment, so I can sterilize them for use and let them dry out. Then we will dust a small bit of them on top of the black ink we will be using. Cremains in tattoos is a debatable issue and a lot of tattoo artists will refuse to do this, and the do have good reasons. you may lose spots of ink during healing, since the ash has larger particles than the ink. However by sterilizing them ahead of time, we avoid any possible bacterial contamination of them and any other risks.

If your tattoo is a memorial don’t be shy about telling me or asking about these things. I’ve got memorial tattoos. I cried during a few of them. I wore headphones, hugged someone’s t shirt that smelled like them, I took breaks and I felt miserable. The process itself, though, seemed to help me work through my more awful feelings- and having someone there to discuss the good times with, seemed to help me the most.

a memorial tattoo on me.

we all grieve differently. if you’re getting a memorial tattoo, we should have a consult before your appointment, just to be sure we get everything settled for you, so you can use the process instead of feeling worse. Again, my concern is to do a good tattoo on you, that will give you positive feelings as you wear it over the years.

I’m not a therapist and I can’t help with the grieving process on that level. all I can do is give you a hug, and schedule you at the end of my day so I’m not bringing the weight of that loss in to my next appointment.

The truth about fan art.

24th of May 2017

In artwork, clients, deep thoughts, female tattoo artist, female tattoo artist pacific northwest, female tattoo artist spokane, geek, horror art, joke tattoos, journal, love, macabre, motivation, original art, original drawings, questions, tat zap wizard, Tattoo, traveling tattooer, true stories, you,

Now, I’ll admit that I’m a fan of things. I enjoy things. I have problematic favorites just like anyone else. wanted to get that out of the way before I proceed.

case in point.

now, about fan art. I’ll do it. I’ll do a caricature tattoo (more painterly- I don’t do photorealism) of any thing you like- especially if I like it too. however, I don’t want to copy a still frame of a film, a production photo or an exact image of a character someone else owns the rights to. it seems like bad karma somehow. those folks worked long and hard and they need to get paid for that, they own the character, the art, the film itself.

so my solution has always been to find a reference, a pertinent moment, and refine it into an idea that references the original without interfering in the ownership of the image. I’ve fallen down on this, all tattoo artists have. a tattoo is personal use, you see, so as long as I’m not using it to promote or create follow-up products, I’m on the ok side of things.

I prefer the subtle approach. for example, right now I’m obsessed with Westworld. I’ve got sketches of every damn character, based on extensive research into the actors, not based on any one moment in the series. they’re loose, painted. I’m ready to tattoo these. once. one person gets them. I may post them and tag we online (they are open to fan art) but I’m not interested in exact reproductions. I want to capture a moment or meaning, not a face.

all the things there were mechanical until the “upgrade” to cheaper materials like meat and bones. they were beautiful, now they’re just like us. including the horses, the bison. so there it is.

they can’t ride that train anywhere. it’s a goddamn loop around the park areas. it’s headed nowhere. they can’t escape. who laid those tracks? there it is.

I’ve been obsessed with other things over the years, of course. mostly horror and sci Fi. I’d rather do something that contains the meaning of a scene, rough and raw and laid in strong, than copy and break a law or even piss someone off. there’s a lot of celebrity images in the public domain, I tend to rely heavily on mugshots, government images, and my paid Getty images access for these. I’ll use these and some of the character’s words or token totem items to make the piece. crossovers are fun, too, if I’m a fan of the actor.

looking at you, Walken.

looking directly at you, goldblum.

I’ll do some things. I have dodgy soft spots. if I’m geeking on the same thing as you, I am a marshmallow and I’ll do it. I feel bad afterwards, but I love some things too much to say no outright. and I usually only do this if the creator has died.

Ernst Haeckel, public domain actually.

I really want to change the things to make then more my style, more to your fit, more important. I want to bring out the abstract qualities the original creator didn’t do- I want the meaning, the pith. if you’re a fan of a thing I’m a fan of, expect our consultation to be a geek fest about our fan theories and conceptual framework, finding symbols to use without infringing on copyright. that’s my goal every time.

they never kiss.

from the literary description of It.

painting of a little sister.

I wanted a real turtle.

I’ll go abstract as fuck to capture the most powerful Disney villains.

had to add sex appeal, sadness, and painterly feeling.

if, like me, you find important moments in media, like books, movies, shows… come talk to me. I like a lot of stuff, mostly horror/sci Fi and a little weird standard fiction. I’ve got a list of things I’d love to do, on standby. if our interests match, we’re going to end up with magic.

I was more lax about copyright in the old times of my career. after all, I need the word of mouth, the internet brings me about half my clients, and known franchises and characters will consistently outpace original works. people like the familiar and you’ll see a crap copy of a screenshot from a movie with 19,900 likes and hearts and comments, while thoughtful original content gets ignored. it’s really difficult to deal with as a creator. I’ve chased that little bump before. Won’t do it again. anything related to a media franchise from now on is all OC based on the universe in which the characters are set, all characters drawn from copyright free sources.

I’m an artist and I know artists need to get paid. while I need the exposure copying and making fan art gives me, and I enjoy it with my particular interests, we’ve got to find ways to change things- to use elements that are meaningful in that universe, without simply tracing a damn thing.

currently I’m interested in Westworld, the Wire, better call Saul, Ursula k Leguin sf (not fantasy though), everything from Stephen King, Octavia Butler, any horror movie you can think of, and of course, any celebrity who’s a little off their rocker. I’d like to do an Idris Elba, Antony Hopkins, Charlize Theron, Gary Bussey, Grace Jones, any woman in a good strong character actually from any era. I’d like to paint character actors. I’d like to tattoo a lot more characters from fiction instead of movies. true crime! but then also, I’m a horror movie creep so I’d like that too. inglorious basterds! hey just try me. if I’m not a geek for it, I’ll know someone who is.

OH GAWD HELP ME MY ANUS IS BLEEDIINNNN-

just no direct copies. I’m not made for photorealism, my work is rugged and strange and won’t work that way. you can contact me if you’re interested by email, or with the link here: resonanteye.net/gettattooed.

I’ve been focusing more on skin and less on paper, so these images start out loose, they get refined on the skin. it’s about your interest in a thing matching mine, and your trust in the process. but I’m gritting my teeth waiting for more of this in the schedule, so please, bring it my way.

please. my inner nerd is underfed.

outline of center areas done elsewhere, repaired and added the rest. xox John Waters

ka is a wheel. piece still in progress.

bring these to me. please. I’m in the mood.

getting tattooed with scars from self-harm-answers to common questions.

30th of January 2017

In 911, clients, coverups, deep thoughts, ethics, female tattoo artist, female tattoo artist pacific northwest, female tattoo artist spokane, health and safety, journal, love, motivation, nomad tattoo artist, personal, questions, surviving your first tattoo, Tattoo, Tattoo Advice, traveling tattooer, true stories, you,

I’m not going to include many photos in this post, to provide my clients with some privacy.

side note: this information applies to most any kind of scar, not just self injury.

I’ve got some scars from self harm. I know a lot of people do. it can be really embarrassing, or feel shameful to have them seen. if they’re in really visible areas, it’s even worse.

I’ve had mine covered with tattoos (I stopped cutting years ago, when I was still fairly young). I’ve gotten images that remind me of what I’ve been through and of what I’d like my future to look like. I want you to know you’re not alone with this, first of all. I also want you to know that not only are you not alone, I have seen and tattooed worse scars than yours- burn wounds, surgical scars, all of it. yes, you may have done serious damage to yourself, but no- it’s not impossible to tattoo over it.

If you want to do this, here’s a few things to keep in mind.

you have to stop cutting in that area and adjoining areas for at least a few months before we can start working on it. the skin can only heal so much at once, so nearby open wounds will mess up the healing process of the tattoo. if you can’t entirely stop SH/SI, try to go lighter and in a completely different area for a while before you come for a tattoo.
make a consultation time with me first. that way we can figure out the pattern and texture of your scars and skin, what areas are “ripe” for tattooing and which may need more time. scars should be a little bit settled in before we tattoo on them, so the ink will hold properly. a consultation gives us a chance to also meet up and discuss what your goal is with the tattoo itself.
it’s OK if your goal is ‘hide these’, it’s OK if your goal is ’emphasize these’, it’s OK if your goal is to stop SH/SI and it’s OK if your goal has nothing to do with stopping. I won’t judge. I won’t look down on you. I know that you have your own reasons, and you don’t have to explain that to me or go into detail. you don’t have to relive your troubles just so that I will tattoo you. my goal is to make you happy with your tattoo- that’s all. I’m just here to make something positive happen for you.
minimal, crisp, geometric, thin-lined, pale, wispy art doesn’t cover or hide scars. if your goal is to camouflage the scars, we will likely end up doing painterly, saturated, textured organic shapes of some kind. branches, trees, flowers, plants, animals. things that have volume and texture. if your goal is NOT to hide or cover the scars, let me know, so that we can work out what you do want to do.
scars that are fresh, still healing, or very livid usually don’t take ink very well. usually, moisturizing often with vitamin e and/or a good scar reducing lotion for a few months will fix this. this is yet another reason to stop harming the skin in the area you want tattooed and the surrounding area. we need to give your cell walls a chance to regenerate, to hold the ink in.
don’t be afraid to email me or contact me EVEN IF you aren’t coming to me for the tattoo. I’ve been through some shit and I know how intimidating it can be to walk in to strangers and talk about this stuff. I can always answer questions, possibly suggest understanding artists in your area, or even just listen. I think everyone deserves a good experience when getting tattooed, and I’m here for that if you need it.
you’re likely to get an endorphin high during or after the tattoo, similar to what you’d get from shallow cuts or abrasions. getting heavily tattooed was part of how I broke my cycle of self harm- I realized I could get that sensation in other ways. it’s almost the same chemicals released as a “runner’s high”- so just speaking from personal experience, running and getting tattooed are both good ways to get that little kick, without doing more damage.
come prepared to comfort yourself. your favorite blanket, pillow, headphones, dress in comfy clothes. self-soothing is totally welcomed in my space, I will never mock you for making sure you’re comfortable and feeling safe. bring a snack as well, or something you like to munch or drink (no booze!) you can bring a friend or come alone- whatever makes you feel safer.

me getting my upper arms worked on.

if you need further information, email me, or, preferably, comment below. I’ll try to answer any comments I get here as quickly as I can.

“don’t cover them”

it goes without saying that SH/SI is dangerous and you shouldn’t do it. we all know that. but I know, and you know, that sometimes it’s a thing we do to cope, and we can’t just stop until you find better ways to cope with all the bullshit life throws at us. I hope we all find better ways to cope, I hope everyone reading this is able to find things that help. I did-and if I can do a thing I am damn sure that you can do the thing.

I understand that it takes time and work so again-don’t feel ashamed. It’s just a thing some of us do. Be as safe as you can be.

(sterile saline wound wash, steri-strips, and clean hands help a lot)

xox

using a scar as a design element

after. the indentation and raised areas become an asset to the design

safety pins;

13th of November 2016

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if you are capable and willing to defend someone who is being harassed or harmed, this is a great idea. I’m fully in support. there may be some naysayers but I think expressing this willingness to help others is a good thing.

you shouldn’t feel bad if you can’t help others or may be victimized yourself; but if you are able and willing to step in and stop others from being harassed and harmed this is a good way to express that, just in case.

because I support this idea, on November 20 I’ll be doing safety pin silhouette tattoos (visible places only, wrist/hands/neck) or semicolon tattoos (any place on ya) for $50 (below our minimum.) first come, first served, from noon till five.

for each tattoo I do I’ll also donate ten bucks to the Southern Poverty Law Center to aid in their efforts to stop racism and misogyny.

I’m doing the semicolons as well, because not every person is able to step in and help others. some are not physically able, others are likely to get targeted themselves, or have other reasons.

bullying is often a contributing factor to suicide and suicide rates spiked in vulnerable populations this past few days, so I’d like to support those who are struggling with that, as well as those who are allies willing to step up and defend others.

feel free to share.

in other cities/areas, for safety pins,

Brent Schlemmer , (Indiana)
Kimber Teatro, (Portland, Oregon)
Curby Dickens (Salem, Oregon)
Club Tattoo Scottsdale (Arizona)
Suzen Tattoozen-Tanton (Eugene, OR)
Denise Gardner (Corvallis, OR)
Jessica Parrish, Ink Dreams Tattoo (TN)(will be donating to local soup kitchen for each tattoo done, the 21st)
George Long (Seattle, WA)
Premium Tattoo (Oakland, CA)
Steph Burnside (San Diego, CA)

I don’t know if they’re donating to anything, what day they’re doing this, or what they’re charging but you can look them up to find out.

if you’re a tattoo artist or shop doing something related, please comment- I’ll add you to the original post. then we can all share it so people in different regions can find someone who’s doing these.

xox #safespace #support #ilovemyclients #safetypin #semicolon #spokanewa #spokanetattoos #solidarity

next year’s agenda

22nd of September 2016

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So far, my plans for next year are sparse. I’ll be wintering in Spokane until March, when I’ll be working at the evergreen convention, then a week or so at high priestess right after.

I’m hoping to work the Portland convention in the fall- depending on dates. I’ll likely work at the eye candy convention in NY state next fall again, too. I have not yet made any other plans!

I’ll definitely be back in Seattle for at least a week or two, here and there, and I’ll try to make it to az/lv as well. I’ll be on the east coast in September/October if all goes well, too.

do you live somewhere I haven’t been? do you want a bunch of tattoos? drop a comment and let me know, I’ve got time for at least one distant drive (within the US) that I haven’t planned yet.

Northern California is possible, as is the Southeast.