Tattoo Artist

Tattoo Artist

Tatted Mom

Tucson, AZ

Female, 32

I'm a tattoo artist who underwent a standard apprenticeship under a certified tattoo artist. I am an artist first, tattooer second, which means I put creativity and art into my tattoos, not just the 'you pick it, we stick it' type of tattooer. Apprenticeships for tattooing vary by state, according to the laws. I'm also a trained body piercer, as well. Any questions about the job or apprenticing, I'd be happy to help!

PLEASE NOTE: I will NOT price tattoos. Seek a shop for that.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

422 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on May 23, 2014

Best Rated

I am seriously considering getting into tattooing, but when I see intricate custom pieces that seem to be drawn from the artist's imagination, I feel baffled! I can only draw something if it's in front of me. How do you bring your ideas to life?

Asked by Aubrey about 12 years ago

I happen to be one of those artists who has to look at a refernce to draw, as well. I'm great at piecing things together, so if I have a custom piece to draw, I usually either take pictures myself of different components to piece together, or search for actual reference pictures on the internet. One of my favorite pieces was a custom compilation of animals that my client had seen on a nighttime safari trip in Panama. I looked up pictures of each animal and drew them together in the shape of the country of Panama to create the custom piece.

Kudos to you for admitting you've messed up a tat on occasion :) My question is, let's say you ROYALLY messed one up, like a mispelling or something. Can the customer sue you in that case?

Asked by Brian ABQ over 12 years ago

Hey, everyone's human. ;) To be honest, I have no idea. If the paperwork signed before the tattoo is done is worded correctly (and most are), then no. Most paperwork says somewhere on it that the customer releases the tattoo shop and artist of all liabilities involving the tattoo. That's written, not so much in case someone screws up (though it will cover that), but in case someone has tattoo regret down the road, or to keep people from saying they don't like the tattoo and trying to get their money back.

Are tattoo removal techniques getting better? Is it generally easier to get a tattoo you don't like REMOVED or incorporated into a larger design that conceals it?

Asked by zzz over 12 years ago

Tattoo removal is very easy nowadays. They just blast it with a laser. Painful, yes, but effective. Dark black ink takes a few sessions to be removed, reds take a few more. Color ink (other than red) is usually removed in 1-2 sessions. A much less painful approach is covering up the old tattoo with a new tattoo, but it all depends on the old tattoo. Tribal is almost impossible to truly cover up, unless it's thin tribal or severely faded. And the customer has to be open to the design being used as a cover up. It has to have lots of lines and shade points to disguise the tattoo below, so things like faces and words won't work to cover up tattoos.

Okay, I've got this gorgeous chest piece I want done, but I'm overweight, by a lot.. I'm losing weight now, and have about 100 llbs to go, should I wait to get this piece till I'm done losing weight, or can I get it now without it deforming?

Asked by It'sJess almost 12 years ago

Theoretically, a tattoo adapts with the changes in skin and the body. But, if you have 100 lbs to go, I'd wait. I've fluctuated about 20 lbs in my own weight in the past, and the tattoos I have on my lower stomach shifted slightly to accomodate for my extra weight. Normally this isn't a problem and you wouldn't even notice it, but I have symmetrical tattoo machines on my abdomen that are no longer symmetrical because of the weight gain. The tattoos themselves are fine, the ink expanded with my skin, but they are just slightly off center due to the inconsistant weight gain. I'd hate for you to get the perfect chest piece and have it shift.

I got a blacklight tattoo, and when it peeled it doesn't glow anymore. What causes that to happen

Asked by Kyle Dotson almost 12 years ago

In all honesty, it happened because blacklight tattoo ink isn't meant to last. It's a fad- not something for long term. It fades very quickly- within 3-6 months max. It's a horrible way for tattoo artists to charge more for a tattoo because the ink costs more, and because it will have to be touched up several times a year (which they will start charging you for, to keep it glowing). I've never done a blacklight tattoo nor will I ever because they don't last, the ink doesn't penetrate the skin the way normal ink does, and it comes out looking spotchy and doesn't heal correctly- much like it peeling out when your tattoo healed. 

And, if any artist tells you the blacklight ink is FDA approved- it's not. It's FDA approved for tagging FISH, NOT for tattooing HUMANS. 

I don't recommend anyone getting a blacklight tattoo.

I'm really keen on getting an apprenticeship and have started building my A3 folio of flash and other designs and finally got into my infections control course would it be a good idea to first get a tattoo done by the artist I want to train with 1st

Asked by Tweak1991 about 12 years ago

I think that's definitely a good idea. You also need to inquire as to whether or not the person you want to apprentice under will even take an apprentice. Many tattoo artists won't. Some states require the tattoo artist to have a license saying they can teach others how to tattoo. Definitely check out the shop, the artist, and their work. Having work done by them is a bonus.

Hi there
I am wondering if you can help
Is it possible to tattoo colour over healed blackwork?? I seen it done with lucky diamond he has a coloured sleeve done over his black healed sleeve is this actually physically possible for many artists?

Asked by Peter almost 12 years ago

Lucky Diamond Rich is pretty much one big black-tattoo-ink blob. I barely see any color on his body. If the tattoo is solid black, then no, it's very difficult to put color over black and have it show up. If the tattoo is a black-and-grey tattoo, then yes, usually color can be put over top or used to accent.