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.

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Last Answer on May 23, 2014

Best Rated

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

Asked by Kyle Dotson about 11 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 11 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.

Do you think tattoos can become an addiction?

Asked by No ink... yet over 11 years ago

Absolutely. I've had several clients over the years that returned each week to get a tattoo just to have that feeling. I used tattoos to help me get through several hard parts in my life, too. It most definitely can become addicting because of the rush of endorphins that the body goes through.

I've been thinking of getting my first tattoo done in white ink right under my collarbone, but I've heard that a lot of tattoo artists won't do just white ink. Is that true, and why?

Asked by Ink Virgin almost 11 years ago

White ink tattoos are a fad, and in my honest opinion, a waste of time and money for the customer. They don't show up after the healing process. The only reason they show up in those cute pictures all over the internet is because the skin around the ink is inflamed and red. Doing a white tattoo with nothing around it to help make it stand out is like drawing on a white piece of paper with a white colored pencil. 

White is an accent color in tattoos. It shows up best when placed directly next to a dark, contrasting color. Placed by itself, it gets lost.

If you want a tattoo, get a tattoo. If you don't want people to see it, then don't get it on your collarbone. But a white tattoo will stick around for maybe 3-6 months, and right under the collarbone is not a pleasant area to be tattooed for something that's not permanent.

I got a tattoo that I don't like with my daughters name will a good tattoo artist cover it up?

Asked by Vanessa about 11 years ago

Most tattoos are coverable, yes, but you need to pick your artist carefully. Cover ups can be tricky. When you are looking for a piece to use as a coverup, look for something with a lot of lines and a lot of places the artist can use as shade points- that's what will disguise your tattoo. Flowers and dragons make awesome coverup pieces.

When choosing a significant other, is it important to you that the person also has tattoos?

Asked by bobbysox over 11 years ago

For me, it isn't, but I will say that nice looking tattoos do help. I've dated guys with tattoos and without tattoos, though I married one with tattoos. It's all personal preference, and I think generally it doesn't matter unless one person has tattoos and the other person is completely opposed to them. That might cause some problems down the line.

Have you ever had clients who changed their minds about getting a tattoo midway through the process? What did you do?

Asked by lalalauren over 11 years ago

Fortunately that's never happened to me. I've had to ask a customer to leave in the middle of a tattoo because they weren't sitting still and they were messing up my work (this customer and I had a long history of problems with him sitting in the chair, but the last time I couldn't take it anymore and told him to leave), but I've never had anyone change their mind mid-tattoo. Usually so much time and effort goes into planning the tattoo, and if the person seems nervous we get the money first, just in case, so once all of that is done, the person generally commits.