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Electric Street Tattoo: South Florida's Premier Traditional Tattoo Shop is Now Hiring

South Florida is known for its vibrant culture, beautiful beaches, and thriving tattoo scene. If you're passionate about traditional tattoo styles and seeking a rewarding career in the industry, we have exciting news to share!

Electric Street Tattoo, the best traditional tattoo shop in South Florida, is currently hiring talented individuals to join their team. Whether you're an experienced tattoo artist, a skilled manager, a friendly counter person, or an aspiring apprentice, Electric Street Tattoo offers an exceptional opportunity to be part of a renowned establishment that celebrates the artistry of traditional tattoos. Read on to learn more about Electric Street Tattoo and the exciting career prospects they have to offer.

Electric Street Tattoo: Where Tradition Meets Artistry:

Located in the heart of South Florida in Fort Lauderdale , Electric Street Tattoo has established itself as a haven for tattoo enthusiasts who appreciate the timeless beauty and craftsmanship of traditional tattoo styles. The shop prides itself on a team of skilled artists who specialize in traditional designs, including American Traditional, Japanese Traditional, and Neo-traditional. With a commitment to providing exceptional tattoo experiences, Electric Street Tattoo has gained a reputation for its outstanding artistry, warm atmosphere, and dedication to customer satisfaction.

Tattoo Artists: Showcase Your Talent and Craftsmanship:

Are you a talented tattoo artist with a deep passion for traditional tattoo styles?

Electric Street Tattoo is seeking experienced tattoo artists who excel in the art of traditional designs. If you have a portfolio showcasing your skills in traditional tattooing, this is an incredible opportunity to join a team of renowned artists and create beautiful, meaningful artwork for clients. Electric Street Tattoo values creativity, technical expertise, and the ability to provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for each client.

Management: Lead and Inspire:

If you have proven managerial experience and a thorough understanding of the tattoo industry, Electric Street Tattoo is hiring for the role of a shop manager. As the manager, you will oversee daily operations, coordinate artist schedules, and ensure the smooth functioning of the shop. This leadership role requires excellent organizational skills, a passion for customer service, and the ability to foster a positive and collaborative work environment. Join Electric Street Tattoo as a manager and play a pivotal role in shaping the success and growth of this esteemed tattoo shop.

Counter Person: Create a Memorable Experience:

Are you a friendly and customer-oriented individual? Electric Street Tattoo is looking for a dedicated counter person to be the face of the shop. As the first point of contact for clients, you will provide exceptional customer service, assist with appointment scheduling, and ensure a welcoming atmosphere for everyone who walks through the doors. This role requires excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and a passion for creating a positive and memorable experience for each client.

Apprentices: Nurturing the Next Generation of Artists:

Electric Street Tattoo also offers apprenticeship opportunities for aspiring tattoo artists. If you're passionate about traditional tattoo and eager to learn from experienced professionals, this is an incredible chance to refine your skills and gain hands-on experience. Under the guidance of skilled artists, you'll have the opportunity to develop your technique, expand your knowledge, and embark on a rewarding career in tattooing.

Conclusion:

Electric Street Tattoo stands as the premier traditional tattoo shop in South Florida, offering an exceptional opportunity for talented individuals to join their team. Whether you're an experienced tattoo artist, a skilled manager, a friendly counter person, or an aspiring apprentice, Electric Street Tattoo provides a welcoming and inclusive environment to grow and thrive in the art of traditional tattooing. Don't miss out on this incredible chance to be part of a renowned establishment that celebrates the rich heritage and artistry of traditional tattoos. Join Electric Street Tattoos today and embark on an exciting and fulfilling career in the vibrant world of tattoo art.

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Guest Tattoo Artist Amanda Zylstra!

Our good friend and extended tattoo family member @ritualoffering is in town for a short guest spot folks!

Check out her Instagram page and book asap first come first served 🤠


As always if you’re a traveling tattoo artist looking for a place to call home while in Florida go ahead and fill out our request form.

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Now Hiring Tattoo Artists

The time has come once again where we open the books and bring in some fresh blood.

We need a dedicated and self motivated individual to join our team.

Experienced tattoo artist with solid portfolio and references wanted.

Electric Street is a laid back traditional tattoo parlor. Everything must always be on the up and up so please, no drugs, drama etc.

This is the most chill tattoo shop you’ll ever work at. Be your own boss and operate like a true professional.

Positive vibes are always welcome!


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Josh Cabrera Josh Cabrera

GUEST ARTIST ALERT!

I always love the opportunity to open our doors to traveling tattoo artists. It’s a huge benefit as a tattoo shop owner to be able to give back to the tattoo community by hosting tattooers passing through town.

Traditional hand tattoo
Beautiful peacock tattoo

This coming August the 8th be on the lookout for Nicha traveling from Puerto Rico!

One day only please book ASAP

@nichher

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Tattoo numbing for small tattoos?

I’ve had several clients asking me lately if painless tattoo creams work. I’ve wrote a post about this in the past and my short answer is still the same, yes.
What concerns me though is that I’m noticing more and more that the ppl asking are only getting very small tattoos. Absolutely nothing wrong with small tattoos I’m a fan. They don’t even need to be cool little traditional tattoos they can be the simpler Pinterest type minimalist tattoos that are very popular these days. We don’t judge, it’s your tattoo and we’re happy to help. We might weigh in if we feel something won’t work well but outside of that we try and give you what you want. The problem I’m having is when a tattoo the size of a dime that will take no more than three minutes from beginning to end and i’m having the conversation about numbing the pain away. Again, without judgment, I get we all have different levels of pain tolerance but what gives?
The act of getting tattooed is inherently painful, almost the whole point. Being willing to knuckle down and tolerate the pain I’d what separated the tattooed from the non tattooed. In certain cultures it’s even a rite of passage. If you were to completely erase the pain from the ritual what is left? It’s an honest question, what’s left?
Is it safe to assume that if death gives value to life, then pain gives value to tattoos?
Ok so all that aside, when is it a good time to use numbing cream on a tattoo?

Full Sleeve Polynesian Tribal Tattoo

After six hours of being tattooed numbing gel was used to numb out around the armpit area

After several hours of being tattooed is a good time I would say. If the amount of time needed to finish a larger tattoo project is less than the amount of time already put in. That seems sensible to me.
Sure we can numb you out for your little semi colon tattoo on your wrist, but wouldn’t that be a shame ? I would say especially for politically motivated or socially conscious tattoos, it’s worth a little pain.
Wouldn’t that be the very least we can do? Wouldn’t the strength of our convictions depend on it?

This head tattoo was applied numbing cream after three hours to help our friend Brian cross the finish line

Point being, not all tattoos require numbing. Just cause we have it Durant always mean we need it. Although it is certainly true, It’s good to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Sacred heart tattoo on sternum

Common knowledge the sternum is one of the most painful places to get tattooed
Numbing cream applied after the outlines and before shading

So this is just one guys opinion but if you’re looking to get tattooed expect to feel some level of pain and discomfort. If tattoo numbing cream can help take the edge off, all the better. 👍🏽

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Tattoo Shop Near Me

As the owner of a tattoo shop it’s important for me to know where our clients are coming from. I’ll admit this has been an area of weakness for me in the past. I’ve only recently started to realize that as a business owner I have an obligation to wear many different hats. What does this mean exactly? Well, for me, it means that sometimes I get to be a tattoo artist and other times I get to be whatever the shop needs me to be. And this can be damn near anything lol.
Something I read a long time ago,
”Some ppl work ON their business, some ppl work in it”. It’s a fine line but one that should not be ignored. I’d like to think that I can do both depending on circumstance.

Tattoo shop Google search

Twenty years ago our clients found us mostly through word of mouth. Word of mouth and referrals kept us busy and fed. This was also before ‘Smart phones’. We were all carrying flip phones back then and life was simpler. It’s safe to assume that most of our tattoo clients were local to our area and either heard about us through a friend, family member, or simply by driving past our shop on their way somewhere.
The world has changed.
So how are folks finding goods and services these days? Well, a large portion of our foot traffic, in particular, can be attributed to the one and only GOOGLE. That’s right folks, the worlds largest search engine is at least partially responsible for how people are getting tattooed these days. Dollar for dollar definitely the undisputed champ!

Electric Street Tattoo on Yelp

A close second would be Yelp. More of an online web directory, Yelps platform is used by both businesses and consumers alike.
It doesn’t surprise me anymore when our clients mention they found Electric Street Tattoo on Yelp. People shop different these days and tattoos are no exception. On Yelp you can browse tattoo shop listings and compare locally. More importantly, you can browse through reviews and see what experiences other ppl have had with these tattoo shops.
Keep in mind folks, reviews aren’t an exact science. Like with most things there will be your fair share of bad apples who may abuse these review platforms so take it all in with a grain of salt. It’s my feeling that if a tattoo shop has been around long enough and been able to sustain a 4.8 star rating or above, you’ll probably be in good hands. Yelps terms of use and review guidelines might even be a little more strict than googles but they are both very clear on the do’s and dont’s. And while a lot of your Yelp reviews will be featured for the public to see many of them will be redirected towards the ‘unrecommended’ section never to be seen or heard from again, regardless of their authenticity.

So what is the most popular keyword search for ppl looking to get tattooed??? It’s very simply, ‘Tattoo shops near me’
Yep, that’s it lol.
Folks just want to go somewhere close. They don’t want to drive and they don’t seem to necessarily care about referrals either. They want convenience. So it seems to me that the word of mouth and tattoo referrals we used to depend on twenty years ago are now in the form of Google, Yelp, Bing, Yahoo etc. I would even say that social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and the like make up for a very small amount of gross revenue. It’s been said tongue in cheek, Facebook is for business, Instagram is for fame.
I disagree.
Google is for business, who needs fame 😉

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Sailor Jerry Tattoos: Anchored in Tradition, Soaring in Popularity

Traditional Sailor Jerry designs

Traditional Sailor Jerry designs

When you think of iconic American tattoos, Sailor Jerry instantly comes to mind. The name itself conjures up images of bold, traditional ink that has transcended time and trends to become a symbol of true tattoo artistry. But who was Sailor Jerry, and what makes his tattoos so enduringly popular? Let's embark on a journey into the world of Sailor Jerry tattoos.

Who Was Sailor Jerry?

Sailor Jerry, whose real name was Norman Keith Collins, was a legendary tattoo artist who left an indelible mark on the world of ink. Born on January 14, 1911, in Reno, Nevada, he later settled in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he made a name for himself as a pioneering tattoo artist.

Jerry's career spanned several decades, and he's best known for his contribution to American traditional tattooing. His work was heavily influenced by nautical themes, pin-up girls, military insignia, and classic Americana imagery. He was a master of clean lines, bold colors, and strong contrasts, which are defining characteristics of the Sailor Jerry style.

The Sailor Jerry Style

The Sailor Jerry style is synonymous with bold and timeless designs that continue to captivate tattoo enthusiasts worldwide. Some key features of Sailor Jerry tattoos include:

  1. Iconic Flash Art: Sailor Jerry created a vast portfolio of flash art, which consists of pre-drawn tattoo designs that clients could choose from. These designs often included anchors, swallows, eagles, roses, and the classic "Sailor Jerry" mermaid, among many others.

  2. Bold Outlines and Vibrant Colors: The hallmark of Sailor Jerry's work is its bold, black outlines and striking color palette. The use of primary colors like red, yellow, and green creates a visually arresting impact that withstands the test of time.

  3. Nautical Themes: Sailor Jerry's deep connection with the sea is reflected in his tattoos. You'll find anchors, ships, and nautical symbols in many of his designs, reflecting his time spent in the Navy.

  4. Pin-Up Girls: His pin-up girl tattoos, often referred to as "Sailor Jerry's ladies," are an integral part of his legacy. These buxom, confident women exude a timeless allure.

  5. Traditional Values: Sailor Jerry's tattoos often carried deeper meanings, from symbols of protection to commemorations of military service. Each piece tells a story, adding an extra layer of significance to the ink.

Enduring Popularity

Sailor Jerry's tattoos remain highly popular for several reasons:

  1. Timeless Appeal: Sailor Jerry's designs are a testament to enduring style. They capture the essence of Americana and classic tattoo art, making them relevant across generations.

  2. Resurgence of Interest: In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional tattoo styles, and Sailor Jerry's work has played a significant role in this revival.

  3. Quality and Craftsmanship: The precision and craftsmanship in Sailor Jerry's work are undeniable. His commitment to excellence in every piece continues to inspire both tattoo artists and enthusiasts.

  4. Personal Significance: Many people opt for Sailor Jerry tattoos to pay homage to a loved one, commemorate a significant life event, or express their connection to the sea and maritime heritage.

In conclusion, Sailor Jerry's tattoos are more than just ink; they are a rich tapestry of tradition, artistry, and meaning. These timeless designs continue to be a source of inspiration for tattoo enthusiasts around the world, and they serve as a bridge to the past, connecting us to an era when tattooing was a symbol of defiance, camaraderie, and individuality. Whether you're drawn to Sailor Jerry for its aesthetic appeal or its historical significance, getting inked with one of these iconic designs is a timeless and meaningful choice. 🌊⚓🌹#sailorjerrytattoos #traditionaltattooshop #floridatattoos


Traditional Sailor Jerry Sparrow TattooMuch has been written on the life and times of Sailor Jerry so I’ll go off script here and share how his work affected my life in particular.  Even before I was given a tattoo apprenticeship I was already a full fledged tattoo collector in my own rite. And as you might guess the bulk of the tattoos I was picking of tattoo shop walls were Sailor Jerry designs. Big cats and snakes, eagles and sexy pinup girls. I didn’t exactly know  why at the time, but I knew it was right.  Bold lines and bright colors, yet simple and direct.  To put into context this would have been the mid to late 1990s. New school was braking ground and the art of tattooing was stretching its legs yet again . New supply houses were providing a wide array of tattoo pigments. Every color under sun was readily available, premixed and ready to go. Less wasn’t more, more was more.  Tattoo artists around that time were experimenting with different techniques. ‘Blood’ or ‘color lining’ was opening the door to more sophisticated looking tattoos never before seen, more realistic.

Traditional Sailor Jerry Sparrow Tattoo

Norman Collins aka Sailor Jerry outside his shop in Honolulu’s Hotel StreetStill, even with all this innovation, Sailor Jerry’s tattoo designs could be seen everywhere. I noticed them most on actual tattoo artists themselves. I think that was my initial attraction. It was like a secret language.     If you knew, you knew.  And we all knew, he was our Godfather Sailor Jerry’s tattoo designs are recognized the world over.  Tattoo artists specializing in all manner of styles can unanimously agree on his unparalleled contributions to the tattoo culture.

Norman Collins aka Sailor Jerry outside his shop in Honolulu’s Hotel Street

Electric Street pays respect to Sailor Jerry all around our shop

Electric Street pays respect to Sailor Jerry all around our shop

Sailor Jerry mallard duck design

Sailor Jerry mallard duck design

Sailor Jerry flash I painted several years ago

Sailor Jerry flash I painted several years ago

From our reception room

From our reception room

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Fall trend-Butterfly Tattoos

Does it seem like everyone is getting butterfly tattoos this year? If your social media feed is swamped with beautiful butterflies tattoos and you’re asking yourself ‘What gives?’
There are a few reasons that may explain the recent trend and resurgence in the ever popular Butterfly Tattoo.

Classic Butterfly TattooButterflies have been a popular tattoo motif for many many years. Butterfly tattoos are symbolic of spiritual rebirth, transformation, hope and change. And that is only scratching the surface.  They are beautiful and versatile. They can also be very feminine making them a classic choice with females in particular.  Why the sudden boost though?Due to the pandemic, and for the reasons listed above, I feel that the perfect storm was created for the butterfly tattoo to take flight!  This is just my opinion, but we’ve all been through a whole lot of crazy. The lockdowns, mask mandates and the like.  We’ve all suffered through a real trauma. COVID-19 rocked our world. It’s been mentally and emotionally exhaustive, making lots of folks looking for a way to express what they’d like to be feeling.  Hope in particular.

Classic Butterfly Tattoo

Butterflies have been a popular tattoo motif for many many years. Butterfly tattoos are symbolic of spiritual rebirth, transformation, hope and change. And that is only scratching the surface.
They are beautiful and versatile. They can also be very feminine making them a classic choice with females in particular. Why the sudden boost though?

Due to the pandemic, and for the reasons listed above, I feel that the perfect storm was created for the butterfly tattoo to take flight!
This is just my opinion, but we’ve all been through a whole lot of crazy. The lockdowns, mask mandates and the like.
We’ve all suffered through a real trauma. COVID-19 rocked our world. It’s been mentally and emotionally exhaustive, making lots of folks looking for a way to express what they’d like to be feeling. Hope in particular.

Traditional Butterfly TattooDifferent cultures associate butterflies with different things. The Christian religion views the butterfly as a symbol of resurrection. It’s my view that the world as a whole is currently staging a resurrection, wouldn’t you agree?And so this Fall, in particular, we saw the butterfly tattoo explode! 🦋 🦋🦋    And I’m not surprised in the least. It’s human nature, we are expressive beings. We express what we feel, think and live in a variety of ways. Tattoos have always been a vehicle for this kind of expression. It is also in our nature to document. We log and keep account of events, good and bad.  Tattoos have always served well in this respect as well.

Traditional Butterfly Tattoo

Different cultures associate butterflies with different things. The Christian religion views the butterfly as a symbol of resurrection. It’s my view that the world as a whole is currently staging a resurrection, wouldn’t you agree?

And so this Fall, in particular, we saw the butterfly tattoo explode! 🦋 🦋🦋
And I’m not surprised in the least. It’s human nature, we are expressive beings. We express what we feel, think and live in a variety of ways. Tattoos have always been a vehicle for this kind of expression. It is also in our nature to document. We log and keep account of events, good and bad. Tattoos have always served well in this respect as well.

Floral Butterfly TattooNeedless to say that whatever the reasons for the sudden spike in butterfly tattoos we’re certainly not complaining. The butterfly is a classic in any tattoo shop and, in my opinion, will always continue to be.

Floral Butterfly Tattoo

Needless to say that whatever the reasons for the sudden spike in butterfly tattoos we’re certainly not complaining. The butterfly is a classic in any tattoo shop and, in my opinion, will always continue to be.

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The scoop on Matching Tattoos

Matching Rose Tattoos

Matching Rose Tattoos

Matching tattoos have probably been around about as long as tattooing itself. I picture a small group of cavemen, or cavewomen, walking up to a tatt cave and getting matching arrows or bones or some other cave persony thing tattooed on them lol! Seriously though do any of you ever think about stuff like that?
Think about it.
‘Oh you’re going to the tattoo shop gonna get a cool tattie? Maybe I’ll come with you? Maybe I’ll get tattooed also? Hey what are you getting done maybe I’ll just get the same thing? They can be matching, it’ll be the coolest!!!’ And with that the matching tattoo was born .
Sometimes though it’s not just about having fun. Couples in relationships make up a big portion of the ‘matching tattoo’ demographic. They are a symbolic gesture. Tattoos do last a life time after all and what better step to take with the person you plan on spending the rest of your life with than to get a matching tattoo you can both share. It is a bonding experience. It is permanent, irreversible. Like we would all wish love itself to be.
Let’s look at the other side of the coin now. While tattoos are mostly permanent, love is not. Not trying to be Mr. Doom n Gloom here, just realistic. Just like the ‘name tattoo’, it’s ‘matching’ cousin is also frowned upon by many tattoo artists. There is a superstition that’s grown around it. Many tattooers refer to these kinds of ‘novelty tattoos’ more as a ‘kiss of death’ to a romantic relationship. Again, the permanence of a tattoo will almost always outlast the warm glow of a new romance. So why do people do it???
There may be more of a psychological factor than we think.
According to clinical and behavioral psychologist, Dr. Joshua Klapow he explains,”Context is everything”, “Matching tattoos and the act of getting them says as much about each individual as they do about the couple together.”
he goes on to explain,”If it’s not an impulsive decision, partners getting matching tattoos is a sign that they care deeply enough about one another to literally alter the way they look.”
Research reflects that a couple that has been together numerous years is less likely to regret getting their tattoos and possibly end up having to get them covered up.

Matching Hand Tattoos

Matching Hand Tattoos

Personally, I believe there may even be an evolutionary factor that hasn’t really been addressed. Like possibly from our hunter-gatherer past? Humans hunted and gathered in groups. Is it possible that this group behavior is still tucked away somewhere deep in our “Lizard Brain”? I’m no expert but I would say most definitely yes. The evidence is all around us in the ways we behave. We pick and choose our groups, our alliances. Add to that our ritualistic nature and it’s no surprise that our culture has embraced some of these behaviors.
Am I reading to much into it? To that I would also very confidently say YES lol. Sometimes it’s ok to try and brake these things down in order to give our clients what they need from us. I know many tattoo artists that cringe when they get a group of matching tattoos. “They’re not ‘real’ tattoos”.
I’m of the opinion that not only are they real, but that they may be more ‘real’ than most other tattoos one might collect.
Getting a matching tattoo with the person you love, if both partners are into it and no one is being pressured to do so, can be a beautiful experience that can elevate your bond to a whole new level.

BFF Matching Tattoos

BFF Matching Tattoos

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Classic American Eagle Tattoos

Sure I can get into all the details about why Eagle Tattoos are so cool and so much fun for us as tattoo artists, but I’m not

Screaming Chest Eagle Instead I’m going to take this opportunity to showcase some of these beautiful freedom birds tattooed at our shop.

Screaming Chest Eagle

Instead I’m going to take this opportunity to showcase some of these beautiful freedom birds tattooed at our shop.

Dueling Eagle and Snake Eagles are amongst the most patriotic of tattoo ideas.  They are wildly popular and symbolic in American culture.  Freedom and independence are two traits associated with the eagle.

Dueling Eagle and Snake

Eagles are amongst the most patriotic of tattoo ideas.
They are wildly popular and symbolic in American culture.
Freedom and independence are two traits associated with the eagle.

Photorealistic Eagle screams of Americana You’ll commonly see the eagle with flags or other nationalistic symbols or in full fledged combat with other animals. The eagle and snake duel is a popular scene in many traditional tattoo studios.

Photorealistic Eagle screams of Americana

You’ll commonly see the eagle with flags or other nationalistic symbols or in full fledged combat with other animals. The eagle and snake duel is a popular scene in many traditional tattoo studios.

Combative Chest Eagle Historically a masculine tattoo the eagle is now embraced as a symbol of strength and enduring character by both men and women alike.

Combative Chest Eagle

Historically a masculine tattoo the eagle is now embraced as a symbol of strength and enduring character by both men and women alike.

Traditional Eagle and Banner Certainly worthy of any tattoo collectors consideration the eagle is in the top ten most popular tattoo flash designs by traditional tattoo artists across the globe.

Traditional Eagle and Banner

Certainly worthy of any tattoo collectors consideration the eagle is in the top ten most popular tattoo flash designs by traditional tattoo artists across the globe.

‘Whipshaded’ Eagle

‘Whipshaded’ Eagle

Stomach Eagle

Stomach Eagle

More eagles tattoos coming soon…

More eagles tattoos coming soon…

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Why do we Love Tattooing so much?

I have a confession::

I used to feel guilty about being a Tattoo Artist. Whenever I was around friends and family I would listen to them sharing stories about their career hardships and in many cases about their financial struggles. Bosses they hate, disrespectful coworkers and the like. I listened closely and with an empathetic ear. Many times I wish I could chime in and tell my story of being stuck in that same rat race for very little nickels and dimes, day in day out just to wash, rinse and repeat.
Our choices in life play out as they should and, hindsight being 20/20, we sometimes wish we could go back and do it all differently. I think to myself, ‘What if I would have chosen a different career path other than being a Tattoo Artist?’
I almost always immediately remind myself that I never had a choice at all. ‘Tattooing’ chose me and not vice versa.
At an early age I was already making the rounds as a tattoo collector. I was a hangaround. I was completely content with the role I was playing in the tattoo world. I looked up to the more seasoned tattooers like a young boy looks up to a father figure. I knew these were people of good fortune, how could they not be? They got to go to their shop every day and bless their fellow man, or woman , with permanent reminders etched into skin that would last a lifetime. These tattoo artists I grew up around seemed to have it all, they had figured it out. They were living life on their own terms, outside the status quo. Keep in mind I’m talking about the 1990’s. Throw away your smart phones and say good bye to your social media, tattoos were still plenty taboo around that time.
Like rockstars without the sold out arena shows is the way I remember it. But to me, these tattoo shops I hung around were even better. Like tattoo temples!
Lol I know, it sounds silly coming from a man who doesn’t attend church on Sundays but I feel like I come to church every day. It’s our church. Where we pray to the Tattoo Gods to grant us a keen eye and a steady hand.
Not to get too far off track I will say that it’s not all roses. This ‘tattoo life’ we speak about does take its toll. I’ve seen even the freest of spirits become bitter and hardened. The grind and uncertainty of not knowing where your next dollar is coming from is not for everyone. Competition anxiety is at an all time high with so many photo and video based platforms showcasing thousands of new tattoos in real time every day, every minute.
Reality show judges pick apart tattoos and tattoo artists till there’s practically nothing left of em lol.
Sure there are difficult clients, difficult tattoo projects, and just plain difficult days just like in any other profession. I liken it to being in a dysfunctional marriage.
As a tattoo artist I feel I am married to ‘tattooing’ as a whole.
For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.
I’ve done my best to give back the only way I know how. I opened up a studio I promised myself would respect the traditions and rules set by those who came before us. The ones that passed on the tattoo torch. We stand on their shoulders.
Let me not take this granted, stay humble.
No matter how many TV shows try to make us seem mainstream stay focused and count your blessings.

After all we are all Outsiders.
We are all tattooed Misfits and where would we be if not by the grace of the Tattoo Gods.



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Do Tattoo Numbing Creams Really Work?

The short is: Yes, they do work. But they aren’t some magical thing that makes the tattoo experience completely painless. There are various creams, ointments, and gels all designed with the tattoo process in mind. They also vary in levels of potency although they all mostly hover round the 4-7% (lidocaine) range

All of the ingredients work to prevent inflammation, swelling, and pain during the tattooing process which sounds like a tall order but from personal experience I can honestly say I would vouch for some of these products.
I’ve always felt it very important to know what our clients go through. Have you ever seen tattoo artists with no visible tattoos anywhere in sight?

I have, do you know what that tells me? It tells me this guy, girl , person has no idea what they’re about to put me through lol

So we try these different tattoo pain numbing products on ourselves in order to pick the ones we feel are best, safest and most effective and these are the ones we use on you guys.
I might run down a short list of the ones I feel are best in a future post for what it’s worth.

For now let me just say this:
Not every tattoo requires numbing. It doesn’t make much sense to me to spend an hour numbing out skin for a small tattoo that would take ten minutes to complete. I totally understand that everyone is different and pain tolerance varies but in all my time tattooing I’ve had very few clients not able to sit through the inherent pain of a tattoo.
On the other hand, if you got it why not use it right?


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I want to be a Tattoo Artist, now what?

Firstly I just want to say that anything I write here is almost 100% based on my own personal experience with over twenty years in the tattoo industry. Take what I say here with a grain of salt, always do your own research especially when making life changing decisions. You might notice that many will try and talk you out of pursuing your dream of being a professional tattoo artist, mostly by already established tattoo artists.This is not uncommon I’ve seen it over and over again throughout the years. My suspicion is that a lot of this comes from a place of insecurity.

And no I’m not saying tattoo artists are inherently insecure, that would be a ridiculous generalization to make. What I am saying is that the tattoo industry right now as a whole is nothing like what it was twenty, fifteen, or even ten years ago. It’s become almost impossible to imagine the world before the internet, before smart phones and certainly before social media.

Long ago most tattoo shops operated locally and most of the walk-in traffic was generated through word of mouth and simply by being in a certain location. The world wasn’t yet connected to the extreme that it is now. It was a localized market place, not a global one. We knew what tattoo artists we were competing against and I always felt it was a healthy competition. Healthy competition is good. Not only is it good, it’s almost mandatory if an industry is going to drive growth.

I should also mention here that most of my experience is based in South Florida. Needless to say that every industry will vary geographically and what is true in one place may not be the case in another.
So why would already established tattoo artists try to dissuade you from your dream of becoming a tattoo artist yourself? I think a lot of it is from a perceived scarcity mentality within the industry. Scarcity in any form is like a plague. It is debilitating. It may be that a new tattoo apprentice now can be seen as a perceived future threat.

Regardless, the question remains,, ‘Why do you think you want to be a tattoo artist?’ It’s important to be honest with yourself it is often the case that peoples reasons for wanting to become a tattoo artist don’t actually align with the realities. The notion of life as a tattoo artist, the novelty, isn’t always what we would want it to be.
This is obviously a broad topic.

Let’s dig a little deeper in my next post…

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Walk-ins or appointments?

Seems to me the mobile age brought with it some confusion.Smart phones and appointment booking apps certainly have made the way businesses operate more efficient, or have they?Lets dig in.

‘Does your tattoo shop do walk ins or is it by appointment only?’ This question is normally by way of a phone call. But how did they find our phone number in the first place? By looking at analytics and simply asking our clients ,some sort of search led them to our tattoo studio. Google searches in the form of , “tattoo shop near me” or word of mouth from friends who might suggest a follow to one of our social media accounts like Instagram or Facebook. Either way at this point it’s likely a ‘call now’ button or DM is sent and initial contact is made. From there the question appears yet again , ‘Do you guys accept walk in tattoos or is it by appointment only?’

What’s become obvious to me over the years as technology grows is that a ‘walk-in’ tattoo client isn’t limited to a person driving over and walking into our studio and saying hey. It’s clear that folks do a lot of their walking around digitally. Why should shopping for your next tattoo be any different?
In order to answer the question first we need to ask ourselves what a walk-in client is in the first place? Historically this would have been an individual visiting a tattoo shop without prior commitment or appointment. No monies for goods or services has been exchanged nor is there any expectation of task to be completed day of. Basically a cold call for a good and, or, service.
But wouldn’t it make sense to assume that once a phone call is made and the conversation is had that at that point a verbal contract has been made?
It would go something like this:

Me, ‘Thanks for calling Electric Street how can we help you?’

You, ‘Yes I was wondering if your shop does walk-ins or by appointment only?’

Me,’Depends on how busy we are I have an artist available right now feel free and stop by’

You,‘ Thanks! See ya soon!’

In this example I would argue that a telephone ‘walk-in’ was able to secure an appointment even though no deposit was left. In all reality yes we may be overthinking it but a worst case scenario would be the above conversation followed by the client showing up and not having a tattoo artist available right away. How would that happen? Easy, if between the time of the phone call and the clients actual arrival we were to get an influx of other actual ‘walk-ins’ tattoo clients. Since no deposit was left in order to secure the tattoo appointment we are obligated to service other clients in order of first arrival.
‘But why do I have to wait? I called a couple of hours ago and made an appointment?’
You can see how this sort of thing can get tricky.

The long and the short of it folks is that your best bet to get in and get tattooed is to make the time to show up and brake the ice. We will always do our best to accommodate 😌


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Tattoo Hygiene and Safety

Lets get right into folks

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is very important to the tattoo industry. I would say that hand hygiene is every bit as important as personal hygiene, more so even

Maybe your artist is the type to skip out on deodorant but how would you feel if he was to also skip out on gloves while tattooing you ??? lol Pretty gross right ? We agree !

Tattooing is not just art, It’s a responsibility

Tattooing is not just art, It’s a responsibility

When should gloves be worn you ask ? Pretty much always ,not only during the actual tattoo process but on all occasions when the artist is handling the clients skin which include, but are not limited to the following:

  1. While drawing on the skin

  2. Applying the stencil

  3. Cleaning and wrapping the finished tattoo

Some things I’ll be covering in future posts

  1. How to work with gloves

  2. Different types of gloves

  3. Disposable arm sleeves

  4. face masks

  5. eye protection

  6. protective aprons and footwear

Stay tuned…

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