Consults, and Why They Are So Important
As the world becomes more and more internet based, businesses are forced to conform, or even follow that trend. I feed into it too. I’m a very reclusive person, I’m not a fan of groups, and I never have been. I would much rather stay home, and produce my art; whether it’s for tattoos, clothing, or even write and record music. I wish I could have a private studio and pick and choose the tattoos I want, but things just aren’t that way for me right now. I have to get up off the couch, put my stylus down, or put my guitar on its stand, and go to work. I have to get up, get dressed, and deliver the service of custom art and tattoo. I am not an artist that traces, copies or steals other people’s tattoo designs. I am a custom artist, with my own style, my own “branding” if you will. In order to accomplish the personal, unique, and very permanent art that I do, I have to go into the studio. If I have to go into the studio, then so do the clients.
A large part of this business is “walk-ins”. Walk-Ins are people that do just that, walk in to the studio. If the artist has time to do that person’s tattoo idea, then they will. If they don’t, they will schedule an appointment. Tattoos that can be done quickly, we call “Flash”; because they can be done in a flash. As a custom artist, I prefer to manage my time to the fullest. Meaning, if I can schedule appointments in order to optimize my time while I’m at work, and do my art at work, then I will. If there’s a larger tattoo concept that requires a substantial amount of time, that tattoo will be scheduled an appointment, and then prepared in between all the other tattoos that either have appointments or the occasional walk-in. Sitting here at the studio for three hours drawing, and then have to tattoo for another three hours takes up my whole day that I could’ve been drawing that tattoo, as well as take other walk-ins that I could do more quickly. I do tend to prepare a lot of tattoos at home, but I try really hard to work at work so I can have a break from it all. This, is why the consult is so important.
Walk-Ins welcome.
There’s so many things to consider when getting a tattoo. I have a whole blog dedicated to finding just the right design. Let’s be honest, most people aren’t creative, even less are artists, even less are tattooers, even less than that are good at any of it. Because of that, it’s incredibly important to speak with an artist and get their input. Anything can be done as a piece of art, but not everything can be done as a tattoo, and when someone decides to try to bypass the consult process, they put themselves into position of disappointment and frustration. A lot of tattooers could care less what they put on people as long as they get paid and can go home by 8 o’clock. If that’s what the person is looking for then great, go for it. There’s a chance you’ll still get a nice tattoo, but they don’t give a shit about the artistry of it. Some people though, want their tattoo artist to not only give them a nice tattoo, but give a damn about what’s behind the design as well. I am one of those people that not only cares about what’s behind the design, but what kind of design can we do with that best represents that emotion. I also care about the client themselves and what they are wearing for the rest of their lives. I mean, that’s the whole point, that’s literally the product we’re selling. And of course, let’s be honest, I care about myself and what I put on people. I just want to do the best tattoo/design that I can do.
There’s many things to consider right out the gate.
1. What the design is.
2. What style of art; Traditional, New School, Realism.
3. What technique of tattooing; Color, Black & Grey (Grey Wash), True Gray (Opaque Grey, Black & White), Blackwork.
4. Placement.
5. Budget.
The tricky thing is all of these are symbiotic with the other things. It’s like a puzzle. Not one things stands out stronger than the other, but they affect each other equally. To be completely honest, almost every time that I allow someone to consult with me over the phone, text, or email, there’s confusion. If an agreement is made, a deposit paid, I will then prepare the art for the appointment only have to make changes and redraw the whole piece because not all the information is given. Since 2005, I have had less than five consults over the phone that resulted in amazing tattoo sessions. The truth is, clients don’t know what to say, or how to say it for artists to understand their vision, because they are neither tattooer, nor artist. They don’t know what we need in order to accomplish the best work. After I have tattooed someone a couple times, I can easily consult them through text because we have established rapport and they understand how I do things and what I need. Not only that, but I also do consults while tattooing, so even the client getting tattooed gets introduced to new ideas with different people. My biggest concern with the consultation process is to get on common ground, explore all our options as a partnership, and come up with the best design that represents the meaning behind the idea to the fullest.
A tattoo is permanent modification to a person’s body. I’ll be blunt, I have zero desire to work with people that don’t respect the process. If they won’t allow me to sit down with them, hear their story, and design something for them that best represents my artistry as well as best encompasses their vision, then what is it all for? There’s plenty of tattooers out there if you don’t want someone to care about your or your tattoo design. I’m not that guy. I give a shit. If you’re someone who also gives a shit, come sit down with me. Come hang out with me and let’s be real with each other and come up with an awesome tattoo! I’m a passionate person about my work and who I share my time with. I call this mindset my, “Levels of Priority”:
Integrity to the Art.
The Client’s Happiness.
Get Paid.
I always say that I do my best to treat everyone I tattoo as my friend. I want a certain level of respect, appreciation, and camaraderie. And when someone refuses to come see me, sit down and bullshit with me, they’re not my friend. I want to build positive relationships. We’ve got one life to live, and I want to live it fully and with passion, and gratitude.
I have to get up off the couch, put my stylus down, or put my guitar on its stand, and go to work. All I ask, is for you get up off the couch, put the Pinterest down, put your leftovers in the fridge, and come to the studio. Let’s hang out for 10 or more minutes, bullshit and tell each other some stories and come up with a cool tattoo. If you get some Starbucks on the way, pick me up a Venti Iced Coffee, Heavy Whipping Cream, with Sugar Free Vanilla. My wife likes the same thing but Splenda instead of SF Vanilla.
Thank you for reading! Hope to see you soon!
- Atom