I'm close to your height. Depending on the design, there are a few things I do. Sometimes, I'll work over their shoulder (suddenly grateful my art teacher made me draw upside down), I'll stand to work in the center, or I'll use a drafting heigh stool. I'll always wrap my arms from wrist to elbow with sleeve barriers and cohesive tape so I can comfortably rest my arms on their chest. I always explain where I'll be positioning my arms so they are comfortable, too. Having my arms wrapped, I can use them to leverage extra stretch if need be.
Love them, but they smell like poo when wet.
I suddenly became very allergic to all scented laundry detergents, air fresheners, cleaners, plug-ins, and candles. I can't even walk down the laundry aisle without feeling ill. Is there latex in your undergarments? Could also be a food allergy. Look into fodmap dieting to figure out if there are triggers. It took me months to figure out it was scented stuff, not food.
Look for someone who specializes in black work. I think a stylized graphic rework of this would do wonders. Otherwise, save, laser, and cover.
Wow! Thank you so much! My neighbors are in assisted living, and recently had their kitty escape during a medical transport. He's been hanging around our property, so we've been feeding him per their request. He's been loving his freedom, and animal control won't help. This came up with multiple agencies I'm going to call tomorrow!
Okay, but we also have to consider there are no FDA approved inks or pigments. It's up to us as professional artists to be diligent and educated on what we use on clients' skin. I personally do not support pre-numbing for body tattooing, but find it necessary for cosmetic tattooing, and will occasionally use a less than 4% blend spray on clients enduring 4+ hours. The industry will be hard hit if the FDA comes in blazing,. Edit: a word
Ha! You reminded me of a time I felt obligated to eat catfish bites my old boss caught, and prepared as part of a 3 course meal pared with wine. He was so proud. It was a 23 pund catfish. Tasted like mud and paprika! The whole table pretended like it was delicious, and being the newbie, I followed along! I don't have good advice. I just wanted to share!
If you park at the hotel, have the valet help you load the car the night before you leave. They're glad to do it at night versus the exodus of the morning. The beach carts are helpful if you have the space!
Hi! Name's Jen, been tattooing 20 years come September including apprenticeship. I own a studio in Central Virginia. I am open to guest artists, as well as looking for places to spot myself! @sundogartstudios
Hands are bad, but the worst is when the whole staff and clientele let you wear the purple dot on your forehead like a third eye all day until you finally have 5 minutes to look in a mirror. Alcohol first, granulated scrub second, coconut oil third.
I use Recovery Shield or nonstick sterile bandage. If my clients or myself ever have any concerns for their aftercare, I always start the appointment by applying the shield or medical tape on their inner arm. This gives both parties to see and observe reaction during tattoo time.
I have found new clients have been misled on how to properly use 2nd(any type) skin correctly. If used as the manufacturer suggests, it's an incredible healing tool. Most of my clients were told to leave the bandage on for 3-7days. Ideally, your client would remove the first applied bandage within 48 hours, wash, dry, and reapply a new bandage. That second bandage you can leave on for up to 7 days. It's also important to clean the tattoo and surrounding area after the tattoo, allowing for drying, not crusty, time. I use a combo 70% alcohol, witch hazel & distilled water solution.
The most important thing to remember is that every tattoo heals differently with every client. Your job is to set them up for success. Understanding basic skin types and reactions will help you make the best decision. Anyone 2 or less on the Fitzpatrick scale will likely have a sensitivity to adhesives.
I just try to have several options for my clients and educate the healing process as such. Most of my clients start with consultation, and we'll discuss aftercare so I can be prepared. Best of luck🍀
Especially as OP has stated the client can't leave deposits and have canceled multiple times. I would fire him as a client on those terms and not even bring up the clingy stuff. I'm a female artist and have learned to be clear in my boundaries from the get-go. I also make it clear I only do client correspondence on certain days only.
Don't stress this client. They obviously don't value your time, so you are in no obligation to value theirs.
I'd like to add something that helped me a lot; it is to focus on one line at a time instead of the whole piece. Take a breath before every line and breathe another in between. Make sure your stencil is legible and the idea is clear. Remember, every stroke deserves a breath. Every line should be better than your last. If you come in a piece and you're feeling shaky, start from a non prominent part. From there, you can build your confidence and correct your linework, if need be, usually unbeknownst to your client. There's incredible long-term advice here. Trust me, I'm taking notes. I've reduced my caffeine intake from 2 pots of black coffee a day to one black tea a day. It took 2 years. One line at a time, baby!
Good luck, and happy tattooing!
Thank you! I bought an ideal nice pizza cutter and was frustrated with the results. I get better results with a butcher knife. I've been gifted an incredible knife set with siccors, and I am now very excited to cut pizza with them for the first time!
I would design a chrysanthemum type flower with crystals coming from the center. I'd use what you have as shadows for the center. You'd just have to research artists capable and willing, but it's not a lost cause!
Wwof.net volunteermatch.org wwofusa.org
Those are a few volunteer matching sites I'm familiar with. Just make sure you research the individual programs!
Yes and yes! I'm not mad about it. There's probably a family living there with a clean fridge
Of course CPS should be involved. I can say however, refrigerators and appliances are not always readily available for purchase. This was much more extreme than I experienced, but I had an incident where I was traveling abroad, and my (ex) fiance didn't pay our utilities. He found it much more convenient to stay at a friend's house (not to my knowledge). I came home to a maggot filled refrigerator. It was at the beginning of covid. I would've had to wait months for a new refrigerator. I spent 2 days scrubbing, cleaning, and replacing hoses. I no longer live there, but I'm sure the rental agency is using the same fridge. I could never bring myself to use the ice machine, though I replaced the hoses.
Machinery can be fixed. Hopefully, the family found help as well.
I worked on a cruise ship for 9 months. I was young and desperate for adventure. In my experience, the way they take advantage of international labor is just as disgusting as their waste. You could spend the same amount of money on a destination getaway with much less impact.
You could choose to do just a vacation, and it would be less impactful on the environment. Or you could find a volunteer program. There are many (farming, health, engineering, social) programs you can connect with if you'd like to travel and adventure!
Maybe you could start your own senior trip? If only it were you, and maybe a few others, it would be much more rewarding than a cruise.
This is my opinion based on my life experiences. I've worked on farms from Hawaii to Jamaica to Virginia. I can suggest resources if you'd like.
Also, life is short. You taking a cruise isn't going to change that cruise ship will be leaving the dock and going to cool places. If you haven't traveled, go and live!
Chicken Bog, SC, mostly Eastern. Serve it often for parties where I live now. No one ever has heard of it twp states away! I can feed 120 people for less than $40!
I keep peppermint oil just for this (under my nose) and strong mints. I also keep a neutral deodorant spray in the bathroom in hopes that if someone needs it, they'll use it. I'm highly allergic to perfumes and laundry detergents, so I have that stated in my policy, my appointment reminder, as well as verbally at their consult. If they come in smelly, I guess they're buying a new shop shirt, lol. There's not much you can do without offending unless you are really close or are ok with losing the client. I would probably make an aloof comment about something smelling bad in the shop (maybe someone left some bad food out) during their appointment, might get them thinking. Usually, in those cases, clients are unaware of their hygiene.
How do you respectfully tell a client they smell badly?
TattooArtists