Tatto Artist Tell All
Can I get your name and age and where you work to start off with?
-Yeah, its Ansley Lackey and im 21 and I work at Clean Slate Tattoo
And how long have you been a tattoo artist, and what’s the process behind that?
-I’ve been a tattoo artist unofficially for a little over two years now. Officially with my apprenticeship 7 months. Most professional tattoo artists apprenticeship for one to two years unless you’re a prodigy.
How long does it take to become an “expert” according to a tattoo artists standards?
-Your whole life. My mentor has been a tattoo artist for over 20 years and he learns something new everyday.
What made you want to become a tattoo artist?
-The industry seemed super fun. When I got my first tattoo, which is this peach on my arm, I loved it. My tattoo artist was super cool. It’s also a good way for an artist to make money ya know? It’s hard to sell paintings or drawings, but with tattoos, you get paid for your art. I feel like most young tattoo artists get into it because it’s cool, not for the art.
What is some advice you would give people getting their first tattoo?
-Relax. Don’t hold your breath, it’s not as bad as you think it is. Also the best places to get a tattoo are your calves or arms. They are the easiest places to tattoo so they turn out better, and they hurt the least. Anywhere with a vital organ or bones under it will hurt the most. Like your stomach or tops of feet.
As a tattoo artist what are some of the downsides? This can include customers or stress.
-Well being a tattoo artist is in the customer service industry. There are rude customers, people with way too high of expectations. I’ve had to turn down people who want hateful or racist tattoos. I just explain my reasons and I’m calm. People do come in drunk and usually I just turn them away, but some people hide it really well and it isn’t until they are in the chair that I realize it so I have to ask them to leave. And you can be hard on yourself when you can’t do certain stuff. Like I can’t do portraits or realism yet. If I can’t do a certain tattoo I redirect them to an artist who can.
As an artist what were your favorite tattoo experiences? And what are the most fun tattoos to do?
-I gave both of my parents their first tattoos which is crazy because my dad used to be really against them. My favorite tattoos are ones I know I can do well like floral pieces and line work. I think tattoos that are fun and different, which are ones most people don’t get are the coolest. Like sushi, sushi would be dope. The most common tattoos in colorado are definitely mountains. In general lettering and numbers are super common.
Do you do piercings as well or is that completely separate?
-No I don’t do piercings. The thought of piercings another person grosses me out
(Jacob Purinton, tattoo artist at clean slate:)
- Yeah piercings gross out a lot of tattoo artists, it’s a completely different thing.
What do you think is the number one mistake tattoo artists make, and what poses the biggest threat to the tattoo industry?
- It’s definitely a bad idea to try doing a tattoo you aren’t comfortable with. It won’t turn out good, just be patient and get comfortable. And honestly I think one day machine tattoos will become a thing. Like you just go to a tattoo shop or something and a giant machine comes down and gives you a tattoo in 10 seconds which would run us out of business completely.
Why do some people get lots of tattoos?
- It’s definitely a form of therapy to some people. Tattoos can help people through trauma and loss. Some people love art, and they love to have it all over their body. I also think in today’s society people like to stand out, they want to be different and tattoos let them express that.
Are there any stories you have that you want to share?
(Jacob:)
-Yeah! One time this guy came in to get his first tattoo, he was in his forties. He wanted it on his lower nbuttcheek and he just wouldn’t take the pain and he kept clenching his buttcheeks and then out of nowhere he farted in my face. Needless to say the tattoo didn’t turn out great.
And is there anything else you would like to add?
-Yeah, I would just say if you want to be a tattoo artist don’t start out in your basement, go get an apprenticeship and work at a professional studio.
