The commitment of making an appointment.

Where the hell is that dead horse? Time to beat that bloated disgustingly smelly corpse a little more I suppose.

Many of my clients both old and new have "regular" jobs where at the end of a week or two they go in to a regular paycheck. And if the company you work for doesn't meet their quota of sales or what have you, their pay check goes untouched. They can still look forward to getting the same paycheck every week.  If you are one of these individuals, imagine getting your paycheck and finding hundreds of dollars missing because the company you work for didn't do well that week. Some others like me work on a sort of commission basis, we only make money when we make the company money. So I live a very different lifestyle than most people. I depend on my clients.

When you come in and make an appointment and leave the mandatory $50 deposit you've made a commitment to show up that day ready for your tattoo. By not showing up and failing to even show me the courtesy of a phone call you not only forfeit that deposit but the time and energy spent finding the right reference picture or the countless hours spent drawing or redrawing a picture not to mention paper, ink from my personal printer etc all go unaccounted for and I am left scrambling to fill that position. I depend on my clients because just like you I too have bills to pay. I have to buy clothes for my kids, pay my rent, and put gas into my car just like you. Many people hear us tell you that we charge $150 an hour and think about how much money we must be raking in as if we tattoo from the time we get to work until the time we leave. Untrue. Hours are spent on artwork, refining drawings, researching and marketing. Or worse, trying to fill spots left by no shows or last minute re schedule situations. That $50 is a small compensation for a three hour time slot we may have booked you for.

And far worse are the clients who we've grown to trust and have waived the normal deposit and then don't show up. As if us having a stronger bond than that of a first time client makes me loosing money that day easier to deal with. Its not, I find it much more frustrating and take it way more personal because they know how I feel and what its like for me. I do not live close to either studio I work for. I drive 45 minutes to an hour each day one way. Yes, this has been my choice, but I decided to continue to work in south jersey where I could continue to provide quality tattoos to my clients, their friends and their families. I could make things easy on myself and get a job closer to home but I value my clients. And even though I drive those distances I can count on one hand in the last 4 years how many times I've missed or had to reschedule a client due to me running late or being unable to show up. Unfortunately I can not count the number of times I've been stood up or had to reschedule someone last minute.

Let me also mention the question asker. The person whom you have an online question and answer session where in they drill you on how much something will cost and you then go through the normal responses. Then they want to know where you work as if the studio names and locations are not all over my Facebook, Instagram, Website, Tumblr, and Twitter pages. They also then want to know your hours, when you have openings, how soon you can get them in, how much the deposit is, etc. And then you NEVER hear or see them again. Hours and hours of time wasted with nothing to show for it except some hope that you might have a cool appointment soon.

So I guess all that I'm asking for is a little consideration when it comes to not only making your appointment but keeping it as well. I appreciate all of you and would love to continue to provide you with the best tattoos that I can. And I'll continue to make the sacrifices of driving, working late and getting up early to get your drawings done, but show me and my family the same respect please.

Beaten, Never Broken

Living in Philly has its ups and downs. On the plus side I have endless choices of places to eat which are open at all hours of the day and night. We’ve got museums, shopping, bars, parks, sports, the list goes on. But with the good there comes the bad. This city is also full of inconsiderate people, litter, traffic, and crime. I’ve been on the receiving end of the last a few times. I’ve had a car and a motorcycle stolen and most recently I was liberated of 90% of my tattoo equipment. Some could say it was my fault for having left it in my car, but it takes a special kind of scumbag to steal from someone’s car. Now I could get mired down in self depreciating feelings and throw myself a pity party but I take solace in knowing that whoever took my things will never be able to use them to create the tattoos that I did or will do for that matter. I’ve contacted the majority of the tattoo studios in the area and have friends keeping a watchful eye on both craigslist and ebay in case the douche bags try selling my equipment.  

I’m also feel lucky in that I’m surrounded by positivity. I have two great studios where I work with truly good caring and generous people. I’m also proud to have some of the greatest clients who trust me and keep me busy creating one of a kind artwork. So I thank not only my coworkers at Moerder Tattoo and Broadway Tattoo Lounge but also each and every one of you.

I will rebuild. I lost material possessions, not my ability to do my job.  My equipment will be replaced and I will continue to do what I love doing. I’ve got two upcoming conventions; Wildwood is in a couple of weeks and then Inked Out NJ is in September. I’ve still got some limited openings for each for anyone interested. And as always if you’d like to book an appointment email me at scottdoestattoos@gmail.com and we can see what my availability is. 

So once again, thank you to the staff at BOTH Moerder Tattooand Broadway Tattoo Lounge. Please show them support by following them on instagram and facebook. And an especially big thank you to my amazing clients, without you none of this would be possible!

Nothing endures but change.

Yep things change, people change, its how we grow as humans. So as sad as it is I bid farewell to my home of almost four years and to the people who were more like a family then co-workers. I have no animosity towards Dynasty Tattoo and hope they continue to provide the excellent work we all strived to produce. 

There is always a moment of awkwardness as both parties try to settle in to the new changes and I'd like to make the transition as easy as possible for my loyal clients. That being said as of July first I will be splitting my time between two studios. The majority of my time will be spent at Broadway Tattoo Lounge in South Amboy NJ. And because I didn't want to leave my clients here in south Jersey hanging I will still be available one to two days a week at Moerder Tattoo in Hammonton NJ, a mere half hour (?) from Newfield. So if you have work that needs finished by me or you are looking to start something new please contact me so that we can get you squared away with an appointment. My contact info has not changed, you can email me at scottdoestattoos@gmail.com or contact me through facebook if its easier. If you currently have a pending appointment I will be contacting you shortly to try and reschedule you. I will honor any security deposits that were given to Dynasty. However, if you no longer wish me to do your tattoo and would like to have someone else at Dynasty finish your tattoo then please by all means do so. 

Please bare with me as with any changes there will be some bumps in the road but I am working to make things as simple as possible for all involved. Thanks to all of you for your continued support and I hope to be seeing some of you real soon!

Broadway Tattoo Lounge

http://www.broadwaytattoolounge.net/

259 Oak Street
South Amboy, NJ

Moerder Tattoo

http://www.moerdertattoos.com/

320 12th Street 

Hammonton, NJ

Tis the season....

Well its that time of year again. The Holidays are here and everyone is running around looking for that perfect gift to give someone special. But maybe you have forgotten something. Remember when you stopped into the tattoo studio this past summer and talked to an artist and they told you that if you were gonna be out in the sun that getting a tattoo in the summer was a bad idea? Well summers over! The time for sitting on the beach roasting under the sun has past. NOW is the time to get in and get that awesome new bright and vibrant tattoo! If you get it now you wont have to avoid the sun surf and sand. It will be completely healed before you run out having to find that new swim suit thats gonna make everyone else notice you. And if you are thinking that you don't have the cash right now think again!

Most tattoo studios including Dynasty Tattoo are running some sort of specials. Either they have discounts on gift certificates or are collecting for Toys for Tots or perhaps they are even collecting like we do for one family who is in dire need. So a $20 investment can get you a $300 gift certificate! Tell me where you are going to get a better deal then that? What better way to give AND get? That surely will give you that warm tingly feeling and by warm tingly feeling I mean the feeling of tattoo needles across your skin.

So while you are out and about doing your part to boost the economy why not swing by Newfield and stop into Dynasty Tattoo and drop off a $20 gift (must bring a receipt) and maybe win a sweet gift for yourself? See Ya There!

Fall 2012 Conventions/Trophies/Magazines/Free Tattoos!

OMG its been a while since I've updated my blog! I apologize if anyone is actually reading this...

So what have I been up to? Well, I recently captured my first ever convention trophy at the last Wildwood Beach Bash Tattoo Convention this past Sept. Sure I've won other tattoo contests held at various bars, but this win makes me feel like a much more legit artist hahaha. Next up is the Atlantic City Tatttoo Convention otherwise known as the Drawin the Wildcard Tattoo Convention Oct. 12th, 13th, and 14th where I hope to bring home even more trophies. Also this October I will be taking some time off and heading down to Key West for a little R&R. Should be a good time. And at the studio we are again doing the Dynasty Tattoo coloring contest for all the kiddies stop on in and grab a coloring sheet for your little ones and participate for some awesome Halloween grab bags!

In other news I am now taking appointments for November and offering a discount to anyone who has unfinished work started by me. This offer is only good if you set up an appointment and will NOT be honored if you are a walk-in, so book those appointments now and get yer ish finished!

In case you missed it I also had a full page spread in Ink Pushers magazine, check it out here.

AND of course there is the absolutely FREE tattoo sleeve/backpiece giveaway going on, only available on my website. I've seen other impostors posting about free tattoo giveaways, an idea they stole from me so now I had to up the ante and am offering a full sleeve or back piece! Check my site for details.

Lastly, if you are like half the American population and have a smartphone you probably have an Instagram account so why not follow me @ SCOTTDOESTATTOOS

Some people say that nothing in this world is free. Well, I am again about to prove them wrong. For over a year one lucky person won a totally custom tattoo designed by me each and every month! And all they had to do to be that lucky person was to email me. It was just that simple! But sadly what started out as something fun to do ran me down.

Then I decided to offer a HUGE discount on large pieces. Full back pieces, full sleeves, etc. No half sleeves, no quarter sleeves! I’m talking about big custom designs created by me for the serious collector. This special caught on with a few people but not many. So I am now going to offer another outrageous concept.


A completely FREE sleeve or backpiece! You read it right. Not just a simple 5 by 7 inch piece done in two hours, but a full on sleeve or backpiece taking up serious time and energy on both my and your parts. Now as with the completely free tattoo give away since you will not be paying me for any of this tattoo the design will be completely MY idea. But rest assured there will be nothing vulgar or distasteful. Just good clean fun.

The last completely free tattoo I did was the make-up sleeve many of you have probably seen. Below is a picture of the tattoo. This situation will require you to sign a contract stating how you will complete the work and make yourself available for photo shoots, etc. This is only for serious people, this is not a joke.

So how do you win this FREE tattoo? Parties interested in this project will send me an email to freetattoogiveaway@gmail.com. One random winner will be chosen by Aug. 1st and notified via email if they’ve won. The tattoo will be done as all other free tattoos have been done; during week days between the hours of 12pm and 2pm. The sessions will be weekly. If you can not commit to such a schedule then PLEASE DO NOT ENTER! If you have unreliable transportation you might want to reconsider entering.

Awe, its sooo little!

Here I am again, bitching and ranting for your personal enjoyment. Okay, typical day at the studio. In walks a potential client.

Me, "Hello, can I help you?"
Female, "Hi, yeah, I'm friends with (insert client name here). And I love their tattoos and they told me to come see you."
"Okay, what were you thinking of getting?"
"Well, I want this..."(pulls out phone to show me images) [please people STOP doing this, bring in printed pictures]
"Okay, so you want a (random nondescript design), where on your body and how large would you like it?"
"Well it has to be small, on my ankle or foot. You know, because of (work, my mom, my dad, my grandparents, or some other lame ass excuse.)"
"Okay, how big is small?"
Holds up petite hand and makes circle using forefinger and thumb. A circle slightly bigger then a quarter.
"Okaaayyy, so we will have to simplify it quite a bit to make it that small, you'll lose a lot of detail."
"But I want it just like the picture."
"Well then it will have to be bigger."
"Why? My friend has one and its small like that..."

UGH!

So listen up! Small tattoos are LAME. They suck. And I'll tell you why. Have you ever seen a small flash sheet rose tattoo done in the 80's? Yeah well in the 2000's they look like poop! The outlines have expanded, the colors faded. They are almost unrecognizable... Skin DOES NOT hold ink like paper does. Skin is alive and the ink WILL spread out over time. Even the thinnest lines expand. Areas that are exposed to the sun, like feet and ankles or shoulder blades and such especially in the summer for all you beach goers, take a massive amount of abuse. So all you people who tan, yeah you are destroying your tattoos. But on small tattoos this exposure is worse, it makes them even uglier. So that cute little sun, those tiny stars, the adorable minute clover are all going to look like crap in a few years. I've got almost 8 years in the business and I've seen it! You can trust me cause I got photographic evidence!

Amazing isn't it? Less then 20 years old. Faded, all you see is some pink and green.

 

Here is another example of a small rose that now looks like purple cabbage.

 

And here is what age and sun do to small tattoos, this is a blob.

 

 Is this what you want your tattoo to look like? A kind of blob or blur. Is that worth the pain you endured? Or the amount of money you paid? No? Then STOP getting small tattoos!!!! Do yourself and your tattoo a favor, listen to the man or woman who tells you it needs to be bigger. And if you have a problem with that then maybe you shouldn't get the tattoo. Cause down the road, when its all faded and expanded do you know whats gonna happen? You will hate it. Then you'll be visiting the tattoo studio once again only this time its gonna be like this.

Me, "Hello, how can I help you?"

You, "I got this tattoo like ten years ago and now its all ugly, what can I do with it?"

It's true.

No! Oh God, No!

If you are an fellow artist then you will know exactly what I'm talking about here. You might even find it humorous. If you are a client of mine you might have heard me talk about this subject. And if you are planning on getting a new tattoo pay attention.

So let me set the scenario for you, we are diligently working away when someone enters the studio. They would like to talk to an artist about getting a tattoo. If it is a female she wants flowers with some swirly things. If the new client to be is a male he might want tribal. In both cases the have a reference picture, more and more often its on their phone (please stop with the cell phone pics). Very rarely its on printed paper.

Every time I'm hoping to see something new, something yet undiscovered. Yet its always the same...




Here are the images...

 

The big pink & yellow lilies that end in swirls on ribs.

 

 The really bad lily, stars and swirls...

 

The classic black and grey roses with swirls, on ribs.

 

The Hibiscus, with names on hips.

 

And the super photoshopped douche tribal that doesn't match.

If I have to see these images again I might have to pluck my eyes out! Please allow me to explain, when you Google something, the images that appear first are the most popular. Thus your "original" idea if found on the first page of images probably isn't too original. I know me and other artists have joked about it. All we have to say are things like "flowers on ribs", and we automatically know what images we are thinking of. 

I get it, you were looking for a design and saw something that struck your fancy. But take it a step further, look up some actual real flowers. Try searching without the word tattoo. Find some flowers you actually like. Allow us to turn those into a beautiful side piece for you. But please for the sake of all things holy, stop bringing us these images! Lol, that is all.

Philly Tattoo Convention, DONE!

So the Philly convention was amazing, the arctic weather rolled in but didn't stop the crowds from filling the new venue. So on the topic of the venue I have some opinions I'd like to share (lol, of course I do right?). First, the security and hassle of coming and going. Going was never really an issue, if you wanted to leave, all you had to do was follow the exits. But getting in was a different story! On the first day we were allowed in via a long wait to check in, get our passes, booth location etc. No problems, however once in we were told if we exited the building we had to wait in the long lines of patrons still coming in! How about an artist re-entry area, we have passes that the regular attendees don't have...Just a thought. Then on the two subsequent days we the artists again had to wait in long lines to be scanned for weapons. LOL Yeah I dropped $600 on a booth so I could smuggle a knife into the show so later I can shank someone! Are they joking? Besides my knife was in my kit that didn't get checked the first day... Duh! And while on the subject how about retiring the old and feeble guards that take 10 minutes to wand you and check your backpack.

 

Scrat from Ice Age done Saturday on Josh Ducat at Philly Convention.

Now how about the Health Department making their rounds on the 2nd day?! Um hey guys if there is a problem isn't the second day a day late? Lol.And since I touched on the aging staff, can you find some "bartenders" who can poor drinks quickly? Because those lines for adult beverages were excruciatingly slow. Also two themalfaxes are not enough especially when they weren't working well and the lines at the copier/copiers was horrible since it took WAY to long to get stencils made and put me further behind with my appointments.

 

Amber's Fight Club bar of soap done Sunday at the convention.

Otherwise I thought the new venue was awesome. It seemed to have more space, not as crowded as before. I was blown away by just how many artists attended this year and the quality of the work they were producing. Everyone seemed to have a good time and I was lucky to stay as busy as I was. I was overjoyed to see so many of my own clients as well as other Dynasty clients supporting us, you guys rock! I apologize for not being able to spend as much time talking to everyone, besides the fact that no one could hear me anyway. I think I was starting to lose my voice by Sunday lol.

Well that is about it for the convention. In other news I still am slacking on getting a new design posted for my free tattoo monthly give away so keep checking back. AND more of my work is being published in Tabu Tattoo issue #47 on sale 3/13/2012 so make sure you find and buy a copy. I haven't been in this magazine before so kind of excited lol.

 

Finished make-up sleeve.