Tattoo Tips By Tiffany: Oxygen’s ‘Best Ink’ Contestant Guest Blog
If you haven’t tuned into Oxygen’s Best Ink competition series yet, you just might want to after this! Best Ink is the hot new reality TV competition show that deals with the one thing we at Buzznet are really into: tattoos! On the show, 10 amazing tattoo artists compete for the chance to win $100,000 and a cover and feature spread in Tattoo magazine. Rad, right? Even better: each week an eliminated contestant will be guest blogging on Buzznet! This week, we have contestant Tiffany Perez giving us some handy tips on tattoos.
Here’s what Tiffany had to say:
My father got me into tattoos and he doesn’t even tattoo! Very random but he actually bought me a tattoo machine as a gift for my birthday. Who would’ve known that this would be my career even after receiving a bachelor’s degree from a university (college grad-turned to a tattoo artist). Goes to show that some things just happen for a reason. Even as a female, it can get rough being in a male dominated industry: a lot of egos, pride and jealousy get in the way. But I use that as my motivation and I use my passion in tattoos to take over. Because at the end of the day, I am doing what I love and when you do what you love – you never work a day in your life.
The most common mistake people make getting their first tattoo: Never go into a tattoo shop without looking at an artist portfolio! Just like a doctor, individuals will come into a tattoo shop assuming that all artists know how to do a good tattoo. However, that is not the case, for some artists in this industry who work in a tattoo parlor may have just begun their tattoo careers or they may have different styles, little experience, or little creative/artistic background. Who cares about the money and/or (trying to get the cheapest price)? What should matter is that a tattoo is permanent! FOREVER! Marked on your body for life! So choose the best portfolio and let go trying to get a cheaper price on a tattoo.
Best way to deal with people who have misconceptions of individuals with ink? How about people who have misconceptions of tattoo artists who barely have ink? I only have 3 tattoos – those of which are seldom visible to the eye. But does that make me any less of a good artist? It bothers me that people will actually judge me as an artist before they even open my tattoo portfolio. Goes to show that there is a stereotype amongst tattoo artists. Seriously, would you rather get tattooed by an artist who has a bunch of tattoos? OR would you rather get tattooed by the artist who has the best portfolio? I am a tattoo artist because I love to tattoo, not because I want you to see all the tattoos on my body that someone else has done. I just want to be me… not how everyone else would expect me to be. So, with that being said, just like people have been judge for having ink…. I am judged for not having enough ink. I think people should feel free and be happy with whatever they want to do to their bodies. Tattooed or not tattooed it is whatever makes you feel happy!
This is my most recent tattoo with my favorite tattoo artist. 12 hour sitting. I know what pain feels like and I know what it feels like for people to judge me thinking I have no tattoos especially after getting the ribs done! OUCH!
-Tiffany Perez
