Tribal Mike's Blog

James' Neo Tribal Leg, Inked by Tribal Mike

Well folks... it's been a weird one so far... just the way I like it...

We've done some upgrades to the Gallery; a splash of paint, a furniture /room change, a new cabinet to fit my wife's crazy shit from New York, a flat screen on the wall so we can watch all our favourite things, tattoo stuff, music and the odd demented old school B grade blood-engorged piece [by the way Rob Zombie's re-make of Halloween - highly recommended!]. Finally, we've re-vamped the website, as you can see if you are reading this!

We've also seen an influx of home-schooled tattoo experts?? With the ever-growing popularity of reality tv we've had the pleasure [and sometimes pain] of viewing the absolutely-like- totally-awesome-dude 'REAL' world of tattooing! "Miami Ink", "LA Ink" , and the latest "Inked" about a tattoo shop in a casino-Excellent?? Only in America eh! It's great that there is such a global interest in body art, good 'cos all our basic general questions have been pre-answered, but bad when people come into your shop to tell you how you should be doing things. HELLO... ALL tattoo studios do not operate the same as those on tv! I tell ya , things can't be that bad if boguns can afford cable eh, ha ha??

I'm also the Professional Tattooing Association of Australia's State Representative for the second year running. Hopefully we can see another Convention here in Adelaide '09, maybe a National like in 05 but a State Show regardless... Tattoo fans love conventions and it's a great medium for exposure, one our Members will greatly benefit from.

We also want to continue to advise govt. on the health and safety benchmarks for our industry. We need to keep our classic craft in the hands of us - the professionals and not see it regulated by those that do not work and live as tattooers... again, no-one likes "politics man" but someone's gotta do it, so stop free-loading and join the PTAA! If you're a good tattooer and work or own a studio in Australia, become a member! Recycle, conserve water and join the PTAA!

I also want to touch on tattoo art apprenticeships... this has greatly-changed over the years for sure, as has most things body art. Please make sure you are 200% positive before you take on an Apprentice. Make sure they are right for the job in all aspects and not just a good artist. There should always be a probationary time of 6-12 months where a potential apprentice works as counter staff and skills up in the running/maintenance of the studio before he or she commences tattoo training. This subject was discussed at our National Committee Meeting in September 07 where studios were a) not treating so-called apprentices fairly and b) where [and these are National problems] Apprentices were being semi-trained then leaving or being sacked because they 'weren't right for the job'. Either way - this is not what we want for our industry so be sure at the onset. We get loads and loads of emails asking how to get into the tattoo industry, it's a job in itself replying to them individually so basically the standard spiel is... Draw tattoos, love tattoos, get tattoos and develop a working relationship with your tattooer - becoming a tattooer is an evolution of life not a tafe subject you enrol in!

Hey so there's new merch on our website - Morag's Manic Panic product, Tattoo Gallery baseball caps in all colours and Gangsta Bitch spaghetti tops for the ladies! There's a new shipment of studio shirts as well, so if we didn't have your size, we do now! If you're stuck what to buy loved ones for Christmas, check em out..

So, another Year has passed and 2008 is in full swing - we got the Fringe, Clipsal, a bunch of skinny dudes in bright colours riding pushbikes around the damn Hills, it's hot, the schnapper is running and I'm off...

 

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