Customizing the Body (PDF file) - Print My Tattoo

75 The Tattooist
complete tattoo. In the tattooing settings I observed the novice
tattooist was assigned to the most undemanding or least desirable
clients. The novice tattooed over needle marks on heroin addicts;
covered up crude, homemade ("poke and Joke") marks clients had
done on themselves; and attempted to improve the amateurish
work some individuals had received while incarcerated. Since the
marks being covered or improved were so disfiguring or SOCially
stigmatizing, the practice subject was usually quite pleased with
even the relatively unsktlled efforts of the nOVice-particularly
since the service was commonly provided gratis or at a greatly reduced
price. 8
Learning the technical aspects of a sktlled activity provides considerable
information about the aesthetics of that activity (Fine,
1985). This linkage between technique and aesthetics is particularly
apparent in the process of learning to be a tattooist. Tattooists
define the quality of a tattoo primarily on the basis of the
technical skill apparent in its execution rather than on the content
of the design. A "good" tattoo has clear, unbroken lines; displays
symmetry; contains shading that imparts an appropriate
dimensionality; and has bright, solid coloring. Further, the tattoo
should be appropriately placed on the recipient's body, neither too
large or too small for the body area and positioned so as to fit
harmoniously with the musculature. Finally, the work should be
done with enough technical competence that the area tattooed is
not "overworked" or traumatized by the tattoo process (Richie and
Buruma, 1980: 98; Bear, 1987). All of the interviewed tattooists
emphasized the importance of technical sktll over artistry.
There's two distinct parts to being a real tattoo artist. One is
the technical side of it and the other is the artistic side. For
example, someone can be a fantastic artist but if they don't
understand the technical aspects of tattOOing then they aren't
going to be able to translate their artwork into reality. It's Just
going to stick up in their head. Then, on the other hand, you
have people who master the technical aspects of tattooing and
they have no artistic abtltty and they never get beyond the
stencil. But at least they are doing it properly and they aren't
scarring people up ... the lines are solid, the colors are bright.