Name Tattoos

What can I say about name tattoos? Wow!! I'm just going to ramble for a moment about this.

Today, a client that I've been tattooing for a while came in to get his wife's name covered up. 

I remember thinking when I put it on him, maybe this one will last. They seemed to be such a 

happy couple. Really, they seemed to be the kind of people who knew what they wanted in life.

I spoke to him briefly about the break up. I'm not one to pry, and really don't want to know every 

detail about my client's personal life. But, guess what, a tattoo artist, like a hairdresser, has a 

captive audience for hours at a time. Sometimes this gives us the opportunity to hear more than 

we want about people's lives. Not that we don't care, but frequently it's just too much information    

to digest. Okay, I'm starting to ramble.

I'm not superstitious, but some people say it jinxes a relationship to adorn the skin with the name 

of another. Sometimes I wonder. I've put a name on and covered it up in less than three weeks. 

Ouch!!! That's incredibly short.

I have been married for over thirty three years and still haven't put her name on me. Pretty sure I 

never will. Like I said, I'm not superstitious, but you never know.

Anyway, just thought this was worthy of a little attention. Hope anyone who reads this drivel will

give it a little extra consideration if the urge to put the name of that special person under your skin

forever.

There are so many more options when it comes to tattoo ideas.

Charlie Spencer

Owner/Artist

Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery, Inc.

http://www.studio21tattoo.com

Tattoos-Do They Hurt?

You're darn tootin' they do! Don't let that scare you away. A toothache hurts too, but most of us can survive one. It really is a matter of how bad you want the tattoo. Rarely ever

do I meet someone who says they will not get another tattoo after their first experience. Maybe it's because they just love sitting and listening to me expound on what ever subject

I choose to bore them with to help pass the time while in my chair. Or possibly they can't resist my charm!  

I've been tattooed for countless hours and I plan on getting more as soon as I get the chance. Some say these things are addictive. Yeah. So? Anyway, hardly anybody stops at just one. This should tell you something about how painful they are. If it hurt that bad, do you think people would be coming back for more? Of course there are people who claim to enjoy pain, but that would be a rarity, I think. 

I have seen these tribal people in Africa getting poked in the face with some kind of charcoal paste on the end of a thorn. They poke that thing right in their face over and over until the desired design is accomplished. The girls have to do this as a status symbol so they can marry the dude with the most goats or something. Really now people, if these girls can go through that shit to marry a guy for his goats, there is just no excuse for you to be scared of the pain of a tattoo! 

The equipment and methods we use today to apply your tattoo are very efficient and safe if done properly. Many small tattoos can be applied in only a few short minutes. About the time you decide it hurts, it's done. Large tattoos such as sleeves, which usually  cover the arms to the wrist, take numerous hours to accomplish. Depending on the amount of solid ink, whether it be a color tattoo or a black and grey tattoo, the work is normally done in many sessions. A session usually consists of two or three hours. This gives the tattoo artist a break from this back breaking work a couple times during his long day at the office. The artists eyes need a rest before the next tattoo collector sits in the chair.

People ask me all the time, how does it feel? My answer is, it feels about the same no matter where on your body you decide to get it. It just has varying degrees of how irritating it feels depending on placement. There are some places on your body that are going to be more sensitive to the continuous prick of little tiny needles over and over. Damn! Sounds painful when you put it that way!

Charlie Spencer

Owner/Artist

Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery, Inc.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

http://www.studio21tattoo.com

Religious Tattoos

                                                                

It's always interesting to hear people's thoughts on religion. Sometimes it's not a good subject if one disagrees with the other. Whatever your opinion, the sacred tattoos are a very popular choice when it comes to subject matter. Many say, "your body is a temple". If this is so, you certainly should take care of it, for it is the only one you have. Therefore, be careful that the tattoo you choose is done by a professional in a safe, clean environment.

Japanese tattoo designs as well as many other Asian style works of art have

characters and symbols representing religious beliefs. The sacred heart, celtic crosses, virgin Mary, Jesus, even the devil himself are all represented in the form of tattoo designs and are all very popular.

Why do people want to adorn their bodies with these religious artworks?

Probably the same reason they have been hanging on the walls of art museums for ages. These are images we are all familiar with. We have seen them used many times before. It just looks better to you when you're familiar with it. Really, if you got a tattoo of something that no one had ever seen before, what kind of response would you get from others? You some kind of freak? WTF? Not to say that it's wrong to be original, just that you probably like what you like because you've seen it before.

Another reason for people to get these sacred images is to memorialize a loved one who is no longer with us. This is an extremely common tattoo choice, and I must say a very good one. It just makes some of us feel better inside to honor a deceased loved one in this way. I probably do at least two or three memorial tattoos per week. Sometimes the recipient cries when they see the finished piece. I can't explain how that makes me feel as an artist and professional. It just feels good to make people feel good!

So, if your body is a temple, decorate the hell out of it! Have you ever seen a temple with bare walls? If you did, you'd probably go look around for another temple.

Charlie Spencer

Owner/Artist

Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery, Inc.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

http://www.studio21tattoo.com

Custom Designed Tattoos

                                                                

For some of us, the idea of walking in a tattoo parlor with about five thousand weird little pictures on the walls to choose from is no longer a viable option. Some of us have our own ideas of what we would like to permanently mark our precious epidermis with. After all, our skin is a vital organ and should be treated with the respect it deserves.  Therefore, it is of great importance that we do our homework first before venturing out into the big bad world to get inked up.

On many occasions, as a tattoo artist, I have spoken to people who are very disappointed in the work they have had done in the past. They have learned a hard lesson. Just because your friend has a kanji symbol he is happy with doesn't mean you should head down to the same tattoo artist for a Japanese back piece. This is something that creates issues continuously. As a result , we frequently do coverups to hide a bad tattoo. Word to the wise, if you want a tribal arm band, make sure the guy or girl who does it is interested in doing this type of work. 

In our studio, we have eight different artists with eight different styles of artwork they prefer to do. Tattooing is like any other trade. There are specialists in different types of artwork. Try to find an artist who does the style you are looking for and you both will be happier with the results. The results are going to be with you for some time, so be sure you are comfortable with the studio and artist before jumping in the chair. You will be much happier with your tattoo, and the artist can add something to his/her portfolio they will be proud of.

I for one, love to do traditional tattoos. Most likely, if you come in to our studio and ask me to do a dolphin tattoo, you will be working with another artist more fit for the job. This way, you get the tattoo design you want done by an artist who will enjoy doing the work. Believe me, if the artist likes the subject matter, you'll get a better tattoo.

If you go to eight different artists and ask them to draw a lotus flower tattoo, you will probably get eight very different drawings. Ask for an angel tattoo design, you will get just as many different styles. So when you look for someone to design a custom tattoo, make sure to check out their portfolio to see if they do what you like. 

A unicorn tattoo can be very cool if the artist is capable of getting creative with your idea. Even a shooting star tattoo can look great if your artist takes the time to add a little flair to it. Music tattoos are popular and provide the artist with countless ideas do to something special for your taste.  Tattoo images are as different as the ideas in your head, so don't be afraid to use some imagination. Just try to keep the ideas simple and basic. To much information crammed in to one piece of artwork is difficult to design and artists like simplicity. 

Hopefully this will give you some information to work with before you set out to get a cool tattoo. Whether it be a patriotic tattoo, a tribal dragon tattoo, an orchid tattoo or a samoan tattoo, it is always best to seek out the artist that is best for the job and make sure you find a clean, safe environment for having the tattoo applied.

Charlie Spencer

Owner/Artist

Studio21Tattoo Gallery, Inc.

Las Vegas, Nevada

http://www.studio21tattoo.com

Celebrity Tattoos

                                                        

  So many people are talking about their favorite celebrity's tattoos. There are a number of things to discuss pertaining to this matter. The first thing that comes to

mind is that your favorite celebrity today will most likely not appeal to you at all in five years or so. Guess what, your tattoo will still be there long after you've lost interest in this ever so talented singer or actor, comedian, politician etc. Also worth mentioning is the fact that it is just not cool to copy Johnny Depp's bad tattoos.

Angelina Jolie, Christina Aguilera, Pamela Anderson, Charlize Theron, Anna Kournikova, Jenna Jameson, Kate Hudson, Brad Pitt, Nicholas Cage, The Rock, Usher, Michael Jordan and even Robert De Niro all have tattoos. The list of tattooed celebrities is endless. Almost everybody has at least one tattoo somewhere on their body, it seems.

While there are infinite choices when it comes to tattoo designs, it seems that most people that visit our studio prefer to be original.  Flower tattoos, dragon tattoos, cross tattoos, angel tattoos, butterfly tattoos and heart tattoos are very popular tattoo designs. These are images that people already identify with tattooing 

because this is what they are accustomed to seeing on others. You don't see a lot of people running around with a toilet plunger tattoo! However, if you are a plumber, this might be an excellent choice for a custom tattoo design.

Guys seem to be more interested in representing their vocation in the form of body art. Firemen like to get fireman tattoos. Police officers like policemen tattoos.

Auto mechanics get pistons and cars tattooed. 

Girls usually want something feminine. Star tattoos, cherry tattoos, dragonfly tattoos and fairy tattoos have been popular with the ladies for some time now.

Hairdressers like scissor tattoos. Strippers like stripper tattoos!  Anyway, you get the point.

The point I am trying to make here is the tattoo world is full of choices.  The shop you decide to work with, the artist you decide to work with, and of course the ideas you choose. If you think you have an original idea, it's probably already been done. But don't let that stop you. Find a competent, safe, friendly artist in a super clean shop and start working on your next tattoo. 

A custom designed tattoo is no more expensive than a tattoo flash piece you pick off the wall at the street shop you walk by at your favorite tourist spot. If you want to be original, do a little research first before just stopping in and picking your tattoo off the wall or copying the tattoo of your favorite celebrity. It's permanent, so it's worth the extra effort of shopping around.

Charlie Spencer

Owner/Artist

Studio21Tattoo Gallery, Inc.

Las Vegas, Nevada

http://www.studio21tattoo.com

Enjoy Your Tattoo Experience

Austin Tattooing Steve Harwell from Smashmouth

                                              

Each and every day I see a few individuals who need help with a tattoo cover up or at least a total repair of a poorly executed tattoo. In most cases, the person will tell me that a friend of a friend had a "tattoo gun" (we call it a tattoo machine) and did this tattoo in the kitchen at his apartment. They usually are embarrassed and ashamed of this so called artwork and desperately need help from a professional tattoo artist to cover or fix it up. In the same breath, they will

tell me they got a good deal on it!  How is this a good deal? 

Getting a tattoo at someone's house or in a motel room or anywhere other

than a professional environment is a dangerous thing to do. HIV and Hepatitis C are both serious incurable diseases that can be transmitted through improper sterilization of equipment. Most of us would like to enjoy a healthy existence and 

I would hate to think that these irresponsible, so called tattoo artists might get in the

way of this.  Consider this before making a bad decision.

Most urban areas have good, responsible tattoo artists working in clean,

safe environments. Do a little research before deciding where to get your work done. Your local health authority probably cannot recommend a shop because 

of obvious ethical reasons, but it may not hurt to give them a call to see if the shop

you are considering has a good track record.

Whether you are looking for a tribal arm band or a traditional japanese back piece, make sure you do your homework first. Many artists  specialize in one style of tattoo art. Maybe what you are considering does not require a specialist. Usually a small kanji (chinese or japanese symbols) is something that any qualified tattoo artist can render for a reasonable fee.  

Some people choose to copy their favorite celebrity tattoo. Ouch! Who 

knows what some of these people were thinking when they made their choices.

Rock star tattoos often tend to be really bad! Maybe they made their choices under the influence of something that obscured their vision. Anyway, it's best

to try to loosen up, use your  imagination and let your favorite professional  

prepare a custom designed tattoo that you will enjoy for years to come. Hopefully,

your research and careful consideration will produce a fine art piece that is yours

alone that will make you the envy of everyone you meet! 

So now, you've done your research, found a shop you feel comfortable with and decided on subject matter. Get in there and talk to your artist. Make sure he or she is interested in your tattoo! If the artist doesn't seem to be interested in helping you enjoy your tattoo experience, drop it like it's hot! It's time to find someone who is actually interested in working with you. The last thing you want is someone doing your tattoo that just wants to treat you like cattle. Here's your brand, now get the fuck out of here. No kidding, this happens all the time.

I really like doing tattoos! So do all of the artists in my studio. It's what we do and we take pride in the quality of our work. We also all try to make our clients feel

as comfortable as possible while having their work done. Hopefully this information will help you in finding the right place and have fun getting your tattoo.

Get out there and enjoy life! Some really great ink can add a whole lot of fun to your short time on this planet. Good Luck!

Charlie Spencer

Owner/Artist

Studio 21 Tattoo Gallery, Inc.

Las Vegas, Nevada

http://www.studio21tattoo.com

Tattooing, Las Vegas Style

    Owning a tattoo studio in Las Vegas, Nevada is quite an interesting occupation. The people we meet are always entertaining to say the least. My wife, Becki, runs the business end of the operation. She is quite the artist! She chooses not to participate in tattooing, but provides the talent we need for graphic design, i.e. tee-shirts, logos, advertising etc.  Becki is also very involved in communicating with clients in preparation for their visit to the studio.

    My son, Austin, is an extremely talented tattoo artist with a tremendous local following as well as repeat visitors from around the world. He been recognized in numerous magazine feature articles in recent years. He has a unique style of tattooing that is easily recognized. Bold colors, wild, flowing designs adorn many tattoo sleeves and back pieces he has created over the years. Born into a family of artists, Austin started drawing at the age of three and has never slowed down!

    My daughter, Courtney, is responsible for our customer service. She is an extremely talented individual, with a personality that is hard to resist. From the moment you enter our studio, Courtney, or one of her well trained staff, will offer assistance to clientele that is unparalleled in the tattoo world.

    I love to do traditional tattoos, hot rod tattoos, pinup girls, religious tattoos, floral tattoos and just about anything else that comes to mind.  Custom designed tattoos are our specialty, so our clients just bring us an idea and we create an image to their specifications that best fits the body part to be decorated.

    Our studio has been featured on NBC's The Biggest Loser, Fine Living Network's We Live Here and Mojo Networks I Bet You, starring Phil Laak, aka The Unibomber, and Antonio Esfanderia, aka The Magician. It is also worth mentioning that Clark County Health District featured our studio for a public television program to inform residents what to look for when deciding on where to go for a safe tattoo environment.

    We have been fortunate to meet many very interesting people and made a lot of good friends here in Las Vegas. Anyone interested in a unique tattoo experience with serious tattoo artists would do well to drop in when visiting Vegas. We have eight talented artists, each with their own individual styles to enhance your epidermis. Walk ins are welcome, but appointments are highly recommended.

Charlie Spencer

Owner/Artist

Studio21Tattoo Gallery, Inc.

Las Vegas, Nevada

http://www.studio21tattoo.com