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Hellbound City Tattoo in Wynwood, the first and only shop there, 254 NW 36 St, Miami FL. 33127
305-573-1602

That was a long way to go, just to say I fuckin' hate trendy assholes...hahaha. I agree, though.

Tattoo's aren't fads, they are permanent.

i understand your point. i couldn't wait until the day i turned 18 so i could to get a tattoo. i had it planned out for over a year what i was getting and where. and like you, it's in a spot always covered up (unless i'm in a bikini), and even now all of my tattoos are easily covered.
but, it's not our choice who gets tattoos, where, and why. if someone wants one on their neck, so be it, their body, their choice. i can't tell someone they're a "jackass" for getting a tattoo on any part of their body or for any reason. it's a form of expression, and just because mine are almost always covered up doesn't mean they should all be.

I think calling one of the great pioneers of tattooing "cashed in " Goes to show alot about your way of thinking. Ever stop to consider that Ed worked very hard to get where he is, and maybe the clothing line is his way of securing his retirement, since we all know your not going to get rich tattooing ( unless you happen to fall into a t.v show, and lead people to believe the art is something anyone can do) Sometimes maybe your opinion should be kept to yourself, and think what you will of others, but they got thier ink for the same exact reason you did, because they wanted it, where they got it, and they didnt get it to please you

Hey there, thanks for reading and commenting... Just to clarify, the "as told to" part means that I just transcribed what Brooklyn said. Those opinions are his, not mine. I'm tattooed, but way less than 80% of my body :)

SOMEBODY HAD MAJOR SAND IN THERE VAGINA SMOKE SOME AND RELAX DOOOOOD

I can't believe you left out Hellcat Tattoo in west palm beach.....Great guys, GREAT tattoos!! I understand that you used to work for Eulogy and they own Aces high but every time I walk in they act like they'd rather drive a nail through their sac than tattoo......Ive seen it at least 5 times, They do nice tattoos but jackassy doesn't even come close to the way they act. you are a "scene kid" who worked for the boss, of course they are cool to you. I am an older guy who has been getting tattooed since before most of those dicks were born I probably have more time in shops than they do as well!!
at Hellcat they treat you like a person not some A-hole who is interrupting their nap.

I know that I'm young and I have a lot of tattoos, but I got mine as a way of expressing what my personality is. I do think that tattoos are becoming more and more popular due to the Media and stuff, but I don't think it's a "fad".
I also think if you want a job bad enough, you will do what it takes to GET that job. Which could mean having to wear long sleeves and pants for the rest of your life or searching until you can find a job where they are more open about peoples looks.
I do think that tattoo artists should warn people who don't have any other tattoos who are thinking about getting a tattoo in a visible spot such as neck, hands, etc. It would probably solve a lot of issues.

AMEN! Keep on with that higher level of contiousness and fuck all these wanna-be fucktards who don't get the bigger it!!! May the all be stabbed in the face with a rusty screwdriver... DRILLZ @ MEAN-STREET TATTOOS,PSL FL

What this simply comes down too is what side of the counter your standing on. If you grew up, work in it, or have a good amount of close friends in the industry this makes a ton of sense. My father does them, most of my friends are artists and I myself at the age of 23 have 65% of my body tattooed. Most artists you speak too on a personal, serious level (those who are in it for their art) will agree with this 100%. Though it may be no ones place to judge, everyone fucking does it. Its our industry.. and yea you look like a tool with nothing but a hand or neck tattoo. People get so pissed when they hear other peoples views on this matter, thats why we just make fun of you when you leave the shop or do it to your face when you have a stupid idea or placement and can't understand why. Its there forever, its a fad right now, we'll be the ones laughing in 5 years when you come in begging to get the shit covered or ask if we know anything about removal... cause it happens allllllll the time.

U all rock for adding a comment. U are now have added a part on ur own part to the industry. But!!! That is the point we rather not do the tatoo's we will have to cover up in 3- 10 years. Fuck the money and keep them on for the long road. Ur career cant move doing the same Pork Chop tattoo's and fixing and or covering tattoo's u did years ago. Consultations and time are there for real shit. Street shops were born for the quick buck or a steady hand in life. It is a job or it can be a career. Clients own us not... (U can add to that with a personal answer...) We all can answer it somewhat different. Keep rocking and making a differnce and let the personal customers on a smaller town based fill up and make u, U! Tht is what it is about. Be awesome in ur home and u can venture out. Till Then Learn, Learn, and listen. Grind ur teeth and listen. Ur mentor's and clients will not sterr u wrong. Teach them back what u know. If they don't get it, fuck it... The money is not worth the time u will spend fixing them and urself. If u are dope the people will Holler. Thanks. Ok later, Ryan...

gee,so suprised you would recommend aces high tattoo...since you used to work for eulogy and the owner of that label is also owner of that shop...nice free plug for your buddys shop!!!

Any reputable shop won't tattoo hands or necks without the person having extensive coverage of visible tattoos. If the person doesn't listen to good advice and still goes to a hack shop and gets a turd on their neck they deserve it for being an idiot. And brooklyn mentioned lots of good shops, not just aces high, which is indeed a good shop. Basically it all boils down to look at portfolios, be patient, and don't price shop. You get what you pay for. Also, ed hardy is a tattoo god. More so than any of you will ever know.

Pirate Tattoo in South Beach is the only place to go in South Beach. I agree that you should only get your body tattooed in a place with some serious experience. My guys have over 60 years of experience in their shop, and still wont tattoo your hands face or neck unless you have at least 60-70% coverage already. It does have to be earned....

I agree with what is said about "depends on which side of the counter" it is exactly true. I mean we have tons of kids who want like a name or some bull shit on their neck to "start out" and we explain to them about such things of regret later on in the years some are convinced and switch the placement and others decide to still go through it and some we just say no. Even though it is their choice we are doing them a favor especially at such a young age. i mean if these kids had a prestigious career in an industry that didnt give a shit and was set for life id say its reasonable at that point i.e.: famous rapper, apprentice at a tattoo shop, mechanic, rock star status, etc. such things like that but if not, thats something to think about. but other than that i totally agree with everything that is said. You basically do your time and earn it, it all comes down to judging the person the right way, i mean obviously you can tell if the kid is just some dumb fuck doing it to be "cool" kuz it is a fad, and other cases you can tell that the kid has something going for them and has ambition and who knows, that kid could very well be apprenticing under you later down the year. ahha

-josh

I agree, Emerson Forth's Pirate Tattoo is an awesome shop, one of the best in South Beach.

I think that young kids who want to get stupid tattoos in visible areas should if they want. If an artist to says no to them, great, but if they go somewhere else to get it then they should suffer the consequences.

Tattoo artists don't get paid to babysit.

Visible tattoos are for those of us who have established careers and tattoos in general, are not supposed to be a way of proving to your peers that your a badass. In fact, they are an art form.
A symbol of nonconformity and basically, not giving a fuck. They're supposed to have meaning behind them. Not just another way of hopeless teenagers trying to get laid, when they realize their band sucks ass and they'll never make it. Unfortunately, that's sort of what it has turned into. Young ones galore printing their future tattoos off the internet. Then there are the artists who, instead of actually showing their talent throughn each tattoo, just copy what the naive customer brings them. Open & shut. It's that simple.
Meaningless tribal tattoos are a fucking epidemic amongst body builders. I can't go to the gym anymore without getting hit on by steroid popping assholes eager to show off their shitty ink while benching miniscule amounts of weight.
It's discusting.

I agree with brooklyn totally... there are too many youths thinking about covering their whole body before they get their 1st... or they'll get their neck tattooed because their favorite singers' got it..I gotta turn down bussiness because i don't need the guilt of doing something they don't totally understand yet... it comes from experience... from slowly building up.
Visible tattoos ,regardless of what any "idealist" or "badass" say, affect your daily life and how others,even potential employers percieve you..its life, understand what you getting into before go to its extremes...

DAMN theres some snobby elite (typical) cool tattoo guys on here. Although I agree with most of the stuff u said it's only personal opinion. Tattooing has been around forever so get off your high horse saying shit like "I got my work done when it was'nt cool" get the f**k out of here with that S**t. People are allowed to do as they want without following your stupid code of tattoos. Me personaly yeah I think it looks funny to see a neck or a hand tattoo only but if thats what they want who are you to tell them the "correct" way to get tattooed. Whats next you can't get spider webs unless you killed someone? stop being bitter cause some kid got his neck tattooed before you. maybe thats the only tattoo he wants, what he is'nt allowed untill %70 percent of his body is covered? That is sill, & Ed Hardy is a legend & deserves all the money he makes, stop whineing you sound like the poser to me.

As a tattoo artist myself with 35 years experience, I feel you're waaay off track here!

I agree only with the fact that as tattoo artists, we have a responsibilty to sometimes help our clients realise they're making a bad decision! I'm not going to tattoo some 18 year old kids hands for his first tattoo.

If you ask a million people why they got atttoos you're going to get a million different answers! I think it can be generally sumaruzed as such: Men get tattoos as "war paint", and women get them to be "sexy".

I've seen all the "fads" come and go. In the 80's it was "fine line single needle work" inspired by the surge of great black and grey artists like Jack Rudy. Many artists are still excelling in that style. I dare you to tell Jack Rudy he's way outdated and should stop tattooing!! During the 90's it was tribal tattoos, spearheaded by Jonathon Shaw and Leo Zulueta (both still doing this great tribute to the roots of tattooing. The 2000's have opened the door to the "painterly style" of work being done by artists like Joshua Carlton. As the art grows and new styles are developed, the general public reacts to it. Does that mean if you got a tattoo of a tribal armband done (now or in the 80's) you're a jackass?? Absolutely not!!

Ed Hardy was and still is one of the most talented artists in the industry, and was one of the major innovators! He's paid his dues, long before you were in diapers. I see nothing wrong with him cashing in!!

What I have seen that is drastically changing the industry, and in a negative way, is the fact that now we have a bunch of new artists that have no sense of their roots, and no sense of respect for the past traditions! Why? Because the days of the traditional apprentiship are long gone! Most of the new comers have no lineage because they're self taught!! Then all of a sudden they feel like they're "special" because, "Look mom, I'm a tattoo artist"!! WTF??!!?? Along with this comes the God awful egos that 99% of the time come with their new found self proclaimed fame!
Fuck the egotistical rockstars, like the type you come off as! Jackass!

you should have to earn that shit. i haven't yet, but i will be there one day

AMama,Dano - You two hit the nail on the head. I'm 52 and got my first tat in '92 ( you do the math) I've got my back piece, my chest and one arm partially sleeved, one leg partial and the other ankle/shin done. What's my point? I started late by some standards but I knew where I wanted to go. I'm in a public job and all of my ink can be covered. I've got a real hankerin' for doin my neck but I'll know when the time is right. I've got two boys, 19 and 20. They don't know me without ink, but they do know that as much as I love my artwork, I waited until I was settled, sure and mature enough to deal with the stigma that is placed on a person "of color". My boys may get tattoos, but I think I've conveyed the importance of knowing where you want to go before you do something you may regret. But then again, who has not gone there and learned some good life lessons by making a bad choice now and again? To each his own............

hahaha your such a fuckin tool man.
shut your fuckin mouth. You've earned it.
you should read your article again you fuckin douche and see how stupid you sound.
I bet you were wearing an ed hardy hoodie
when you were writing this. Maybe your a loser who thought you were cool because you had more ink then ppl you see. Now your
just an even bigger loser hating on everyone
for getting tattoo's. i hope i never have
to read about another dumbfucks idea.
you should become a rapper!! foreal
cuz you are for sure so cool and better then
everyone else. JACKASS

Do you like when non-tattooed people judge you? Then who are you to judge tattooed people? I have and had tattoos and piercings for a long time,and I dont care who has what,its their life.

I wonder how many of those people you're talking about just said they agree with you...hahaha.

I Completely Agree With This Guy. I'm A Tattoo Artist And It's Clear That Now We Have More Buisness Because Of Ed Hardy And Miami Ink, And It Brings In All These 18 Year Old Jackasses Wanting Stars On Thier Face And Neck, Like Kat Von D. WTF? People Don't Understand The Consequences Of It And How Directly It Affects The Way They're Perceived. Getting Jobs And Meeting New People Becomes A lot More Difficult.
I Believe That What The Normal Person Doesn't Understand Is How Often Tattoo Artist Have To Deal With These Ignorant Jackasses. No One's Trying To Knock People For Getting Tattoos, But The People Who Have No Caution About What They're Getting Or Where. Tattooing Is Becoming A Sports Car To Thousands Of People Having Thier Mid-Life Crisis' Or Little Kids Who Are 'Coming Of Age'. People Are Fucking Up And They Write It Off As 'Being Unique' Or 'It's My Body, I Have To Live With It'. But I Have To Live With Every Kid's Life That I May Have Ruined For Tattooing Thier Hands And Necks. So Fuck Off With You're Self-Righteous 'It's A Personal Choice', Because In The End...You're Picking Tribal Designs And Kanji's That Everyother Person Has.

And Stop Talking Shit In Your Comments Like You're All Badass.

Ed Hardy simply licenses out his designs to Christian Audigier, the same dude that bastardized Von Dutch's legacy. Does not design the clothing himself.
It was only a matter of time before it happened though, with Miami Ink on TV. To me, the false sense of what getting tattooed is like is even worse. I work in a shop and you deal with these people that look at you like you're crazy when you explain A. what a tattoo costs, or B. That a drawing will have to prepared. The way I see it is that these tv shows ruin the culture by making it a fad. Miami Ink will not be on tv in 10 years, and Ed Hardy shit will be on Salvation Army racks, at least someone who helped build the industry is making the money. The trend will pass, and it will return to the way it was. That being said, Dennis Pase is nasty. id love to get tattooed by him.