I know it has been a while since my last rant but hey, life is not a spectator sport, you have to fill the cup of life to the limit - and then have a swig from the bottle as well. Anyhoo, I am struggling with the a new generation who are asking for tattoos because they have seen it on someone else. Now I am in no way an ink snob but the number of young people who bring a picture from a tattoo magazine and ask for an exact copy is rather disconcerting. As a rule I will not copy another artist's work but will try to give a new and individual interpretation of the design's style. I have lost customers who want exact replicas. Please please please, express your own identity when choosing artwork for tattoos. That said, all art forms (like music) are largely derivative so by all means if you like a particular style or theme express that to your tattooist but don't take someone's design and replicate it. Ink On - Buddhsy.

I've noticed a bit of an interesting trend in tattooing in my part of the world. It seems that with the ever-increasing popularity and wider acceptance of tattoos, some people are looking to get a tattoo for sake of getting a tattoo. This is a trend fraught with potential regrets and disappointment....don't get a tattoo unless you have really thought it through. It is almost like when I was first getting inked some 25 years ago and people would walk into a tattoo shop drunk and pick something off the wall, for the sake of getting at "tat". I would rather turn away a client who seemed unsure or not really committed than let them get something they might regret later.

Just finished another long night shift at a job I don't like but it pays well. There is something soul destroying about having to do this to fund lifestlye and the pursuit of my creative endeavours. I have so many people waiting for tattoos, either new ones or major works in progress but life keeps getting in the way, oh well, can't whinge too much, my family are a constant inspiration and my boys love watching my tattoo - that's way cool.