Why the Bad Ink?

So after my last post, I've been wanting to follow up with a post about what makes a good tattoo.

Turns out, for me, this is harder than I originally thought.

I mean, do you really need me to tell you that lines should be graceful and clean? That blotches, clumps, points that blob or form x's or don't actually meet at all, that these things are no-no's?

Do you need to hear that shading should be clean and even? That patchy and scratchy is bad?

Does it really need saying that you NEVER trust a portrait tattoo to an artist without samples of portraits you like? Not Japanese, or tribal, or any other kind of tattoo? Do I need to tell you how badly this can go?

I don't know. Maybe I do.

I have to admit, I have a sort of sick fascination with why people get bad tattoos.  Last post I touched on why I think certain people GIVE bad tattoos- basically more ego than talent or judgement. What I want to understand is, how do these folks keep getting blank skin??

Is it an underdeveloped aesthetic? Are there people out there who can't tell the difference between this tattoo and this one?

Is it price? I realize it costs a fair bit to have someone who knows what the hell they're doing mark you for life, but seriously?? What is the only body you've got worth to you?

Is it geography? I get that not everyone has a mega-talented artist right next door. But if you're out somewhere in the wop-wops where the only artist for miles around can't spell, built his own 'gun' and takes frequent breaks for bong hits (it helps him focus, man), well, why WOULDN'T you make the trip into the Big City to get work you can be proud of? Make a weekend of it, have fun!

Is it impatience? Good artists tend to be busy, and you may well need to wait to book in. Is getting your tattoo RIGHT FREAKIN' NOW so important that you don't care if it's spelled right?

I just don't know....

There *is* one cause of bad tattoos that I've seen often enough to understand, and sympathize with...

Con men.

I've seen it myself - certain tattooists will, for a variety of reasons, do or say *anything* to get you in the chair. They'll promise the moon. They'll talk fast and loud over your hesitation or objections. They'll even physically intimidate you, anything so that they get that job.

My heart goes out to those of you who have been victimized this way. You thought you were getting some great art. You may well have paid top dollar. And when all was said and done, all you wanted was to get the hell out of there.

 And when you're in my shop for a cover-up, angry, gutted, sometimes crying, I feel for you. I really do.

So tell me, what happened when you got bad ink?

(many thanks to the good folks at EpicFail.com, for an amazing, if disheartening, journey through the dark side  of this art I love...)