Apprentice
- Mar 1, 2017
- 2 min
The Pain Game
What happens in the face of pain….Strangely, pain has many faces and many ways of manifesting itself during a tattoo. Everyone handles it differently. The physical pain is only one element of it; it’s the psychological challenge that changes the game. The pain game is one of the most asked about parts of getting a tattoo. Some people welcome the pain, as it makes them feel alive providing a catharsis of cleansing; while others fight it, gritting their teeth every step of the
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Apprentice
- Feb 22, 2017
- 3 min
So, What’s Next? Tattoo Aftercare
So ya just got this really bad ass tattoo, now what? Well, at Speakeasy Tattoo in Los Angeles, Scott Glazier’s voice rings in my ears… “don’t go prancing around like a pixy and trying to infect it”. So, that being said, cleanliness is of the utmost importance. The last thing you want to do is let all the ugly bad germs floating through the air creep into freshly tattooed skin. You should keep it bandaged at first and remove the protective bandage after one hour, two hours m
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Apprentice
- Feb 15, 2017
- 2 min
Back to the Basics
Back to the basics… As I meander my way through my apprenticeship at Speakeasy Tattoo in Los Angeles, I find myself checking back in with the fundamentals of art on a consistent basis. Even more so than when I was in college working towards a degree in art, today, the foundation is more important than ever. As artists taking lessons in fine art, we are taught to explore, be free, get messy, and embrace imperfect mistakes. That is almost the exact opposite to the way I am atta
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Apprentice
- Feb 8, 2017
- 2 min
“Tattoo Machine” The Evolved Doorbell
Did you know, a tattoo machine is really just as simple as a door bell… There are a lot of twists and turns in the history of tattoo machines and patents for those machines, but one of the first designs that has inspired the modern-day tattoo machine remains a built-up bell modification from the 1800’s. The earliest patents are maintained by Thomas Edison’s 1876 rotary operated stencil pen (in actuality, an electromagnetic coil-rotary hybrid); and just a few years later, Samu
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Apprentice
- Feb 1, 2017
- 2 min
Fruit or Fake Skin, That is the question!
“To use fruit or fake skin? That is the question.” Well, I am finding that it’s important to use a little of both. As the weeks’ progress, I have learned more and more about my machine and become exceedingly more comfortable loading and unloading it. Now I am discovering the wonderful world of skins, and how immensely different each one is from the other. Just like human skin, each surface is a little bit different and requires attention and care when etching into it. Skin ca
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Apprentice
- Jan 25, 2017
- 2 min
A Butterfly Landed
I met a woman tonight while apprenticing; this woman was beautiful inside and out. You could tell by looking at her she has a sweet but also mysterious soul. She was kind, and a kind of person you want to know more about because it would be a privilege to do so. I find it interesting… standing by, watching, waiting, waiting to be needed, and ALWAYS paying attention; learning to read minds, HIS mind and hers. Does he hate this song, need more paper towels… does she need water,
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Apprentice
- Jan 18, 2017
- 2 min
Tattoo Psychology…
Tattoo psychology….So, what’s the point? When thinking about a piece of indelible art, that is going to live on your body FOREVER, most people think about a mantra or experience they want to revisit every day. Be it a saying, a memorial, a personal narrative, indication of individuality, artistic expression, ode to a lover, affiliation with a group, or even the simplicity of rebellion; tattoos mark the person in a way that leave an enduring impression on both their skin and t
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Apprentice
- Jan 11, 2017
- 2 min
Hello, and welcome to Nicole Petrou
Hello all, So, I am going to be your new Jane… Though the Chomaster is a mighty pillar of strength and knowledge packed into a petite frame of a stealthy ninja body, I will do my best over the next two years to live up to legacy left by Jane. She is, not only, an amazing artist but a spectacular blogger as well! First off, a little bit about me…. My name is Nicole Petrou and I am a recent graduate from UCLA and work full time while apprenticing at Speakeasy Tattoo LA. This g
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Apprentice
- Dec 20, 2016
- 3 min
Food for Tattoos
Food for Skin As the skin is the largest organ of your body, it requires many nutrients in order to look its very best. As with tattoos, for them to look their very best, it needs skin in optimal condition. At Speakeasy, I am (unwillingly)known as the Water Police. However, the title rings true, because you should be drinking lots of water for better skin, damnit! There have always been a very noticeable difference in the healing process, clarity and vibrancy in the final out
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Apprentice
- Nov 28, 2016
- 2 min
Tattoos and Body Shape
As tattoos have become more mainstream, there has been a flood of people from all walks of life going into parlors to get tattooed. This week I wanted to talk about how tattoos can affect the shape of your body, be it in a positive light or a negative one. There are so many variations as to how a tattoo can be designed and placed upon your body, but there are some factors that many people may not be aware of before they get a new tattoo. Location, Location, Location As you ag
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Apprentice
- Nov 15, 2016
- 3 min
Pain of Tattoos-Do They Really Hurt?
Tattoos have become a very popular way of self-expression, a way for people to show and tell who they are and what they’ve experienced. Everyone who have tattoos also went through the process of getting tattooed, pain included. There are lots of stories of pain during the process, and how different areas hurt more than others, but there are also stories of people who don’t even feel it and even fall asleep! The truth is, getting a tattoo is different for everyone and not all
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Apprentice
- Nov 1, 2016
- 3 min
Proper Tattoo Etiquette in a Shop
When I was 18 and beyond excited about the prospect of getting my first tattoo, I decided to stop by some shops to have a look around. Back then, tattoos shops were incredibly intimidating and awkward to me as I was a 5′ Asian girl with braces. The people there looked way too cool, and I thought they might tell me to get out and make fun of me when I run out crying. But they were all very nice and friendly, and made me feel comfortable within minutes. However, being the ignor
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Apprentice
- Oct 31, 2016
- 2 min
Scarring During Healing/ Scar Maintenance on Tattoos
Hello Everyone! Today I wanted to discuss one of every tattoo collector’s worst nightmares, scarring. Tattoo scarring is possible, and happens when proper aftercare has not been maintained, or not treated properly. Dirty, or bent needles can also cause damage to your skin, causing your tattoo to scar over. An infection will also cause your tattoo to heal hard, causing discoloration of the skin and rough, raised skin. One way to prevent scars from happening is to properly moni
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Apprentice
- Oct 31, 2016
- 2 min
Fresh Tattoos and Exercise
Are you a workout junkie but also love collecting tattoos? I’ve had a few clients that were devastated when told that they are not allowed to go to the gym during the tattoo healing process. When it comes to a fresh tattoo, there must be proper procedures taken to ensure that you have an easy healing process. You must be careful when going to the gym with a fresh tattoo, as gyms are pretty much a nursery for bacteria and tattoos are an open wound. Take care not to touch your
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Apprentice
- Sep 27, 2016
- 2 min
Tattoos: Cosmetic vs. Permanent
Hello everyone! I’ve been getting a lot of requests for cosmetic tattoos these days, and sadly I’ve had to say no! However, these questions got me to realize that most people don’t seem to know the difference between cosmetic tattoos and permanent, traditional tattoos. To be honest, I didn’t really know much about cosmetic tattoos until you guys got me curious! So for this week’s article, I also learned something new, and will be sharing with you guys! While traditional tatto
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Apprentice
- Sep 18, 2016
- 2 min
Tips for Successful Script Tattoos
Have you ever come across words that made such an impact on you, that you wanted it tattooed on your skin forever? Well, here are some tips that may help you get the most out of your script tattoo idea! There are many things to consider when getting script tattoos. Sometimes, it’s better to keep it short and sweet. Script usually tends to take up a lot of room, as they need to be large enough to be legible and to last over the test of time as your body ages and changes in sha
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Apprentice
- Sep 12, 2016
- 2 min
How-To’s on Future Tattoos
Hey, you! So you feel that itch of getting a new tattoo, eh? But you’re not quite sure on what you want, in terms of ideas? I will do my best to get you started on coming up with an idea for your future artwork! Ask yourself, “Why do you want a tattoo”? The itch to get that new tattoo must come from somewhere, so think about what may be going on in your life that might’ve given you that idea. Is it boredom? Or did you reach any milestones in your life, or want to commemorate
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Apprentice
- Jun 27, 2016
- 1 min
Taking Care of Your Skin=Better Tattoos
Hello Again! This week, I will be talking about your skin. Now, as I have been tattooing all sorts of people, and always learning as I go, one big difference that stands out to me is, of course, SKIN. Just like opinions, everybody’s got one. An ever-changing, living organ that we love to decorate. (Sorry about all those commas just now! They were needed to emphasize my point!) As I have been gaining more experience with all different types of skin, the one major point I’ve no
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Apprentice
- Apr 20, 2015
- 3 min
Glamazon!
GUESS WHAT?! Ru Paul has created a downloadable keyboard!!! AAAHHHHH!!! The world’s most famous Glamazon has now brought Courage, Uniqueness, Nerve, and Talent at the power of our fingertips!! Now I can insert all sorts of imojis and gifs in my texts and drive everyone crazy, especially Scott! Damn, this keyboard is absolutely phenomenal. Back to what this blog is really about, my tattoo apprenticeship! As it is the 3rd week of April (ALREADY?!), Scott had me take some tubes
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Apprentice
- Apr 12, 2015
- 3 min
April Showers Bring May Flowers
Hi Guys! Already halfway through April! Time is going by so quickly, just feels like yesterday I officially started this apprenticeship. I’m great at cleaning now, I’ll tell you that! The hummingbirds have already flown away! It all happened so fast, I am just shocked. I feel like I was left in the dust, like they didn’t even care about me! After all the time we spent together… However, I was lucky enough to be at shop the day they flew away! As you can see, there was only on
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