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ok not sure if this is actually in the right place, but if not then I’ll move it to the right area….
Here’s the deal peeps! My name is Spider, I am the owner of Dark Carnival Ink tattoos in Alabama. I started in 1997 under an awesome mentor and friend. I got out of tattooing due to the crap shop politics and back stabbing. Off and on over the years I got back into it and worked for a few shops here and there, managed one shop for about 6 months before the owner lost everything. So anyway. In 2012 I moved to Alabama and started tattooing again full force in June. After going around to every shop in this area and getting nothing but attitude I decided to go my own way and readjusted my IRS info to a new name (I formally owned a sign and Graphics shop in Tennessee and Texas), and opened Dark Carnival Ink Tattoos.
I consider myself to be old school in many ways. I think that the customer should come first, and that a tattoo artist should be a bit humbled by the fact that someone has choosen them to put thier art on them for life. I do not like the holier than tho’ attitude that seems to be the norm in this industry. So. With that said…..
I have a new tattoo studio in an area that is in need of new talent with better attitudes, people who are drug free and do not want to be a rock star. Here is the thing. I do not care what anyone does on thier time, get high, get drunk, run naked around the yard! whatever. But when you are on my time (work) I expect a sober clear headed individual concerned with putting out quality tattoo work and getting people to talk about you, your art, and the shop…..And I judge by talent, not experience! I honestly do not care if you have ever taken an apprenticeship, had a mentor, or learned the craft in your mom’s basement. I want to know what you can do not how long you spent sweeping floors and running errands for someone. I want to know that you are concerned with learning new ways to get better results and put out better work every year. Shop practices can be learned, as long as you have an understanding of sanitation, cross contamination prevention, and health issues you can learn how to run an autoclave, file the right paperwork, keeping records and so on. The quality of the work being put out in this area is way way below the level of art. 2 of the 4 shops within a 25 mile radius of me are known for taking drugs for tattoos, one has been shut down and then reopened under another name due to one of the guys tatting the local chief of polices underage daughter without consent (he has since left the area). People are disgusted with the prices, attitudes and holier than tho attitude by these guys.
DCI offers a clean enviroment, friendly and knowledgable staff, and quality work without the rip your head off pricing. People like that, and are coming back for more…
I have one more booth in a 3 booth shop of 1000 sq ft, the booth being about 100 sq ft or so. Glass walled clean room (yes glass walled) and clean friendly look. I am looking for an artist to fill that booth, someone who wants to grow and expand in the industry, make a name for themselves. I offer the most competative pay out there as my artist start out at 50% and have the chance to go all the way to 70% (in other words you start at a 50-50% comission and within 6 months after proving yurself can go all the way to 70% in your pocket and only 30% to ay for your shop rights). At DCI the artist will always make more than the shop on each piece. We want you to be happy, a happy artist puts out better quality work and has a better attitude. They look forward to going into work everyday and coming back the day after. They love what they do and don’t feel ripped off because if they charge $100 for a piece of ink they are only making $30…Your percentage pays for ads, utilities, misc supplies if needed, and so on.
We are located next to a resaurant and bar, our hours are 7 days a week and we close before midnight. We are in an excellent location and already have a pretty good following on FB with just me doing it for the last year without knowing a single person in this area when i first came out here form Texas.
So check out our web page. http://www.darkcarnivalink.com and contact Spider (you can do it thru here or thru the contact page on the site) if you are interested in talking to him to see if you have what it takes to get where you want to be. This post will run until I get the booth filled, and this is not the only place I have this up. Keep in mind, my other artist, Jin, has absolutely no shop experience at all and I have hired him for his talent and adherance to strict sanitation practices and standards.
Hit me up if your interested and let’s see if we can get you on the path that you want doing what you love..Sound good?******note to admins, if this is in the wrong area please tell me where to put it so that it is in the right area, thanks for your help Peace….****
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Yeah that seems to be the order of the day, what really gets me though is that there are so many “artists” out there that are satisfyied working from a kitchen, or spare bedroom or what have you. The whole reasoning, “why should I pay a shop I do just fine charging only $20 and I get lots of work!”, ah well, best of luck…lol…this is a career for some, not just a way to make extra cash, and having a shop have your back as an artist is just tops in so many ways.. But yeah thanks…
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I really wish that I could say, “Sign me up!” but I’m in Canada and am probably more fresh in the learning phase than anyone else in this forum.
My brother is a tattoo artist and I have been around tattoo studios for many years, been real critical of which studio I chose. But in any case… I wish you were around here. Good Luck!
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well we are not going anywhere anytime soon and totally understand about being picky on the shop thing. We do not tolerate drug use and so have had many qualified artist turn down the booth because we don’t want them coming to work high. As such is our industry unfortunately. Booth still open for the right person….
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:shock: …I think I just drooled a little. I wish more shops embraced the same thought process as you do… clear, practical, and critical. I’d saw my left leg off with unwaxed dental floss for this kind of opportunity. Someday my skills will improve, and when they do I sincerely hope that I can find an offer like yours. Good luck in your search!
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The sad thing is that some many “artists” have grown so used to the way things have been for the last 20 years, shops being basically in the same categories as outlaws, bikers, criminals, and so on that it’s hard to find a clean artist to work in a shop. I have had no less than 20 applicants since I opened never come back because I have zero tolerance for being high at work, or a lobby of your fan club patting your back and telling you how freaking awesome you are. UGH! I finally got the third booth fully built in the shop and now it sits empty, what a waste. But oh well it’ll sit empty until the person who wants a career doing this walks thru my door and does what needs to be done to get that booth. And when I expand it’ll be the same thing, same rules, just a new place….
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i am an aspiring artist of sorts from kentucky. my goal in life is to run ink the proper way. sealing the aesthetic bond between artist and customer for life. i would move there in two weeks time if i could just have the opportunity to learn from you. the money isnt even what i want, i need knowledge. my glass is never full, that sort of attitude makes one unteachable. what do you think? shoot me straight. much respect for your ventures and honest observations in the field
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Well your so far dedication is commended. As far as an apprentice goes I wish it was just that easy for someone to say they want it, we take them in and kabam an artist is born. Apprenticing is sometimes hard because not only do you have to have drive, but you have to be a good mix for the shop chemistry as well. I’ll return your email and talk to you about it today.
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Ah, Spider… your words, man. They touch me. :D
I can identify with you on everything you said in your original post… which is why I’m burned out on tattooing and soon return back to heating, beating and welding on rail cars.
Well, there’s that, and I’ve gotten married, the wife and I want to buy some land but not sure where.(tough to get a client base… only to move… to do it over again… and again… and again. Done it too many times)
If I was free to go anywhere, I’d swing by and have a chat with you… see if we click. Hell, I still might just do that. I’m usually road-tripping back forth between Texas and Massatwoshits and take different routes to see different parts of the country. If I was going to return to tattooing professionally I’d either open a shop… or hope to run into someone like you.
Best of luck finding a fit. I know it’s tough.
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