By MBL

“I love my tattoo! I am the coolest Mom and Aunt according to my family. Let’s see what my student’s say when I go back to school next week : )”

St Michael

ninjya chick

rants. a long one.

for the most days I’d stay up and finish either current drawings/designs or make a small update on websites, and finish correspondences.  I don’t drink nor do i party anymore.

For time to time, I’d totally get wiped out, crash and burn snoring louder than a motorcycle cruising down Broad st. but for the most part, I’m diligent to doing my work.  Commute is ridiculously long and i kinda hate it but I’m still pretty diligent to showing up at my work.

Why? Because I love it. I’ve made a commitment to it. My goal is to make the tattoo, the one that my clients really cherish. That’s all. I’m just doing what I want my tattoo artist to do. I think that’s fair.

Even when I’m PMSing or have a worst period cramp and with 2pills of Advil not working and don’t feel like talking to the nicest friendliest client, i still give 100percent when it comes to tattooing itself.

Financial emergency happens all the time. Mr. Murphy is all ways hiding behind our shadows, in our house pluming system, the roof or even in the trunk of your car. He is ready and willing to come out when he finds out you are just a tiny bit ahead on your financial game.

i understand that completely.  I happened to pay bills just like everyone else. I happened to have a modest mortgage on a ultra modest house just like most people in our age bracket.  I kept two part time jobs while apprenticing and first two years of tattooing part-time, on top of that had roommates to save $ and keep my expenses low.  We (my bf&i) financed the house together without any help from family- and I’m proud of it!

Finally, the point is, when people cancel appointment (which mind them is a promised future financial transaction upon receiving of service), it always makes me wonder WHY?  I’m sure all the veterans in the service industry would say “It comes with the job”  But as i am an armature in the game, It still makes me wonder.  I never missed my tattoo appointments so far.  I love getting tattooed (even though it sucks time to time).  Plus If my attitude or service sucks, I’d like to know. If the opinion/constructive criticism is just, then I can strive to do it better the next time and not repeat my mistakes.

possibilities-
1. the client has gotten the tattoo done somewhere else
a. because the other artist was available at the very second
b. because the other artist’s price was competitive
c. because the other artist exhibited better skill
2. the client has realized that my tattoo sucks or decided that it is not their taste
3. the client has experienced horrible customer service or shitty attitude
etc.

i think anyone in service industry all wonder something like that at one point.  When i was waiting table, I wonder why i didn’t get tipped well. When i was doing art modeling, i often wonder about not getting a call back for a unfinished project. But that’s just what i do-keep keeping on asking why.  Waste of time? Maybe. But can’t help it.  I’m not too smart but sensible logic that even I can comprehend is really really important to me.  That’s why I’m still an atheist and yet hold philosophy of Buddhism dear at heart and forever having an essential crisis (wait that’s way off topic).

Anyhow i got to talk to a nice lady who has cancelled an appointment and she has told me the reason behind it.  Can’t go into the detail because I did not ask for permission to write here, but i was happy she told me why.   Supposedly it was not my work that turned her off, so that was a good news.

Now only if I can pick the brains of my V.I.P clients who are also the worst repeat offenders of last minute cancellations… (except for the guys whom I know has so much work place responsibilities/on call)

geisha inspired girl

Not a traditional gei-sha but inspiration is there.  Rather modern fashioned gei-sha girl, our version of her.
Above is a in progress photo.  We finished all the details including the hand at the last sitting. Photo is missing so can’t post that. Oops.

By Michelle

“Masami’s work is amazing. I gave her an idea of what i wanted and she just created this wonderful piece of art! I get compliments all the time about how my tattoos look just like a picture. Thank you so much for your amazing work. I can’t wait to get more work done by Masami!!”

leprechauns

boyscouts

In a conversation with Mrs M. (written w her permission)
Kids at the boyscout she teaches told her…

“Mrs M, just please don’t get a trampstamp?”

Picture little kids saying that with sincerity.
Kids are always concerned about adults’ well being of coolness.
I can careless about dressing up nicely these days but lets just hope that is the sign of maturity and not of  letting-things-go. lol.

kanji tattoo on foot

patience- is a good thing!

coat of arm

didn’t get to take the best photo this day.

color seems somewhat uneven in the image but the blue is super bright throughout just like the top of the shield.  it was a fun piece. I truly enjoy reproduction more than anything!

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