Art On Your Body

You may have heard some version of this before – in fact, if you are the type who likes to get tattoos on a regular basis, you've probably heard it more than once!

Yes, tattoos are art. They’re more than just something stamped on your skin. At least, they should be. But what does that mean? Well, for the choosy customer who is actually thinking about their ink, it means putting a tattoo in a deliberate context, not just “getting something cute” or pretty. It means having a deeper analysis – and that’s part of what we’re about here. 

Choosing a Tattoo Shop

You've probably also heard people talk about how choosing a tattoo shop at random is a bad idea, because tattoos last forever.

Yes, tattoos are hard to erase after they are imprinted on you, but that's not the only reason to seek out tattoo parlors that have a higher quality of design behind their implementation. There’s also the idea that we talked about above – and that’s something that is actually very much in demand, as the art of the tattoo gets seen in a different way, through visual media. 

The Artists

The best tattoo artists have a classical grounding in fine arts. They’re painters and sculptors, and people who understand the aesthetic of what's behind lines and contours. For example, our professional work under classic icon Bert Rodriguez positioned us to offer this higher standard of ink design that's been chronicled in multiple industry magazines. We keep clippings around because the documentation is part of the breadth of experience and design that we bring to the table – or more accurately, to the chair. 

We feel it's important that we have the experience in MFA and gallery work and painting and film and everything else, in order to offer the highest caliber of design to our customers. If you're fortunate to be in Tucson, Arizona, stop down to the shop and we’ll show you how this works.

In a sense, anybody with a tattoo gun can print something on your body. However, when you want tattoos that are based in evolved ideas and developed in a specific context, having someone with a fine arts background participating in the tattoo parlor business is a no-brainer. It just simply makes sense.

You can find out more about our story here, or stop by and see why our customers love visiting our shop, and why our designs are very much in the public eye.

The Decision of a Lifetime: How to Choose the Right Tattoo Artist

There are over 20,000 tattoo shops in the United States. If you are itching to get some new ink, finding the right tattoo artist is the first thing you have to do. Rushing through the tattoo parlor research is a recipe for disaster. Choosing the wrong tattoo artist can result in a lifetime of regret. 

This is why taking the time to research all of the tattoo shops and artists in your area is crucial. If you are looking for the right tattoo artist, consider the helpful tips below. 

Start By Looking at the Artist’s Portfolio

You can tell a lot about a particular tattoo artist by looking at their previous work. Almost every tattoo artist you come across will have an extensive portfolio they can provide. If a particular tattoo artist has no portfolio, you may want to avoid using them. The last thing you want is to choose a tattoo professional with a limited amount of experience due to the long-term problems this will cause. 

The team at Grape Ape Tattoo has been going strong since 2008. In this time, they have provided thousands of tattoos to satisfied customers. By choosing a tattoo shop with this type of experience and reputation, you can get the body art you want without having to settle. 

How Clean is the Tattoo Shop? 

Many of the tattoo shops in your area will have websites you can peruse. While these online tools are helpful, you need to take the time to tour a few shops. By going in and getting a firsthand look at a particular tattoo shop, you can assess just how clean it is. If there are needles and trash lying around on the workstations in a tattoo parlor, avoiding using this establishment. Ideally, you want to choose a tattoo shop that is committed to working in a clean and controlled environment. 

Visiting different tattoo shops in your area is also a great way to get a feel for the attitude of the artists working there. If you are greeted by friendly and personable tattoo artists when you enter a particular shop, chances are you will have a good experience there. The information you gather while touring the tattoo parlors in your area will help you make the right decision regarding which tattoo artist to choose. 

Seek Out Referrals

Do you have a number of friends with tattoos? If so, you may want to ask them where they got their ink. People who have had a particularly good experience with a tattoo shop will be happy to tell others about them. Getting information from other tattoo lovers in your life will allow you to make an educated decision regarding the tattoo shop to work with. 

Grape Ape Tattoo is Here to Help!

Whether you are looking to get your first tattoo or add to your existing collection, Grape Ape Tattoo is here to help. Contact us for more information about our shop and our artists.

Tattoos No Longer a Hindrance In the Workplace

Tattoos are something that people always seem to have strong opinions about. Whether they are for them and think everyone has a right to do what they want to their body, or against them and still hold on to their aging societal values, people seem steadfast in their opinions. Some people fail to acknowledge that societal norms and culture change. What they previously thought of as abnormal may very well soon be the norm, and perceptions about tattoos are a perfect example.

A common argument against having tattoos, spoken majoritively by boomers, is that tattoos hinder one’s ability to get a job. While this argument might have been true 50 years ago, it certainly isn’t the case now.

Surveys show that over 48 percent of people in the United States have at least 1 tattoo, and the current unemployment rate is around 3.6 percent. The fact is, people with tattoos have just the equal chance of getting jobs as anyone else does. In fact, some people believe having a tattoo could actually increase one’s chances during the hiring process.

There are employers who are looking for someone who stands out from the rest of the applicants. Someone who expresses themselves and is confident in who they are as a person. Now that doesn’t mean just because you have a tattoo you have a free pass to a job, but it also doesn’t mean that you’re gonna be homeless either.

Just as tattoos do not necessarily hinder one’s ability to get a job, they can actually increase your value as an employee. Many jobs require people to establish a personal connection with their clients, customers, or coworkers. Tattoos are not only a great conversation starter, but they also allow others to get a glimpse of your personality.

This “ice breaker” may make it easier for people to talk and open up to you. One job which tattoos definitely increase an employees value is, of course, a tattoo artist. Tattoo artists are the ones who provide the works of art so customers are seeking, it would stand to reason that they have them as well.

Consider any career that requires sales, customer service, and networking.  These positions require the employee to be approachable, open, and exuding an appearance of honesty and loyalty.  A person who has tattoos gives an impression of someone who is secure in who they are, open minded, and fearless.  These qualities are attributes that can boost sales and create lasting customer relationships, as well as prove to be successful in managing others in the workplace.

Tattoos used to be taboo but are now just a social norm. A way for people to express themselves. They don’t hinder your ability to get a job and actually can open doors for you as a valued employee. The perception of tattooed people is getting changed for the better every day as more and more people begin to realize that this form of self expression is embraced by a growing segment of our population.

How to Care for Your Tattoo

For many people, getting your first tattoo can be a coming of age sort of thing. It can be something that you look forward to and plan for a long time before actually having it permanently embedded on your skin. A lot of consideration often goes into getting a tattoo including the location, style, and even when to get it so that it can be ready before a particular event. With all of the effort that goes into planning your design, not many people consider how important it can be to your tattoo to make sure it is taken care of while it heals.

Taking Care of Your New Ink

Tattoos are put into the skin with needles. This is the process of stabbing the skin over and over again several times to get the desired results. It might hurt, but even if it doesn’t, your epidermis has been punctured and is now full of holes that can easily get infected if not taken care of properly. It may seem like a small thing, but even the act of going swimming in a public pool can introduce bacteria into the wounds. This can not only compromise the quality of your tattoo, but can also potentially get you very sick if you aren’t careful.

Your new tattoo should be covered with a layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage immediately after receiving it. This helps to keep it protected for the first 24 hours. After this time, you should wash the tattoo with an antibacterial soap and then pat it dry. It is a good idea to apply antibacterial medicine to the tattoo twice a day to make sure it has the best care for healing. Keep your tattoo clean, but don’t pick at it no matter how tempting it might be. It should scab up, which is perfectly normal and even expected. If you pick at the scabs, there is a chance you might remove the ink which could ultimately ruin the tattoo.

For about four weeks, you will need to follow the antibacterial wash and ointment routine to ensure the skin around your tattoo stays as healthy as possible. If for any reason you suspect that your tattoo has become infected, be sure to call the doctor right away. Now that you know how easy it can be to take care of your tattoo, if you are interested in getting one, check out our gallery for inspiration for your new ink!