Define Scratcher??

Okay I hear the name all the time in the forum and I would like anyone/someone to define what you mean by scrather? Since im just starting out and have done a few small pieces I dont want to be one or considered one,...I know I far from being as good as some of the work ive seen for you guys but if I was to show you what Ive done would you give me your honest opinion??

As i have told you dear we define a scratcher as a person with little or no actual training in the art who, while working in anything other than a studio setting, performs inferior tattoo work usually with substandard equipment and usually substandard sterile field methods. That is not to say that all people who work from their home .are scratchers..but in general nearly all of them are. If a tattoo artist doesn't have a shop to work out of there is usually a reason and that reason USUALLY, not always, USUALLY has negative connotations. Tattooing is an INVASIVE PROCEEDURE and as such should only be executed in a proper sterile environment. Would you go to a doctor who didn't have an office? There are exceptions to any rule.but if a tattoo artist works out of his home BE VERY AFRAID!!!!!!!!!!! TAz

well liz in my opion a scratcher is a person that has no knowledge of cross contamination sterilization or the concern or care of the clients health.there just out for the fame and cash.it takes a lot to learn and every day is a learning experience.true fact i gave some critique on a person here they were at best scratcher material and should not be running a machine at all.but heres the twist i went to a shop to check on a position and i looked at this so called artist portfolio and almost cried.but wait in the back was a tattoo of a drawing the exact drawing i saw which a 3 year old could have done better.i immedately knew that this person was the same person i was giving critique too and told to get a apprenticeship and he is the lead fucking artist in this shop.i was just appauled even more when the owner of said shop said yeah ive only been tattooing for a couple of months but hey what the hell its fun.fun being a fucking scratcher this shop was in no way even close to my standards of cleaniness or set up properly at all.all i could do was fucking walk away scratching my head totally infuriated at the fact here i have moved over 400 miles away from my fam for over 6 months to better my abilities and knowledge,on tattoo and here in my face is a fucking assnine no nothing maggott sucking puss infected knows nothing about tattooing running a shop and hiring scratchers to work for him and thinking they are the shit.and scaring up god knows how many young eager minds of college students here.not to mention the fact that i have spent countless hours bettering myself christ i slept in the fucking shop for 6 months at another shop because im just that dedicated.i could go on and on but heres the poop you e mail me some of your art and i will give you honest critique on it it will in no way be meant to bash you or cut you down it will be to only better you and if you take it differently then thats all on you best regards ( don)

Hey Don ...we are always lookin for dedicated artists...I wish ya were a bit closer...are ya in a shop now? ..TAz

I will take some pictures of them this weekend and send them over. I will consider it as constructive cristism and wont be offended. I appreciate an experts opinion.

hey erlich i saw u said u would post an honest opinion on some ones art work could i ssend u some art work could u grade me......... lol no but i would like an honest anser about my drawings thanks!

well its patty day and my damm irish is getting the best of me. yup ill give what i feel is a good honest critique,for any of you that would like to send me pics and such just had a kid here a while back do this and some of what i saw was pretty damm good and sounds like hes headed towards a apprenticeship in the future.i am curious though would you KRYSTOF and TAZ LIKE TO JUMP IN ON THIS ALSO? i feel to have more than just 1 objective opion and info and knowledge is the best way to BETTER ONES SELF AND INNER ART! but yup ill be happy to critique any and all that want me too thanks so much for your trust and respect [email removed] i have another e mail too but if i told ya that one id have to give ya a irish hickey and that can get tricky. ( oh for the love of....) (don)

Can I have an Irish hickey Lord Erlich? OOOOOOHHHH PPPUULLLLEEEEEZZZZEEEE!!!!! TAz

UMMMMM......what IS an IRISH hickey?...T

TOOOOOOOOOO LATE TAZ YA ASKED FOR A IRISH HICKEY AND YOU BE GITTIN ONE!!! WOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO! CANT WAIT TO GIVE TAZ A IRISH HICKEY! COME OVER HERE YOU BIG HUNK OF? see i told ya the damm irish is gettin to me lol

Now I KNOW i'm changin my name and movin to Bolivia!!!..FRANK

Well Taz, I was gonna email you but find you are on here more than anything else..just to drop a note. I was gonna start into the apprenticeship that I intended to do but they no longer have an opening. Guess I waited to long :o( hell I was gonna even put up with the stupid "trash the FNG" routine. Well now I have the money and no where to go....I guess I am "lost in transition". I work 50 hours a week to support my family and pay my bills but honestly I want it sooo bad I would sell everything and move anywhere to learn from the masters like you guys. I'm dropin' some nice work on myself (I know, I know but I have to practice on somebody and I don't mind kickin' my own ass) SOOO question is are there any shops that would like a guy (former military) 37yrs old, slightly fat, growing more hair out his ears than his forehead, with kids that could live in there studio???? Joking, but I am willing to go to the ends of the earth if need be to do my apprenticeship.... Any suggestions for the "MASTERS" !!! Until then I will continue to watch, listen, learn, and yes read, read, read and keep my eyes open and mouth shut. Mike

I am totally confused Mike ...I just got a blog you put on myspace that says you are opening a new shop in Rice Lake. I replied and was all excited for ya and all...what happened? Didja decide against opening? As far as apprenticing goes...DON"T GIVE UP!!! You may have to do some travelling...I know that would be hard with family and all but thats what I would do in your situation. If ya wanna tattoo bad enough and have the respect for our ancient art that I think you do ...you Will suck it up and find a shop to take you in. In the meantime if there is anything I can do just let me know man!!! I'm rootin for ya!!!!......Yer Pal...TAz

Taz, I responded to you in myspace. I can do popcorn shit already but that is not what a true artist longs for! Yeah so it pays but for what...hey that guy can do a cross on your arm...hey man he can do a tribal armband for yeah ARRGGHHHH. Not were I want my career to go!! Mike