Heres a good one. Am I a Scratcher?

Why is this message board full of negative "im a tough guy hiding behind a computer screen" attitudes when its supposed to be an informative board? People saying artists that are self taught are butchers? I believe Paul Booth is self taught, hell most are til they get their formal apprenticeship. People who tattoo people at home instead of a studio with a shop sign out front and a phone number in the yellow pages are scratchers. I know a few people that tattoo out of their home. They converted a room into a studio as clean if not cleaner then most shops, they are operating with a business license and a legitimate state tattoo shop permit. Just because they dont want to pay rent on an expensive building with employs, does that make them scratchers? They fit what everyone says a big part of the description. I just moved to the states from New Zealand not that long ago and am searching for my state sponsored apprenticeship so I can obtain my license. I practice at home,on my wife and other friends in a studio that we built in our home that mirrors my friend I spoke about above, hell he even helped me build it. So we are in a very clean environment. The first time I touched a tattoo machine was just a couple years ago, and I am always in the need of practice. My experience lies in the Ta Moko style of tattooing. I just sit back and laugh when I see people on here putting people down over the tattoo inks they use. I use waverly, some Alla Prima, and a cheaper supplier brand called Dream Max inks. Some of you guys that do this bitching and such about the inks people use are some kind of special. Back home, we used vegitables, fruits, and yes even catapillars for colors and burnt tree timber ashes for our black inks. And is still very much used over there still to this day! Now heres the question with everything mentioned above. Since my style of tattooing that I learned from, which includes me first carving your skin with a uhi, "a bone and a chip stick", alot of gross things for pigments that you here in the US would never consider putting into your skin even though its safer then all the inks here are, Am I a scratcher? Im just betting one of you folks out there will find a reason to say yes. Lets here from you.

Don't have a tag for you but, mmmmmm I call your ink "soup".

blah blah, lets see your tattoos... post pics... and art...

I've seen a couple of your posts now and Id be willing to pay a little more attention to your thoughts and views if I were impressed with the artwork I saw you produce. I am VERY interested in some of the .....old ways. I'd just like to see some of your ....new ways?...to lend a little legitimacy or credence to what your saying? SURELY you must have a website or page where we can view some of your work?????

Ok for the guy who said blah blah blah, Show me yours and I will show you mine. like I said most posters on here do is act like kids with no original thought or valuable input to contribute to a site made for lovers of tattoos. Please enlighten me, Why do you waste your time and ours if you cant contribute in a positive way. Is the negative attitude geared towards to having a small dick? Not enough manhood or self esteem so it makes you feel better to act like the tough guy with nothing good to say? For poster #3 Have you ever been to New Zealand? We are just recently discovering what hi speed internet and technology is being here. I have learned how to log on to my email, and google things like site like this. This is how I found it. I dont even own a digital camera yet but we did buy a scanner to where I can put my photos onto my computer. The wifes friend will be coming over this weekend to show us how to post scanned photos. Is there a certain place where I should post them or an email that you have where I can send them to for you to view? I must tell you that the Ta Moko style is quite bloody the first 2 visits so they are not very pretty as its mostly just cutting of the flesh. Please let me know as I have quite a few pictures I can show you. As far as Machine style, Im still learning and practicing. I feeI have done some fair work but no where near of what I have seen on here. I can show those also. And that the difference between me and you blah blah man. I am man enough to admit im not great with an electric coil machine but give me my Uhi and I will pound circles around you and your hello kitty flash you do on young women. If you even do anything at all.

And Guys give me a second to apologize as I thought I seen more negativity from Gabe then whats posted. So Gabe give me a place to send you some photos to also. If people would just listen and not be so negative theres a lot we could learn from here.

I do not tattoo, I do run this website, Off the Map Tattoo, and Paradise Tattoo Gathering. I cant draw, but my work product can be found in the right hand column of this website. I guess my job also includes creating real world environments for tattooers, including this one here you are using. I say blah blah blah cause your post sounded like a lot of whining. Most of the artists involved with this website are very involved int eh education of other artists in responsible ways, and this forum is open and anonymous... Trying to learn anything from an internet forum is like licking fly paper and expecting to get smarter... Needless to say, obviously we cant tell if your a scratcher without seeing your work product.

Sorry but I felt it was far from whining. you have to admit the negative outweighs the positive, As far as posts go. But As you know I come from a different background and If it were commonplace to do your work with a Uhi in the USA I would be working right away. As far as teaching this technique, It will not happen as It has a very large tradition behind it and only will my son learn if he so chooses. Now I will give the Maori to whoever wants it, But I have yet to find an american that will sit thru this procedure. As I said We have a friend coming over this weekend to help with the photos and postings of them, so if you could give me an idea to show her where they should go, please let me know and I will be more then happy to show our work.