the wordsmith
sarah james
trusting an ink-free artist
Would you ever get a tattoo from an artist who had no tattoos?
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I certainly wouldn’t.
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This was a point of discussion in Ink Master Season 3 when competing artist, Jamie Davies, pointed out that he had no tattoos himself.
Jamie Davies
Davies received a few pointed comments from the Ink Master judges. As a joke, the other contestant drew tattoos on him in permanent marker before the tattoos critiques in that episode. His pretending to have tattoos was then deemed disrespectful by the judges. Some have argued that Davies’ decision to get tattooed after the show was influenced by such comments.
Tattoo by Jamie Davies in Ink Master Season 3
Admittedly, finding a tattoo artist with no tattoos isn’t very common, but there have been a few.
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World renowned tattoo artist, Anil Gupta, was one such artist. Gupta was seen to have some artistic talent and so began drawing tattoo designs for a tattoo artist in Mumbai, India (then Bombay).
He moved to New York shortly after the Gulf War, when the US was in a recession, and no jobs were to be had. He began tattooing again, but curiously, had no tattoos himself. Although Gupta was eventually talked into getting a few small tattoos by fellow artist, Guy Aitchison, he was tattoo free for many years.
Tattoo by Anil Gupta
My main reason for mistrust in tattooists with no tattoos is because they would be unable to explain the pain to the client or be able to guide the client through the tattoo in terms of pain management. Those who have been tattooed themselves have some understanding of the pain and have found certain managing strategies and so will be able to help their clients. In my view, it is similar to going to a hairdresser whose hair looks awful, or a makeup artist who wears no makeup.
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It also leads me to wonder how the artist learned to tattoo because many artists will tattoo themselves, while learning how to tattoo.
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However, in the case of Jamie Davies and Anil Gupta, their incredible work speaks far louder than their own lack of tattoos.
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Gregory Malnar argues this by saying, “The skill to interpret and colour an intricate design and the ability to produce accurate tattoos with great results is not determined by whether someone has body art of their own.”
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Some artists, like Anil Gupta, get involved in tattooing, due to a love of art and design. Some feel that it is possible for artists to love and appreciate the tradition and history of tattooing, without having any ink themselves. Malnar says that there is no logic in judging an artist’s talent, based on his/her decision not to have any tattoos. I tend to agree with this argument.
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While tattoo artists without tattoos is fairly uncommon, it isn’t unheard of. Although I do have my reservations about getting a tattoo from such an artist, I do agree with the argument that his/her lack of tattoos says nothing about his/her tattoo ability.