A Day in the Life of a Tattoo Artist
Photo Courtesy of Odessa Karuka
Tattoos and tattooing have been part of many cultures for thousands of years now. For some cultures, tattoos have been used to signify readiness for marriage; for others, courage and skill. Some people believed they have healing powers and used them for medicinal purposes; some people used them as amulets in the belief that they can protect their bearers.
Perceptions about tattooing have continued to evolve along with advancements in tattooing equipment and techniques, though, and while tattoos seem to have been becoming more positively received lately, some degree of stigma due to their association with criminal gangs and deviant behavior especially during the early to mid 20th century still remains; however, this week, more than the impressions that tattoos have been branded with for years, we’d like to get a personal peek of tattoos and tattooing from the point of view of Odessa Karuka, a professional tattoo artist from Lucena who generously shared a day in her life with us.
Below is a summary of Lucenahin’s conversation with her.
How long have you been doing tattoos?
On and off for 5 years now; the last 2 years just got more serious.
When did you first tattoo someone?
Summer of 2007.
How did you learn to do tattoos?
Apprenticeship. I started off cleaning tattoo shop floors, toilets, tools, etc. I was lucky enough to have a friend who owns a shop and he let me try on this tattooing thing. At that time, some guys from the shop (Ferdie, Alfred, and Joaquin) walked me through some of the basics and then the rest is history.
About how long did it take you to learn to tattoo?
Still learning. I don’t think that I could ever say that I have mastered the art. Every tattoo is a challenge and I am constantly learning from each of them.
What made you decide you want to be a tattoo artist?
My zero tolerance for 8-5 or call center jobs. Although I started tattooing just to keep my mind off personal stuff that took me down emotionally, things just fell into place.
Is tattooing your full-time job or is it just a hobby you do on the side?
50% job; 50% hobby.
What are your clients’ usual reasons for getting a tattoo?
For most of them, it’s their way of commemorating something important in their lives. It serves as a representation of themselves, a tribute to loved ones, a constant reminder of an event, and sometimes a rite of moving on from something. It’s always fun to tattoo while hearing their stories.
What kind of tattoo do you like doing the most? Why?
I am more of a new/old school traditional Americana kinda gal; breaking with the convention of currently soaring hype of realistic, portraits, biomech, fancy whatnots from Google, or just about anything that is a possible winning entry on the next tattoo competition.
Ironically, my preference in style is not traditional in the Philippines, (let alone in Lucena) that’s why I am more compelled to do it. It is my ultimate goal to fill my portfolio with tattoos of my designs — bold colors, black outline, simple yet striking ones.
How do you go about tattooing people? What kinds of preparations do you do and what do you tell the people you’re going to tattoo?
First, I always tell them to think thoroughly before they decide on getting them, especially when it comes to what they are getting. Picking a design is easy. The hard part is picking something that you’d still love 10-15 years after getting them. Some people seem to be more excited about getting tattooed rather than picking the right piece for them. Some are just clueless; making me copy some already tattooed images from Google. I understand that this is not a big deal for them, but cloning a tattoo is a no-no to me now. What if you see a stranger walking around with a tattoo that is just like yours? Me, I would just feel devastated. I am admittedly guilty of doing it when I was just starting, but now that I have gained more perspective, I am no longer comfortable doing it. There are some cases when copying is okay, like in the case of portraits or replicating an art piece, but that’s another story.
Second, choosing an artist. Budget is a huge factor in deciding on the artist. There are a number of good artists in Lucena and the towns around it now. For something that is permanent, I’d say choose someone who is right for the job and not who is right for your budget.
What are the things you love/like about being a tattoo artist? How about the things you dislike/hate?
What I love about tattooing is that I instantly become a part of the clients’ lives. Artists may forget about their clients, but clients will never forget about the artist who tattooed them. Just the thought of it is monumental and the idea of them picking you to tattoo them is just the cherry on a sundae, but just like any other job, there are few areas that you wouldn’t like. At the top of my list are the no-shows. These guys will get an appointment and won’t even bother to call/text you that they are canceling or postponing. Clients can do that since I do not ask for down payments.
What can you tell people who are interested in becoming a tattoo artist?
Draw, paint, practice, stay grounded, practice, practice, and more practice. Forget about people who are saying you can’t do this or that just because you are this or that. Practice and then prove them wrong.
Where can people visit you if they want to get a tattoo?
They may contact me on my facebook https://www.facebook.com/odessa.karuka or just drop by the shop at XIII Tattoo Studio along Hermana Fausta Street in Lucena City.
Philippine Peso