20 Great Female Tattoo Artists in History Tattooing Over 20 Years
By Dawn Cooke
In honor of women’s history month I have compiled a list of women in the history of tattooing. This is not a complete history by any means. There are hundreds of women throughout time who have contributed to the art form and trade of tattooing. Unfortunately a lot of them have gone unaccounted for. I have tried to find some of the lesser-known women to highlight here however some of the well-known artists have also been included. I have included women with at least 20 years under their belts. I was overwhelmed with the response to my idea to write this article.
Some of the women earlier on in history who paved the way for us included several sideshow performers. Betty Broadbent and lady Viola are among the most well known. In the 1930’s Mildred Hull was one of the few women tattoo artists working on the bowery in NY. The beloved Cindy Ray from Australia, tattooed into the year 2007. These ladies have set our roots and our history is being made as we speak. But here are 20 women, most of whom are tattooing still, who deserve recognition for their contributions! These women tattooed long before social media and Reality television. They may not be masters at social media but they are masters of their craft. Take the time too look into these great artists! (In no particular order.)
1.Madame Chinchilla http://triangletattoo.com
2.Loretta Lue http://leufamilyiron.com
3.Pat Fish http://www.luckyfish.com
10 Reasons the Tattoo Community Doesn’t Respect Tattoo Reality TV Shows
By Dawn Cooke
Derick Montez
I am speaking to you from deep within the trenches of this silent war. I reside inside of the tattoo community. I’m deep within the middle ranks of those that have lasted over 10 years in the trade. There is a war between the real traditionalists who are true to their craft and the tattoo rock and roll super star wanna-bes. This is more of a mentality than it is a style per se.
What I mean is that there are those of us who love tattooing for it’s rich history and the purity of the art form and then there are those of us who only care about what tattooing can get them. Some of us are in it purely for the art sake others are here for an ego boost. So with that said here are the reasons the tattoo community hates reality TV, without being too obvious. Plus some great new artists I have come to know about!
Max May
- These shows and people who make them are missing the point altogether. Tattooing is counter culture not consumer culture. It’s theorized that all counter culture eventually becomes consumer culture. But tattoos aren’t like dollar store trinkets that you throw away in a year, made in some Chinese factory. Tattoos are permanent and what makes a tattoo good is it’s longevity as the skin is aging.
- They have no idea about the richness of history that is continually being shaped and unearthed regarding tattoo culture nor do they seem to have any genuine interest in it.
- They mindlessly exploit the culture on a whole that most of us in the trenches hold sacred. The culture that we live, love, and have tried to make meaningful contributions to… they’re trying to cash in on something they have no clue or concern about!
- They claim to be reality yet at every casting interview you are directed about what to say and how to say it. The footage is directed and edited to suit the purpose of the production first and foremost and the concern is ratings and nothing else. There’s no uncovering of a deeper meaning in any of these shows that I have noticed and I have suffered through a few of them hoping for something good to come of it.
- Producers and casting agents don’t do their homework. They have hardly any idea about who is or isn’t respected in the tattoo community (unless they ask Oliver)… and that’s only one perspective. It takes constant research to keep up with that!
- Their main objective is to sensationalize which goes along with ratings again but it makes the whole thing unauthentic. We can tell. Not everyone is a drooling idiot.
- They treat artists like fresh meat. They just riffle though them like a douche bag on a quest to see how many one night stands they can get.
- Tattoo artists aren’t actors! So just hire actors and write a good script already! Hire us to draw on the tattoos!
- Be creative and pick a new topic you’ve already beat this one to DEATH! Do a reality show about a dive bar and the bar flies who go there…anything!
- Tattooing is boring to watch! Unless you’re getting a tattoo or doing one it’s basically uneventful!!!!! Get over it! It’s time for a “where are they now”, a reunion show, with dream sequence and montages of the highlights of those old shows! If you want to do something exciting pick an artist to follow and see what it’s like to be in that persons shoes….. Even then you will probably figure out that all we do is draw and look at books!!! Unless you pick a “model” with big tits and then we can just watch hours of bouncing tits. No talking please, it’s unnecessary! No one wants to hear the word “tattoo” over and over.
Alex Matus
The “reality” is that it takes immense dedication, fortitude, time and money to be a tattoo artist or a serious tattoo collector. Most of this is lost in the flashy bullshit you see on these shows. How about a no bullshit TV show? Ever see the movie Network ? Give me the raw Truth! So I don’t mean to be snarky. I’m all for promoting a healthy outlook on our culture but I just feel they are missing the mark a little bit. I can’t say I could do better but if I had a million dollar budget I bet I could.
Why It’s Important For Tattoo Artists To Travel
By Dawn Cooke
I have been traveling on and off since the beginning of my career. I haven’t always been able to travel as much as some of my peers because I have other obligations that make travel less accessible to me. But whenever I can I try to visit places and often I go where I have friends. True friends in life and in tattooing are hard to come by but as I have learned once you find them they make life so much more enjoyable.
There are several reasons that I travel. I go for work, I go for pleasure, I go to network with others in tattooing and I go for inspiration. Nothing pays off more than being inspired by your peers. That’s why instagram is such a big hit! But instead of being glued to your phone get out there and meet all those great artists Face to face!
I recently went to Eagle River Alaska to visit my good friend Deb Yarian. It is a really beautiful place. Mountains, Fresh air, I really got the feeling that people there try to look out for one another. So different from here in metro Detroit where I am from. I have tried to bring a little of that brotherly love back here to Detroit with me. Being there just really made me look at the world a little differently. People there are somewhat isolated and it seems like it makes they so much kinder to one another.
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So You Wanna Be A Tattoo Artist?
By Deb Yarian
My recent, internationally distributed book (ha ha), “So You Want To Be A Tattoo Artist?”- Helpful hints on getting started in an exciting career as a tattoo artist, with little or no training or skill, caused quite a furor in the tattoo world.
Both seasoned and novice tattooers alike, voiced outrage and indignation at what started out as a joke between my oldest son and me and then evolved into a satirical corporate style handbook.
While I understand that people are protective about what they are infatuated with, involved in and devoted to, I was still surprised and amused at the anger expressed by my critics. Fortunately, there were far greater positive responses and most of my friends and peers, those whom I respect, got it and appreciate the humor.
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Dawn Cooke: Never Take Each Other For Granted
By Dawn Cooke
This blog is about the intricacies of the client/artist relationship. It’s sort of like any other relationship, only usually interactions happen in relatively short bursts and there are just so many of them. I try to always value this relationship and interaction. I think it is a valuable life experience for both parties, usually… (more…)
New Archival Giclee Prints on TattooCultureMagazine.com
We are now offering Giclee prints on www.TattooCultureMagazine.com. Printed and shipped to you by our friends over at Rebelreprints.com. Rebel Reprints is a fine art printing company that is owned and run by tattoo artists. So this is something to benefit everyone involved cause we are supporting within our industry, and art scene. Rebel Reprints started this to take something back from the BIG business printing companies and give you a higher quality product that someone knows about and cares what your final print looks Like. (more…)
Tattoo Culture #2 Available Now!
Hey Everyone!
We’re very excited to announce the release of Tattoo Culture Magazine #2… and with it, another occasion to do what most believed impossible- to Educate, Entertain & Inspire tattoo fans around the world with articles created by conscious leaders of the professional tattoo community uniquely FOR the public.
This is a momentous opportunity, (and in many ways, a responsibility), for our community to attempt to make a positive difference in the tattoo culture, with a key emphasis on mentoring and helping casual tattoo ‘fans’ BECOME educated and aware tattoo collectors. We want millions to learn not only how to recognize and get GOOD TATTOOS, but also WHO the great tattooers of our world truly are… (more…)
ROC City Tattoo Expo 2013
By johndotcom
There are only two things you need to know about the ROC City Tattoo Expo…
- 1. If you are a tattooer, this show should be on your tat con list!
- 2. If you are a tattoo enthusiast, this show should be on your tat con list!
Actually, there’s more to it than that… But just like me, that’s the tall and skinny of it… I cannot begin to thank Jet (Joseph DiProjetto, Love Hate Tattoo), Shane Stevens and the whole ROC Crew for making this experience better every time I come to Rochester… (more…)
Dawn Cooke: Jesse Stark Fundraiser
By Dawn Cooke
Let me tell you a little story about Jesse Stark. Jesse starting tattooing as a young man and like most of us had to struggle to learn the craft of tattooing. Jesse worked in Detroit for a while. When I say he worked in Detroit I mean in the city not the suburbs. He was shot at one too many times there and he left to work in the safer community of Ann Arbor… (more…)
Dawn Cooke: 15 Great Artists’ Pictures From Instagram
By Dawn Cooke
So I screen-shotted some of my favorite pictures from Intagram to share. My intention is to share some great work and give the artists every bit of the credit! I’m doing it to showcase what I consider to be some really great work. I hope you will all agree. One thing I want to make clear is that I am not trying to promote the idea of “stealing.” All artists are inspired by other artists. There’s a difference between being inspired and flat-out stealing. I think it’s important to know the difference. Most images in tattooing have been taken from other sources. It’s always good to know the source if you can, and try to be inspired by art outside of tattooing… and also by life and nature… (more…)
Depot Town Tattoo: Toys for Tats 2012 (VIDEO)
By Dawn Cooke This event is about donating a toy to a child in need. Every year around Christmas Depot Town Tattoo holds a toy drive. Front Street Tattoo, Mike Emmets shop in Traverse City, Michigan does the event also every year. Clients bring in a toy valued over $15 bucks and get a tattoo valued at least 50. We usually do 100-120 tattoos that day. We do this as a way to give back to the community. The toys go to Carrot Way Community Center for low income families who are struggling to get on their feet. They also go to Methodist Children’s Orphanage to kids who don’t have parents and kids who live in foster care… (more…)
Dawn Cooke: Ask Not What Your Culture Can Do For You, But What Can You Do For Your Culture
By Dawn Cooke
I have been thinking lately about how important it is to support the culture and community of tattooing. It seems like a no-brainer, but I noticed that it doesn’t seem like people have any real criteria for the support they do give. It’s almost like people have an odd biased that is based on a “what can I get out of this” attitude. This makes sense since we have such a capitalist environment at play… (more…)
Dawn Cooke: Freedom
By Dawn Cooke
I hear talk about freedom all of the time. As an artist, my first amendment right is pretty important. The fact that we can share our thoughts freely is something we often take for granted. It’s easy to do because we are taught to believe that we are entitled to be free and we can do or say anything we want in this country. The truth is, that’s not entirely the case. You have to go along with society’s laws and norms for the most part because if you can’t find a productive place in society for whatever reason, society will find a place for you and it might not be a place you would like to go… (more…)
Tattoo Artist Magazine Digital Issues and Video Downloads Available
Because you demanded it… Tattoo Artist Magazine is now available digitally! (To subscribers and professional tattooers ONLY.) We are proud to announce that we will be releasing the entire catalog of TAM for your mobile devices. The issues will be available exclusively through our TAM Pro Store. Each issue will be available to view and save on your iPhone, iPad, Android or tablet device. Once purchased you will be sent a link to download TAM content directly to your device. The issues can be read and stored in iBooks or Kindle Reader. You will also have the option to save on your home computer and store in iTunes… (more…)
Tattoo Artist Magazine Goes Digital! (Issues #20 and #21)
Because you demanded it… Tattoo Artist Magazine is now available digitally! (To subscribers and professional tattooers ONLY.) We are proud to announce that we will be releasing the entire catalog of TAM for your mobile devices. The issues will be available exclusively through our TAM Pro Store. Each issue will be available to view and save on your iPhone, iPad, Android or tablet device. Once purchased you will be sent a link to download TAM content directly to your device. The issues can be read and stored in iBooks or Kindle Reader. You will also have the option to save on your home computer and store in iTunes… (more…)
Dawn Cooke: Top 10 Ways to Balance Family and Career
By Dawn Cooke
In this fast paced, competitive world, how does a parent balance a career with the many other obligations of family and life? It’s not easy! It definitely requires planning and some sacrifice. There are so many things going on around any given person at any given time today in our world. It can be easy to become bombarded by media such as news, Internet and television. It can feel like the world is flying past you in fast forward while you are struggling to check things off of your list. Meanwhile your list of things to do grows and grows… But I found a few things that really help me manage all the tasks I have as mother, shop owner, artist, tattooist and wife… (more…)
Dawn Cooke: Laws and Money
By Dawn Cooke
Leave it to me to write about the less exciting things about tattooing. This might just be one of the more important subjects I could have the honor of making you think about. With more popularity for tattooing comes more attention from the government. This means laws and money. I can talk about Michigan specifically and explain to you all what’s happening here… (more…)
Dawn Cooke: I Hate to Burst Your Bubble!
By Dawn Cooke
Lately, I have had some cynical views toward the state of tattoo culture and pop culture in general and I have had to apologize for affecting sensitivities. So I have been researching, writing and thinking about why I feel this way. The phenomenon of counter-culture becoming popular culture has been written about quite a lot. If you are interested in this topic the book, Nation of Rebels is a good one. What I see, is that we have an overly competitive narcissistic consumer culture that has really negative effects on individuals and on society as a whole. A person can get swept away by the tide if they aren’t careful. I have come dangerously close too many times personally… (more…)
4th Annual ROC City Tattoo Convention: On the Road in Rochester, NY
By Jimmy Perlman
Unfortunately I don’t get to most tattoo conventions anymore. I know and hear about tons of great shows all over the world. Fact is, I work in a field that has me traveling between six and nine months a year so when I’m home from work it would be a real shit move to tell my wife and kid “alright now I know I was gone for a month working but I’m gonna go to this city for the weekend and hang out with some friends, have a good time and get tattooed.” (more…)
Dawn Cooke: Ladies, Ladies! Art Show 2012
By Dawn Cooke
I just wanted to tell everyone about a really cool art show you should check out if you are in NY or if you’re going out to the Convention. This should be really fun for both guys and gals to attend…
Dawn Cooke: The Tattoo Shop Environment
By Dawn Cooke
My tolerance for suffering and a small amount of self-loathing has always made me able to stand sometimes-intolerable environments. Also a drive and fight against resistance has always been fueled by passion to do my work. To everyday people some of the happenings and things said in the tattoo shop are not PC to say the least, in fact some people might be down right disgusted and offended at most of the things that are said and topics discussed within the shop atmosphere… (more…)
Dawn Cooke: Why a Tattoo Is Not a Painting, and a Painting Is Not a Tattoo
By Dawn Cooke
This is actually a simple concept really, it’s because they are completely different mediums, if you even consider tattooing an artistic medium. The same way a sculpture isn’t a painting, a drawing isn’t a sculpture, needlepoint isn’t furniture making, a tattoo is not a painting and a painting is not a tattoo.
Many tattoo artists have attempted to combine or blur the lines between the two forms of expression. While these attempts are very impressive to people who know little or care nothing about the tradition and history of tattooing, they can sometimes go against the spirit of the trade or craft of tattooing… (more…)
Depot Town Tattoo: Toys for Tats (VIDEO)
By Dawn Cooke
Toys for Tats is something we started at Depot Town Tattoo two years ago. Our first year 100 people showed up and we tattooed as many as we could. That first year we had no idea it would go down like that at all. The second year was twice the turn out and four of us did double the work. This year there are five of us and we are doing something a bit different. Since we couldn’t possibly get to everyone, we are signing up the first 100 people early starting on December 1st and anyone else who wishes to donate a toy will receive a voucher for $20 dollars toward their next tattoo.
Dawn Cooke: What is a Tattoo? 6 Other Artists Who Get It!
By Dawn Cooke
Every day I ask myself this question. And if you think I always have the correct answer, I do not. Every tattoo that I do gets me closer to figuring out exactly what a tattoo is. Some of the first thoughts I have when I meet a client lead me to my conclusions about that particular piece. Each piece is different and every piece is a different answer to the question…
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