Tattooing: An Unconstrained Career

Tattoos have been around for quite some time now, and they have always been a symbol of belonging, cultural expression or for religion. These days, individuals choose to tattoo themselves because it is part of their lifestyle or personal image. While continuing to grow in popularity and becoming a lifestyle, people are facing issues with having visible tattoos in the workforce. Although it is a form of free expression, employers have a right to enforce certain rules about tattoos in their company because they have a public image to uphold. How you present yourself to the public is solely important, which is why tattoos should not be allowed to be seen in the workplace, since it may appear offensive or unconservative.

Doing my senior project I found out that just doodling a Tattoo is difficult because you wouldn’t want it to be flat or too simple, so you have to really but in detail and attempt to put in depth to help your piece come to life even before it’s on skin, What I did was I put in a different color where the bottom area of the tentacle is and tried to do highlighting with some silver to give more depth. My mentor assisted me with ideas also with her Tattoo in general.

A Career in the tattoo industry has always been a fantasy of mine, I’ve had a lot of dreams for what I want to do when I’m all grown up and I can honestly say that a tattoo artist will always be one of them. Ever since I could remember I’ve had a talent for anything art wise. My favorite hobby has always been drawing. As a kid I enjoyed looking at and hearing about everyone’s tattoos. They’re just permanent drawings on someone’s body. Your body is like a temple for your soul, and I think that tattoos are just decorations. They tell the souls story, and make the body look like a beautiful book of life. It’s like a unique way of telling your story, through the art all over your temples walls. Every tattoo has a meaning and a story behind it.

I’ve been looking at the different places one can work at, and I want to work in place that will respect me for who I am, and what I do. Finding a place may or may not be as easy as saying. Good Vibrations Ink 2 Tattoo and Body Piercing, is in Orlando. It is near the college I will be attending next. Not only that, but, I will be making about $130 per hour (My starting rate). As soon as I become more experienced, I will be making about $220 Per hour. On an average a tattoo artist makes about 55,000 a year. (/www.aol.com) Even though I am willing to become a tattoo artist, I do have other dreams, such as becoming a mom, becoming an animator, a teacher, and a wife. Maybe not the mom part, I do want to be with someone I love for the rest of my life. I am aware that this has nothing to do with the subject I have chosen but, I feel the need to add in what will make me happy. Back to the topic, I am talking

A large number of businesses do not allow tattoos that are visible. Many also prohibit piercings, other than single earrings on women. Some industries even take their policies to the extreme of not allowing any tattoos that take up more than 25% of a body part, and if a pre-existing tattoo is too large or obscene, it must be removed (Powers). This even applies if a uniform can easily cover the tattooed area.

It’s very important to make sure the tattoo studio is clean and safe, and that all equipment is disposable (needles, gloves, masks, etc.) and that everything is sterilized. You can call your state, county, or local health department to ask for recommendations on licensed tattoo shops, or to ask about any complaints about a particular studio.

However, people should not be denied a career because of the art they have on their bodies. Just because an individual has tattoos does not mean they are unprofessional or unworthy of a high-paying job. Colleges do not deny people an education because they have tattoos. If a person with tattoos has a higher education and a better background than someone without tattoos who is going for the same job, then the person with tattoos should get the job. But due to the nature of businesses, the person with less experience would most likely be the candidate picked based on appearance. In the workplace, when people look at someone that is covered in tattoos they automatically discriminate against this person. It is almost as if they think that image determines their demeanor and professionalism. This person can be the most courteous and professional person in the world, but no one would ever know because this person was not given a chance due to their appearance and the judgment of others.

Only 32% of students surveyed in Arkansas, California, and Ohio believe that having visible tattoos would hinder a person’s chance of getting a job. (Bevill, Bracy, Dale, Glasgow, & Roach, 2009) It is just what they believe, not what is true.

Tattoos are often times gang affiliated for members to show loyalty to the gang. Simply having a tattoo could potentially raise eyebrows from peers and employers.

The art of tattoos has been prevalent in many ancient cultures and represented many different things. In the more recent past times, tattoos were seen in a very negative light; mainly associated with circus freak shows, bikers or outlaws. Even though there are more Americans getting tattoos these days, there is still a disapproving view on tattoos in the workplace. Tattoos are continuously becoming more popular with each generation and more often have some personal meaning. Many companies that have recently started to accept appropriate body art in the workplace have seen positive benefits related to their new policy changes. This debate has also led people to file discrimination lawsuits against their employer. There are occasions that the subject matter or the placement of a tattoo on the body may not be professional for certain types of jobs. With the growing number of people that have body art, the more personal meaning behind it and younger demographics of both people working for and being served by many companies these days, having visible tattoos should no longer be damaging among many careers today. The debate needs to be evaluated by each company, and often each individual situation, to determine if body art can be accepted.

Although tattoos are popular, they can make it hard for a person to find a job.

Qualified and well known tattoo artists are incredibly talented and hardworking. In addition to knowing just about all there is to know about art, they also have to understand advanced mechanics such as the way the tattoo gun works, and the different kinds of them that exist. Most people frown upon the men and women that choose to work as tattoo artists, because they are usually tattooed as well, and have qualifications to

The first step is obviously working on your own tattoo idea. Tattoo is something will stay with you until the rest of your life, so do think twice before having one. Nothing worse than a meaningless tattoo that could make you regret someday. There are few subjects that

Tattoos today are recognized as totally different than what they were pictured as in the past. “Tattooing is recognized by government agencies as both an art form and a profession and tattoo-related art work is the subject of museum, gallery and educational institution art shows across the United States.” [ (Levins,

There are many employers that have the opinion that having visible tattoos is unacceptable for the professional work environment. Someone with a tattoo is seen as uneducated and possible dangerous. However, there is no solid evidence to support either of those beliefs. The stigma of sporting a visible tattoo has no validity. A person with tattoos is just as knowledgeable and capable of working as a non-tattooed person. Tattoos, whether visible or covered, do not change a person’s individual work ethic or how educated they are.