Celebrated international star Tattoo artist Valentina Riabova took to Instagram last week to address a controversial subject that affects the client-artist relationship in the tattoo industry – The work ethics behind appointments.

She recently wrote:

Saw a holy war on @philgarcia805 page today. Made me think of that topic. Also I suffer from insomnia constantly so let’s have a discussion. If we don’t talk about politeness/impoliteness, how long is the waiting on the session okay for you as a client? Some artists are ready to start work as soon as you arrive but most tattooers definitely will touch your skin with the needle not sooner than in 2 hours. First thing – there is no sense to set up the colors for work until you see a client, his skin etc. That takes for color artists for sure around 20 min or more. Stencil takes time (for me 1-10 min, some artists do 1-2 hours and it’s fine if it gives a good result for them). Other preparations such as lighting (different every day for every area), full workspace with some details changing etc). And most importantly… You get the tattoo for your whole life, why not realizing that you should make a big part of the day free? Better – the whole day? Yes, I am also impatient as f*ck but when you know there is literally almost no one in the world who could make same kind of design on your skin.. isn’t it a reason to be more attentive and understanding?

Tattooing takes the whole lot of concentration, gives a huge pain in the back and eyes, and nothing but a good result compensates that. So for that amount of energy morning mood has to really be as good as it can.. Daily Risk to get blood infection is also a cool factor to add about the meaning of the mood. Yes tattoo artists shall respect clients too, I don’t talk about that, it’s clear. But everyone has his own rituals to start work. Cause again it’s art and it needs to be done in a right mood. I believe tattooing is not a service. It’s art and it s passion. Sorry for sounding like a cliché. So if you don’t like the price – just don’t come, if you don’t like that the artist smokes often or needs coffee to start doing what he is supposed to, may be just discuss with him that you are limited in time and ask if this way of work is fine for both. Because nothing works worse for creative mood than a bad atmosphere and burocracy, I guess. The response to the article was of course mixed, with customers and artists pointing out some valid scenarios, and the whole discussion was very much informative.

It’s art but also a service, there needs to be balance, and just letting your client know about time is easy enough, then they have a realistic expectation, I tell my clients it will he a 2 hour tattoo but plan on being here 4 hours , or however depending on the tattoo, it’s about communicating ahead and respecting the client, I also tell my clients that I don’t just do tattoos I get tattooed and I know what I expect when I get tattooed, I would be pissed if a tattoo artist treated me like shit so I don’t treat my client’s like shit, simple enough As a client- allow the artist to put themselves in the best situation possible to create the best piece of work possible. If you’re going to take the time and spend the money to get a tattoo allow them the budget, set up time, break times, music, etc, whatever they want to create the work. As an artist- be respectful to a client that gives you your best opportunity to do that and don’t take advantage of their good will, time, and money. To an artist one tattoo is but a tiny fraction of their lifetime’s body of work. To the client one tattoo can be the entire equation that is the work on their body. Treat each piece you give a client with this in mind and they’ll always be happy. I believe the best way is to acknowledge your client as soon as they get in, make sure your working area is set up before they get there, ie machine set up, and everything is wrapped.I have a design ready so we can size it to suit where it’s being placed then stencil to size which takes anywhere from 10m to 1 hour. Then I put the stencil on and pour my inks while the stencil drys. So the customer is taken in and acknowledged and they feel like they are more of a part of the process and set up times are minimised. You should be dealing with your client from the second their appointment time was. We are all humans however and sometimes are running behind Check the link to go through the thread for more details

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