Tattoo Talk Episode #17
BOB BAXTER’s
TATTOO TALK #17
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. That’s what my daddy told me.
Like when the Beatles wore those mop tops, and the fashion for men’s hair was changed forever. Hey, it’s why every Eric Clapton wanna-be plays a Fender guitar. Why every young stud with Levis and a key chain wears sideburns—because Elvis did it. Britney Spears gets a bellybutton ring, so does every girl at Beverly Hills High School. It’s not copying, it’s simply a respectful nod to the innovator.
That’s the theory anyhow. In my life, the time-worn phrase about imitation being a compliment was usually delivered by a parent or close friend who said it right after my best idea got swiped. It’s difficult not to be bummed out when the creatively corrupt resort to thievery. Usually, just when I’m about to punch a hole in the wall, a smiling pal shows up and says, “You shouldn’t take it that way.” Like the time our feature on Egyptian tattooing in the March ’98 issue was ripped off, word-for-word, and reprinted without so much as a “pardon me” by another magazine. Or when a kanji tattoo by Karen Roze was hijacked from our Readers’ Gallery, and altered by an ethically corrupt author of some unscrupulous raunchy rag. Like the time we initiated our technical column and another magazine did the same. Or when a pet phrase that originated with us turns up on someone else’s cover. I particularly remember when we printed the tasty little blurb “Masayoshi—The Last of the Red-Hot Pokers,” in reference to this amazing artist from Sendai City using hand tools. I always love a good turn of phrase. In fact, I remember the moment I penned the words. It was Thanksgiving, and I was preparing food baskets for the homeless. Again, what a nice compliment to see the same words, “Red Hot Poker” in 34-point type on the cover of the very same publication that swiped our Egypt article. I guess I should celebrate. But I don’t.
Britney Spears
You’ve got to understand, just like a well done tattoo, each and every article, each and every photo, each and every phrase is like a child that, as proud parents, we invent and nurture. That’s why I feel a little heartsick when I see our “kids” snipped out of our magazine like so much confetti, and scattered across someone else’s pages. Maybe it’s how Horiyoshi feels when he sees a rip-off of one of his illustrations credited to some scratcher with a piece of tracing paper.
But, on the other hand, I was talking on the phone with Chuck Eldridge, and he said, “Have you noticed that since we made our stand in March of 1997 to refuse tattoo equipment ads, the other tattoo publications have followed suit?” He’s right. Sure, there are ads for flash, but those big, full color, back page displays hyping beginning starter kits and credit card supply houses have all but disappeared among the leading magazines. Perhaps our efforts have made a difference after all.
Now that’s flattering.
Tip of the Week: There’s a lot of tattoo shops nowadays. Any longer, it’s not a matter of finding a tattooists to do the work, it’s all about which one do your choose? Many tattoo parlors have built their reputation on the lead artist, and that’s usually the most experienced, talented person in the shop. If the owner is reputable and skilled, he or she will more than likely hire the best artists possible, so that means you can’t go very wrong with searching out the highest profile, most successful shops in your area, checking their books of tattoo photos and seeing if you like the vibes, before you pay your money and wear the results, good or bad, for the rest of your life.
—Bob Baxter, Editor in Chief
As editor in chief for thirteen years, Bob Baxter guided Skin&Ink magazine to a Folio Magazine Editorial Excellence Award, making it America’s most respected and educational body art publication. He currently edits www.tattooroadtrip.com, the ultimate E-zine and resource site for international tattoo artists and collectors.
Horiyoshi III
Karen Roze
