Tattoo Talk Episode #12
BOB BAXTER’s
TATTOO TALK
The sounds of bitching and moaning have reached us here in Hood River, Oregon. In fact, several of the pinups have been caught weeping in the orchards.
It seems that the old axiom, “Fifty percent of the people automatically love you, and 50% automatically hate you, no matter what you do,” is perfectly true. We give our best effort each and every post, and yet there are still mutterings and discontent among the tattoo community for certain “transgressions” that 50% of you will probably agree with and 50% will probably rebuke.
The case in point is the criticism that too many “regulars” are involved in the publication of this here E-zine. Some consider our particular brand of nepotism a bad thing.
Uncle Tim Heitkotter
Madame Vyvyn Lazonga
First of all, let me say that everyone, from Uncle Tim Heitkotter to Larry Brogan to Madame Lazonga, have been involved with me for well over a decade and, while others may be reticent to contribute, share their thoughts and photos and otherwise sit back and watch other folks do the heavy lifting, these respected authorities on the international tattoo scene, contribute something on a regular basis. Hey, I don’t hear anybody criticizing Filip Leu and the Leu Family’s Family Iron for having too many members of his clan in the business!
Excuse me for being a proud poppa, but thank heaven my family has the talent it does. I bet you wouldn’t dream of publishing one word of your daughter’s opinions in your magazine. But I would. In fact, my daughter has a college degree, is a former rodeo barrel racing champ, sang blues in a band called the Brims, sat on Bob Robert’s lap—and lived to tell about it. So there!
Larry Brogan
The Leu Family Iron
And, when it comes to tattooing, I’ve got sons that you don’t even know about, who lay down some pretty righteous ink. Not to mention my youngest, who, back when we worked for Larry Flynt, took over the advertising sales for the magazine and tripled revenues in just four months; pulling us out of a five-year slump.
And, as for friends, we include our tattoo buddies and mentors in each issue because they are part of our extended family. We’re proud to talk about them just like we’d brag about any talented kinfolk. At Tattoo Road Trip, we feel it is our duty to let our readers know what’s happening with people that we care about. And we will continue to do so. But we ain’t elitist. The truth is, we make it a point to welcome new contributors each issue. So, send us those digital images… you know, the ones that 50% of the people will like and 50% won’t. That’s the way it goes, sometimes. It’s kind of a dysfunctional family values type of thing.
Tip of the Week: There are a bushel basket of tattoo aftercare products on the market, each one professing to be “the very latest and best product” on the market. There are creams and sprays and foams of all kinds, each one designed, the manufacturers say, to promote safe and effective healing of your brand-new tattoo. When I asked a native tattoo artist in Tahiti what he suggested a person do for a new tattoo (and those hand-poked Polynesian tattoo sessions can be quite grueling), I was told to “piss on it and jump in the ocean.” The fact is, that probably worked as well as any of the new-fangled salves, liquids and other fancy chemical combinations on the market. But one thing seems constant: keep your new tattoo covered overnight, wash it thoroughly with a soft cloth and soap and warm water, the next day and, whatever you do, don’t scratch or poke or expose to the sun that delicate piece of artwork you just got injected into your skin.
—Bob Baxter
baxter@tattooroadtrip.com
www.tattooroadtrip.com
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.
