Tattoo Artists in Oaxaca, Mexico - Lawyer, Fine Arts Graduate Make Strange Bedfellows With Tatuadore

Background tattoos and body piercing in Oaxaca, Mexico, through his attorney

attorney Kaireddyn (Kai) Orta began making his own, an essential tool for making tattoos in 1996, while still in high school here in Oaxaca, Mexico. One day he saw a neighbor wearing the shoe box, and asked him what was in it. Kai showed his customized motor, needles, ink and other potrepštine.Susjed Kai was awarded first tattoo. Kai then started doing tattoos for your school.

Kai had been interested in tattoos (Tatuajes) ​​and body piercing (perforación) since childhood. It was natural for him, because his father was a teacher of history, constantly retelling the story of the rituals of the indigenous populations of Mexico. There was no shortage of books in the house with pictures of pre-Hispanic people who are accustomed to self-adornment. Kai has eaten up.

, but throughout the Kai youth, tattoos on the body was rare. In addition to the books and occasionally come across the tattooed person on TV, he would only have a chance to actually see real live people with tattoos and body piercing when it will catch a glimpse of mainly North American and European tourists walking the streets of Oaxaca city, a Mecca for international tourism.

of the modern tradition of tattooing and piercing has been established in countries such as Canada, USA, Spain and the UK, long before he arrived in Mexico. Like so many teams in the emerging subculture, it takes more than a decade for them to catch on in Mexico, especially in more isolated and conservative parts of the country, and Oaxaca.

the state of Oaxaca is a physically isolated from the northern half of the country, and indeed the wider world, until the arrival of the Pan American highway in the late 1940s. While the odd adventurer make their way to Oaxaca between then and the early 1960s, it was the hippie movement later that decade and early 1970-ies, which is open to the idea of southern Mexico to the North American and European counter-culture, including tattoos , and body piercing. However, the prevailing feeling of the Mexican middle class that their children should be insulated from foreign youth, and all that stood in his subculture.

leap forward 1990th Change will start to appear in Oaxaca. Tattoos, body piercing and other non-traditional forms of expression began to be perceived as a major in the entire western svijetu.Srebro screen and magazines to promote its pierced and tattooed stars have become commonplace. Oaxaca is to be noted. And his older generation, who was then forced to admit if you do not accept that the ritual behavior of their grandchildren (and much less their children) can not be equated with something devious, dirty and evil, just as a consequence of changes in their physical appearance of the piercing and the image of their bodies permanently. Many Oaxacan culture in young people become critical thinkers through higher education, therefore, better decisions, stand up for them and celebrate them.

Kai thirty years. Practicing law was not for him. At the time he graduated and had a taste of the world of work attorneys (less than a year), he had already become established in tattooing and body piercing artist, with his own studio, though rather less than its current digs. And besides, most lawyers in Oaxaca do not receive the level of income that ensures middle-class lifestyle, at least by Western standards.

Kai's current studio, Dermographics, in the heart of downtown Oaxaca, comprising:

• The reception area with a long table and a computer filled with tropical fish aquariums, display cases with a preponderance of jewelry, which is related to body piercing, under the wooden African sculptures and masks (and a few Mexican masks), a closet full of albums containing drawings and photographs mainly tattoos and two comfortable sofas, where users can browse the "Directories" in their spare time
• Also, the middle room is decorated with a supply of the cases so far, of course, filled with modern, commercial equipment and supplies, and a small adjoining workroom
• the back room, with chairs and "operating" table, to participate in tattoos and body piercings

"Here in Oaxaca, we do not refer to themselves as" artists, "says Kai." In the United States has a much greater acceptance of the art form and those who are dedicated to skill, so in the U.S. and other countries like Canada that is acceptable to use the term 'tattoo artist. "But in Oaxaca, we only refer to themselves as tatuadores ."

Kai & Colleagues Bid Twelfth Annual Tattoo Fest in Oaxaca, Summer 2010

During the 3:30 hour talk on Kai studio, his friends and colleagues tatuadores of Mexico City, Daniel (tuna) Larios and his girlfriend Angélica (Angy) de la Mora, was working at the store, and otherwise serving customers , while for part-time Kai was out running errands.

Tuna is tatuador for 12 years, while Angy began working tattoo a year ago, when he began living with tuna. Together they opened a store, called Toltecan, in the capital. Before that Tuna is doing tattoos for customers in other studies. He was introduced to the store after from his body tattooed. Angy learned the skills of the tune.

Angy But learning to tatuadora is a natural extension. She already held a degree fine arts from the University of Chihuahua, and participated in several collective exhibitions of traditional art. "No, it's easier to make a living doing tattoos, but as an artist," Angy admits. Unlike Angy and Kai, most tatuadores in Mexico do not have training for other career options.

tuna and Angy came to Oaxaca to participate in the twelfth annual Tattoo Fest, held on 21 and August 22, 2010, a few days earlier. Kai is one of three organizers of the festival, and was on the ground floor of the concept when the first festival was held back in 1998th "Until this year the event is called the Expo Tatuaje," explains Kai. "We decided to change the name to attract more foreigners. But even in the early years, we held a presentation, so that we can meet to exchange ideas, improve access to modern equipment and supplies, as well as raising awareness of the Oaxacan community, so we hope that will be greater acceptance of what we did. Now, the purpose and functions of the events are much wider, since we are on track to achieve our goals earlier ."

The success of Oaxaca's Tattoo Fest 2010 is evident from the crowd (hundreds of all assessments), and sales. Tuna and Angy between them had 11 tattoos over two days. "I have been coming to the fair in the past four or five years," explains tuna ", but this is the first year I can actually say that was worth my time, profit-wise, to get to Oaxaca. You know I had to close my shop in Mexico City to come here. I think this show has finally turned the corner ."

This year there were about thirty booths, dozens of which are dedicated to tattoos. During the one-hour visit on Sunday, during that entire time each tatuador kept busy working -. And in many cases, observers were in line waiting their turn

Many vendors have come from other parts of Mexico to participate. They converged on Oaxaca not only tattoos and piercings, but also sell a wide variety of related materials, including:

• Tattooing and body piercing equipment, supplies and other necessities
• CDs, DVDs and posters of all the alternative topics (and Bob Marley and Alice Cooper live in Oaxaca)
• Body piercing jewelry and other personal, professional wrestling masks and clothing, custom-painted, while-u-wait.

The event was much more than a sales opportunity for retailers, however. It provides an opportunity for those in business to promote their industry, a source of state-of-the-art and usually imported equipment and supplies (as many tatuadores not in Mexico City, very often, and most imported machines, needles and colors come in beginning in Mexico City), and have fun tattooing and piercing collectors, aficionados and curious, all under one roof, Salon Señorial located across from Oaxaca's famous Abastos market.

As Kai said, it seems that the three classes of people in Oaxaca, and probably in other countries, who get tattoos:

• colecionista which usually ends up filling most of the parts of his or her body, trying to decorate a wide variety of designs as possible, or to a specific class of design or art (ie, demons, pre-Hispanic figures, animals, famous faces ), often seeking to get the job done a few different top tatuadores from different states and countries if possible
• lover who wants to tattoo a few strategically placed in selected areas of the body
• Occasionally, individuals who want one or two tattoos to express or make a statement, after having seen the tattoo he or she likes, regardless of celebrity, friend or stranger on the street, or a choice to make a specific design, tattoo logo a favorite sports this is an example of this type of work

This is not unlike other hobbies and interests. Human nature remains ista.Prva category is an obsession with collecting, just as in the antique class, salt and pepper shakers, folk art, weigh scales, and so dalje.Drugi the enthusiast who imposed limits, whether by design or unconsciously based on personality traits. Third, not only selectively thinking about it, regardless of the product, keeping some interest, often transient, but long enough to result in a purchase or two.

During the two-day celebration of everything that is still considered somewhat counter-culture in Oaxaca, was:

• Live entertainment, including seven mostly rock and reggae bands and belly dancers and other forms of choreography, performance
• improvised outdoor restaurant that serves beer, soft drinks, and a real grilled burgers
• debates and forums with topics including methods for promoting the reputation of these alternative forms of art in Oaxaca, and dealing with the mitigation of health and safety concerns by making American-style standards

health and safety issues concern about body piercing and tattoo shop in Oaxaca, Mexico

Throughout the United States has a health and safety regulations pertaining to tattoo and body piercing, not so much in Oaxaca, although the hot topic in the entire Mexican tattooing and body piercing zajednice.Riječ "Normas" constantly bandied about in tome.Tatuadores Tattoo Fest, and especially Kai, tuna and Angy, from the point of indicating that the majority of the industry following the U.S. standards for health, safety and hygiene. According to the Tuna, the United Kingdom has the most stringent, comprehensive legislation pertaining to tattooing and body piercing, which looked like a good thing.

It seems that almost everyone tatuadores are sensitive to patch the transmitted power, even without special laws pertaining to tattooing and body piercing. In Oaxaca, the Secretaria de Salud (Ministry of Health), which is in fact checked the behavior of a place of study, as well as from the restaurant in Oaxaca. It has the ability to close the restaurant, restaurant or comedor, on the spot. And the same goes for the tattoo studio.

threat or perceived threat of imprisonment may serve a positive function in tattooing and body piercing scene. While Oaxaca is inquisitorial, the Napoleonic Code, is slowly changing (oral trials arrived in the state of Oaxaca in 2007, although only the most heinous crimes), the attorney generals office still has the right to jail alleged perpetrators almost any rule, law or regulation, where personal injury has resulted. Without specific laws pertaining to tattooing and body piercing may Oaxaca current legal system, as well as high-handed as it might seem, serves an important role for the tattoo-buying public. Certainly it seems that those in the industry in check.

"We will work for less, plain and simple, without parental consent," tuna stresses. "And in fact, rather than relying on written permission from their parents, for me, personally I just want a father in my studio when I'm working on my son or daughter ."

Having trained as a lawyer, Kai has a special appreciation for the consequences of not providing clean, safe work environment in his studio, and after the health, safety and hygiene procedures established in other states, "to t" packaged needles , equipment to keep under wrap, gloves and masks, first aid, fire and allied health, hygiene and safety equipment at hand, "surgical" work space separate from retail parts stores, etc. The back of your card list the steps to be taken by recipients of tattoos the moment they emerge from the study, in order to reduce and hopefully eliminate the risk of infection and other complications. Other tatuadores hand out leaflets with a list of the same or similar precautions to be taken into account.

According to the Tuna in Mexico City can take courses in tattooing and body piercing at several different institutions. But they are learning the trade, and not government regulated. Tuna hits the inconsistencies between the Government of treating dental offices and tattoo and piercing studios, and injustice: "There are a lot of dental offices around that are much less clear from our studio, and whose staff do not adhere to the highest sanitary practices, and more dentists are not subject to suspicion and innuendo that we are. "[dentists must have at least a minimum level of training on issues of health, safety and hygiene .]

Kai, for one, is clearly an expert in his trade. From the beginning, dating back to high school days, he will always be read in any other way to learn before you start working on someone. Always will work in consultation with a doctor, a relative obitelji.Liječnik a valuable resource for Kai in terms of guiding him through all appropriate health and hygiene procedures for each step. Kai has never worked for anyone without approaching the task with a high level of confidence. However, he admits, "you never stop learning ."

Economics of tattoos and body piercing in Oaxaca

Angy order at the counter, is a pencil drawing of 1950 pin-up - with twist.Mlada woman came into the studio the day before, wanting a tattoo on the leg of vintage pin-up girl, but part of the body to a non-traditional as well as a foot and a half in the head with perhaps the skeletal bones are exposed, the rest slender and feminine, as in the Mexican Catrina, as Angy says, ". but with a little meat on her body," the customer is obliged to return today at 16:00

Two men in their twenties coming to see the tattoo patterns. They sit and browse through two albums for about 40 minutes, and then arrange for one of them returned the next day for a fairly large black tattoo Pumas Mexican national football team logo. Then the two younger girls come in looking for eyebrow rings or similar other ornaments, the 250-300 dollar range

Kai study is not a quick job. He charges a minimum fee of 400 pesos for a simple tattoo, tribal, literally "tribal" as they are known, or perhaps a letter. It is also the minimum charge at Tattoo Fest, "Sure, some tatuadores will do tattoos for 150-200 pesos, but most of us prefer to start with prices where they can take their time to do quality work that the customer will definitely cost, and thus want to return , show off to friends, and so on. i've been doing tattoos for long enough, and my quality is such that I have to command such a price, a customer is more than satisfied. "

Kai and tuna collected within the same range. Both are happy to work out of a job, or the day session. Kai costs 1000-1500 pesos per session, which can result in quite substantial, detailed, color images. Tuna will make the quarterback for 10000-15000 pesos. Each is made ​​large, complex multi-color tattoos for as long as 20,000 pesos. It seems to be the highest price in Oaxaca.

It seems that there is a desire to reinvest the profits in providing a better working environment and higher end equipment. Regarding the latter, in most cases it is simply a matter of imported machinery and tools command a higher price, and the fact that options for Mexican-made ​​equipment and supplies are much more limited. Hence the desire to search abroad for a number of different product lines. "Do not get me wrong," tuna warns, "there is a high quality of equipment manufactured here in Mexico, but we lack the range of products, and of course all imported is perceived to be better and therefore fetches a higher price."

Continuing education and seems to be a priority for several years tatuadores.Prije Kai traveled to Guadalajara to take an intensive course. According to the Angy, sometimes tatuadores be short, specific area of ​​art or drawing course which will enable them to keep up with market demand. Most tatuadores have no training in art, so seizing the opportunity to learn something more difficult. In some cases, not to turn a potential buyer because of the lack of specific knowledge, it is better to invest in learning new aspects of trade through the training.

It is rare tatuador turn the business, but it does happen. This is usually the result of an artist not being able to do quality work based on the application design, but are finding it disgusting. Perhaps it is simply that tatuadores not often meet someone who wants, for example, a swastika on the forearm. "Usually what happens is someone comes in and wants a small tattoo, whatever, on your finger or hand, and I know that I can not do a good job with respect to the required size, or that after a short time the quality will be reduced," Kai admits. "So I propose something different, something larger or with a different color scheme, or for different parts of the body. Sometimes, the customer agrees, sometimes he went, and sometimes he insists, in which case I refuse to work."

"We can all use more work, but it is a skilled trade that we want to raise in terms of reputation, so we must all strive to maintain standards, and our personal integrity,". Kai says

are the main reasons that customers are not coming back is the lack of funds for any additional tattoos or continue with the same project, or pain. "Different people have different thresholds of pain," advises tuna. "Gender is a determinant of customer sometimes the pain can be expected to be felt, depending on the particular body part. Work on the same body part can affect men differently from women." Only 50% of the tune is the work of repeat business.

Kai has the advantage in favor of men than women. Why do men? Men tend to want more tattoos, which means that more artistic license and a greater ability to produce a masterpiece. "But do not get me wrong," Kai says defensively, "I love working on women, not as high quality work, always ."

tweens make up the largest age group. Otherwise, occasionally comes to the teen parent, maybe 20% of tattoo seekers are in their thirties, and many a small percentage are elderly clientele.

Tips for Americans, Canadians, Europeans and those from abroad wish to further tattooing in Oaxaca

Tuna admits that in Mexico there are perhaps two high-quality tattoo artists for 300 tatuadores, stating that the U.S. numbers are very different, two per table. It is difficult to accept his figures, after having seen several high-quality tattoos on the bodies of Oaxacans, and he had a chance to talk to many Oaxacan tatuadores and assess their commitment to the arts, and their desire to raise their reputation through self-improvement. Tuna says, "If someone wants a tattoo that I still tatuador can do better, I refer him to a colleague to build public trust for me, I know that the black, I'm on top of their game ..."

tatuadores triumvirate in the ad idem when it comes to passing tips for tourists visiting Oaxaca and want a tattoo:

• Do not rush, spend as long as necessary to "tattoo artist", an interview, looking at his or her design and testing around Studio
• Determine whether tatuador has a particular specialty, or a higher level of expertise in one area compared to others (eg, color contrast of black)
• Address any health, hygiene and safety concerns, because while the Ministry of Health has no rules and regulations of general application, and location of the tattoo studios are implemented, there is no specific authority for police tattoo industry
• Notwithstanding the above, as specified in the lion's share of tatuadores Oaxaca does not follow the American Normas, and in industry who wish to enhance their trade to a more mainstream perception of the Oaxacan population
• See instructions on how to care for tatttoo, starting from the moment after leaving the study, in order to reduce and hopefully eliminate the likelihood of complications - either the flyer or on the back of business cards
• Ask questions, questions and more questions until you are satisfied that the process and the end result will meet or exceed the expectations of

tattoo removal in Mexico

tune affirms some obvious reasons for seeking to remove a tattoo:

• As required by the employer (ie change of workplace)
• In order to attempt to secure employment
• the individual was very young when he or she got a tattoo, and later had a different attitude towards this type of body decoration
• The quality of tattooing was poor or questionable from the start
• a change of mind regarding body image, or to edit, far later considered entering

with a modest cost of quality plastic surgery in Oaxaca, tattoo removal in the state proves to be an attractive option for those who want to back tattoo - no existence. In fact the study of Kai on the screen there is a plexiglass booth filled with pamplets from the Oaxacan plastic surgeon, Dr. Filbert Fajardo, who specializes in laser tattoo removal.