mobile tattoo studio

I usually do not post, but with the ongoing craze of mobile studios jumping open out there and studios seemingly to be opened over night I feel what I have to share may help others... I have been tattooing since 1987. I not only have a studio, I also have a full service health board approved mobile studio (my mobile is a small bus that was used for public transportation, it has a wheel chair lift for my disabled clients, we completly converted it to a full service mobile studio. It has two stations, sinks with hot and cold water, smooth surfaces and a restroom) it was built by the spefications and regulations that health board enforce. When I started there were not many women artist, nor allot of regulations in place, let alone a women artist who owned her own studio. Back then, you paid your dues, it wasn't an easy industry to get into. The state didn't regulate tattooing in the beginning, and their were several artist who didn't want to be regulated by anyone, nor wanted politics being brought into this industry. I know, I encountered several of those artist while I was trying to get regulations in place. Several of these artist had been in this industry for decades, but as time went by the industry changed, and so did they. I pushed for regulations in our county, it took a few years, but finally got it passed, not only for tattoo studios, but eventually for mobile regulations as well. I tattoo at events, rallies and private functions, and yes, tattoo parties as well, with strict stipulations, which my clients respect. I do not tattoo any where but my full service mobile studio when I'm mobile, unless I am doing an event indoors and it's regulated. I am 100% disposable, and all my equipment is covered, and my unit is extremely clean and sterile, just as it is in my studio. Regulations for both are in place. When I travel (which I travel May thru October), on my usual route I am already licensed and health board approved, but if I am entering a county that I never been before, I call ahead of time to see what there regulations are and then we follow those regulations, as well as pay for any fees required of us. If I enter an area and they tell me they do not have any regulations in place, I ask if they are regulated by their state, if the state is not regulated I inform them what my intentions are, and find out if there are any fees, permits or licensing involved for me to work there and most importantly if they have any issues with me working that county. Basically, I do everything I can to make sure I am doing what is right, not only for my clients safety, but out of doing the right thing for my reputation as well. In the 24 years that I have been tattooing, I have never had a complaint, nor have I ever short changed the county, state or my client. I find if you are committed to this industry, the art, the client, then you do everything possible to make sure you do what's right for everyone concerned. I have seen it all in this profession, not all studios (shops) are created equal, nor are mobile studios. I fine that short cuts and money are the first priorities in several studios I have encountered. But, the artist who puts their clients health and art work before the dollar are the ones that are in it for the long haul. My studio is based around my clients, their work scheduals and desired artwork. When I first consult with my client, we discuss sterilization, I show them my work area (in my studio or my mobile, depending where I am working), then we sit and discuss their artwork. Since I only do custom artwork (there is no flash on my walls), drawn especially for my client, once an idea is formed, I draw up the design. Once approved we schedual their appointment. A true professional, who cares for their client, their safty and needs, and puts that and their artwork and what's best for the industry as a whole will go that extra mile, they will not short change or short cut their client nor their reputation for a few bucks. My advice to you, or to anyone who is looking to get a tattoo, check around. Ask questions, see the artwork, you can tell if they care about the safety, industry and their artwork just by how they greet you, answer your questions, how they treat the other artist and how their studio looks. or simply, your guts will tell you. If you are not sure, walk away, it's easier then regretting the decision later.