| Josh Chesler |
| Smith doesn't only appreciate the art of tattooing, he's also a big fan of the history, which makes tattooing in SoCal extra exciting for him. |
I would like to say it was all positive, but it wasn't. When you're on the show, you have to understand that everything you say and do will be broadcast by people who don't necessarily know or care what you meant or what you were trying to show. I'm appreciative for the opportunity and how much it helped get my name out there, but I would've shown more of the positive parts that happened too. I tried to put my head down and just work instead of be dramatic or bitter about things, but I guess when it comes down to it, their first goal had to be to keep the show on the air.
How do you think shows like LA Ink changed tattooing?
It started with the TV shows, but you can't help progression. You can't deny that it's happening. The outlets that are available now, with the Internet and apps, there are more ways to see tattoos than ever before. There are pros and cons of anything blowing up in popularity. The music industry is dealing with the problems of it too. Five years ago, people owning a cupcake shop probably didn't think there'd be a TV show about it, but oil will always separate from water when things get popular. I like to think people will always do their research and go to someone reputable, because if you follow someone on Instagram, it's like you're seeing a consistently updated portfolio. There's no excuse to get bad tattoos.
Do you think that popularity has changed things for tattooers?
I would like to think that people gravitate toward something they love. I love what I do, and I couldn't imagine doing it every day if I didn't love it. I would like to think that there aren't just people who do oil paintings who want to get into tattoos for the money. There's a magic to learning tattooing that most people will never understand. It's like the difference between learning to plumb or to fix a car from your grandfather instead of going online and watching a video or reading about how to do it.
What's the most important thing about a tattoo?
I would say giving someone a great experience. It comes down to the finished product, obviously, but it's also about the conversation and giving people what they want. When I would travel, I would hear stories about people who got tattooed by people who were cold to them or just shitty and grumpy. When you get a tattoo, you're literally wearing your feelings on your sleeve. I don't want anyone having a shitty experience surrounding that. We focus on giving a high quality of tattoo and a pleasant experience. We want to make sure each person is happy.
Do you have one style you like to tattoo more than others?
When I did the TV show, a lot of people said I was mainly a traditional guy. That's fine, but I was taught to be proficient in everything. Now, people can specialize in one thing because there are so many people doing tattoos. I just try to do the best tattoos I can. If a customer asks for something I thought someone else could do better, I'd tell them who to go to. There's a responsibility to put something permanent and important on people. I take that seriously.
Read his whole interview at: http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2015/07/captured_tattoo_tustin.php
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