Interview with Tiffany Allen, Manager of Front Street Tattoo
Interviewed by Paul Dale Roberts, President
www.jazmaonline.comGeneral Manager
www.hpiparanormal.netQuestion: Tell us something about yourself, your personal life, recreational activities and hobbies.
Answer: I have been working in the tattoo industry for almost ten years. I started as a shop girl at Aces tattoo in Reno, NV and soon was asked to manage the shop because of my ingenious business sense. (Giggle) I stayed with that shop for over 3 years during which we grew from a tiny street shop to the primary custom shop in Reno. Having the combination of both powerhouse ass kicking rock’n roll street shop and the privilege to work with amazing artists such as Kevin Cox, Lee Hanna, Jason Freeman and a long list of rock star tattooists that regularly guest spotted at our shop, I would say I was hooked. A long time fan of the art of tattoos and the rich history has always kept me close to the community I consider my second family. When I left the shop as my full time job I continued to promote and work with them in hosting the Lady Luck tattoo convention annually, and traveling continuously with various artists working conventions.
During all of this I’ve raised 3 beautiful daughters who take up any free time I have outside of work.
Question: When did get your first tattoo?
Answer: 17 @ some scratcher’s house, I think I paid $40 so he could score some weed. Yes that is now a large cover up!
Question: What made you gravitate towards getting a tattoo?
Answer: I actually started getting tattooed before it was cool or hip, and being a woman, I had my fair share of criticism over the years. I think back then tattoos were still rebellious and I was one of those punk kids.
Question: Do your tattoos have meanings?
Answer: They mean I can’t easily go back into the mainstream workforce? Lol. Each tattoo represents a time in my life and may have a witty story, but for the most part I actually pursue the artists individually and am such a fan of their artwork. I give them all
Liberties. At most I may suggest an idea and let them draw it up to their preference.
Question: How did you get your job as the manager of Front Street Tattoo?
Answer: I was looking for a guest spot for my dear friend the infamous “Grady Spades” to come pay a visit on the west coast and all of the custom shops I am friends with in downtown were full (meaning nobody has an open chair for tattooing) So I thought I would walk through the tourist area of old sac and check out what the shops were like. I
Stumbled on Front Street and immediately loved the old Victorian building. Mark Mathews a local fighting favorite in the UFC world and dedicated tattooer at the shop gave me a tour. To be honest I kind of ripped some of the set up of the shop to shreds and started giving him suggestions when the owner came in and Mark told him he should hire me. I’ve been revamping and remodeling the shop ever since in hopes to make it a stronghold in the community by the end of this summer.
Question: Do people feel that tattoos give them a warrior status or some other kind of status? What are the various reasons people get tattoos.
Answer:
Yes! But there are thousands of reasons people get tattooed in today’s society, from memorials of people whom have passed to personal accomplishments, all the way to the gods honest truth of “Tattoo’s make you look cool!” giggle.
Question: You said something about respecting the business and that some people don’t have that respect. Can you elaborate?
Answer: Many years ago the boys wanted me to apprentice but I wasn’t one of those art kids who had spent my life drawing, (Don’t let the tattoos fool you, most these guys are just art geeks) I have an immense respect for the industry and the skill of the people who brought me into it. I honestly love working with and being surrounded by passionate artists, but I don’t have the talent they do and didn’t want to be just another second rate tattooer. Unfortunately in recent years the internet and lack of respect for the genuine skill it takes to put a beautiful PERMANENT mark on someone has lead to an abundance of low quality tattoo shops, lack of common knowledge by the public of what a good tattoo looks like, and sadly a saturated market where even the best in the industry are struggling financially. Kids have asked me for years how to get an apprenticeship and I always start with go to art school, then get in a shop who expects you to work 2 years on the floor before touching anyone’s skin. Tattoos are forever, and if it’s not done right the first time it can be twice as much work and at least twice as much money to fix.
It just amazes me people don’t respect the old school ways. I wouldn’t go to a plastic surgeon that taught himself at home, why anyone would think learning to tattoo that way is ok. I can rant for hours about industry standards, laws, suppliers selling to the public, but it just comes down to respect. If everyone in the industry stopped making it so easy for every Joe schmo to call themselves a “Tattoo Artist”, less apprenticing, etc. and if the public would do the research and learn to spot bad line work, week color, or just plain bad artistic skill instead of going for the lowest price.. the industry would be a better place. Remember folks: “ GOOD TATTOOS AREN’T CHEAP, And CHEAP TATTOOS AREN’T GOOD.
Who is your favorite Tattoo Artist?
Answer: Chris Conn who ended up working at Aces after I left, yet I never had taken the time to get tattooed by and is currently retired….(sounds of heart breaking in background)
Question: If I wanted a big fat dragon tattooed on my back, how much would that cost?
Answer: Think of your back is a huge canvas and goes big. I would tell you to do research and find an artist you love then get a quote from them. Being right next to San Francisco you have the opportunities to get tattooed by some of the most famous tattoo artist in the world. I would probably tell you to start at Black Heart Tattoo in SF. Every one of the artists there are incredible. Usually there’s not more than about a $50 dollar an hour difference between the kid down the street vs. having a piece that you will impress people with for the rest of your life!
Question: I know where I can get my tattoos for free Tiffany.
Answer: Where?
Paul: San Quentin Prison (smile).
Tiffany: …..Oh Paul…NOTHING IS FREE IN PRISON!
Paul: Yikes! I hear ya Tiffany…okay, let’s move on to the final questions.
Question: Thank you for this interview Tiffany. Before you go, do you have a website for your shop, how can someone contact you? What is your favorite song? And, before you go, what kind of movies, TV shows and books do you like….just curious. Again, thank you.
Answer: FrontStreetTatttoo.Net or Myspace.com/FrontStreetTattooShop
And I am of course Ms.Tiffany on myspace.com/tiffany666rpm
Love letters and Hate mail can be sent via email at:
tiffanysgig@gmail.comMy favorite song is Bad Reputation by Joan Jett
I love horror movies and anything that makes me laugh, this week my favorite is “the Hangover” mostly because it reminds me of what I remember of my 20’s….
And as far as television I’ve never been much of a fan, but have to admit a guilty pleasure and say I can’t get enough of FX’s Sons of Anarchy.
Thanks for thinking my babble is worthy of print, it has been a pleasure chatting with you.
Cheers- Ms.Tiffany
Below, enjoy a comic book graphic novel review I just finished:
Name: Barbara Hambly’s Anne Steelyard – The Garden of Emptiness
Act II: The Gate of Dreams and Starlight
Website:
www.annesteelyard.comPublisher:
www.pfpress.comPrice: $14.95
Author: Barbara Hambly
Artwork: Ron Randall
Original Painted Cover: Glen Orbik
Overview by: Paul Dale Roberts, Publisher
www.jazmaonline.comComments: Anne Steelyard is a British archaeologist and she is out to unearth the ruins of the Lost City of Miyah. Anne learns the art of astral projection from spiritual advisor Al-Hakin. She can now through astral projection enter the space between dreams and reality. With this ability, she has one little hang-up, she is being pursued by a demon known as the Afrit. This story takes place in Constantinople, October 1908. As I move into this story, I can feel a bit of Lawrence of Arabia mixed with Lara Croft mixed with Indiana Jones. I absolutely love the artwork depicting Anne Steelyard crossing the desert on a camel and swiftly over the horizon descends the demon known as the Afrit. The story is very mystical and adventurous, you will find a majestic mysterious golden spirit with a sword of flame. This spirit is quite dangerous and leads all of the rest of the demons known as the Afrits. If you want to escape your own reality, this is the comic book graphic novel to make your escape with!
Wed Jan 13, 2010 1:16 am