TATTOO ARTIST
Misha
Info
Shop: Outer Limits Tattoos and Piercing, Costa Mesa, California
Shop Website: http://www.outerlimitstattoo.com/costa.html
Personal Website: www.misha-art.com
Contact: info@misha-art.com
How long have you been a tattoo artist?
Misha: I started tattooing in 1991
Why did you get into the industry?
Misha: I was an artist at the time and some guy did a copy of one of my drawings on my boyfriend. But he didn’t take the time to copy it exactly and it was wrong.. It really pissed me off. So I thought.. I can at least copy things exactly, I bet I could learn to tattoo! Wow I had no idea how hard it was going to be.
What was the first tattoo you got yourself? Is there any meaning behind it?
Misha: I got a lizard on my right shoulder. I picked the lizard because I really like lizards. But the placement was because of Buck Rogers. In the episode where Erin Grey’s character had to pose as an interstellar prostitute. She had to have a blue star tattooed on her shoulder. When I was a kid I saw this and thought it was the sexiest thing in the world and had wanted a tattoo in that place ever since.
What was the first ink you did on someone?
Misha: My first tattoo was on my brother. He had been hand poking himself and I cleaned it up for him.
Describe the experience of giving your first tattoo?
Misha: Really scary. I really didn’t want to screw it up.
What kind of style do you have?
Misha: I love Asian stuff. From the block prints of Japan, the brush paintings of China, and the Hindu and Buddhist gods. Some bits of these designs ends up in my work if I try to do it or not.
What has been your favorite tattoo you have done?
Misha: I’m not sure. That’s like asking a parent which child is their favorite. I’m pretty lucky, I’m in a great shop right now that nurtures my creativity. On a regular basis I am challenged to do better and better. So every week I have a new favorite. Right now I have several large pieces of my favorite things to do: A combo of traditional Japanese tattooing, my Big Eyed girls and Chinese brush painting. Fun, fun, fun!
How do you feel about tattoo “artists” who don’t do any original artwork of their own?
Misha: If they are technically good and clean I have no problem at all with them. At the end of the day the client needs a tattoo that looks like what they wanted and to get tattooed in a safe and clean environment. Now for crappy scratchers who make us all look bad, broken fingers are too good for them.
Are there any kinds of tattoos you refuse to do?
Misha: I have no time for hate tattoos. I just don’t want to deal with the person getting them. If it’s a white power tattoo, they usually believe that I will agree with them because I’m white too… not so much, I don’t need to listen to the crap while I’m working. I have also refused to do anti-white tattoos on someone, funny that they would even ask me.
I also won’t do “property of” tattoos on any one. You can do that to yourself but I don’t want to be party to it. I’ll do a name and warn the client about the fact it has a curse to it and even guide them toward the option of matching or symbolic tattoos instead. But no possession.
What parts of the body do you like doing ink on the best? The least?
Misha: I’m a weirdo because I love hand and feet tattoos. I know many artist shun them for their own reasons. But I love the way they look. With both hands and feet tattoos I do educate the client on the problems with healing. With the hands I deal on a client by client basis, because of the high visibility I will advise against the hands for those with no other tattoos, it can be a problem to get a job.
I really dislike the ribcage. I will do it but it always hurts the client so much (I’m not really into hurting people) and I have one client who was so ticklish there that he would jump and giggle every time I tried to just stretch the skin to start tattooing.
What do you like best about your profession?
Misha: All the people I get to meet. You have people in your chair for hours sometimes and you can really get to know each other. My clients have given me new recipes, book and movie recommendations and great laughs.
What do you believe is the biggest myth or misunderstanding about the industry of tattooing or the culture of tattoos?
Misha: Funny how some people still believe that we are all drug addicts or victims. I may have lots of tattoos and piercing and funny hair but I’m really quite normal. I like to knit, and bake homemade pies and I am not nor have I ever been a drug addict or criminal. I am also not the victim of some violence who is using tattoos to mutilate my body. I am a very plain girl who uses her tattoos to feel more beautiful.
If you could get ink done by anybody, who would it be and why?
Misha: Filip Leu, he’s amazing and fast
Is there any truth behind tattoos becoming an addiction?
Misha: Yes like potato chips it’s hard to have just one.
Describe tattooing in one word?
Misha: I can’t … that’s why I draw, my way with words sucks.
Any additional comments?
Misha: Think before you ink!
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