The Truth About Las Vegas’ Tattoo Scene | Needles & Pins with Grace Neutral Episode 1 

Could be a legal thing

@@mikemassino I'd bet a coke and a smile that it's 100% about bullshit marketing and sterilizing the tattoo process.

Y guy Guggenheim v888l00s0

Y guy Guggenheim v888l00s0

That shop is basically turning tattoos in to a fast food service. They don’t call them “artist” rather “service providers” is gross. If I’m in a mood for a tattoo I’d look at finding the best artist available that specializes in the work I want done. That place is like cookie cutter flash art 45 minute turn around scratcher haven.

It's on Tubi if that counts

jonny u are awesome!

A lot of tattoo artists had the same reaction I know I did!

It’s 25k to become a well rounded hairdresser …. And they get taught a wide variety of services that cater to hair skin and nails. 35k just for tattooing is way way way way WAAAAYYYYY too much

most trade schools are waay more expensive then say, community college unfortunately

@@karen_from_finance4710 Yeah so you're saying it's not the same thing. I agree

Probably better off getting an apprenticeship

Yeeeeep. He was gone. I think the groom was further uh, drunk or high, though. The guy at the wedding chapel looked like he took grooming tips from that one guy in the capitol in the hunger games movies, too, lol. The guy at 38:44 has the perfect bone structure to be a gorgeous drag queen, IMHO.

They ALL seemed on drugs or high or drunk. But I bet that’s the norm in Vegas.

Haha he use to hang at the old anonymous skate shop in cincinnati. Use go school with him to, I went to at least 6 between 9 n 10 so don't remember which one. Random.

hahah i was looking for this comment

You hear him snort (Getting a drip of substance after sniffing up nose) right b4 he starts talking to them when being interviewd. XD yeah hes GONE

I mean not every Tattoo shop is willing to welcome apprentice unless you known them for years. The school is pricey af but it’s an option.

Seems similar to what vice did to Teal Swan. Supposedly this is something vice is known for, taking every negative from someone and blowing out of proportion and then presenting it as facts for the documentary. It's pretty disgusting. I like grace but vice is shadier then Tyrone selling crack.

I'm sorry that happened to you.

Look into all the other Vice "Shows" 90% of them are stupid and only made to push agendas or tell ONE side of a story. I HATE when ppl make documentaries and then put also BS in them. Like wtf, bringing up the whole sex trafficking stuff.... ITS SUPPOSED TO BE A TATTOO VIDEO! "Always an agenda when it comes to media"

Damn. Media always pushing their own agenda.

Vice is notorious for their bias. Not surprised. Sorry to hear that. Glad they exposed the modern tattoo college though.

My family has been born & raised in the Vegas Valley, since the 1930's. It's gone from cowboy country to a cheaper downtown LA. I can confirm Clark County (thanks to L.A County rejects) has become a lot more shady & greedy in the last decade. Everyone is just trying to rip others off & scam, including many artists.

@@kellymorgan6718 Bruh. It's VEGAS. It's always been shady and greedy. The only difference is, this is an economic recession, and times are increasingly desperate.

My artist just opened his own shop but I don't think he was treated poorly at the shop he's leaving

aaaaand... give the artist a cut of the profits instead of an hourly wage.. but hey, whatever floats your boat I guess

It feels like the McDonald's of tattooing

fashions change, hairstyles change, technologies change human nature does not.

Life will get back to that again. People need to get vaccinated. The sooner the better. I got vaccinated, have my proof on me at all times, and don't have to wear a damn mask. (Jan Griffiths).

R u joking right now? What r u 10?

Life will never go back to normal you dreamin.

@@kylec.8350 its already back to normal.

Grapefruit and melons don't look as nice in pics so they can't sell that practice as "building a portfolio" 🙄. I think that has more to do with it then how helpful or not the medium actually is for the student's future careers.

I’m sure the owner knows nothing at all about tattoos and she knows everything cause she’s covered in them. He’s not edgy enough I guess. The school is a good idea.

@@gaetaboots9292 well she's an actual tattoo artist so ya know, she might know what she's talking about

@@mitchjacobs4360 no, but I don’t think she’s suggesting they use them in their portfolio. But she’s right in saying that if you use the flesh substitute to learn, and move onto real skin, you’re going to rip a person up and blow the ink out. She’s just trying to give them a good alternative so they know what it’s like to tattoo skin that moves and stretches.

He even agreed but Is like but still fuck you...hate to see someone get torn up by these students

Everything you said is so true! You always hear stories from long time artists saying that their mentor basically made them a slave for years under the guise of “teaching them the trade” and that’s not how it should be. So many artists take advantage of the young people coming into the industry because they don’t like the new age of tattoo that involves social media and what not and I think it’s great that there’s a modernized school for tattooing but they just need to make sure that they’re teaching these artists things that will actually be useful in the real world. $35k is definitely too steep but that’s Vegas for you. Hopefully one day the heart of the industry will catch up to the current times so we can have more artists who genuinely love the trade and the history of tattooing so it’s not completely lost in social media.

I agree with you. In Vietnam, there are plenty of tattoo shops that you can pay the artists to teach you (usually the owner). You can choose to stay and work with them, or leave after you're become professional, no slavery since you PAY to get the artists' skills. You can have a job while learning at the shop

They'll teach you how to draw also. No portfolios required, it is good to have it, if not, that's OK. I just recently moved to America and realized all kinds of rules that I'll needed to follow-up with if I want to become a tattoo artist. However, I accepted it since I live in America now.

God forbid someone teaches you a 100k a year career for free, and bullies you. People like you ruin shit

Don't even get me started on how it is for females. My ex-girlfriend couldn't get an apprenticeship because every guy was just trying to fuck her and didn't care about her art. Ultimately she gave up on it when I wasn't cool with these dudes texting her at 3 in the morning

same! i love listening to her speak lol

Thanks for adding to the conversation.

Her what?

@Truth Or dare you sound like one of those people that ask people what they're gonna think about their tattoos when they're older. Let people do what they want to as body mods. You probably have some yourself, got a haircut? Cut finger or toe nails? Trimmed beard? Things aren't always as black and white as they seem. Your way of thinking prevents progress. I truly feel bad for you, you'll miss out on things in life by being close minded like that. Good luck.

@Truth Or dare i bet you’re super fun at parties.

real shit

Can you explain why

Seems like a tourist trap. Like lame tats, just cookie cutter flash, totally for drunk dudes.

@@kaic9712 tattooing is an artwork, a culture. They (Club Tattoo) seem to be trying to pull in people that want a quick souvenir without really thinking about the fact that you’ll have this forever. Flash art pieces that they just pump out, hundreds if not thousands in a day. I don’t believe that every tattoo needs a deep meaning, you can get a piece just because you like it. But to a true artist, there’s so much more to it than putting a design into someone’s skin. You can form a deep connection if you’re like Grace, someone that tattoos by hand, in an intimate setting. Talking about why you want the art, what it means. Designing it together in a true collaboration of minds. Bringing the vision to life. It can be beautiful, and magical. You just can’t get that experience at a place like Club.. Sorry for the long reply, this art form is just very inspiring to me.

Stopped by one just to get an estimate (out of curiosity) and was quoted hundreds for something we got done for $40 at another shop. It’s insane. I get they have to make their money to cover the cost of the shop being in a casino.... but you are insane if you think I’m gonna pay that much for something not even worth it

Pretty epic episode! The cinematography in that scene was dope af!!!! What’s your take as a native to LV when it comes to the “tattoo school “?😂

@@ashlik.beautyllc5243 The tattoo school concept is pure shit lol....I think it already closed

Best part of the whole episode. Thanks for showing a real part of the beauty of Nevada.

@@BobbyBlood what’s the low down on calling that Karen and Steve run shop calling their artists service providers? Seen some suggestions here but nothing concrete. Surely the locals know the reason:)

@@HE-162 it's just a huge corporation (the shop, not just the casino) and they're probably trying to take away the artist's sense of aristic freedom. My understanding is that the receptionists do the consultations and by the time the tattoo gets to the artists, it's already been chosen and the artist just does the final step. I've had artists come to work at my shop from that location and that's the way they described it. I sort of compare it to how they shaved our heads in boot camp haha. Those are very busy locations though and I imagine they had to do something to keep things organized and conforming to corporate structure. The artists are very well paid from what I understand so that's a good thing at least! Props to Grace though, I had never heard about the service provider thing. It's probably not something the artists like to talk about and admit that they went along with.

these clips are about 5 years old and they’re just uploading them all together now, but yea I want to see more videos with her!!

I think she's a bit biased and pretentious at times in her vids

@@mindit808 in this one, specially lol

@@mindit808 I think it’s pretty justifiable the comments she makes, I mean at the end of the day it is all her opinions that she’s expressing but a lot of the things she does call out usually do seem to be bullshit, such as that 35k a year tattoo learning thing. I mean she is pretty old school on the things she’s learned, anything new cool seems to be money related and she doesn’t appreciate it and it makes pretty good sense why she doesn’t. Just my opinion though

I'm glad you wrote this. I live here too and it gets frustrating to see videos about Vegas where they never really explore past the strip. No one that lives here really goes there unless they work there or have family or friends come in and want to see it.

I just moved to Vegas and I’m thinking about getting a piercing and tattoo. Is there anywhere you’d recommend?

@Vi Ku well it’s my friends coming down and maybe getting a tattoo. They like getting song lyrics and detailed flowers. I’m looking for a nose piercing. Any place come to mind?

So true!

Can you recommend any? My husband and I are coming the end of July and want to get tattoos.

agreed LMAO. i dont live in vegas but i go there often since i live in social but there is only so much you can do there

It’s disgusting those owners are classifying them as “SERVICE PROVIDERS”. I would never work for those pigs

Agreed these poor kids are going to be in debt for years and still need a real apprenticeship at a shop before someone that owns a shop will hire them full time. Or they're gonna mess a lot of people up for life

Yes! Such crappy work.

Gentrification buddy

@@Indigo2H311 you may want to look up the definition of gentrification. This is not it. This corporatization and capitalism infiltrating art; not taking a poor neighborhood and turning it yuppie.

It kind of reminded me of, "Bar tending school." There is no substitute for real world experience.

Love it! Just reading comments and this makes me smile. -Jonny

No it’s actually diluting the knowledge that should be kept in the shop …

@@vinniesmith7455 I disagree. It's weird how people want to keep knowledge tightly under lock and key. I think if knowledge was free people could better their lives and professions without spending their life savings for it. Its stupid. It's like there's information police everywhere.

tbh I have 35k in debt from 4 years of school because i worked during. school doesnt have to be expensive.

i was into punk in the late 70's / early 80's and i always knew it was just a matter of time before it got commercialized. nowadays people who aren't even into punk are dyeing their hair blue.

@@NoirL.A. anyone can dye their hair. It's not exclusive to punk 🙄 just more control of what people can do to their bodies, like we somehow need more of that

@@MisstressMourtisha i'm 54 and believe you me when i was into punk back in the late 70's / early 80's you did not see legal secretaries with blue hair and nose rings or cops with tattoos like you do now. and i do mean NEVER.

😂😂😂😂😂 ikr

Yeah the students in that tattoo school look more like regular art school students and lacking actual first hand experience with even having tattoos themselves. Especially the girl who wants to go into animation. She should just go straight to studying animation. I doubt that the experience of inking people's bodies is anywhere close to creating animation.

@@lalakuma9 Exactly. My parents want me to do the opposite; learn animation or graphics arts before doing tattoos. I'm reluctant because none of those skills can be carried over to tattoos that I don't already know how to do

I've seen a couple, there's one or two on Inked Magazine's channel who have no ink but are well established artists. I can't hold it against them. As a heavily tattooed person I hate being judged for my ink why should I judge someone else for their lack? Being tattooed has no bearing on someone's ability to do tattoos.

the reason the one guy wanted to be a tattoo artist is bc he saw shop life on miami ink or whatever 🤦‍♂️

@@jaredl.1738 as someone who studied animation in school...they are not the same (I tattoo now) and they are 2 completely different things

they are talking about women like some suggestable species. and he says "females" and "spend their mans money" as a dude i wouldnt feel safe there lol.

Ok girl with basic small infinity symbol on your right forarm.

Ha I know im like uuuhh what? When she said that shit haha

@@nickreynolds9745 Also, what about those of us who don't even like the d or like both men and women? I hate it when people act like heterosexuality is compulsory. Like, we make up almost half of the population.

Usually because they think you just ask and that's it. It really helps to consistently get tattooed at that shop before and leading up to even asking, I think a lot of people don't realize that there are very few shops these days that will gamble on an apprentice with zero experience being in or around shops whatsoever. If they don't know your face or level of dedication or even if you can HANDLE getting tattooed, doesn't matter if you can draw well. If you pass out at the sight of blood or what have you it's not gonna work. Just my 2 cents.

That's kind of a closed minded and kind of dumb take. You're not looking at it through a client's perspective. You're looking at it from an established shop perspective. "it's always been this way so anything different isn't acceptable." I feel that's the type of thinking that gets you left in the dust. This particular school honestly send a little shady but the concept of a school for this is kind of genius if you cut the tuition in half and take in five to ten students you'll be profitable as a school. Also use better teaching told like she suggested. The big plus for students here is that in a short period of time they could build a great portfolio and have genuine practice if taught safely and correctly. The key there would be social media followers and fans they can easily turn that in to their own business/shop/practice. They could come out of the gate seeking merch and getting client's off of their social media followers. Again, the school would have to actually prepare them for what talking real skin would be like. Teach them about promoting and consistently posting their work on as much social media as possible and how to cultivate a following. And bring that tuition way way way down. Then it could work as a straight up trade school. But to dismiss the notion entirely based off of one sample is kind of dumb. When any truly talented tattoo artist could open up a school if they wanted. Win win win. No one really "needs" school especially if you're in the arts. But having an option for this could be cool.

@@nikelpikleger9754 but that’s still the same thing. Cut in half they pay 15k roughly? That’s insane. There’s just no need for it when you can get an apprenticeship anywhere and I most places don’t charge. You just put in the work. At the most I’ve seen one shop charge 2k. That’s for however long you need because as an artist you can’t tell everyone to learn at the same pace.. I’ve had apprentices as well and it’s not about being close minded. It’s about it being a scam that’s doing less than what an apprenticeship will do for you.

@@nikelpikleger9754 plus that’s just art school if they don’t get proper practice. So from a clients perspective would you get tattooed by someone who went to art school and only tattooed rubber arms or would you get tattooed by someone who apprenticed.

@@bleufitz9702 I already covered all that. I know I went on a bit of a long rant but; 1. I never said an apprenticeship was bad. It not only works, but is apparently the only option outside of teaching yourself. 2. Yes. Your take is still closed minded. I don't think THAT particular school program is good but something like it could be really successful and desirable if done correctly. I already covered everything else. Re read my essay if you're so inclined. Not really that big a deal. Just saying there can and should be more than one way to skin a cat... So to speak. As far as being taken seriously, who gives a shit? The tattoo community doesn't have to like you. If you're getting tons of clients that love your work from social media posts or whatever then it really doesn't matter. I think it's easy to forget that the work comes from clients not other tattoo artists. I honestly don't really care just bored so I replied. Called it how I saw it.

@@nikelpikleger9754 You made points about school when apprenticeships do the exact same thing. And more. Work comes from both.now that it’s mainstream it doesn’t need to sell out to be that. That’s the point. If it was an improvement the sure. But they’re doing less than what an apprenticeship would do for an artist. It’s just a waste.

wow! thanks for sharing your story xx

That’s amazing! I wish you luck Lisa

❤

Thank you! I may be moving there soon, and I was kinda concerned because honestly? Hate the strip. Grew up in the metal, punk, art, occult/goth and rave scenes and stayed there my entire life, so it was actually encouraging to see a punk show as well as read your comment. I need things to do and a real nightlife culture not involving tourist traps.

Cause it’s a sub culture that’s all about being taught by OGs. Not just about the techniques but also the culture within it.

@@TeethOfDead art school, at least credited ones, are also all about being taught by OGs. All through my college experience, all my professors were either working in the industry or had retired from it after collecting decades of experience. My personal thesis advisor was a veteran Disney animator. Working professional tattoo artists could easily still teach apprentices in a more structured "school" setting.

While as an old I don't agree with the spirit of tattooing being commercialized in that way, I just wanted to say that your animations are tight af and I may commission you one day for some music I've been working on. Keep it up kid, you got a lot of talent!!!

The ones like Sweater Warm-Up/Thesis Vid are definitely my favorites. Stay weird!

That's literally college tuition, but for no job security

There’s a tattoo school in Orlando for everything the exact same curriculum and its 13 weeks for a grand total of $6,000 plus you can get scholarships and financial aid

You have ig ? Lmk

@@ThePrinceOfDeathit is the same as on here @frankbobtattoo check me out my man!

@@frankbobtattoo forsure

She is one hundred percent right

she looks like a video game character even

$20 says no

Here waiting for an answer to this!

yeah haha i was like where are the masks !

Its called a pandemic. They have to recycle stories.

Sometimes tattoos ugly or not that they can both tie to thier wedding will stay on them when most would be already thinking of laser sessions or a cover-up right away. Agreed they should have checked out dude portfolio first. Just because they own a shop doesn't mean jack. But $150 to do Scum life script 😕 that's salty as fuck. Thats the kind of over pricing shit you will see a lot ot of Miami Beach or in shops that live on ripping of young people who are getting thier first tat and have no idea what pricing to expect. Tattoo prices are all over the place depending on where you go. And good tattoos you should expect to be expensive. But that is just highway robbery what they charged for those two tiny words. I dont care what artist they went to. It literally took the artist longer to set up then I did to bust out those tiny things.

I've got a lot of tattoos and consider myself a good judge of a good tat. And I went to Starlight tattoo in the lobby of Mandalay Bay. And got a tattoo for $850. (Talked them down from $1250) but im really happy with the work I got. Dude had been tattooing for 30 years and his portfolio was legit 👌 the tattoo I got was sick. If you're worried about getting a shitty tattoo because there are so many shops there and don't know what ones are good. Starlight's location at Mandalay is highly recommended

@@ironrangerw6r1 I was a tattoo artist for almost 20 years mostly working in and around VA. I really can't speak on the Vegas shops beyond what I have seen in this video. In tattooing, the general rule of thumb for clients is "You can get your tattoo good, fast, or cheap but you can't have all 3" Mostly you get what you pay for and research of portfolios is key. The matching wedding tattoos, while special to the couple I'm sure, were poorly executed. It looked like the artist took advantage of the fact that they were tourists so they wouldn't be back to fix-ups/touch-ups, they were drunk, and he played off the emotions of them getting hitched. It's a shitty/shady thing for an artist to do just to make some easy $.

Shit was roooough