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I really had high hopes for Spike TV’s Ink Master when I first heard about it. A tattoo reality show centered around competition made me think it would be something akin to Chopped on Food Network. A tattoo version of Chopped would be a good thing, right? Chopped is pretty well-made and fairly clever. As a viewer, I think the most interesting part is the feedback contestants receive from the judges once the challenges are over.

I thought Spike TV had enough experience with reality programming to do this right–they worked with the UFC  to create ‘The Ultimate Fighter‘ show. While Ultimate Fighter gave interpersonal drama way too much airtime, it was still better than the average reality TV trainwreck.

Then I heard Dave Navarro was involved with Ink Masters, and I was suspicious. I get it: they picked a recognizable, douchey ex-rockstar with tattoos to appeal to the average joe. (Personally, I would have gone with Benji Madden–but that’s just me.)

Nevarro aside, they did enlist Chris Nunez and Oliver Peck as judges, and the list of the tattoo artists/contestants was fairly impressive. With that many talented artists involved with the show, I still held onto the hope that this could really be a show the tattoo industry and community would be proud of.

The promo clips are starting to pop up online, and I have to say, I’m a little concerned. Instead of following the Chopped model like I’d hoped, this looks like typical bad reality programming… What an awful feeling. (Watch the clip below to see what I’m talking about.)

Even after seeing clips like these, I hope there’s going to be some good that comes out of this show. Like I mentioned above, there’s a number of really talented artists involved. Maybe it can shine the light on some other artists, as well as shops that really deserve the attention? Better yet, I’ve heard that the artists talk openly about some important tattoo common-sense subjects, like why you should tattooed in a shop instead of someone’s kitchen.

I realize I’m grasping at straws, here. I just don’t want to believe every episode is going to be like the clip below. I can’t say I’m confident Spike TV will air the portions of the show that would actually benefit the general public, but I could be wrong.

At this point, I don’t know what to expect of a full episode… but I guess we’ll find out tonight at 10pm.

Last week we briefly discussed Spike TV’s newest show, Ink Master. Since then a lot has been released about the show, including a full cast list and this trailer below.

I’m interested in hearing what you think about the show, the cast, and the preview.

Starting October 2nd Pigment Dermagraphics and Fine Art will be closed down for 2 weeks to remodel. They’ll be doubling the current shop size, which will allow room for an additional tattoo station and a fine art gallery.

Congratulations to Jeremy and the crew!

Tattoo by Jeremy Miller at Pigment Dermagraphics and Fine Art in Austin, TX

The Tattooed Life Tour made a stop in Cincinnati this past weekend. Unfortunately, I was only able to hang out for a few hours, but I managed to snap a handful of pictures.

It’s an understatement to say that our industry has undergone an immense amount of change in the past few years. I have only been tattooing for eight years, and I am sure a lot of artists would say that I am still new to the game. However, even with my limited time in this profession I have seen how these changes dramatically effect even the smallest details of day to day life in a tattoo studio. Some of us welcome these changes while others shun them, but look back to 2005 and we can all see that putting tattoo shops in America’s living room has significantly changed our little world.

What do these changes mean for our future?

Should we embrace them or fight back?

Surely at this point I have an audience that is severely split down the middle, with evolution supporters ready to charge into the new frontier and disgruntled old-timers ready to fight for what they feel is the only way tattooing should be approached. The sad truth is that there is no correct answer, just a jumbled mess of hardheaded individuals ready to spit their opinions on one another. If you are offended that I called you hardheaded, let me apologize, and then let’s take a step back to realize why we all got into this field. I hear people say all the time that tattooing called to them and they have such a passion for it–but frankly, it is a rock star lifestyle. We get paid very well to be stubborn and do what we want to do. Giving society the middle finger is one of the perks of the job, so yes, you are hardheaded. Due to the stubborn nature of all of us, I feel that it is crucial to our collective advancement to look at the facts and opinions that have the ability to shape our future.

I love the look of a well done traditional rose, but it’s nice to see something completely different.

Tattoo by: Jeremy Miller at Pigment Tattoo Studio in Austin, TX.

The color of this diamond reminds me of the old ring pops. Remember those?

Can you believe they still make those? Now they have a sugar-free option available. What kind of blasphemy is that?

Tattoo by: Jeremy Miller at Pigment Tattoo Studio in Austin, TX.

A new reality TV show is currently being filmed at Pigment Dermagraphics and Fine Art in Austin, Texas. It’s called Pigment, and the intro for it is below.

This is only the intro for the show, but I’m going to see Jeremy Miller at this weekend. Maybe I can get him to release more clips and details in the near future.

Pigment TV Pilot Intro from Digital Shakedown on Vimeo.

Jeremy Miller hit us up to tell us about his newest interview on Tattoo Sprout. Now Tattoo Sprout isn’t your typical tattoo blog, as it’s ran by Angel Oreto, ten year old daughter of Kristel Oreto.

Angel’s ten year old perspective is refreshing, and I think the blog has a ton of potential. How many ten year olds do you know that can explain what a new skool tattoo is?

If you’re looking to pick up some original tattoo-inspired clothing, look no further. Jeremy Miller and Johnny Gruesome have just released 38 different pieces available in men, women, and even baby sizes.

All clothing is available from the Pigment Dermagraphics and Fine Art e-store as well as at the actual shop.

T-shirt by: Jeremy Miller at Pigment Dermagraphics and Fine Art in Austin, TX