GUIDELINES..
**!READ THUROUGHLY BEFORE CONTACTING ME!**
→ Check that my books are open & read thru the tattoo section of my website before reaching out.
→ Be over 18 and vaccinated and boosted for COVID. Masks are mandatory, N95's, KN95's or equivelant propperly fitted masks.
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→ Cash only for payment.
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→ Respect my time! I don't take deposits.
However in the event of no shows cancelling day of, or with in 24 hours of our session, I expect you to pay me for my time and supplies. 150$CAD to bugcruickshank@gmail.com.
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→ If you're more than half an hour late, I'll charge by the hour (150$/hour) starting at the half hour. If I don't hear from you within an hour of our appointment I will leave, see list point above.
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→ If you aren't able to tip me, please let me know and discuss with me beforehand.
Suggested 10% to 15%, ultimately up to you.
Click here for some of my thoughts on tipping your artist.
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→ Do not come see me if you're sick! Let me know as soon as possible.
→ If you have frequent risk exposure to COVID in your life I will ask you to test twice before our session and follow up with me. Seven days and 42 hours beforehand.
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→ If you've travelled or plan to travel within 14 days before our scheduled appointment, I require you take a COVID test 72 to 24 hours before our session & email me results.
→ Ask before photographing me. I will make sure to do the same for you and your tattoo.
→ When inquiring about my sliding scale approach me with honesty, transparency and respect.
→ Understand that I get to turn down work I can't, am not able or do not want to do.
*NOTE: Right now I am working Sun to Tues & on and off Wed & do single session days typically starting at 12pm.
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A BIT ABOUT MY PRACTICE..
Tattooing is something I feel deeply grateful to do! It is a serious honour and responsibility to be in the work of permanently adorning bodies.
I approach tattooing as a form of bodywork that centers experience, emotionality, creativity and consent. I tattoo in a empathetic, intentional way that is relational over simply transactional
and see it as a celebration of agency and choice!
I have been tattooing in one form or another for 9 years. I began in 2015 as a scratcher in a queer collective house. Learning slowly from practice, community and the hype of those around me.
I got serious about it and my attention and focus grew as it supported me through my early 20’s. Working out of humble spaces and home studios, I transitioned to private studios and began doing guest spots in the early 2020's.
Shaping my practice was organic to the way I relate to art and people. It became slow, thoughtful and interpersonal as that best suits me.
I aim to provide a safe, private and comfortable alternative to the classic shop atmosphere. And welcome people of all bodies and skin tones. I can always offer transparency and discussion on my varying levels of experience in these ways.
And while my work and art is inherently queer, it is for all those who feel reflected in it and called to it.
I offer a sliding-scale with respect and care for giving lower rates to those who need them; which is available with discussion and planning.
Ultimately my ambition is to help people self-actualize and feel true to themselves through making freaky tattoo dreams tangible! I always invite your feedback, be it critical, constructive, supportive, sweet or silly.
I offer the biggest, gooiest heartfelt thank you to everyone who has and continues to show up, give faith and offer trust in me as an artist.
Being a disabled, interdisciplinary and non-linear person, my work and capacity often fluctuate and I am sometimes tattooing in greater or lower volumes.This can be anywhere from weeks, months to years at a time. You can always check back on the status of my books through instagram or my newsletter for updates.
A BIT ABOUT THE PROCESS..
FLASH
My flash offerings are original designs that are once off. Meaning I will only tattoo them on one person unless I have your permission to do otherwise. Sometimes they are done for pairs or groups of people upon request. For example friendship or lover's tattoos. My flash is first come first serve and always goes to the first person to book it with me.
The designs go up on my instagram in posts and stories. I update what is available on in the 'flash' highlight by marking or taking down claimed pieces and uploading new ones. You can check back on that highlight to see what's available. Often things do not get taken as fast as people think they do, so I encourage you to check back.
If you don't have instagram you should still be able to view my page and highlights on a web browser without making an account. I also post flash on my newsletter but am not able to update when it's claimed there.
CUSTOM WORK
When doing custom work typically people will approach me with an idea, be it anything from detailed and specific to loose and conceptual. The conversation is initiated over email by using my booking form.
Someone with a very specific tattoo in mind shares a bit of context and background of where the idea is coming from, opening up a direction for us to take. People with more vague ideas of what they want may come to me with a theme, style or feeling and offer me partial or full creative freedom in materializing a design.
This process starts over email. Followed by optional one on one consultation ($100) or continuing over email after receiving my drawing fees. I send drafts and updates as the design progresses and offer two revisions. (Additional revisions are subject to fees to ensure I am paid for my time.)
Custom tattoos are booked at a set date we decide together and the design is completed before our session.
My approach to the design aspect of custom tattoos is to treat them as their own independent art commissions. Which is part of why I charge non deductable drawing fees. Being a separate 'transaction' from the tattoo session itself, I find this method makes for a more comfortable atmosphere to decline getting the tattoo if the client doesn't want it after seeing the finished design. (Which is uncommon but feels important to make space for) While also ensuring I am paid for my work.
FREEHAND
Freehand tattooing something I am passionate about and eager to do!
Creating a drawing on skin like a page in a sketchbook, a person shows up on a booked date with a placement in mind. We form something out of conversation, based around an idea like emotional landscapes, life events, or big open themes (this could be literally anything ex; gender euphoria, dreams about flying, summer road trips etc)
I draw out a rough sketch with sterile tattoo pens and work towards a tattoo that unfolds as it is completed.
The drawing time pre tattoo typically takes about an hour depending on size and detail.
Being a process that is extra time consuming, labourous, creatively and emotionally involved I ask $180/hr.
Coming soon: Semi-freehands! Loose sketch, thematic offerings. Picture a combination of freehand and flash.
DEPOSITS, FEES & CONSULTS
Instead of taking deposits I charge a drawing fee of 80$ for drawing time and correspondence on custom work. This ensures I am paid for my time. I operate on system of trust with flash and freehand when consults or design time doesn't apply. Of course cancellation fee's do apply. (See guidelines) I offer 2 revisions to designs with drawing fees. Additional revisions cost 30$ to 60$ each depending on size.
I offer in person consultations for 100$, which include conversation, collaberation, planning, booking and sketching on both skin and paper at the studio. I can work here with both specific visions and open concepts that require intuition and creativity. Personal, emotional and sentimental aspects to getting tattooed will always be welcome and considered during this process.
This can also be a great way to assess accessibility as we will be in the space you will be getting tattooed in.
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RATES..
CUSTOM WORK
150$ hourly
80$ drawing fee
sliding scale rates
open to discussion
FLASH
at set rates, linked here & on my instagram highlights
FREEHAND
$180 hourly
sliding scale rates
open to discussion
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ACCESSIBILITY INFO..
The studio is located at a drive up old motel building in a ground level suite. It is in the north west corner of the building tucked beside the stairwell in the corner. It's along a sidewalk with a wheelchair ramp that is 38.5" wide. The window to stairs entry way is 44.5" wide. The front door way is 33.5" wide from frame to the door and opens inwards. There is a small metal lip at the base of the door. The bathroom is small, it’s doorway is 24" wide. The sink in the bathroom stands at 33" tall. The massage table in the space currently is 29" tall and has a suggested 550lbs weight limit.
There is a short and sturdy black velvet couch 17.5" wide for seating and two plastic ikea chairs. The space is scent reduced, some chemical smells from sterilization supplies. Noise levels vary with sound from busy roads, construction and other studios. The building is cement which does provide some sound proofing.
The floors are cement and there is efficent heating from a box heater as well as two plug in fans for cooling.
I use a minature portable air purifier that I run near the work area.
For more information, as well as location and directions please be in touch with me via email correspondence.
BOOKING YOUR TATTOO..
My preffered method of intake is through my booking form.
You are also welcome to contact me directly thru the contact page or directly over email with any inquiries at bugcruickshank@gmail.com
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