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

[@Jonnytafoya]

Watching this 5 years later I still love how my shop was represented. Lowlife Tattoo Company closed in January 2022 and went down with dignity. Had a 12 year run, not bad at all. I now live and still tattoo in Denver. Still happily married and 2 healthy great kids. Thanks to Vice for this series. Hope to see it resurface on a streaming service someday. Thanks everyone. -Jonny

[@SK-rs1hu]

It's on Tubi if that counts

[@sillypigeonstudios]

jonny u are awesome!

[@Jonnytafoya]

@@sillypigeonstudios thank you! 👊🏼

[@baileyarnold2020]

I wish they didn't steal Vices video though. But, besides that your shop was awesome!! So glad to hear you're still doing tattoos & have your little family. So fucking cool ❤❤

[@lalakuma9]

"Service providers" Why would I want to get tattooed by AT&T?

[@mikemassino]

Could be a legal thing

[@biggaywizard]

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

[@Mirdur]

Y guy Guggenheim v888l00s0

[@Mirdur]

Y guy Guggenheim v888l00s0

[@funkychicken2119]

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.

[@coyotefire69420]

The friend at the wedding was absolutely blasted lol. When he looked in the camera you couldnt see a soul

[@drmantistobboggangonzodr3961]

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.

[@beforeigo4284]

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

[@jmiff8450]

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.

[@samtron4109]

hahah i was looking for this comment

[@nacklewinkle9751]

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

[@swizzlegrower]

Service provider is code for independent contractors so the business can RIP off the artists by not paying tax or providing health care/benefits

[@HitManRickyTan]

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

[@RichardAristarchovas]

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

[@BoringBrandi]

It feels like the McDonald's of tattooing

[@NoirL.A.]

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

[@MasonPapenbrock-my4gl]

Tattoo artist are always independent contractors unless they are being screwed

[@dustin860]

Grace is by far the most beautiful human I've ever seen. Her personality makes her glow

[@ClaudiaRabbitHeart]

same! i love listening to her speak lol

[@aaronazagoth6373]

Thanks for adding to the conversation.

[@irie1tes]

Her what?

[@dustin860]

@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.

[@hannamadethis]

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

[@bexxlong4434]

I was interviewed for this piece. I’ve been tattooing for 20+ years and was completely cut out of the video. Vice came in with the plan to crap all over Las Vegas and that’s what they did. If you hate Las Vegas that’s fine, yes it’s expensive on the strip, no not every tattoo artist on the strip is terrible, not by a long shot. To be approached like they had genuine interest in Las Vegas tattooing then to have 90% of our footage discarded as it didn’t fit their narrative isn’t great journalism.

[@MisstressMourtisha]

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.

[@MisstressMourtisha]

I'm sorry that happened to you.

[@nacklewinkle9751]

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"

[@richmondmancil9264]

Damn. Media always pushing their own agenda.

[@intothevoid3962]

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

[@michaelfoster886]

Man Grace wasnt playing at all when she found out about that Tattoo school costing 35k a year lol

[@dustinking5642]

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

[@karen_from_finance4710]

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

[@3798penisholder]

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

[@feralhomunculus]

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

[@NoDrizzy630]

Probably better off getting an apprenticeship

[@rogermenjivar4943]

So happy she’s back!

[@13ANDR3W]

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!!

[@mindit808]

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

[@rogermenjivar4943]

@@mindit808 in this one, specially lol

[@13ANDR3W]

@@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

[@Just_no_]

I am with Grace on her view about her hesitations with the Vegas tattoo industry. It loses it sense of beauty and spirituality and just becomes a place for people to make money. No disrespect in the slightest, but I love Grace’s view on the spiritual journey of tattooing.

[@kellymorgan6718]

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.

[@DeaDiabola]

@@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.

[@letsflyaspaceship]

The main issue with apprenticeships is that many artists kind of just expect you to drop everything to focus on nothing but the apprenticeship. Like you could be working a full-time surviving paycheck to paycheck and they'd expect you to quit and go broke while you slave for them. There are many artists who will take advantage of apprentices and use them for free labor, in some instances charging them thousands for an apprenticeship. When professionals in the industry gatekeep and make it impossible for someone to try and get an apprenticeship the only logical next step for these people is to buy a cheap eBay machine and start scratching out of their bedroom. These "tattoo schools" have the right idea, but charging 35k for something most shops will look at and laugh you out the shop for is absolutely disgusting. I've gone through several apprenticeships before I found one that really worked for me. I don't know how it is in other countries but a lot of artists in the US are absolutely insufferable and have a holier-than-thou attitude when it comes to aspiring artists. I'm not saying artists need to drop what they're doing and give an apprenticeship to anyone that asks, definitely not. But if someone is putting in the time, showing up to the shop, working on their portfolio, getting work from you, showing genuine interest in the industry. Give them a fair shake and don't take advantage of them. It'll only lead to more scratchers flooding the industry.

[@ThatWeirdoRightThere]

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.

[@hovi893]

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

[@hovi893]

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.

[@baker3person]

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

[@Meilk27]

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

[@youngfame323]

I love how offended she is about the “Service Providers” and the Tattoo school I LUV EHT!

[@gatorgator3833]

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.

[@kimmythehun]

bless grace actually trying to give a tip on how to get the students a better practice medium and homeboy blows her off like she doesn't know tf she's talking about .... that's all im gonna say about the tattoo school 🤐

[@seaamundsen4687]

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.

[@gaetaboots9292]

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.

[@kimmythehun]

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

[@bobsalamone9798]

@@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.

[@HitManRickyTan]

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

[@honestlynate7922]

Club tattoo is a terrible representation of tattoo culture. They couldn't pay me to let them tell people they tattooed me

[@occultgf]

real shit

[@kaic9712]

Can you explain why

[@eclemente79]

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

[@bobsalamone9798]

@@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.

[@alexandrarenee5647]

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

[@Bungletronics]

What those people at Club Tattoo are doing is just awful. Overpriced crappy corporatized tattoos. Artists need to be recognized as such and should have some level of freedom. It's the American way I guess.

[@Memory_ahole]

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

[@ironrangerw6r1]

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

[@JK-yk1og]

Yes! Such crappy work.

[@Indigo2H311]

Gentrification buddy

[@Bungletronics]

@@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.

[@nla5307]

I live in Las Vegas and I stay the hell away from the strip. If you want to spend the money on an overpriced tattoo go to the strip, otherwise there are brilliant artist outside of that area.

[@tiffanyblack7856]

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.

[@RogueVideoRaven]

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

[@RogueVideoRaven]

@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?

[@plantlover6392]

So true!

[@ms.p1969]

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

[@veganmom22]

Thank you so much for making this video. I grew up in Vegas and so many people don’t understand what it’s really like for folks who grow up there, or how their crazy fun weekend has a price that many of the local youth pay.

[@petesouvall1085]

The tattoo school reminds me of culinary school. There’s nothing wrong with going to something like that to learn fundamentals as long as that’s your intention. But when you finish, you haven’t bypassed the years of experience and time needed in the field to make you a master. A lot of people just want the top level right away without putting in the work.

[@vinniesmith7455]

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

[@MisstressMourtisha]

@@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.

[@BobbyBlood]

Grace was super cool! I got to show her how to shoot the AR-15 during the filming of this.

[@ashlik.beautyllc5243]

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 “?😂

[@BobbyBlood]

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

[@tiffanyblack7856]

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

[@HE-162]

@@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:)

[@BobbyBlood]

@@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.

[@tanyapineda7212]

As a somewhat vintage tattoo artist myself, I really appreciated the spectrum of coverage in this...it made me sad...then happy all over again again to see punk is alive and well. I wonder how everyone, especially those kids at the end are getting thru these covid days...long live tattoo💘

[@NoirL.A.]

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.

[@MisstressMourtisha]

@@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

[@NoirL.A.]

@@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.

[@susanjane4784]

Service provider? I don't know about you, but getting serviced involves other things. Worse, the world knows that management doesn't consider their employees to be creatives.

[@aaronazagoth6373]

Johnny and his crew were by far the kind of people I’d want to get tattoo by. They live the culture. That massive tiger on that dudes knee must have been a hard sit!

[@Jonnytafoya]

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

[@Reason1717]

For a guy with no tattoo's at all, this was so educational. I love the honesty in this program. What a wonderful glimpse inside a world I know nothing of.

[@reneeowenby3689]

That school is just proof that someone will figure how to make money off anything like even other people's natural born talent

[@25eastview]

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

[@jasminemoon8298]

My bf is from Las Vegas. He did his apprenticeship at Naked City Ink. After working at a few shops in Las Vegas he ended up moving to Williston ND. Now he owns his own shop called Dark Side Tattoos, LLC in Williston ND. Would also love to see an episode on artists from Vegas who left the state all together ❤

[@darklyclad]

Tattoo artists without tattoos look very suspicious

[@lalakuma9]

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.

[@jaredl.1738]

@@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

[@Hawk1966]

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.

[@emmettbattle5728]

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

[@g.gleepertv8186]

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

[@Devoured_soul]

I’ve missed Grace!!!! I love her 🥺

[@lisaabbott6582]

I had Bilateral Retinoblastoma the same cancer as the tattoo artist but in both eyes. I’m completely blind in my right eye and partially in my left. I’m in nursing school now, you adapt to what you have, I don’t ever remember seeing out of both eyes.

[@emilycapra8827]

wow! thanks for sharing your story xx

[@EXPLOSIVEXPLOSION]

That’s amazing! I wish you luck Lisa

[@Jonnytafoya]

❤

[@venezcia1192]

Grace: "Vegas is weird" us Vegas locals finding it normal/boring xD

[@camillealisonn]

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

[@gassgames]

I love grace she's so down to earth and cool wish these episodes where made more often, I've seen them all

[@fletcherjackson8594]

XD wait till she finds out how much the average American tuition is. That price is pretty reasonable compared to regular university

[@brenly__2247]

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

[@gwenmph]

I love Grace so much. She just embraces people’s passions and how they choose to live their lives. I don’t think there was even once in this video that she was judgmental toward someone, even if she had a differing opinion.

[@user-rv3jh8vw8k]

Anyone who goes to tattoo school, will not be taken seriously, so 35k for this is basically like college, finish in debt with no job

[@nikelpikleger9754]

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.

[@bleufitz9702]

@@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.

[@bleufitz9702]

@@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.

[@nikelpikleger9754]

@@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.

[@bleufitz9702]

@@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.

[@mndyD9]

“Women trust women”..... um no I’ve only been tattooed by men with the exception of my sister in-law. I trust clean shops and great artists regardless of gender. This Club Tattoo looks too touristy and corporate for my taste. But to each their own 🙃

[@nickreynolds9745]

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.

[@Anonymous_________]

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

[@PLT123]

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

[@DeaDiabola]

@@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.

[@tiocfaidharla251]

Apprenticeships are crazy hard to come by. Every one who even doodles tries to get in at a shop. You have to be lucky to get one.

[@SuperFatAlbert]

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.

[@Belladonna240]

Grace is my biggest inspiration! She's amazing!

[@hamilcross]

locals know not to go to the strip. we just know. the tattoo shops out here are very commercialized and frankly the quality of most of them aren’t great. i went out of town for mine.

[@GorlWorldGroupiesAnonymous]

It’s so sad that fun parties rock parties out of someone’s house or basement etc. isn’t a real thing anymore and it’s nice to see Vegas kids are keeping it alive. I had some of my best times in life at those kinds of parties and met so many amazing different people! Keep on rockin’n guys!

[@karigarci12]

No one from Vegas goes to Pahrump “ to get away”. We do not consider it a part of vegas 😂

[@recoverythrugamingtv5352]

Cleen shoulda been on this, one of my favorite Vegas tattooers

[@xmrpaintx1]

That's a pretty bad ass story that shop owner had about the gunfight in the parking lot... Dude is all casual about it, "yea they missed me, I didn't miss then tho, one died." Omg 😂

[@ashlik.beautyllc5243]

😂😂😂😂😂 ikr

[@eringopie-lawson]

Missed Grace! You guys did an awesome job putting this together

[@jexikavindictive]

I'm so happy to see garage band shows are still a thing.

[@CPTPlanet85]

They took this video out the vault lol Cool to see Vegas through the eyes of a non-local

[@kamailehallam8787]

The Embracing Project is so inspiring! I hope they know that what their doing is very impactful and amazing for people everywhere! Empower women!

[@yayafilm.]

Such a well done documentary. This really spreads awareness about tattoos and it’s symbolic-ness to the main stream media.

[@theblackdelia]

damn why every NV kid had each of these experiences! from the casinos, to the free shooting range, to the punk house lmaooooooo!!!

[@eshayfairy]

that girl with the eye patch is absolutely awesome she is so beautiful i love the design too

[@eshayfairy]

she looks like a video game character even

[@primordialpisssoup]

i missed grace, im so glad shes back and has her own lil series

[@bellah2196]

UGHH I LOVE GRACE, more please 🙏🏼

[@Hewlett-Packard-Lovecraft]

My god I can’t handle how adorable her voice is.

[@tanishaharris1641]

As a long-time vegas resident, I really hate when shows like this only show the strip and then say that you have to go to Pharumph to see what life outside of vegas is like. There are hundreds of thousands of locals that live here and never go down to the strip or any of the craziness that happens around it. Vegas is a normal city that happens to have a strip.

[@DeaDiabola]

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.

[@kamailehallam8787]

Also, I love that Grace is showing people reality and what they world is like. Especially the positive!

[@mjjjermaine]

Grace! Exciting to watch another video with her again 🥺

[@frankbobtattoo]

I have just moved to Las Vegas as a tattoo artist and this has taught me a lot! Thank you!

[@ThePrinceOfDeath]

You have ig ? Lmk

[@frankbobtattoo]

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

[@ThePrinceOfDeath]

@@frankbobtattoo forsure

[@d.n.8919]

I actually like the idea of the school. The "in culture" of tattooing seems really hard to get into from the outside. Going to a school seems way more straightforward because you just sign up for it.

[@ThePhilotherianist]

The reason tattoo schools get a bad rap is because outside of the state of Oregon there's nothing regulating the quality of students or the instruction. So a student can wind up getting a license, but not actually be able to draw well, and they end up producing shitty tattoos. Oregon's the only state that regulates a curriculum for tattoo schools.

[@chatterati]

All new tattooists should have proper training with exams in infection control and hygiene ect

[@bunnycatch3r]

"However, I can't quite get my head around why tattoo artists are called service providers" ~ Oh, my sweet summer child!

[@leigh7507]

She is one hundred percent right

[@sperohero]

"it is a little pricey, probably more expensive than other tattoo apprenticeships. THATS ONE THING I DIDN"T REALLY LOOK INTO." Bruh really??! $35,000 for a year program???? They better guarantee them a fucking job at the shop after the program at the very least.

[@Irisicaaa]

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

[@ameliahaugh6698]

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

[@Hanniebones]

Speaking as an animator, not a tattoo artist, who's gone through the schooling process in my art trade, I don't see why the concept of a school setting for the tattoo trade would be a bad idea. I've known multiple school mates who went through the four years of college to get a BFA in illustration and hone their artistry skills to then spend even more money and time after going the traditional apprenticeship route to then FINALLY be a tattoo artist. I think perhaps a beauty school way of going about things would be very beneficial... three years of fine art training, then the fourth, allow models to come in to be tattooed at a slightly discounted price for practice.

[@TeethOfDead]

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.

[@Hanniebones]

@@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.

[@DeaDiabola]

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!!!

[@DeaDiabola]

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

[@jacksonrolle8062]

Love how she keeps it a band

[@thealexzandriaeffect]

Imagine having Grace as your wedding guest🥲

[@jmartinez5369]

I wonder if John and Megan are still married

[@siddharthkrishnan3317]

$20 says no

[@lolabush2201]

Here waiting for an answer to this!

[@mariosalgado3131]

I totally fell in love with Grace!!... Not her face,body, or tattoos... But her Hair, voice, and love for tattoos!!!... wonderful lady!! 😍🥰

[@TaureanRuler]

It’s nice too see the same crew. I used to live a few blocks away from Precious Sl*t I remember going with friends watching them get their tats

[@bobm1476]

The skankin' best man was tripping balls!!!! lol Had idea how to deal with Grace's "interview question" lol

[@AchromaticChameleon]

I think I feel like the tattoo school thing is worse than Club Tattoo, though that's pretty bad too. I'd be super wary of getting tattoos done by someone who went to a tattoo "school" if they didn't do a traditional apprenticeship at some point. It just feels really disingenuous to go about getting into tattooing that way. They really seem to be in it more for the money and "clout" than for the love of the craft. I don't know if I'd trust them with my skin.

[@alfonsocanoiii7225]

Love the respect he has for Sailor Jerry

[@misatron158]

why is this 5 years old

[@victoriaelizabeth9023]

yeah haha i was like where are the masks !

[@Pdubya69GS]

Its called a pandemic. They have to recycle stories.

[@PolishCowvsJuan]

Congratulations to everyone who is early and who found this comment

[@latishacampbell9398]

Very underrated video... Loved it and loved the host/reporter even better... Soft spoken and beautiful and very elaborate .👍✨🤗

[@2ManyThieves0]

Friend at the wedding was off the yappa 😂

[@ImperatrixDea]

Grace, I'm glad to see you again! Lovely perspective, hope to see more.

[@robinr5337]

Remember when it was about the art? Quality over quantity.

[@rvgrat4713]

35k for tattoo school?? I'd get a degree sheesh

[@aurielove9177]

Same smh

[@eringopie-lawson]

Tattoo school is a total rip off. These talented artist who won’t know how to actually tattoo when they get out in the world.

[@EIRE1980]

I love ink. I got my first tattoo at 15, then 3 more at 17, then 10 or 12 more after serving in the military. The pain and the feeling is relaxing I fall asleep almost every time, if thats weird sorry, but I love it. Love your channel great content. Much respect 👌

[@PipistrellaVideo]

Grace is so lovely, thank you for creating this

[@richboyprado]

This girls work is beautiful! Love her neck and face tattoos. Simple but effective

[@carolynnwhitmore8804]

Grace is my absolute favorite!

[@rahrah4232]

her voice is so nice

[@rofljen666]

PAHRUMP! My grandpa lived there for almost my whole childhood. Tiny little town.

[@CalMadiC]

I wish someone would upload new episodes if there are new ones. This was on vice's channel at least a year ago.

[@raybaird9541]

I believe this is the best way for success. They teach business as well. Most people fall at owning a business because they don’t know how to manage a business. Prices, expenses true cost etc. 35,000. 00 is cheap

[@DeaDiabola]

Oh my god the Dracula wedding was EVERYTHING hahahahah

[@xysthar132]

Didn’t kno I had a thing for shorties w eyeball tattoos, but Grace is fuckin adorable n her ink is so dope

[@Mr.Pokerus]

"Blown outta their shoes"

[@murfymurf]

I'm so glad you talked about sworkers.

[@kionnakelly2918]

Me too.

[@katiegarner9310]

LOVE her energy ❤️

[@katiegarner9310]

His parents emancipated HIM?!? Lolol 🤣 like you can just be like, hey judge, we’re not really feeling this whole having to be parents thing anymore, we tapping out... Pretty sure emancipation works the other way around. He sold it though 😝😂

[@flamcheeseful]

Lol it happens if your kid starts catching charges. America.

[@drewskijane2611]

Some (not all) states allow emancipation by a court order. Usually, the minor must be at least 16 years old to do this-although many states allow minors as young as 14 may petition the court for emancipation.

[@katiegarner9310]

@@drewskijane2611 right, I just meant emancipation is filed by the child, not the parent. As in a parent can’t go to court to have their child emancipated from them and the child be put on their own. Which is how what he said came off to me.

[@erikadowdy686]

Great Documentary I loved it Straight to the point

[@jonkirk1309]

Stop projecting your bias' and prejudice, whether or not you have an apprenticeship or go to a school to learn, the main thing is how successful the Tattooist is at putting ink on skin.

[@castanedascape8963]

Such a beautiful documentary

[@ironrangerw6r1]

My wife and I got Remarried by the same Elvis as you put on here. It was so cool. But its been 2 years and we still haven't got out pics we paid for

[@lilyluft4800]

The only tattoo I at all regret, out of like 20+, I got on the Vegas strip. Completely overpriced and it’s scarred.

[@StrawberryNinjaNibbles]

How is tattooing scarring prevented?

[@thebusinessgoose]

Is this a reupload? I could swear I’ve seen some of this footage before

[@mieshkaguillermo8118]

Same!

[@ForbiddenFish]

I'm pretty sure it is, I remember that girl? with the Steven Universe jacket.

[@EstablishedLowriders]

Johnny and his people are Official 💯💯💯

[@marcusgomez1372]

Grace is literally beautiful art 🖤

[@Msenlightened1]

I was born and raised in Las Vegas. Im still here. And want out. =0) I stay far away from the strip.

[@geoffreypark2247]

The club tattoo lady didnt even call her employees artists. That's sad

[@smadak]

I feel like I've seen this before...

[@ryanbradley3218]

Yea - It's a re-upload :/

[@britta9754]

Same!

[@Crystal-of9sc]

Love grace so much so authentic

[@timothy3610]

The interviewer says in reference to his bogus 35k dollar school "Is it tattoo artist doing this or is it men not in the industry looking in and saying we could make alot of money?" and the guy says "it could be, there are alot of companies like that but that not our company". That's such bullshit 🤣 hes selling dreams to trust fund babies at that price