Big news
… updates on events on flash day and events coming in separate email tomorrow…
I have been slowly letting people know something that has been shifting over the last few month here at the shop.
PMA Tattoo is transitioning back into a private studio. *if you are booked with me, this does not change your appointment status at all.
The shop has been quiet lately, many of yinz have commented on this. Prior to my making this decision all but one artist had other work opportunities. They either already worked at a second tattoo shop while working for us. Had primary day jobs. Or were already converting a family owned space elsewhere into a tattoo shop for themselves. (This was all very cool and everyone knew about it, NOT what led to this conclusion) The one person who didn't have other endeavors in the works has already found a guest spot and is opening a private studio next month. They all moved out with a calm, professional behavior all around. I also gifted the artists equipment and supplies to help with the transition; some have asked to guest back here in the future.
I would never have done this just to gain more space for myself. For years I gladly paid for education opportunities, training, food, coffee, insurance and more in an industry that often doesn't even cover the cost of gloves. Unfortunately I no longer felt comfortable hosting artists at the shop after there were several emotional outbursts in the shop over a simple schedule miscommunication regarding an annual photo day I arrange for the artists as a gift. There were things said that no one could say to their shop owner/boss at any job and still expect to keep that job. After that, working together became very difficult. I did not feel able to manage the shop.
I do want to acknowledge that what I shared is a small portion of my experience and perspective. I never take this decision lightly, this has been heavy. Finding the words has been hard. As sudden as it might seem to clients, the change has been a long time coming. There were other concerning issues that I choose to keep between my coworkers and I since that is their privacy. I had spoken to them about these things prior but hid them publicly since I was sincerely hoping we could work things out. On photo day it became clear we could not continue working together.
This is not the end of PMA Tattoo, I am looking forward to focusing on my own artwork and clients for arguably the first time in my career as much of my career was spent holding down multiple jobs, as many artists do
!high five for supporting local art!
Much of my career I helped with cleaning and managing the shops I worked for, and often helped shops I didn't work for :P Due to this, I am so grateful for an opportunity to focus in on my own work for a while. After I take a brief pause from hosting. I will be popping up at other shops round the city and welcoming guest artists to pop up here after a brief pause <3
*updates in this coming in tomorrow’s email
What was meant to be a temporary private studio, built in 11 days (with money from a motorcycle I sold when I thought I was moving to Massachusetts), somehow grew into a multiple-artist shop lasting 10 years and beyond. And it became my life. All this in a town I moved to while living out of my suitcase.
Geez. Pittsburgh. I love yinz.
I don’t have the words to describe what 10 years of running a shop with 2-6 artists is like knowing my stuff used to be in trash bags and milk crates for years. It has been the most challenging and wild time of my life. I cannot believe it has been 20 years in the tattoo industry this year. And there are folx doing double to triple plus those years of experience, so much respect to yinz this industry is hard on us all no matter which way you get in.
So. I am hoping and looking forward to years more of cover up tattoo floral critter magic with yinz here at the shop.
Thank you for your trust and collaboration over all these years.
It has truly been a wild ride but I am hoping to leave the wild years behind for once.
I need peace in my life.