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The tattoo industry has undergone significant transformations in safety and professionalism since the 1960s and 70s, largely due to the efforts of key advocates for health regulations and training. In those early days, tattooing practices were far from the standards we consider safe and professional today. Artists often worked without gloves, used unsanitary equipment, and operated in environments that lacked basic health standards. For example, it was common for tattoo artists to dip sponges into metal buckets of water to clean the skin—a practice that would be deemed unacceptable by today's standards.
In this episode of Chats and Tatts, host Aaron Della Vedova sits down with Cathy Montie, a pivotal figure in this transformation, who shares her experiences from those early years, highlighting the chaotic and often unsafe conditions under which tattoos were performed. She recounted how her husband, Gil Montie, tattooed in their living room and later in a makeshift studio within an oil change shop, illustrating the lack of formal training and regulation at the time.
Tune in for an insightful look at tattoo history and the ongoing commitment to safety and professionalism in the industry.
Chat Highlights:
00:01:06 - Introduction
00:01:06 - Evolution of Tattooing from the 60s to Today
00:01:28 - Importance of Safety in Tattoo Industry
00:02:28 - Challenges of Regulating Tattoo Industry
00:03:31 - Cathy Montie's Bloodborne Pathogen Course
00:06:01 - Moving to Vegas and Tattooing with Doc Dog
00:09:03 - Tattoo Shows and Traveling Lifestyle
00:12:39 - Tattoo Forefathers
00:14:32 - Tattooing on the Carnival Circuit
00:18:14 - Working on the Movie Bound for Honor
00:19:16 - Evolution of Fake Tattoos in Movies
00:20:27 - Influence of Movies on Tattoo Culture
00:22:26 - Early Safety Practices and Needle Sterilization
00:25:01 - Tattooing in the Early 90s in Los Angeles
00:27:14 - Working with Freddy at Ratatatoo
00:29:30 - Leaving Ratatatoo and Moving to Isla Vista
00:32:31 - Opening Absolute Tattoo in San Diego
00:40:13 - Benefits of Retractable Cartridges
00:42:14 - Kathy's Role in Regulatory Changes
00:43:54 - Current Issues with Ink Regulations in Europe and the US
Quotes:
"How many of you out there would be going into tattoo shops and getting all these tattoos if they were run like they were run in the 60s?"
"How crazy is that? Just grabbing someone's bare skin with your hands and cutting into them with a tattoo machine."
"All it takes is a handful of really bad shops, somebody gets sick, somebody gets hurt, and now we've got some major problems on many levels."
"To enjoy our business. We are in the most amazing business we could be in, working with the public."
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Aaron IG: http://www.instagram.com/aarondellavedova
Guru Tattoo: http://www.Gurutattoo.com
Connect with Cathy:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cathymontie_bbp
