Bastards of Art : Episode 68

Bastards of Art: Too polished for folk art, too punk for fine art.

Episode 68

How to navigate a Toxic work Environment

I received a test message from a listener. He asked me to do an episode on the unhealthy work environment that tattoo shops can have. Here is his text:

“Here’s an idea for a topic:
How to navigate toxic work environment in a tattoo shop. Egos, drugs, booze, general bad attitudes in tatt shops”

There was a point in time where tattooing was a small niche tribe. The culture ran by its own rules and policed itself. I do not accept this as a legitimate excuse to allow an unhealthy environment to exsist. The edgy-ness of tattooing has dulled and with that the gruff attitudes have lost their purpose.

Tattooing is a very mainstream business. Artist are citing their professionalism as a selling points to clients Often they themselves do not reflect the healthy values needed in todays workplace. Working in a shop that is still fueled with machismo rather than creativity and professionalism often leads to toxic environments.

My answer to the text is simple. Become the best version of yourself. By doing this you will attract other like-minded people. You will never be able to change other people’s attitudes or temperaments, nut you have 100% control over yours.

Change always starts with you.

-Matt Hodel

Bastardsart · BOA68

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Bastards of Art Host: Matt Hodel

Matt Hodel is the owner of Ragtime Tattoo and Lillian Press in St. Louis Missouri. Working as a self-employed artist since 1995, he left his fine arts degree for a path in the low brow art world. He apprenticed for tattooing in the 90's at Iron Age Studios. From there he has traveled the globe working as an artist.
Today Matt splits his time between St. Louis and the Ozark Mountains. He enjoys Risograph Printing, landscape painting, and digital painting. Matt brings these podcasts to you the listener in hopes to inspire and motivate.

For other projects vist: Matt Hodel Design