George Winterling
You’ve been tattooing for 20
years now. How would you say
the industry has changed?
I think it changed drastically
since it became more commer-
cial. TV has changed it dramati-
cally as well but I think people
are more accepted into the
tattoo industry. Things are so
different. There’s a whole new
generation of people getting
into the industry today and I
think that’s what makes it eas-
ier for people to be accepted
into the industry. Especially art-
ists. Part of the reason for the
change is people are getting out
of school with degrees, fine art
degrees, and they’re not able to
get good jobs and they’re turning to tattooing.
So is that good or bad for the industry?
I think it’s been great for the industry. It keeps everybody on their toes
and there’s incredible talent out there because of it. So you’re either in or
you’re out; so I think it’s great.
That’s true I see a lot of guys in local shops doing the same shit they
were doing eight years ago and I tell them if they don’t pick up their
game they’re gonna be greeters at WalMart in two years.
It’s very cutting edge today and that’s what I like about it. There is true
talent out there. When I got in there wasn’t really new talent out there. It
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