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« Surfer Girl
Looking Beneath the Surface of Miami Ink
Ami James by Eric Larson/TLC
I love the TLC series Miami Ink. Love it. There I said it. I am a girly girl who has no tattoos, and no intention of getting tattooed (my husband would kill me), but every week I tune in to this show and am absolutely fascinated. I got hooked a little late, not until this past January, because needles kind of freak me out. I'm just squeamish about them, and when I was in college and briefly entertained the idea of getting wings inked into my shoulder blades, I completely chickened out. Anyway while in the hospital recovering from my C-section (which made me much less squeamish about everything), I discovered the show late at night and got hooked on a marathon. On the surface it is just a show about these goofy guys (and the cool Kat Von D) who hang out and try to launch a successful tattoo shop (I like the term "parlor," but I think even admitting that makes me too unhip even to be writing about this show). But what gets me is the human emotion that is the heart of this series. It isn't just the sweet stories of a man/woman getting a tattoo as a tribute to their sadly deceased father/sibling/mother/baby, which populate many of the episodes and that always have me all teary-eyed, but the way that the Miami Ink crew is completely engaged and dedicated to each and every tattoo they do. If Ami James doesn't like an idea, he'll argue with the customers and then work with them to come up with something that they are both happy with. At first I was thinking, "not a great way to run a business," but then I realized that he wasn't selling these people a stereo. The service that they offer at this store is one that is permanently affixed to their clients' bodies. Laser removal is painful and expensive, so it is better that one of the experts tells the customer up front that an idea isn't really lasting. Occasionally Ami could stand to be less blunt, but I think that people kind of know about his attitude going in, and I've yet to see an episode where someone was truly unhappy with his work.
But while Ami is the dominating personality on the show, not to mention the voice-over guy who introduces the customers and offers his insights, the other personalities are great to watch, too. There is Chris Nuņez, who co-owns Miami Ink with Ami and is pretty much his polar opposite. While Ami is gruff and serious, Nuņez likes to spend his money buying sneakers and big toys like Escalades and such. He also flirts with pretty much any woman who walks in the door. But like Ami he's really devoted to his mother and even recently took time out to care for her while she was ill. These guys all are really family-centric and that's nice to see. Then there's Darren Brass, kinda quiet, kinda goofy and a former graffiti artist. He does some really interesting stuff, but his recent debate over whether he was ready to become a father was sweet and very relatable. I'm sure he's not the first married guy to be unsure if he was ready to procreate or not. Unlike Yoji, the former apprentice-turned-tattoo artist, who is completely devoted to his wife and infant daughter and making sure he can provide for them. He's not the greatest artist. In fact, he still kind of makes me nervous when he picks up that needle. I'm so afraid he's going to go outside the lines. No wonder the crew has so much fun still torturing him. Of course there's Kat, who is fun to watch and can totally hang with the boys. Her ability to do a lifelike portrait on someone's body is absolutely amazing. Her work is truly something to behold. Actually, most of the artwork that comes out of this shop is excellent and it is fascinating to watch the process of how it is created. Lastly, there is my personal favorite Chris Garver. He's extremely talented and really dedicated to his job and while he is probably the quietest in the bunch, and somewhat camera shy, he will speak up when it comes to tattoos. He's always giving Ami flak about his lack of lettering skills. But coming from someone who could probably freehand some beautiful script, Ami is willing to accept his "constructive criticism." If I were ever to get my wings, I'd beg Garver to do them. I know he hates fairies and things, but I'm sure he could design something really cool and graphic and bright.
If you haven't watched Miami Ink, or had previously written this show off because of the subject matter, I encourage you to give it a chance, there is definitely more to it than meets the eye.
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Aug 23, 2006 11:32 AM
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I love this show. It's always interesting to see the different types of people who get tattoos and what their reasons are. I've always been fascinated by the whole process of tattooing and it's really cool to see how the whole thing works. I love that the guys aren't willing to just thrown any crappy tattoo on anyone, since it represents them they want to do only the best possible work. And Kat is just awesome.
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Aug 23, 2006 12:22 PM
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How does this show compare to Inked? I have never watched Miami Ink but am a big fan of Inked! Anyone out there watch both and want to do a comparison?
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Aug 23, 2006 12:38 PM
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Ranger99, I'm hooked on both shows and they couldn't be more different. Miami Ink is much more about the story behind the tattoos. They really show a lot of the tattooing and always show you how fantastic the end product looks. To me, the Miami Ink shop and the artists there are way more into the art of tattooing, how it started where it should go... what will or won't look good. Personally, I think the tattoos coming out of the Miami Ink shop are 100 times better than Inked (not to be too mean towards the H&H artists, some of their stuff is great, especially anything Twig does). Hart & Huntington is much more a business trying to pump out as many tats as they can. I've watched Inked all along because it usually is good for a laugh, but it really is more about the different personalities and what stupid thing they can get Dizzle to do, not so much about tattoos. Whether or not you'll like one versus the other is really dependent on what you are looking for. Inked is a show all about personalities and joking with a bit of tattooing thrown in. Miami Ink is all about tattoos and the people that love them. The guys and Kat (my personal favorite, I would kill to get a tat done by her)are a great bunch to watch. They really are a family, and as cranky as Ami can get, you still get the feeling that they'd all be there for one another no matter what is going on in their lives. Personally, I love tattoos and anything having to do with them so I enjoy both shows. I also watch almost any reality show you can find on tv, I'm a bit of an addict. If I could only watch one, I'd definitely have to pick Miami Ink over Inked. I definitely recommend giving the show a try! TLC repeats it enough that even if you can't catch it Tuesday's at 10 you can always watch it some other time.
PS: Thanks for writing about the show Angel!
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Aug 23, 2006 1:41 PM
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Thanks Angel for writing about Miami Ink. I swear you watch every show I watch! I really love this show. I agree with Cassandra about liking the stories behind the tatoos. My only problem watching the show is that I always want to run out and get a tatoo after watching it! Angel trust me on this, if you get your wings, it wont stop there. Tatoos are very addictive!! I know, I have 2 and am dying for more!
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Aug 23, 2006 1:44 PM
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ivansgringita, glad to hear I'm not the only one dying to get a new tattoo every time I watch the show. I have 4 already and I can't wait to get my next one! I have to say, I'd never go to Ami (unless I decided to get a Koi fish, because he's great at them) I'm pretty sure any of the pretty girly things I'd pick out, he'd slam and refuse to actually do!
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Aug 23, 2006 2:11 PM
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I love this show!! It's the personal aspect of it that brings keeps bringing me back. I don't have any tattoos but everytime I watch this show I want one.
I wonder if I could get a tattoo one needle poke at a time? Like over a long period of time just go in every week, get poked once until it turns into something. I could do that kind of tattoo.
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Aug 23, 2006 3:48 PM
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I also love this show. As my husband says, I am a little obsessed with tattoos right now. I really want to get one, but haven't decided on the details yet. I enjoy Inked for the characters who work there, but I have been disappointed with the lack of information about tattooing on that show. Of course, Miami Ink is an entire hour, so they also have more time. You don't have to love tattoos though to appreciate the artwork and the reality aspect of the show.
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Aug 23, 2006 6:20 PM
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One of my favorites. I watch it every week. I even learned how to draw a simple rose by watching Chris Garver teach Yogi. So not only are you entertained/inspired but you learn something every once in a while. 
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Aug 23, 2006 7:04 PM
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Oh I love this show too - I got hooked when they were having a marathon one day. I love how they show the stories behind the tattoos, and the artwork is just amazing.
And it makes me think of what tattoo I would get, if I didn't have the aversion to needles, pain and all that. It makes a great hypothetical - if there all those things that are keeping you from getting a tattoo weren't there - what you would get - and why? (and where if you want to get more into it)
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Aug 23, 2006 7:19 PM
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Thanks for mentioning this show. I hav been watching it since the first episode. My fave is Chris Garver, although they are all really talented in their own style, especially Kat. Her portraits are ridiculously amazing. Garver's work also is amazing...the colors and shading they achieve is incredible. I can't draw stick people, so anyone with drawing talent has my respect, but translating that talent via ink is pretty amazing.
Great comraderie between the group. Great show.
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Aug 24, 2006 1:57 AM
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The show won't be the same any longer with Kat gone - Paul Sr of OCC is a putts! Kat was right not to go to new york to tattoo a band of hearts! She has to much talent to waste on such a band of Hearts! It's to bad Ami is so hard headed and let some thing so minor split a friendship! I won't be watsig my time on Miami Ink or Orange County Chopper - leave the whining men to themselves!
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Jun 27, 2007 6:45 PM
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