Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Herb Rothschild Jr.: Respecting limits ... A Q & A with Schneider interim director Scott Malbaurn ... Four & Twenty Blackbirds Bakery takes flight to new roost ... Herb Rothschild Jr.: Respecting limits ... A Q & A with Schneider interim director Scott Malbaurn ... Four & Twenty Blackbirds Bakery takes flight to new roost ... BUSINESS PROFILE Universal Rites Tattoo Comment By John Darling For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Daily Tidings Posted Oct. 7, 2014 at 4:57 PM By John Darling For the Daily Tidings Posted Oct. 7, 2014 at 4:57 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Sammich does it Chicago-style • Hats with a Past • The Haven • Advanced Photo & Imaging • Shenandoah Living Funerals • Hot Stuff Espresso • Carpe Noctem • It's not too late to rethink the ink • Drawn to ink • What's the big deal, Mom? It's just a tattoo! • Tattoo parlor to replace chocolate shop » Social News 611 Siskiyou Blvd., Suite 2, Ashland Benja Burlingame, owner •  www.universalrites.com  • 541-488-0611  What do you offer here? What makes you different? Most studios tend to be similar. I’ve worked in a bunch of them, all over the country. I saw the need for a more personal, spiritual, private experience and that’s what I do. We call this our “tattoo temple.” Everyone’s needs and concerns are taken into consideration, whether it’s a joyous occasion, a memorial or a declaration of a new intention. Tattoos are about personal transformation. It can be healing, empowerment, recognition of a great experience, your beliefs.  By transforming your physical form, you transform your inner world, your spirit, soul, destiny. Tell us about yourself and how you got here. I was born and raised in Walnut Creek (Calif., in the Bay Area). No one in my family was into tattoos. I had a calling, a fascination. I became an artist doodling on my homework. I went to the San Francisco Academy of Art, in illustration. I decided to make this my career path. You definitely have to be an artist first. It’s like being an engineer and having to learn math first. I developed my skills and abilities. I worked all over, in Texas, Washington D.C., Minnesota. I worked in San Francisco at the famous Erno’s, with a lot of celebrity tattoo artists. What’s your favorite art genre? My favorite is art nouveau. It’s such a blend of the refined, stylized and the raw, organic. But you have to be well-rounded in this business, as you interact with all kinds of clients. Tattooing is like doing a Buddhist sand painting. You put a lot of mojo into it, then you blow it away and never see it again. What are your prices? It’s $80 minimum or $100 to $120 an hour. That’s needle-to-skin time. But all work includes a lot of consultation, stenciling, clean-up. I probably end up making $20 an hour. A quote from the shop website : “I see it as my ability and purpose to interpret inner aspects of the personality and soul and personify them in a work of art that speaks to each client’s individuality, vibration, and intention.” John Darling is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Email him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Daily Tidings Posted Oct. 7, 2014 at 4:57 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501