There’s a trend that’s only been getting bigger recently in the tattoo community…. stick ‘n’ pokes. What started out as a jail tattoo (or a kitchen hobby) needing only a pen, needle, ink, bottle cap and a steady hand has turned into something tattoo parlors now offer. And it can be pretty expensive. They charge hourly, of course, and really intricate stick ‘n’ poke work can take a very long time. Or you can get your drunkass friend to do it one convivial late night and end up with something that could be…. well… less than impressive.
Stick ‘n’ pokes seem to be tied up with the more DIY elements of the punk rock community. There is a scene in Penelope Spheeris’ The Decline of Western Civilization where X and friends are seen hanging out in their living room and John Doe is giving a friend, Top Jimmy, a stick ‘n’ poke. In fact, the whole scene is a late night post X show stick n’ poke party.
Intrigued by this tie in of stick ‘n’ pokes and punk music, I reached out to Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females, someone who has a reputation for stick ‘n’ poking:
Marissa says:
“Stick ‘n’ pokes often come along with a fun story. Tattoos done in a proper studio can come along with a good story as well, but from what I’ve experienced, a DIY tattoo is often born from chaos. I love that sort of abandon, but as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that drunkenly marking someone’s flesh isn’t something I’m so keen on doing.”
As far as learning how to tattoo, she says:
“An artist and musician who goes by the name Ben Snakepit taught me how to give myself a tattoo while Screaming Females was on tour in Austin in 2008. I must have been twenty years old at the time. Ben is well known for an autobiographical comic he makes called Snakepit.”
Marissa tattooing her bassist, King Mike’s leg while their drummer sleeps on a couch.
Now stick ‘n’ poke parties are becoming trendy. Here’s a flyer for an event that included free stick ‘n’ poke tattoos, music, live painting and drinks. Mainstream culture seems to be celebrating the idea of these simple little lowly tattoos. Get your 10-year-old sister to draw you something, it will be the perfect kitchen tattoo.
And yet stick ‘n’ pokes can truly be art. Certain tattoo artists have mastered stick ‘n’ pokes as simply another option at the local tat shop. Jenna Bouma aka Slowerblack is one such artist who does amazing work. You would never know her tattoos are hand-poked.
Blame Max also does incredible work. The patience he must have. Blame Max is located in Poland.
Here’s a stick ‘n’ poked arm that is a collage of eyes all done by different people! Collect one from each of your friends and remember them forever!
If you’re just starting out, don’t over exert yourself… even the simplest tattoos are “cool.” Even this decidedly minimalist smiley face. Okay, this one sucks. Whatever.
You can’t go wrong with a ghost. Ghosts always look tight.
There is definitely a difference between the professional stick ‘n’ pokes versus those who do it as an intoxicated hobby. Now it can be your intoxicated hobby: There’s a “DIY” Stick ‘n’ Poke kit you can purchase that includes “17 items in one kit!” Capitalism. It’s always there for you.
Zasha, a YouTube expert, will teach you all you need to know about DIY stick ‘n’ pokes.