The custom tattoo form functions as a proposal, meaning I reserve the right to accept or decline submissions.

There are various reasons I may not accept a booking request. Please know that this does not mean your idea is not worthy of being tattooed, simply that I might not be the best artist to take on the project. I also receive a large volume of requests which gives me the opportunity to accept projects that suit the style and subject matter I am most interested in.

After submitting, you can expect a response to your proposal within 1-4 weeks. All proposals will be responded to. Responses to accepted proposals will include any relevant information, questions or thoughts on the proposed tattoo idea and three options for appointment slots.

If you fill out the from and are unable to submit that means I have reached proposal capacity and have closed responses. After opening the form for submissions it usually takes about an hour to reach the amount of submissions I am able to take. Keep this in mind when planning to submit.

Its an enormous privilege to receive so much interest in my work and though I wish I could accept every person who desires to book in, it is simply not possible.

My hourly rate is $220 an hour and our shop minimum for anything that takes under half an hour is $125.

On almost all of my tattoo posts on instagram I include the approximate amount of time it took me to complete the piece in the description. I do this so folks can create rough estimates for themselves when considering getting tattooed by me. By looking at this you can get a clear idea of exactly how much the total was for each piece.

✷

I offer a reduced rate of $100/hr for folks with richly melanated skin. I offer this in response to an industry rife with colourism and racism where the myth that tattoos either won’t look good or simply won’t work on melanated skin still exists.

By offering this reduced rate I hope to participate in this service being a more welcoming one for richly melanated folks who have systematically been made to feel unwelcome in the tattoo industry. If you have any questions related to this please feel free to reach out.

Additionally, I offer free colour testing for melanated folks who want to see how certain colours (including black or white ink) will heal on their skin. Colour tests are usually done in dots or lines, but I am always willing to do other shapes/patterns. If you would like to book a free colour test you may email me at any time via spittingsmoke@gmail.com.

✷

Deposits:

I require a $105.00 (includes GST) NON-REFUNDABLE deposit for all appointment bookings, this will go towards the full cost of your tattoo the day of your appointment. I accept all deposits via e-transfer to spittingsmoke@gmail.com once we have agreed upon a date for your appointment. I require all deposits to be made immediately upon booking, if you do not make your deposit within 24 hours of confirming a date, your appointment will not be confirmed, leaving the slot available for others.

For large projects that will take 2 or more sessions I require a deposit of $210.00. For projects that take multiple sessions, your deposit will be applied to the total after your final session.

If you have a gift card and that gift card will feasibly cover the full cost of the tattoo you’re wanting you do not need to make a deposit. However, if I determine that the gift card likely won’t cover the full cost of the tattoo you want, I will require a deposit be made.

I do not draw designs without a deposit having been made.

✷

Rescheduling and Cancelations:

If you cancel your appointment at any time you forfeit your deposit.

Rescheduling anywhere within 48 hours of your appointment slot will require you to make another deposit in order to reschedule.

If you request a reschedule anywhere before the 48 hour mark of your appointment time, your original deposit remains valid for your rescheduled appointment.

This policy is non-negotiable and exists to protect me and my small business from unexpectedly losing income on short notice. I deeply appreciate this boundary be respected, thank you!

✷

Finally, Hemlock is cash only!

I am primarily interested in black work and engraving style illustration.

Subject matter I am interested in:

Art historical references, subversive Christian religious iconography, feminine archetypes (such as the monstrous feminine, wild woman and divine feminine), mythology, mythological creatures (Unicorns!), European Medieval style illustration, folklore, occultism, witchcraft, satanism, esoterica, high fantasy, erotica, queer imagery, queer narratives, armour, natural history/biology (especially birds), anthropology, archeology, human pre-history and pre-human ancestors, scientific illustrations, engravings and woodcuts.

Subject matter I am not drawn to:

Realistic florals and or floral arrangements/bouquets (I am only interested in engraving style and medieval style depictions of flowers), full colour, geometric, photo realism, tribal, script/handwriting/quotes, micro-tattoos, American traditional, neo-traditional, arm or leg bands, landscapes, cars, buildings/architecture, photo realisitc portraits, pin-up style figures.

***

Additionally, as a white person and settler, I am mindful of not tattooing designs that are based around cultural imagery that does not correlate with the client or myself. Examples of such designs are cultural icons, objects or deities, mandalas, tribal/ornamental/ancestral designs or motifs etc. If you are part of a particular culture and want something related to that identity, I may be more comfortable tattooing whatever design you might want, however, I also may point you in the direction of an artist who specializes in what it is you’re looking for.

I also will not participate in copying another tattooers work. Please do not inquire about getting the exact tattoo shown in a google image or Pinterest post. As far as other living artists or illustrators, I will only engage in a reproduction if explicit permission is given from that artist and I will require proof of permission given or rights purchased.

If you are interested in flash (pre-drawn designs), I periodically post available designs via my Instagram feed that can be booked via email, rather than through a proposal/booking form.

I try to post them at random times in order to reach different folks with different schedules.

If you want the best chance of seeing and booking flash I recommend turning on post notifications to be notified whenever I make a post from my Spitting Smoke Instagram account.

You can view past flash designs that have been claimed by scrolling through my Instagram grid.

A video consultation (via zoom) is an opportunity to discuss your idea in depth with me.

I encourage those submitting to try and provide enough information in my booking form that a video consult will not be needed.

However, if you are submitting a proposal for your first tattoo, please request a video consult as it’s important to me to walk folks through the entire process before getting their first tattoo.

If it’s not your first tattoo but you simply feel that a video consult is necessary to communicate your idea effectively I am happy to accommodate.

There will be a question prompt in my booking form to ask if you require a video consult.

If you do require a consult, the proposal response I send to you will include time slot options for a video consult. Consults usually take half an hour or less.

I work at Hemlock Tattoo Studio in Mohkinstsis, Treaty 7 Territory, aka Calgary, Alberta.

We are located in a red brick heritage building known as Fairy Terrace. Our address is #1-1111 3 St SE, across the street from Cowboys Casino and right on the corner of 12th ave and 3rd st. We do not have designated parking, but there is a paid parking lot attached to Pixel Park behind our buildings private parking lot. Do not park in our buildings private parking lot.

There is also lots of street parking on most streets around the studio. However, be aware that there is currently ongoing construction for the C-Train Green Line and Stampede Park expansion, so if you’re driving to your appointment we recommend giving yourself time to account for any parking adventures.

If you take transit, we are a short walk away from Victoria Park/Stampede station, and bus routes 10 and 24 stop close by. There is also a bike lane along 12th ave that leads right to the shop and bike racks across the street.

Our current space is not wheelchair accessible. However, for any clients with mobility aids like wheelchairs, we are able to tattoo you out of Radio Block Tattoo at 1215 1st Sw #100. The space at Radio Block is entirely accessible and the staff have been kind enough to offer us use of their studio if we have clients who are unable to access or comfortably exist within our studio.

Simply notify me within the booking form if this is an accommodation you might need and we can go from there! You can also find a detailed accessibility audit on our website at hemlocktattoo.com

Please let me know if there are any other accessibility accommodations you may need or if you have any questions about location, accessibility or accommodations.

Get a good sleep the night before your appointment, stay hydrated and eat a good meal beforehand. You are welcome to bring your own snacks and beverages to your appointment as well.

Please refrain from drinking heavily the night before your tattoo session. Alcohol thins your blood, and in turn will make it very difficult to tattoo you the day after. Additionally, getting tattooed while hungover is exceedingly awful and hard on your body.

If you're feeling under the weather, or are getting over a cold or flu, it's recommended to postpone your appointment until you're feeling better. Similarly, if you go on antibiotics near your appointment time it is recommended you postpone until your infection is gone. Please let me know with as much notice as possible if you get sick!

If you would like to have someone come with you to your appointment please let me know. We can usually accommodate guests but we do have a very small studio so there may be instances where it is too crowded to have accompanying guests.

You are welcome to use your phone, wear headphones, bring a book, game console, fidget toy etc for your appointment.

If you are pregnant, you CANNOT get tattooed. If you find out you are pregnant after booking in, please let me know and we can postpone your appointment. If you plan to breastfeed I also ask that you wait until after this process is finished to get tattooed. Please also consult your doctor before going forward with your tattoo.

Please consult your doctor and notify me if you have any health conditions or are on any medications that may make getting tattooed unsafe. Some of these could include: Diabetes, heart conditions, epilepsy, if you are a bone marrow or organ transplant recipient, if you are on anti-biotics, immunosuppressants, blood thinners or medications for acne or other skin conditions such as Accutane or Betaderm.

I do allow clients to use numbing cream if they desire. You can purchase numbing cream from most pharmacies or online. I can provide information on how to use numbing properly cream upon request.

You may also use muscle relaxers or CBD products if you feel they will benefit you during the tattooing process.

Please be aware of any upcoming vacations or trips you may have that could affect the healing of your tattoo. You cannot submerge your tattoo in water or expose it to direct sunlight while it is healing. I recommend at least 2-3 weeks before fully submerging it in water or swimming, and 3-4 weeks for full sun exposure.

Additionally, you are not permitted to donate blood within 6 months of receiving a tattoo.

For aftercare I recommend a product called Aquaphor. This Vaseline-like healing ointment is absolutely incredible for healing tattoos.

Finally. Hemlock tattoo is CASH ONLY, so please make sure you have withdrawn cash before your appointment.

Before booking in, it is extremely important that all potential clients are aware of our public policies.

Hemlock is an intentional space with a focus on consent, comfort and safety. The participation of every person who enters our space is vital to ensuring our studio is as comfortable for everyone as it can possibly be.

Please review our policies before booking so you are fully aware of what is expected of both client and staff in the studio space and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you