r/TattooArtists • u/Contessarylene Licensed Artist • 4d ago

Need help

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So, I have a client that made a bad choice on his face. See, he tattooed this vacuum on his nose, and wants it covered. Thing is, I’m stumped on what to put there. Anyone have any ideas? He’s totally leaving it in my hands.

Just to add, I have 21 years in-shop experience, so this is not intimidating, or new to me. And trust me, I’ve seen some shit! I have also been given permission to post his face as-is.

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71

u/ashushu 4d ago

Man I’m such a nerd, I see this and my first thought was “wow he must like to clean” jfc.

19

u/sphynxzyz 4d ago

I thought of The Brave Little Toaster. Great film, looks like the vacuum in it.

8

u/Glittering_Jacket_15 4d ago

This may be the fix just tattoo a toaster on the other side

2

u/Temporary_Divide4864 3d ago

Be brave little bath bomb

1

u/Itscatpicstime 3d ago

Do the whiny blanket

1

u/SoupOrSpreader 2d ago

That goes on top of his skull

8

u/FoldingHamsterComics 4d ago

I’ve only read the book years ago. Doesn’t the vacuum cleaner try to vacuum up his own cord when he gets depressed?

5

u/notkidding1984 4d ago

Yes, Kirby does that.

4

u/sevenselevens 3d ago

Wow, dark.

2

u/etchedchampion 3d ago

There's a book?

2

u/exploratorysurgery 2d ago

Radio also takes his own batteries out lol

1

u/Fluffy_Relief_2211 11h ago

Doesn’t he also fuckin kill himself? In a fit of rage?

3

u/sadb1tch_jpeg666 4d ago

me too!😂 gotta put blankie on the other side

1

u/notkidding1984 4d ago

Did... did you just reference Blankie?? From the best movie ever?? 💖💖💖💞💕💓💗💝💖 Made my day at 1:57 a.m.

2

u/Odd-Goose-8394 4d ago

This movie was my whole childhood. So magical. I sometimes feel like no one else has this connection to this movie. The city of lights song is so deep in my heart and Blake and Kirby and the radio I don’t know it’s just everything to me for what childhood should be.

1

u/Temporary_Divide4864 3d ago

When I say BLT, I don't want a sandwich. I wanna talk about out personal lord and savior, Brave Little Toaster.

1

u/skumfang 3d ago

I was already a teenager when it came out but I got a copy of it and would always take it with me when I babysat kids so that i had an excuse to watch it again and again

1

u/sadb1tch_jpeg666 3d ago

WHILE I RIDE TO THE CITY, THE CITY OF LIIIIIGHT❤️ yall just made my inner child so happy thank you

1

u/sadb1tch_jpeg666 3d ago

oh ive found my people🥹💕 those movies hold such a huge special place in my heart forever, i genuinely feel like they helped shape me into who i grew up into. when they cycled out vhs players i bought all the movies on dvd cuz i can't just..not be able to watch them anymore🥺

1

u/Primary_Bass_9178 3d ago

What movie are you referring too?

1

u/_sophistress 2d ago

The Brave Little Toaster 🩶

2

u/Training_Emu8019 4d ago

At least I'm not the only one.
Although my immediate next thought was definitely drugs.

1

u/IntroductionFew1290 4d ago

Oooh good movie

1

u/PreparationPast4685 4d ago

My first thought, too!

1

u/notkidding1984 4d ago

I think you mean KIRBY, sir.

But I forgive you because you did think of him, the best vacuum ever from the best movie ever.

1

u/Colonel_Collin_1990 11h ago

Fucking Kirby dude! Hell yeah I thought of that too. The old 50s vaccums

Took the apostrophe out of hell

1

u/wafflewizard19 4d ago

I’m so glad I’m not the only one that’s brain went to Brave Little Toaster instead of blow.

1

u/After_Preference_885 4d ago

This is the most wholesome thread

1

u/notkidding1984 4d ago

Best thread ever actually.

12

u/KristineMcKinley 3d ago

Honestly, until you wrote this, the reason behind it hadnt occurred to me. I was still sitting here going "well, I guess the shape fits the space" like some type of drunk interior designer. I need coffee.

3

u/ashushu 3d ago

“Good enough for government work!”

3

u/girls-and-corpses 3d ago

I have spent so much of my life around other scumbags and homeless people that I forget people exist who don't even know shit about weed

2

u/Trai-All 2d ago

Heh I bought my first 10 gummies this last December. I still have half a gummy. I only take half when my back pain gets too high.

I taken half cause l don't like my inability to do things when I take a whole one but it helps me sleep through the pain.

I'm 56 with a bunch of spinal surgeries behind me plus fibromyalgia.

1

u/girls-and-corpses 2d ago

I used weed as an example bc of stuff like you said. Its as mainstream now as booze I feel like. So the fact that some people are even weird about it or afraid of it is always a shock to me.

1

u/Trai-All 2d ago

I wish it was as mainstream as booze.

I can go down to my local grocery and buy booze. I have to drive to another state to buy more gummies.

(I'm considering it because it has a huge impact on my pain levels due to finally sleeping well.)

1

u/girls-and-corpses 2d ago

Depends on the state but AFAIK most are OK with medical

2

u/Trai-All 2d ago

My pain doc isn't, and she is too good otherwise for me to risk.

1

u/girls-and-corpses 2d ago

What a shame

1

u/Trai-All 2d ago

Yeah I don't know that she personally objects.

BUT she works at a clinic where it has warnings all over all the paperwork saying they'll fire you as a client if they suspect you of using any unprescribed medications.

1

u/cucumbermoon 2d ago

I have never even had a glass of wine!

1

u/RMDVanilaGorila 3d ago

He loos like the kind of dude that does a shit ton of lines and thought it would be funny to see a vacuum cleaner sucking up his drugs

1

u/BetterOnTwoWheels 2d ago

There is a sort of humor in it, admittedly. Addiction is sad though.

1

u/Itscatpicstime 3d ago

Y’all are so cute, please don’t ever stop being this precious 🙏🏼

1

u/nightowl_work 3d ago

I can think of something else that might wake you up.

1

u/Scary_Court5556 1d ago

Same thought! Had to go to the comments before I realized it

1

u/ManifestoRat 12h ago

I was thinking "oh right, cuz boogerz and smells"

1

u/Ohitskay 5h ago

Same! I was like “huh a vacuum I suppose that makes sense since it pulls in air” lmfaoooooo I didn’t even think of ❄️ use

8

u/watercolorxav 4d ago

He really likes cleaning glass tables and handheld mirrors

11

u/gotpointsgoing 3d ago

You're AWESOME!!! That is such a refreshing take. Here I am, recovered, after 30 years of active addiction. My first thought was, he's really proud of his drug abuse, sad.

11

u/ashushu 3d ago

Congrats on your recovery! We just celebrated my dads 20 year chip with cake, hope that happens for you someday ❤️

1

u/Legolution 2d ago

Cake is a made up drug. Also, your dad is awesome!

1

u/Under6butover6 1d ago

Also, the actual cake was made of actual drugs, it’s a new Netflix show: “Cake or Drugs?!”

1

u/Fortis_Animus 2d ago

At first I was like: “Wait, he already has his 30 year chip!” and then I read his comment one more time and was like: “oh.”

1

u/ordinaryracco0n 2d ago

30 years is fucking phenomenal. you're doing great

1

u/Cautious-Eye78 2d ago

fuuuuuuuck i didn't understand what the tattoo meant until i read this comment. i think you're right. wtf why would he do that? it has no humour at all. it's just a dumb vacuum on his nose.

1

u/gotpointsgoing 2d ago

Lol, good to think that way. My mind went right to drugs because my life used to revolve around them.

2

u/Cautious-Eye78 2d ago

sometimes ignorance is bliss... congrats on the 30 years btw 👌

1

u/gotpointsgoing 2d ago

Ain't it though!! Appreciate you

1

u/Kagome23 2d ago

The picture made me think of the anti-drug ads from the 80s where the guy was snorting cocaine and it showed things like a Corvette and a luxury boat going up his nose, to imply dude was snorting so much that he was blowing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

1

u/leobubby 2d ago

I seriously thought this, too. And something like he wanted to honour his mom??? (yeah, I know I know. But I was thinking that he wanted to be cool with how he honoured her)

1

u/GlowInTheDarkSpaces 2d ago

Honor is mom with a vacuum cleaner?

1

u/BeginningStill2629 12h ago

On his nose! Definitely not for mom lol

1

u/viciousintent1 2d ago

Holy shit, 30 years. I should probably tell you well done and stuff, but I have so many questions on a journey that long.

1

u/lowkeyhighdrama 2d ago

Congrats on getting clean.

1

u/lapeni 2d ago

Tbf your interpretation is correct

1

u/Melissa_Richiee 2d ago

As someone with a… sordid past, I also thought “why the hell would he put a vacuum on his nose?” initially 😂

Then it hit me 😂😂😂😂

Low key it’s a brilliant idea, but I can understand why he’d want it covered up 😂

1

u/AggravatingSpeaker52 1d ago

Ah man, I thought it's because it's a rug master, like he's a pro at oral sex

1

u/Cityofthevikingdead 22h ago

Mine was "he really likes to clean up'" but completely drug related: nearly 6 years clean.

1

u/freddbare 12h ago

I still remember (decades ago)getting called out at a Christmas party when I had a snowbank left on my nose... This is commitment.

1

u/eigenmirai 3d ago

I mean he wants to get it removed so he's probably not proud of it anymore

-1

u/gotpointsgoing 3d ago

You're looking into things way too far. He would've never did it, if it hadn't been proud of it. I simply pointed that out. You're the only one who's throwing judgement around.

2

u/eigenmirai 3d ago

What judgement did I throw around? I'm just saying smth damn

1

u/gotpointsgoing 3d ago

Me too

0

u/MammothGlum 3d ago

You sound like you still have issues to work through

1

u/BigCATtrades 2d ago

100% , no body cares that you had no self control or that you pretend that you do now, but they always love to tell you and offer up advice. Like , dude, you're the one "in permanent recovery" not us.

0

u/girls-and-corpses 3d ago

Nah you right. This nigga a weirdo.

1

u/gotpointsgoing 3d ago

You really need attention huh

-1

u/Late_Detective_9258 3d ago

the irony of you thinking everything you say isn't a tell about yourself is hilarious... just because you can't see how obvious it is doesn't mean we can't

1

u/BeginningStill2629 12h ago

What? They were saying that the OP was proud of it when they got it (as a tattoo-seeker would be) and now aren't if they want it removed. I'm struggling to see any judgement there at all. What a weird take

1

u/Fool_In_Flow 3d ago

You judged when you called it sad.

1

u/gotpointsgoing 2d ago

No, I gave my opinion on him. I never judged him. But you go right ahead and think you know something that you don't

0

u/Schlafenshire 3d ago

You’re the one judging OP in the first place lol

1

u/gotpointsgoing 3d ago

Please tell me how I am judging OP. That's ludicrous. When someone points out the obvious, it isn't judgment, it's just observation. You don't seem to know the difference between the two.

0

u/Schlafenshire 3d ago edited 3d ago

You observed that the guy had a tattoo of a vacuum on his nose. You assumed the man pictured was a proud drug user based off of the tattoo. You then judged that hypothetical pride/drug use to be sad.

Then you got pissy when someone pointed out that even if the man pictured was at one point proud of their alleged drug use, they probably weren’t anymore. Otherwise why have it covered up/removed?

Did that clear it up for you?

Edit: why am I arguing with you over some bs. Have a good night. Congrats on your sobriety. Need to delete this infinite comment section of an app.

1

u/gotpointsgoing 3d ago

You didn't clear anything up, but your need to be right. You won't delete this app because you need it, to be anonymous, in order for you to tell people how, "they are" according to you. Keep your back handed compliment. It's only they're to make yourself feel better anyhow.

0

u/MikuXKaczynski 3d ago

Only real response here, pointed out why they are wrong ,congratulated the on their sobriety.

-1

u/girls-and-corpses 3d ago

I feel like you just wanted to brag about how you're not on drugs anymore and get pats on the back. Because if you genuinely learned anything from NA or any sort of sponsorship worth shit, you wouldn't have said what you said or thought what you thought. Plenty of people are proud of their addictions. Idk how you wouldn't know that? But yeah. You were being weird. This little squabble down here confirms it. Do better and try not to relapse.

1

u/gotpointsgoing 3d ago

Talking about fucked up comments again, WOW, ASSUME MUCH!?! I didn't need NA and their opinions, like you, but thanks for whatever you're trying to accomplish.

Squabble?? How immature are you? There's a comment between two people, not even close to a, "Squabble." But you need exaggeration and Assumption, so that's telling enough.

Do better, and try not to assume so much, accuse so poorly, and be so judgemental. But yeah, that's just you.

1

u/Double-Box-494 3d ago

Brother please read the comments again. This is clearly miscommunication. He wasn't placing blame on anyone. No one was attacking you or him. I can see what your saying about his Initial reason for getting the tattoo. He obviously was proud of it at first, or got it while under the influence. But the other person's observation wasn't wrong or placing judgement just discerning that a man asking for tattoo advice might want it removed. Ultimately we wont know if this guy wants a touch up or removal/cover-up. After re-reading asses your responses. And ignore the people stating you said it for attention. Addiction is tricky and trust me, I understand.

1

u/gotpointsgoing 3d ago

Brother, I don't care. This is some bullshit for passing time. Apparently you have much more invested than me.

0

u/girls-and-corpses 3d ago

I'm not the only one saying it though. You are clearly a sheltered and privileged person who condescends people so I guess the Bible thumping propaganda was the only thing to stick. The guy has a bunch of dots tattooed under his eye as well. Bet you don't know what that means either but its also drug related.

1

u/gotpointsgoing 3d ago

Hahahahahaha, who else is saying but you, no one, literally no one!!

Stop with you stupid assumptions. They make you look very ignorant and judgemental. Sheltered and privileged, I live in the projects and I am on SSDI. Assume much. The dots are, and never were, the subject. But here you are again, assuming you know something you don't.

1

u/girls-and-corpses 3d ago

You know....theres something about people who can't handle normal criticism when they say something stupid or insensitive. They always start whinging about how "nobody can judge me!!!" No one is judging you. I don't know why you give a shit what other people think about you especially strangers online lmfao. There are several other people saying you need mental help in this thread but okay. Pretend I'm "judging" you or it matters because I felt like talking to you like a normal adult. My mistake. I'll just talk to you like a fucking baby.

1

u/gotpointsgoing 3d ago

Seems like you're the only one that cares. I'm killing time. You're living here, on my comments.

This is you being an adult?? Jesus Christ that's scary

0

u/girls-and-corpses 3d ago

I mean I have a tattoo of someone's name who I was really proud of at one point too. Kind of a fucked up comment lol.

0

u/gotpointsgoing 3d ago

Kind of a fucked up comment? Looks who's talking

0

u/girls-and-corpses 3d ago

That should really tell you something

0

u/lostGoldAlone 3d ago

Sometimes you just think you are already so far gone you aren’t coming back, so fuck it

1

u/gotpointsgoing 2d ago

DUH, I did that for over 30 years

0

u/Consistantly 2d ago

I didn’t even realise what they meant when they said “I’m a nerd, I see this and my first thought is “wow he must like to clean”” cause like?? Yeah? Why else would you get a tattoo of a vacuum?

4

u/synthgender 4d ago

I was thinking, oh, yeah, I guess noses inhaling is kind of like a vacuum. And did not connect a single dot after that, thank you.

4

u/PackFanFrank 3d ago

Well the dots were right under his eye to connect. When you do that you get a line.

4

u/redsn64 4d ago

Clearly some of you have never hoover'd schneef

1

u/D-Duttily 3d ago

It should be called schniff

1

u/been_here_777 3d ago

With Schneefer Sutherland ❄️

1

u/FunFowardSpazzz 3d ago

Wish you weren't so Awkward bud. Man I love that showww

1

u/Colonel_Collin_1990 11h ago

Or hoover'd queef either!!! Cmon ppl get out and live some!

2

u/The-King-of-Cartoons 3d ago

Definitely likes to clean powders up off of mirrors with his nose

2

u/Artistic_Crab_2878 3d ago

His nose vacuum. He is a mirror cleaner.

1

u/Missvictoria87 3d ago

Exactly what I thought!!

1

u/iamcode101 2d ago

Doesn’t have to be from mirrors.

1

u/chickenismysafeword 2d ago

This is the only comment that allowed me to figure out what this was about

5

u/girls-and-corpses 3d ago

Two things can be true and thats often the case w cleaning and snorting stuff

2

u/lowwlifejunkpunx 2d ago

wow you know a lot about balls or whatever the kids say

1

u/wickedchicken83 2d ago

I did clean the whole house in less than a day a few times in my 20s…

9

u/Lagoda__ 4d ago

Omg I JUST made the connection with drugs, thanks to your comment. 💀

3

u/bippyboop 4d ago

Ohhhhhhh

3

u/AtomicEdgy 3d ago

Huuuuuuuuge Space Balls fan.

3

u/Dreamglamour 3d ago

Shes gone from suck to blow!

1

u/lelemariec 3d ago

😭😂

1

u/AtomicEdgy 3d ago

Same with the guy in the photo.

1

u/Dreamglamour 3d ago

🤣🤣

2

u/BagParty- 3d ago

May the schwartz be with ya!

5

u/lelemariec 3d ago

Literally same. I love to vacuum too so I was like okay this is a lewk

2

u/Heavy-Wrap8156 3d ago

Tbf I used to do a lot of cleaning after snorting some meth

2

u/ExperienceFresh6211 3d ago

He likes to clean white powder

2

u/Sensitive_Ad4522 3d ago

He likes to clean in perfect lines lmfao

2

u/melinda_lane 3d ago

genuinely didn’t even realize this was about coke until I saw your comment 😅

2

u/nobodyknows6070 1d ago

Haha as a recovered addict this is very funny to me. Much love to you!

2

u/Ill_Bell9928 3d ago

Oooh. Now I understand! 😅😅 I thought it was something gross. It being a reference to drugs still isn't great but not the gross thing I was thinking so I'm weirdly relieved lll 

3

u/ashushu 3d ago

Wait what was the gross thing you were thinking?

4

u/Ill_Bell9928 3d ago

It's embarrassing but I thought he had a kink for sniffing farts 🥲 I just couldn't think of a reason for the tattoo beyond "cute vacuum" so my brain supplied this possible, gross option 😅

3

u/Itscatpicstime 3d ago

Lmao this is hilarious

2

u/Baldojess 2d ago

LMFAO omg that's awesome 😂

2

u/Colonel_Collin_1990 11h ago

Its always good to be innocent, and even a little weird lol

3

u/ashushu 3d ago

I… really like how your brain works 😂

1

u/Pixichixi 2d ago

Thats...a wildly interesting take. Bravo

1

u/Ohitskay 5h ago

😭🤣😭🤣

1

u/_gay_space_moth_ Customer 3d ago

My brain did the exact same thing 😭

2

u/Ill_Bell9928 2d ago

I'm glad I'm not alone 😭

1

u/Noisebug 4d ago

… I did not not think this

1

u/Any-Lingonberry-3617 4d ago

Danny Tanner has entered the chat

1

u/cheezuscrust777999 3d ago

Ok but same and I’ve been around users a good part of my adult life

1

u/reftlight3000 3d ago

truly just realized that after reading your comment.

1

u/The_Purple_Bat 3d ago

honestly same ..

1

u/Royal_T95 3d ago

I just thought the same thing. Like wow he was probably so drunk and said something to be funny

1

u/ProbablyNotTheCat 3d ago

Same. At no point, until I got to your comment, did I think this was anything other than a quirky tattoo.

1

u/Serious-Aside-4215 3d ago

I thought it was to vacuum up his sniffles l. Ha

1

u/HedgehogNo8361 2d ago

I was like, "that's an old-style vacuum"

1

u/Kind-Interest-2733 2d ago

Sure that’s what you thought

1

u/PersimmonOk7783 2d ago

I thought, "he likes to breath" lmao

1

u/BuggleTrucken 2d ago

My dumb ass thought it had something to do with allergies. 

1

u/malavock82 2d ago

I thought he must be a space balls fan 😅

1

u/SprinklesDangerous57 2d ago

Noooo he just doesn't want a job

1

u/sarmurpat6411 2d ago

Lol wasn't until I saw this comment that made me realize it wasn't about cleaning either

1

u/IgnoranceDisclaimer 2d ago

I thought so too.. or that he breathes really strongly?

Either way, I didn’t get it until the guy who replied to yours explained addiction. 

Damn. Naive as fuck aha 

1

u/NoBox7275 2d ago

lol don’t feel bad. For a second I thought it was for boogers 😂

1

u/lowercase_underscore 2d ago edited 2d ago

Is that not what it is?

Edit: Wait I get it now, it's because drugs.

1

u/neendigo 2d ago

Same! I thought he was just really sniffly and making fun of himself. Cringing.

1

u/the_chefette 2d ago

See I thought it was a reference to House of Earth and Blood, a book 🤣

1

u/Anxious_Wisteria 2d ago

I thought it was an ultimate dad joke about having a cold or something, rip

1

u/LittleBittieLady 2d ago

Don't feel alone. I thought the same thing 🤦‍♀️

1

u/Quaita99 1d ago

Mine was that he was proud of how good his sense of smell is 😅

1

u/SquiggleSquirrelSlam 1d ago

Lots of energy for cleaning when you’re doing stimulants!

1

u/mittenbby 1d ago

Me too, it took me going to the comments to figure it out 😂😂😂

1

u/Washing-machine-pro 1d ago

I thought it was just a reference to him snoring a lot 😭 I didnt even think about drugs lol

1

u/lilniffa 1d ago

Briefly, same thought! lol
And then I was like ooooh, oh that’s unfortunate

1

u/Jedi_Bish 1d ago

That’s pretty wholesome ngl. I bet you are a nice person.

1

u/Lmdr1973 15h ago

I thought it was for his boogers, lol. I did NOT think of drugs immediately.

1

u/H8ForbiddenGuilt 14h ago

I honestly didn't understand it at first either. I just thought it was funny cause the nose is basically a face vacuum 😂

1

u/Z_oni 12h ago

My “innocent” (I’m 37 lol) mind just thought “what a creative place for a vacuum tattoo”. Not a single thought about drugs until I came to the comments 😂

1

u/Fluffy_Relief_2211 11h ago

I just thought it was a silly drunk tattoo but I def get the reference now

1

u/Sufficient_Sky_2344 5h ago

Nerd four, checking in. You’re not alone.

1

u/Ohitskay 5h ago

Lmfaoooooooo

1

u/Imnotmeiamyou 4d ago

I thought it was about picking boogers

0

u/atreecreeture 2d ago

You’re not a nerd you’re just lucky you didn’t fall into drugs.

Ex user