Dave got right to the essence of things with that comment.
Here' what really bothers me, if you'll allow me some backstory. I've been a sporadic watcher of Ink Master, not seen all seasons but a few. The one that stands out in memory was the one with Tattoo Baby. Can I say pussywhipped in here? And it's frustration with the judges and their shifting priorities and inconsistent evaluations that have often left a sour taste in my mouth and sent me running to check out Skin Wars. Ok Rebecca Romijn is prettier than Dave, Chris or Oliver, too.
These guys (Dave, Chris and Oli) present the main challenge, the central parameters of each contest. They have also, over the years, emphasized "giving your canvas what they want." But when it comes time to judge the tats, pleasing the client goes out the window. It is sheerly technical application that drives their assessments. Or personal taste.
These canvases aren't chosen like lotto numbers---the producers know full well what they are asking for in a tat. I REALLY felt for Pon. I give him some degree of credit for trying to deliver AND downplay the perversion of what the guy asked for, his drawing notwithstanding. His canvas's request was a metaphor for his own scenario. I myself fail to imagine a cowboy-riding horse that doesn't result in a perversely suggestive image. Because a man has to go on all fours to be ridden by a horse..or the horse has to stand on two feet like a human.
So , for Dave to opine as he did---well, ya, this canvas is a sick mf who should move to Washington state and work for Boeing--but if your canvas wants a tat of a horse fucking a cowboy? Is the judging criteria now, Which of these tats do I like most and would most want myself?
Fair enough, the judging is often hasty and glossed over---which is why I missed the comment about the boot overlapping an existing tat. Thought Oli was talking cowboy's boot near to horse's hoof.
Also before I wrap up this rant...most of the tats required multiple images. Jake's canvas asked for a pizza eating sushi, if I heard right. Most of the others, if not all, delivered multi aspect images. Jake's was only the melting skull pizza slice.