A note on "scratchers"

Some of the most fabulous artwork comes from "scratchers" and new apprentices. The aforementioned, however, is not a reason to go off and try to learn how to tattoo on your own. Gain experience from a master, pay your dues, put in your time and dedication to the art, and learn how to do it right. That also puts a burden on the tattoo artists already out there. You cannot look down on a scratcher if you turn away that eager new artist that came into your shop wanting an apprenticeship. If you want the next generation of tattoo artist to be trained in the traditional way, it is your responsibility to make sure that opportunity is there! You can't bitch about a scratcher if you're not willing to let them learn when they walk in your shop and ask for a chance! And remember, too, your apprentice is not a walking cash flow. They are our future. So in essence, don't bitch. Lead by example. After all, we all had to start somewhere didn't we?

OmG!!!!!! you took the words outa my mouth.Well fukin said............. but u can garentee that "NOZ" here will have something negative to say.the dude is just clearly miserable deep down.

All I can say is "bring it on!" I've been through hell as a woman in this industry and I highly doubt some guy on a forum is going to have anything to say that I haven't already heard a million times over. 8)

idiots.

Aw, Noz. You shouldn't speak of yourself like that. You're not an idiot. Just a moron. Poor thing. 8)

HA!!!! SEE......I FUKIN TOLD YA. I KNEW NOZ WOULD POST,I JUST KNEW IT. NOZ.....U HAVE BEEN ASKED SO MANY TIMES BEFORE ON THIS FORUM IF WE CAN SEE YOUR WORK AND I AM ASKING YOU AGAIN. SO... CAN WE,GO ON.....POST SOME OF YOUR ART/TATTOO WORK UP FOR THE WORLD TO SEE,BEING AS CONFIDENT AS YOU ARE.LETS SEE IF PEOPLE TAKE THE PISS OUTA YOU.... YOU JUST CANT KEEP DISSIN PEOPLE ON THIS IF YOU SUCK YOURSELF SO COME ON....SHOW US.....OR ARE YOU JUST ALL FUKIN MOUTH?

ummm, so your saying every person that cant draw there way out of a paper bag should be imediatly offered a job just because there special huh? wow and this is all the new generation of hand it to mes has to say about this, about what i expected.

oh and to ad... i spent my entire life learning art , while others were slacking off and didnt care about art or goals, now that im an adult and have fine tuned art skills i can walk into most shops and get a job if they are hiring.... and now your saying well all those other people who didnt take the time to care and say " oh wow look at the TV show tattooing's cool i better learn how!" they should be allowed to get a job? does it not matter they have not enough talent? that they didnt work for it?? i assure you that anyone thats worked as hard as i have at art and worked for talent has NO problem getting an apprenticeship, i got mine the first shop i went into the first day... and if they cant THEY NEED TO GET TO THE OL DRAWING BOARD

dont give me that im a girl in this industry crap, if you have talent your gender doesnt matter, and im been in two shops now being the only girl and i speak from experience, at times if anything its a plus because alot of clients preferr a girl for certain things

you all owe me oral sex.

Well girldog, I mean girlgod, had you read what I was saying, you might not have made an ass of yourself. I am a woman in this industry. I have been for the last 14 years. Do you own a shop? Have you ever had an apprentice? Hell, have you ever even had someone compliment you on your craft? Having said that, I worked hard to get where I am. I worked hard to get my apprenticeship. I worked hard and obtained 2 degrees in college. I'm currently enrolled in college as we speak, constantly bettering my art skills. Can you say the same? Any artist worth their salt should realize that the people we train, will become the future of tattooing. I never stated that anyone and everyone should be able to tattoo. Whomever I advise has to have a portfolio of designs, a proven artistic talent and the compacity to learn. I simply stated that if you turn an eager student away, your NO BETTER than those kitchen scratchers. People generally turn others away out of fear. They don't want someone to succeed as they feel it jeporadizes their job security. So I can see why someone without confidence would do such things. I don't feel threatened, therefore I have no problem sharing a wealth of knowledge with a qualified apprentice. Learn to read all the way through things before you spout off such incoherent drivel.

Booo yaaaa.....Well fukin said. its nice to kow there are still decent understanding people left in the world.But no matter what you try to explain to people on these forums, dickheads will be dickheads and they will always find a way to bark back at you. But those people who are busting their asses to get into this industry and to become great at what they do,the people who are genuine....at least they can see these type of posts and realise that they do have a hope and it will help them to push harder for what they want and what they know they are damn well capable of...... And dont mind noz's last post.that ass bandit just hasnt had oral or any other sexual experience for that matter (except with his hand) in so damn long he is bitter as fuck about it and takes his frustration out on these forums. But keep posting noz.You are great entertainment.i love laughing at you.......

im finding it hard to believe youve been in the business 14 yrs, do you mean its a family business you just happend to "be around" that long? because your talking like youve been actually doing it 2 months, did i call that one? if not then you really need to open your eyes and be more observant. i have no fear of compitition, yes i get compliments all the time, my art looks like i should be teaching it, while i have had offers to teach art locally. no i dont own a shop but i am a manager. i know enough about art too look at what someone brings in to see whether or not they take it seriously, and if you know so much you should be able to tell too. "its the future of tattooing" after all , we should be picky right?? is that coherent enough ? just because someones eager isnt enough, if they were so eager it would show in their portfolio.

There's a point when "picky" becomes arrogance. I think you're hanging out on the arrogant side, dear. As I have stated before, I could care less what someone on a tattoo forum thinks about me. I've heard it all a million times and you're just blathering on with the same bullshit. I talk like I've been in the business two months? Hmm. Why? Because I'm a well spoken individual capable of making a point with complete sentences and correct grammar? You can dumb it down all you want honey, my opinion remains the same. People that are constantly negative and putting others down have self-esteem issues. I feel sorry for you. I choose not to argue with fools because its hard to tell who is who from a distance. So unless you have something relevant and mildly intelligent to say, I really have no patience left for you.

I agree kinkyink. As obnoxious as Noz is, he does provide for some amusing fodder.

there is also a point where lenience becomes carelessness, and i think your hanging out on the careless side lol. i dont know why youve heard this a million times that might tell you something as i dont hear anything negative Anytime, (well people say i need to be more outspoken) but maybe i just save that for the internet lol. i am not arrogant, i treat people very nice and with respect, but the people that have come in to the shop so far this year have either lacked enough talent, or they had a bad attitude (arrogance). its always one or the other. people that have at least somewhat of a ability to draw a straight line come in here and act like i owe them something (kind of like how people act on here) except they are in real life and give an attitude. well i dont take that crap , i would not go into an interview and say you owe me this job dressed like i came from the beach handing me designs on notebook paper. example. the last person who came in he had already been scratching from his house and he walked in with like 3 friends which he considered his "portfolio" lol no he didnt take the time to take pictures and make a book, he just brought in his friends, OK , so we look at his friends tattoos which sucked bad but OK, i ask a simple question to him, "do you have any other work or designs on paper?" he says with a attitude " MY work speaks for ITSELF". now is that how you get a job? should i have taken him in because he was eager? NO NO NO NO NO you can do all you want i care who i work with and what they can do, if their friends want sketchy tattoos and possibly a disease they know that risk by getting something from him, although i hope they dont. but i am anything but arrogant. you can make snide remarks on my grammer all you want if thats what you have to do to make it seem like your points are more valid

As I stated before, I have no time unless you have something meaningful and intelligent to say. Grammar, dear. Grammar. College you said?