A word for all the beginers/"skratchers"

Theres alot of "fighting" ive seen in all these post between people asking questions about how to "tattoo"/maul people in there basements with home tattooing, and then when they get told that they are idiots, other people defend them and attack someone else. Well, if your asking why the tattoo you did in your house on your buddy isnt workin out so well, or how to make it better....you are an idiot, and i feel its only fair you know. Everyone whines about how they cant apprentice and how they dont need to and how other artist taught themselves. "Sailor jerry" didnt know all the things we know today about sh*t like aids.... times have changed, you need to learn from a respectable shop. You should not be "trying this out". The trail and error part of learning to tattoo should only be done under the direct supervision of your teacher in a licensed shop. If you dont infect someone, you will make them into yet another cover up that a professional has to deal with. "But its hard to find a shop to take me" : yes, im sure it is, we have people waiting for 6 months now, and they have about 6 more to wait. "But i cant afford it": neither could i. I had to beg and borrow and go without to come up with the money. It may take you a year to save up the money, so start saving. Like ramen noodles?...better start. I myself could barely afford to feed myself during the apprentiship i am just now finishing. I havent taken my gf out for a nice dinner in a long time, havent went shopping, havent bought an xbox360. I HAVE...sold two guitars, my bed, my dvd player, most of my dvds, my xbox, my playstation, and much more to pay my way and do my time as a student. I have busted my ass 7 days a week at a tattoo shop for a LONG time, and i cant imagine learning this trade, this art form, any other way. Its hard, its time consuming and often costly. I am a talented artist, won my share of awards...im a hard worker, been supporting myself for years, this time learning to tattoo has been one of the hardest, most fun, most rewarding, and most amazing times in my life. Im sorry to sound so angry or discouraging. If anything im trying to give you serious questioners some real advise and insparation. Go get off your ass, get as many jobs as you need to save as much as you can, and get ready to buckle down and learn. I had to move to get the right apprenticship in a really good shop, if you want it bad enough you'll do the same. Do this right or please dont do it at all. sorry for the rant everyone. im not saying im anyone special, just saying what i've learned

I've heard and agree with what you've said. My question is, for my situation. How do you find an apprenticeship without there being a good shop in the area? Noone can just move from here to there hoping that they happen across the right place to get an apprenticeship at a reputable shop. My logic tells me that no good shop can tell me over the phone wether or not they'll apprentice me if I move to thier area. I live in the last banion of the asshole places where tattooing is illegal and don't understand how to get an apprenticed elsewhere. I already have a way to pay for an apprenticeship at any reasonable price, but don't know how to find one without bouncing my wife and child across the country with the slim margin of a chance at maybe getting apprenticed. For now I am looking at enrolling in an art school to further my artistic abilities and also some cross contamination type of study. Any suggestions on how to get an apprenticeship lined up from a distance?

Have you concidered checking for good shops in surrounding states? It seems like it shouldn't be that complicated. Call up a shop, see if they are accepting apprentaces, if they are willing to look at your work, make a trip. It doesn't have to be a complete move on the chance of getting a job, nobody (i hope) does it that way. Use it as an excuse to take the family on a weekend get-away. Go for two days on your own and then it doubles as a break from the rest of life. Anyone who truely wants to tattoo will find a way to do it right.

who cares who you are - you are asking great questions and your short term course of action is the best you can take. Keep upping the ante you expect out of your art, and classes and practice will help you excel. So, how to find a GOOD artist to apprentice you with a wife and kid in tow... I would get together your portfolio, and take some tattoo mini-vacations (with or without the family). Book some time with truely amazing artists, go to some conventions and network network network. There are some great folks and conventions in Texas for starters. One of the best ways to network, to learn about the experience, and get the best advice is to get tattooed by *excellent* tattoo artists. For the next year travel to get 2-4 amazing tattoos and kick your portfolio up a notch. And hit the midwest conventions...

If anyone really wants to try it out but cant get an apprenticeship, I heard the peels on bananas and other fruit work some what like skin does. I guess if this is true it would be possible for people to try that out rather than do a shit tattoo on a person.

Great answer Gabe. People have to be careful though. I'm finding more and more shops that are "apprentice factories." Give em a few thousand bucks, a year of your time, and you're a tattoo artist, Regardless of whether you can put in a clean line or do the simplest of flash. Especially here in Jersey where a 2000 hour apprenticeship is required. I hung around a tattoo shop, got tattooed, cleaned up, ran for lunch, improved my portfolio for quite some time before they would apprentice me (at no charge). That was nine years and four shops ago. And I still learn something every day from the other artists I work with and fellow tattooers at other shops. It takes time and dedication. Maybe in another ten years I'll be where I want as a tattoo artist, but I doubt it. It still doesn't stop me from trying to make the next tattoo I do better than the last one I did.

Ya done good Joey...We need more people like you in the biz! seems like everyone wants the easy path anymore and just aren't willing to put forth the effort it takes to excel. Where can we see some work? By the way I've been tattooin for well over 30 years and when the day comes that I can't learn somethin new well just put my old wrinkled ass in a pine box and send me on to that tattoo parlor in the sky!...TAz

YOU ARE SPECIAL DAVEY!!...I give ya props for embracing the old school ways and showin the proper respect for our art Thanks buddy...you have my respect and I wish you years and years of happy tattooing!!....TAz