am i a scratcher...seriously now!

Ok, ive been around the tattoo enviroment since the age of 17, i had an apprenticeship at 18, i soon found out my artist was someone who was not giving me the proper training. So i drop that and went to art school. now i am 23 work full time and have alot of bills. I started tattooing myself about 1 year ago and i produce pretty good work(as an local artist i know says). My thing is i am going to start another apprenticeship with someone ive been waiting for about 2 years now and i know thats the start of my new life. i am very educated about tattoos and know all the ins and outs. I work with a completely clean and steril enviroment. Needles are sterlized as well as tubes, lines ink and whatever else gets close to the skin. I use bicknee tattoo machine ol timer edition. as well as the shader. ive used inks from moms, intenze, starbright for k;s premium. so what do all u think. be honest. but if ur only going to be an asshole dont bother because i dont have a soft heart.

if you have to ask....

Post some pics or art

I think your defensive attitude is beyond retarded but I guess that's not what you asked. However, you set yourself up to be treated like shit right off the bat so don't be surprised. Anyway, before any traditionally trained artists come in here and start bashing (mainly because you asked for it) - You did what they all would have told you. They would have told you to draw. You upped the anti and went to art school. You had an apprenticeship and are seeking another. These are good things. So fuck getting validated on the internet or what other artists would classify you as. And if you're feeling worried that you may be classified as a scratcher - stop those behaviors. You can't rewind time but you can control what you're doing now. You have an art background and are seeking an apprenticeship. Go for it and good luck....and work on your attitude and respect. They can take you just as far as your skills. :)

Anyway, why call yourself a scratcher if you don't want to be classified as one? I always defined a scratcher as someone who scratched up the skin of other people. Someone who doesn't care about wrecking peoples skin, and someone who assumes they already know all there is to be known about a subject. If you don't mind the results on your own skin, then go for it. I just wouldn't call it scratching. At least you aren't trying to learn by tattooing on an orange!

Uh...but don't go overboard on your own skin until you really have an idea about what you are doing. Or just carefully plan out one or two pieces, and really take the time to do them well. Really. I don't regret what I did on myself 20 years ago, but I would be full of it if I didn't admit that it looks like crap. You might end up with the problem 10 years down the road that people look at your arms/legs, say "oh, you did that yourself, huh?", spin on their heels and walk out of your shop. Besides that you loose the best spots for masterpieces later.

well thanks to every comment, i love the imput.... for having an attitude problem i wasnt trying to come off like that, if u new me u would obviously see that attitude something i have nothing of, i got completely screwed on my first apprenticeship. i do have an good leg piece if n e one is interested in seeing. I

to whom ever wanted to see some work. http://www.flickr.com/photos/16524063@N08/1774903633/ i have 3 photos total in there heart, lotus and a koi.

pictures in the message above, for those who wanted to see

I thought you said you produce pretty good work? You should keep working on your other art skills and let your mentor teach you how to tattoo when the time comes. Also, why the product name dropping? Anyone can get their hands on the supplies you've mentioned. Anyone! In your other thread, you asked about your supplies - If you're starting an apprenticship, you shouldn't need anything until your mentor tells you.