Anyone self taught gone pro...?

With so many people begging for apprenticeships...Is there anyone who is basically a self taught tattoo artist gone pro (full time) ?

lots of debate on selftaught there but as for me i have been in a couple shops no real formal apprenticeship to speak of i am in a shop now currently part time sort of nice that way better than the 10 to 18 hours a day i pushed in the last one so yes i would be considered self taught but hey i was given the true gift to draw before i could even write a letter of the alphabet and o LOVE WHAT I DO

Everytime I witness an apprenticeship taking place...it consists of the apprentice watching and picking it up. The do as I do technique with a side of hazing.

"Self taught gone pro"... I don't think so...any one who has achieved pro status has at some point eventually been trained, or helped, by other pro tat artists somewhere along the way up. "Self-starters gone pro" on the other hand is a who's who of the tattoo elite...but it's like the anti-drug line that once tokeing parents give their children... Drugs and kids are not a great idea, and neither is scratching...but there will always be a few who dabble with the darkside and make it through to do just fine... Disclaimer: This is not an invitation or endorsement to scratch or do drugs...just stating a fact.

"self-taught" is another word for untrained. "Self-taught", means trial and error. These are not good things. I'm sure there are many very good tattoo artists, maybe even several well known ones, who did not have an official apprenticeship, but more than likely they still learned from being around other artists while they worked. And if you know who those people are, I'm sure they would not reccomend this path to anyone else. There are a lot of contamination/sterility issues that a trial and error tattooist may not be hip to. This could put your "clients" in danger. I say, If you can't seem to get your foot in the door, don't panic. Most good tattoo artists get several people a day maybe, coming in wanting to be taught to tattoo. Just focus on building a great art portfolio. Build up some strong flash sheets. Then pick an artist you admire...get some work from that person...get to know that person...then when you finally express your interrest in tattooing your artist will probably be much more open to taking you seriously. Just my opinion.

As with any business/art, you will be better off by being so good you are approached, than by chasing. That is, if you want to be a tattoo artist, the best position to be in is to have a paper portfolio so fucking good that any studio owner would be silly not to train you (after all, after they train you they will get a cut of your work). instead of hacking on your friends and yourself trying to lern the technical aspects of tattooing, keep drawing on paper until the people who are tattooing you help open the door. Lots of people point to the best and say "you hacked your first few years why shouldn't I?" Well, if I can interject their answerlet me give it a shot. "yes, I hacked on my friends out of my kitchen to learn how to tattoo, and regret every single one after I learned there is another, proper way. If I could do it all over again, I would have done each of those tattoos on paper so that instead of spending my "getting good" time fucking up myself, friends, and family, I would have learned on paper. Knowing how good my art got, theres no way I wouldnt have gotten the same oppertunities I got that *actually* taught me the technical aspects of the art". Or something like that maybe. That is, the leaders of the industry arnt being hypricital by telling people to learn the right way when they didnt. They are trying to teach others how to get where they want to go without fucking up lots of peoples skins. If your artwork is so kick ass that you deserve to be a tattoo artist, then the doors will be opened. If they arent opening, then you gotts get better (at your artwork and your networking).

gabe, On the internet, until/unless we actually get to meet someone in person, we only really can "know" someone based on what they post. I think it is the ultimate sign of respect when someone takes the time to reflect on what is posted and, keeping assumptions to a minimum, respond based upon what was posted. All that to say It certainly is refreshing to experience a board run by someone who shows such respect to it's guests. I don't want to sound like a total kiss a** so I'll just stop there for now. Happy to make your aquaintance, Mark.

Maybe this very old saying can bring some light on your thoughts.- "monkey sees monkey does". regards from tattoomatic

Mark, nice to meet you too. Yes, the internet is a funny place, and at the end of the day we dont really know who is at the end of the keyboard, if anyone. That said, I meet lots of people all the time that I see on the messgaeboard or running around the internet. My biggest problem is I have a hard time believeing all the people visiting the site and posting and what not are real. BUT with few exceptions, they all are. All this to say, ummm, thanks, and come back soon! gabe

I am basically self taught and I own my own shop... I do nothing but tattoo and pierce.

Lets see a link to your tattoos!

YA, LET SEE YOUR TATTOOS!!!!

I'm not a tattoo artist, but my brother is. I watched him build his artistic abiity his whole life and heard many friends ask him to scratch tats into them and he turned them down because he didn't want to learn bad habits or techniques. He didn't ever plan on becoming a tattoo artist. He worked on his porfolio for many years, sometimes working the same piece over many times. Through another friend getting a job as desk help at a shop my brothers name got brought up and he showed the owner his work. After they met the owner asked him to come and learn how to tat. Now he's been at it for a few years and he dosen' t imagin doing anything else. It's just proof that if you're serious about your art ,and the skill is there ,that oppertunity will make itself available.

I indeed am a self taught tattoo artist. I am currently inbetween workmans-comp. and tattooing on the "underground". I'm currently looking for a new location to open up shop! I have spent a few years in prison, so thats where I really tuned in my skills. I have been into and doing tats since I was about 15 years old. I am currently getting my BS in Graphic design @ A.I.P. ani will be settleing my W/C claim in the next six months. But, yes I'm sure withj the right passion and motivatior self tought pro. can be done!

me, but i wish to hell someone woulda mentored me from the beginning.

Its funny but i hear the question: Where did you get your start with tattooing? In alot of tattoo interviews, and a very common response ive heard, is that alot of incredibly talented tattoo artists may have started tattooing without training, hacking their friends up in their ktichens as some of them put it. But they almost always say that the next step was being taken in under the wing of another artist and thats really where they started taking off. Its like Gabe said. Sure you could go the self taught route, with enough talent and determination, you might be able to become a good tattoo artist, but not before destroying a bunch of peoples skin along the way, apprenticeships help to prevent people from prematurely tattooing, and stemming the flood of horrid tattoos out tattoos out there, which is always a noble pursuit.

A lot of good artists are self taught, although, those who hove chosen that rout for "X reasons" and customers have paid the price of a non experienced hand. An example of a self taught person is the person I learned everything from Blacky, my pal from childhood in argentina: some of his work can be found here: http://www.fotolog.com/blackytattoos/ You tell me if he is a pro or not. Today he is one of the most reputable artists in argentina with lots of international award on his shoulders and several shops.

...now can anyone achieve this level doing it on their own....OF COURSE NOT. I would say out of 100 scratcher 1% become fair good enough. (if so)

I just posted a reply about my view on " Scratchers " which I will repost here as this current forum is current haha. anyway before hand I know that a few really well know "Pro" artsist were self taught such as Corey Miller I believe, Tim "Flames" Lobato, Skin Flixx Ink. If I am Correct I believe Kat Von D started out self taught and then learned not from apprenticships but by working in shops around other artists she admired. I believe Troy Denning From Invisible NYC (but don't quote me on Troy). Also Rick Harnowski (which I believe to be one of the best in the world and one of the most pioneering in the midwestern Tattoo scene and culture) He also runs and organizes the famous Green Bay International Tattoo Convention every Two Years. Tony Olivas ( who works out of Sacred Heart Tattoo in Atlanta, He is amazing and I believe that he started just poking skin with straight needles and when he got his first machine he right away tried to plug it directly into the wall hahaha but now he one of americas best. There is Brandon Heffron who now owns his own Shop in St. Paul Mn called Beloved his style is very unique and not for everyone but fun and interesting to look at, he was also just featured a 3 page spread in TATTOO Magazine. He Started pricking away out of his house. Dave DiGiacomo From NJ who is worth checking out, Self Taught as well, and one more that I know of is Ryan Flemming Who works out of Sanctuary Tattoo in Portland. Keep in mind these are just self taught artists that "I" am interested in. But their are Thousands who are self Taught and are fully booked year round. Check out some or all of the guys above, especially Troy Denning and Dave DiGiacomo. But to repost my take on the " infamous and lame Scratching Dilemma " Anyone who is overly too concerned about Scratchers are probably just threatened, cause you or other people are better artistically then they are. But like I say IF you have the fortunate and rare opportunity to be given a chance to be an apprentice to an artist you admire and TRUST then do it and don't think twice. RE:Apprentice VS Self Taught Posted by Dali's Car from IP: 71.206.87.87 on 08/30/07 Ft. Lauderdale -Posted Above- "I think that if the person is dedicated to learning EVERYTHING about tattooing including cross contamination and blood borne pathogens, machine maintenance and setup, follows all of the guidelines, works in a CLEAN environment, sterilizes his equipment the proper way, and has the artistic ability, then there is no reason that he shouldn't tattoo. Not everybody has the opportunity to apprentice under a great artist. Sometimes apprenticeships can actually be worse than studying on your own. There are quite a few "artists" out there that have no business taking on an apprentice. This is just my opinion and I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but that's the beauty of this forum. Everyone can express how they feel about a subject and the reader can make an educated decision based on all of the feedback." ________________________________________________________ This is absolutely right, In any type of ART world you are going to find people who think ine way or the other is proper and proper only. There are thousands of great reputable and amazing Tattoo artists that are self taught. Now the term "Scratcher" originally was meant for some weird dude's crazy uncle who does Tattoo's on his dirty kitchen table with a Guitar string or ghetto rigged self made machine. You definately do not want be THAT GUY. But as long as you are reading and rereading everything you can find, fully knowing and understanding you local laws pertaining to certificate or what documentation you need and actually go through the work to obtain it and abide by it, Also being very intimate with sanitary and cleanliness technique. Someone who is considered a "scratcher" will get theirs if you know what I mean, what goes around comes around and his/bad ethic will catch up with them. And also when it comes to the HOLY WORD "AUTOCLAVE" Check different state's laws, alot of states by law only allow Tattoo ARtists to use only Disposible Tubes, Needles, Grips and sometimes even brand new springs, along with making sure that the Machine and the Cord are both protected by plastic. In which case after that, what is really left to be put into an AUTOCLAVE?? nothing. I am self taught, But I make sure every year to update and/or test for a new Blood Born Pathogen safety certificate at a local Red Cross or another state certified station, If I don't have fully disposable everything for every new Tattoo that I do than I make sure to look for a certain shop ( Their are many shops all around that will let an outside artist use their Autoclave for a small fee/) If neither of those two options are available to me, THEN I DO NOT DO THE TATTOO!. I am always honest with my clients, If I am not working out of a shop at the time, I let them know that and I explain my procedure, and make sure they know that I will not be offended if they choose to instead go to a shop to feel more comfortable. Since their are not many artists these days wanting to take on an Apprentice for less than a few thousand dollars plus free labor, It is very hard to come across. I will say that if that particular option is available to you than don not even think twice, TAKE THE APPRENTICESHIP, but beware more than half of the artists wanting to take on an apprentice only want extra cash and you may not get the education you were expecting so do your research and choose someone you can TRUST before you sign a contract with them. Personally I think that most of the Tattoo artists these days brought the " Scratcher Problem " upon themselves by not giving back to the art that has been their for them all these years. I truly believe that It is and will always be the RESPONSIBILITY of every Tattoo artist to eventually take on an apprentice if they want the art to continue and they should go back to doing it the original way of choosing a decent artist who has the will and means to respect the art and in exchange for an apprenticeship the apprentice works for free cleaning all tubes, tips, needles etc. and all teh labor around teh shop for free. That's it, None of this making a kid sign a contract that make sure he pays you thousands of dollars. If you are going to Self Teach yourself, than do it right and don't be an idiot. Every state's laws are different for certification and every state is different in respect. Always be clean, Always be honest, and Always draw as much as you can if not more, and PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE on yourself, If you can't put a needle in a decent forming line on your own body than you have no business attepting to put a needle into somebody else. If you are not trained or haven't learned certain techniques yet and somebody brings you a design that you have not attempted yet than be Honest and send them to a shop to get it done. And the biggest and most best piece of advice that can be givin about the art of Tattooing is don't do it cause you think and want to make a bunch of money. Because you probably will not, DO IT, because you love it and have respect and passion for the people who want the art on their bodies. I wasn't fortunate enought to be in an area at the time where any shops were even considering taking on an apprentice but I worked my ass off ten fold to be one because I didn't have a choice! I needed this to be what I did, otherwise I would have killed myself, I need this creative outlet and bond between me and others, I never wanted to be rich or wealthy I just wanted and needed to be able to do what I love and have fun doing it, with the extra perk of traveling and meeting other really cool and great artists and people and be able to make just enough to do what I wanted to do in life, no more. Best.

"..now can anyone achieve this level doing it on their own....OF COURSE NOT. I would say out of 100 scratcher 1% become fair good enough. (if so)"" _______________________ I would say the same about Apprenticed artists these days as well. Most of these new kids just have the funds available to hand over thousands $$ to some random Tattoist, without even having much art or illustration or painting exp first.

I'm continually boggled by the people who say "Oh me me me, I taught myself an i'm a fxkn rock star!" but never post links or pictures. Anywho, I won't go into a rant about how important I personally feel apprenticeships are, but I can say few and far between there are a FEW people self taught who are amazing. Adrian Dominic is not shy about admitting he's self taught and he's one of my favorites. For the most part though, not great idea.

I understand your boggleness, I really do, and I should have stated a little more about my situation but I was trying to just leave apositive mark for anyone who has a real dream to tattoo and cannot find nor "afford" an apprenticeship. I still consider myself a "student" of Tattoo'ing. I've only been Working a couple years and I have never once myself, claimed that I was by any means great or amazing, ..."yet". But I can drill out flash and solid designs pretty damn well which in my opinion is not really worth showing nationally over the web. Nor do I feel that any of my small amount of original work needs to be praised or consulted. It's the internet. My portfolio is for potential clients to make a decision from so I can build a bigger portfolio, it's not ready for national showmanship. Even though I do praise being self taught I do also at the same time also condone taking on an apprenticeship if you are fortunate enough to have one available to you by a "good and reputable artist" All I wanted to point out was that there just as many Artists out there trying and screwing people over and over through apprenticeships in order to gain extra income. Which When you look at it, If they are trying to gain more money by handing out crappy apprenticeships than they are obviously not making much doing their "crafted art" which is a problem. If they aren't able to make a steady income Tattoing than there is probably a reason and they should not be taking on apprentices. As being self taught even at a couple years in, I still to this day, if i was offered a chance by an artsist that I really liked and trusted to be his apprentice I would take it in a second, I would never say "oh no thanks, I'm self taught" Just as I would never take a job in a shop unless their were at least 2 other artists there that were way way way better than me, Because I want to make sure that where ever I am and where ever I am working out of that I am constantly challenged and constantly learning everyday out of my life that I do this. And that is what matters, it doesn't matter what the invisible internet community thinks about my portfolio.

i was self taught scratcher. no future in it, kids, find someone to help you.

There is a future in anything if you want it bad enough and are willing to work hard enough. Just never think or let yourself believe that you are good "enough" and that you know all you "need" to know. The most beautiful thing about Tattooing is that whether you decide to do it for 3 years or 30 years everyday you do it you have the opportunity to learn something new or see something inspiring. It's such a creative drive and there are so many cool and gifted people in it that you can learn something from. Take any and all advice you can get and take every criticism, insult, or negative word as a motivator to be better and always pass on what you have learned to someone else.

There is a future in anything if you want it bad enough and are willing to work hard enough. Just never think or let yourself believe that you are good "enough" and that you know all you "need" to know. The most beautiful thing about Tattooing is that whether you decide to do it for 3 years or 30 years everyday you do it you have the opportunity to learn something new or see something inspiring. It's such a creative drive and there are so many cool and gifted people in it that you can learn something from. Take any and all advice you can get and take every criticism, insult, or negative word as a motivator to be better and always pass on what you have learned to someone else.

OK SELF TAUGHT HERE NOT GOING TO GLOUGHT, But Tattooing is my Hobby, I Started years before these t.v. shows even came on air, I like some went in to the service got tattooed in Japan, Brazil, Argentina Started learning from them here and there, I got a few mentors but never could stay around them long enough to learn enough and some of them still encorage me online and on the phone So and i tattoo myself more then most people do. I Took a 3rd bed room put tile in it auto clave, stainless steel, yada yada, I do want to one day be in a shop, Apprentice Maybe, but guess what been told get one, Been Told NO, Been TOLD DONT DO IT, BEEN TOLD WHY CARE WHAT THE OLD GUYS THINK THOSE F'N Hippocrits, then i Look at these Profiles of these SO CALLED SHOP APPRENTICED GUYS Some Of These Guys SUCK How many Tribal Armbands can you Do, No Passion in the ART thats Right ART FORM, these guys with this we got TV SHOWS NOW, SO IT's F'N COOL ADDITUDE, I HATE THE FACT I AM APART OF THIS LA/Miami INK Generation, of NEW GUYS ON THE BLOCK and it's bad enough getting past that sterio type with the old guys, So thats why i don't even care to do an Apprenticship, or care to do it for money, yup i don't overcharge, I DO IT FOR THE LOVE OF TATTOOING AND GUESS WHAT THE FATHER OF COLOR, and Single use Needles, and oh How most tattooers try to live up to be NORMAN SAILOR JERRY COLLINS WAS SELF TAUGHT SO CALL HIM A SCRATCHER, and I WILL TATTOO IT ON MY FORE ARM AND WERE IT PROUDLY WITH THE REST OF MY TATTOO'S, NOT INK INK COMES FROM A PEN, Pigment is in your SKIN and It's Called a TATTOO not a TAT not TATZ GET EDUCATED ROCKSTARS AND TEACH YOURSELF THE HISTORY AND RESPECT THE ART

YES MOST OF THE WELL KNOWNS HAVE NEVER HAD A APPRENTICESHIP EVER. OPENED THERE OWN SHOPS.. STARTED JUST LIKE "SCRATCHERS" JOE CAPOBIANCO HAS A INTERVIEW ON U TUBE AND HE SAYS WHAT I DO AND HE IS A WELL KNOWN ARTIST UNLIKE THE UNEDUCATED ONES ABOVE,,, LISTEN TO HIM SPEAK

The great master JEFF GOGUE stated in one of his intreviews that he was self taught!!! That should answer your question. If you can draw and paint above a so called profesional tattoo artist level, than you would not have a hard time picking up the craft. Fuck tattoists(Not tattoo artists) that are filled with %85 of the industry