Apprentice Apprentice Apprentice!

I already posted something similar to this, but thought I would make sure more people had a chance to read it. I'm a newbie, so we'll get that out of the way. Please don't associate that word with words such as 'stupid' or 'lacking in common sense'. The whole 'I'm better than you cause I'm not a newbie' thing is sort of played out. And my post actually has a little bit to do with that. I get it. The whole apprentice thing I mean. I'm an airbrush artist and I understand the importance of learning from someone else. My work can be fixed or thrown away, sure, but that doesn't mean I don't get it. I wont paint on cars yet because I don't feel I'm ready and I've been doing it for 6 years. Don't worry, you'll have a chance to see my work and talk all the crap you want. Here's the thing. All you storm troopers that come in rabble rousing about guys doing this stuff at home is really just making it worse. You tell these guys that they are going about it the wrong way and they will try and prove you wrong. Now, the guys that come out with the common sense attitude and reason with those guys, they are the ones that will these guys will listen to. This Taz guy? Well, he may be responsible for the next cover up you decent folks will have to do. If you come off as an asshole, then you are the last person they will listen too. Period. You can spit shine your intentions all you want but it all comes off smelling of superiority and patronizing bullshit. And you're all creating monsters. That being said, I can't help but get the feeling that most of the guys that still hold the belief that apprenticeships should be this horrible, harsh road are really just looking for pay back. They licked the boots of their teacher and so should the rest of those who wish to make their way into the magical realm of tattooing. It was hard for you so it should be hard for me. I live in PDX and I've seen more than one of your types come out with "well move out of the state but don't go to a tattoo school". Sounds good. I'll beg for change in Phoenix hoping that I can talk someone down there into letting me scrub their floors with a toothbrush. I'm sure the wife wont mind giving up her job and hooking for me to get by. Just as much as equipment and sterilization techniques are updated, so too should your apprentice methods. Just because it's "how things WERE done", doesn't mean it shouldn't change. Yes, people should be willing to go through the muck to get to where they want to be in life. But that doesn't mean you should rake them through it just because it happened to you. That doesn't sound like making better tattoo artists, that sounds like making BITTER tattoo artists. Whatever floats your boat though, honestly. I'm sure I'll get bashed aplenty by that guy who writes in all caps or that other guy with the anonymous name. Common sense and logical thinking usually does on internet forums. Just keep in mind, every bash against a newbie creates a potential scratcher. Every put down may drive someone to tattooing their little brother with a home made machine. Of course, that may be job security for you. And who am I to judge that? I mean, you'll always be 'better than' if so many people are putting out crappy work, right? Oh, and by the way, there is a woman named Risa Stevens that is an up and comer... and went through a Portland Oregon tattoo school. You can see her work on her myspace: http://www.myspace.com/risapower and you can see my artwork at: www.tophatpainter.deviantart.com www.coffeemanart.deviantart.com (paintings done with instant coffee) www.myspace.com/tophatpainter

Spot on! I'm already sick of some of the "professionals" constantly responding with "just get an apprenticeship", like there are that many on offer. I've been sniffing around for years, with a wealth of illustration and design experience and a can do attitude, have been polite and persistent, but so far the apprenticeship has eluded me. So, I get myself good, professional equipment (the kind some of the professionals would like you to think amateurs can't get access to) and start to practice, and practice, and practice. I won't tattoo another living being until I've done something I'm happy with on myself. I won't put ink to skin until I am 100% sure my environment is sterile, I have studied blood born pathogen infection control, I will only use disposable needles, tubes, grips etc. licensing is not required where I am but I will never work for money as an amateur. However, I will happily work on volunteers (friends and family) and do cover up work once I feel confident about my abilities, but that will be some way off. I want to be a professional, but I can't agree that an apprenticeship is the only path to that goal. The evidence suggests that there is a great range of different practices amongst the profession in any case, so if y'all can't agree on equipment/technique/practice anyhow then how can you say an apprenticeship is the only way? If the apprenticeship is with a mentor whose practices differ from yours then the apprentice is learning "the wrong way" to do it. I'm prepared for the flack my belief will attract, but I hope that some of the professional artists out there understand how difficult doing things the traditional way can be. Thanks for opening up this debate.

Look, there are right and wrong ways of doing everything, and who among us is to say which may be the case for another? I get people weekly wanting an apprenticeship, some very talented artists, others...well. I treat all of them with dignity and respect, and try and steer them in a right direction. I went the traditional route, but not everyone has that opportunity, and I've come to realize.....if they want to tattoo.....unfortunately they are GONNA tattoo! I just try to explain the hazards, and make myself available to help anyway I can. This industry has a bad enough stigma attached to it without any more ignorant people out there hacking up the uninformed! It's aggravating and disgusting to a degree, so I figure if you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem. NEWBS, as tempting as it is to buy a cheap ass ebay kit and start butchering people....lay it down, take a deep breath, and do some research, and most importantly educate yourself, your life as well as your clients could depend upon it. Never give up on your dreams, just don't jeopardize anyone elses!!! Dude your paintings are kickass.....you got SKILLZ!!!

BTW would LOVE to hear of, or preferably from any professional artists who didn't get where they are by way of traditional apprenticeship.

Check out Paul Acker and Douglas Billian (just Google search them....if you don't know who they are), both of these kickass artists are self taught!!!!! There are many many more, but having met these two gentlemen, they immediately came to mind!

I am a self taught tattoo artist and still in the process of sharpening my skills. I have a friend that owns a tattoo shop and does not except interns at this time but I spend most of my time there just watching. There are many artist out there who want to get in the industry and do things the right way, personally I don't want to do an internship. I just feel like the industry is really hesitant to share its knowledge. If you don't want scratchers around why don't they spit some knowledge. Instead they put em' down. I don't get it! Well once I have established my self and become someone who can teach the skill I will definitely save some scratchers.

Hey I'm an eighteen year old artist who is still learning (and willing to learn more), and I'm looking for an apprenticeship in a tattoo parlor. I'm very eager to learn, and excel. My email is [email removed]. and my deviantART link to my artwork is here, http://lilysturmoil.deviantart.com/ There is some messaround stuff, but I do have some serious artwork!