Apprentice Bitch- and how long?

I've read alot of the threads here, so I won't bother you with all of the questions I have as most have been answered. And feel free to rant, scream and rage at me all you want- I have skin as thick as leather, somewhat the equivalent of an armadillo. I have been seeking an apprenticeship for over 4 months. I got together a nicely organized 200 + piece photographic portfolio. I have been a self-supporting artist for 4 years (and an artist for 20). After taking my portfolio to many shops, I've received two absolute maybes and a yes, along with one who said they couldn't even consider it until closer to winter, beacause the shop was too slammed to take on an apprentice. So I honestly believe I have some real options. My biggest problem is I recently broke my leg and as much as I would love to be a hard-core toilet scrubbing bitch for hours on end, my leg seems to have some limitations, after working a full- time day (or even a part- time day), I don't know how much my leg can handle. I didn't want to ask the shops I was inquiring with this question because I didn't want to seem unwilling to the "bitch work". How physically demanding is it to be an apprentice?? How long will I need to be an apprentice before I can begin to work in a shop, considering I'll be working a part time job while apprenticing, to support my family? ?

---"How physically demanding is it to be an apprentice?? " It shouldn't be all that demanding. Too many people put too much weight on scrubbing toilets. The bottom line is, someone has to do it, whether its the artist, the apprentice, the owner, or anyone that gets paid to do it. It's a job that needs to be done and noone has the right to bitch about a dirty toilet if they're able to clean it themselves, just as noone should bitch about having to clean it if there is an agreement that states that on occasion they would have to share that responsibility. I would never force an apprentice to scrub a toilet because I would never take on an apprentice that would have an issue doing it and needed to be forced into doing it. I also would never make someone with a broken leg get in there to do that just because I didn't feel like it. I'm sure a bathroom could be cleaned better by someone such as myself or anyone else that didn' t have a broken leg, no offense to anyone in crutches. "How long will I need to be an apprentice before I can begin to work in a shop, considering I'll be working a part time job while apprenticing, to support my family? ? " It's really impossible to determine as every apprenticeship is different from mentor to mentor, and student to student. That entirely depends on how quick you pick up on knowledge and what type of mentor you have, I've seen people go on for 3+ years, and I've seen people do 6 months. If you're only part timing, I'd suggest that you make the absolute most of your time and soak up as much as possible like a good sponge.

Thank you for taking the time to respond! I am also wondering if it is possible (or am I dreaming?) to find a position as an apprentice, while I also being a paid shop helper at minimum wage? Is that something that is totally unheard of in the industry?? I don't want to blow my chances at getting an apprenticeship by asking for a paid position if that would be a totally inappropriate (or stupid) question. Thanks again! I appreciate the help.

No you won't get paid....Most "shop bitches" as you call them are tipped by the artists and other people they work with....TAz

Thank you for taking the time to resapond TAz.

Thank you for taking the time to resapond TAz.