change name to "aspiring artist bashing site"

maybe i'm wrong, but it seems like many of the people who respond to the messages on this site are simply bashing those that aspire to be tattoo artists. i realize that there are idiots out there that just want to be known as "tattoo artists" and suck, but what of those that love what they do, and are striving to be the best at what they do? you talk as though you were never a beginner. if no one gave you a chance, or taught you anything, you also would most likely suck. i know that you have no way of telling the difference, but maybe you should try to be more inspiring, and less like you were always a proffessional. remember where you started from. peace.

artisim, you have the wrong idea, people arent bashed just for the sake of our amusement, they are bashed for stupidity. If a person was truly interested in this trade as an art form and were serious about getting into the industry, and are really striving to be the best they could, they wouldnt be seeking "how to's" on the internet., it would seem to me that if someone had a true desire to aspire to greatness in this trade they would take the proper steps to assure this. you got to pay your dues man, it takes alot of dedication, and commitment to excell as a tattooist. especially in todays world, tattoing can many ill effects on the general public, if it is not approached in a professional matter. most of the people that you believe are just bashing for thier own joy have paid thier dues, or are currently taking the proper steps, and paying thier dues to become a tattooist. you cant gain knowlege in this trade from a book, it is a business that is passed from generation to generation, which is why apprentiships are the desired route to take, just like in any other trade on the planet, knowlege is passed down from the master to the student, and then it is up to the master to decide when the student is ready. yes everyone was a beginner once, but like I said, everyone has paid thier dues, why should it be different for some jerk-ass that buys an ebay kit but dont know how to tune his machines, or set his needle depth. this site is not a tattoo school, and it is not a repository of knowlege for anyone to access at will, so when the people here bash the idiots who wont follow the advice of the pro's here and take the proper steps to become a tattooist, then they deserve all the harshness that comes thier way Mortis maybe i'm wrong, but it seems like many of the people who respond to the messages on this site are simply bashing those that aspire to be tattoo artists. i realize that there are idiots out there that just want to be known as "tattoo artists" and suck, but what of those that love what they do, and are striving to be the best at what they do? you talk as though you were never a beginner. if no one gave you a chance, or taught you anything, you also would most likely suck. i know that you have no way of telling the difference, but maybe you should try to be more inspiring, and less like you were always a proffessional. remember where you started from. peace.

hmmm it quoted your post at the end of mine.......odd Mortis

I don't quite agree. If you pay close attention, most of the time the bashing begins over a few particular subjects on the board. 1) Minors getting ink, and the people who ink them. 2) Scratchers. 3) Those who want to tattoo so badly, that they buy a kit and hack up their friends in the kitchen... The other thing, is if you ask these guys to look at your work, and to critique it, they arent going to sugarcoat. I mean, would you WANT them to? You wouldnt want to prepare your portfolio, thinking your Rembrandt, and then show it to someone in hopes of getting your apprenticeship, to be shot down in person yah? The main thing is, these guys -do- help. Most of the time they get the beating sticks out, are when someone asks for an opinion, get one, and then start shooting off at the mouth with personal insults because they don't want to hear that they arent perfect, or that they need alot of work. Thing is, most of the time, if you are nice to these guys, they'll be nice to you, and often, nicer than you expect :)

Noones bashing artists that are trying to get into the industry. The regulars on this board only beat down those who insist on doing things the wrong way even when they've been warned not to by professionals. Of course everyone had to start off somewhere but if theres someone who decides that its going to be better to start tattooing in their kitchen vs. a good solid apprenticeship in a reputable shop, and be a smart-ass about it, all hell's gonna break loose and its open season on that ass. Yeah, there are pros out there that started the hard way and didnt have an apprenticeship, but it doesnt have to be that way these days. Theres enough info out there for those who want to learn how if they're dedicated and patient enough to go after it. There are way too many risks involved with tattooing in your basement or kitchen, and documented cases of scratchers tattooing minors and infecting people with diseases like Hep C and HIV. Others that are asking for a tongue lashing include most people who have nothing to bring to the table but want to open tattoo shops. Most of the artists i know of will only work for someone who has been a tattoo artist or piercer for some time OR has something really signifigant to bring to tattooing as an art form. There are regulars on this board who have been involved with this business for decades and have seen all there is to see. They know how things should be done in this profession and they're just trying to keep people from giving tattooing a bad name.

thank you for answering my message. i appreciate your honesty and apologize for the ignorant statement i made. i really believe i've got a gift for tattooing and art in general, and i want to pursue it as a full time career. it was just legallized in my county and i'm waiting for a parlor to open down the street from me to open so that i can try to persuade an artist to help me. I'm willing to start at the bottom, scrubbing the toilets or whatever. soon enough i'll be the one answering some beginner's questions (and perhaps do a little "bashing" of my own!) peace.

hey, no problem. and I wish you all the luck in the world, I hope that you find the apprentiship you are looking for. and hope it all goes well for you. Mortis

ArtistTim...The professional artists who post on this forum take time out of busy schedules to try to help people and most honest questions are answered with honest up front answers...we are not however on here to provide a "how to tattoo" internet school.The very idea of learning to tattoo on the internet is blatantly ridiculous. The art of tattooing takes years to learn to perform well and encouraging people to learn on a forum would be irresponsible at best and dangerous at worst. Tattooing is an invasive proceedure and, as such, should only be attempted by those who have had proper training in blood borne pathogens, anti cross contamination proceedures and steilization techniques. You can get rid of a bad tattoo...you cannot get rid of AIDS or HEP!! People ARE given the chance to learn many valuable things on here but when someone gets an attitude with the pros here...they get slammed ...simple as that! Respect works both ways and I firmly believe that most people with honest questions get the answers they seek...TAz, Painted Angel

Aspiring artist & wannabe here, and not shy admitting it. I've been bashed and banned elsewhere on the net, but never felt 'bashed' here. ..

I've never gotten any bashings here... I feel sort of welcome, and actually, I've learned a couple things. *runs around swinging a clipchord precariously*

*Screams at the site of said precariously swung clip chord*

yeah, when i wrote that first message it was the first time that i visited the site. the first thing i went to was the aspiring artist topics and read a bunch of what i considered to be bashing. but after your responses and further reading of the many messages i have learned many things in a short time, and understand your feelings about these bootleg tattoo for dummies requests you get. i admit that i... take it easy on me... am a s... sc... i cant say it... a scratcher. however i have done some pretty nice stuff, and am putting away my toys and seeking serious instruction and apprenticeship. thanks for showing me the light. i want all inspiring tattoo artists to realize how serious this is and what a slap in the face it is to someone who has taken the proper steps to get to where they are now. peace.

not inspiring artists! aspiring! oops

And if we can be of help just give us a yell!

this profession requires a constent learning situation.There is no end to it.I have been at it for years and am always trying to learn more.As a professional i would not even be comfortable asking someone info on how to tattoo or anything like that.Especially on the computer.Do it the rite way.Learn from someone .Then learn for yourself and make it better than you were shown.Then hand it down when your complete.Thats how i look at it.Good luck. It all about respect if it is not givin its not received.So to say to someone all there work they have gone thru to learn does not mean shit.Just hand it over on the internet shows a disresect for the person that has dedicated there life.That in itself is not a good start.