college

hey I am 15 and my local tattoo shop has looked at some of my work and they said that when I am of age that i could come by and get an apprentiship, so I was wondering if it would be better to go to college first and then start my apprentiship

College is never a bad thing. I find it strange that a local tattoo shop is offering you an apprenticeship at 15, aside from the son's of tattoo artists, I never see someone that young in the trade. Did they want you to pay them? Getting offered a free apprenticeship is a great thing, but I think you are a bit young to do that now, and many tattoo artists have been to art school, it definately helps.

I agree. Tattooing isn't something that you should jump into before you are a kick ass artist, and that should take a bit of time. I know a lot of artists, both college educated and self taught. Any artist I have met that went through Ringling School of Art in Florida has been very talented, skilled, and inspired. I know a dozen who went there probably and they all have distinct and varied styles. I also know a ton of self taught artists who do quality work and are also motivated. At 15 I would plan on spending the next 5-10 years studying all kinds of art, and if you have the option of attending school with quality educators you will always come out ahead of the game the more learned you are before you start tattooing. Seems to me,in tattooing patience is rewarded greatly while mistakes are easy to make and hard to fix.

I agree- go to school!!! In this day and age, and as competitive as the job market is, you can't put a price tag on a college education. And you are still very young, what's the rush? Who's to say that you can't be going to school while working part time on your apprenticeship. Maybe its not the typical job for a high school kid to have but if your parents are cool with it and the shop is willing to work something out, maybe it could be a viable option..? And good advice was given above. If art is something you are seriously interested in why not go to school, take as many classes as you can, be a sponge and absorb all the info and tequniques you can so you will be ahead of the game. Just my $.02

I was wondering if anyone new of any schools in Michigan and how long would you need to go

Hey I wanna become tattoo artist ill probly attend Long Beach college well i like everything your site says because its teaching me alot i like everyone's advice and all that good stuff