Does this sound weird? U tell Me.

Ok so Im striving to be a Tattoo artist, Im reading tons of literature and currently doing my homework on apprenticeships, and anylizing these forums to see the many conterversies In this lifestyle and I have a bit of a (maybe) weird question. I love tattooing and I want to learn so much more about it and possibly everything I can to learn about it. I have two tattoos I drew myself and had a proffesional Tattoo artist put them on, one on my right and left shoulder. I love the tattoos and I would never have them removed but I am more of a clean cut person and dont want my entire body full of tattoos, the two I have now are barely visible below my tshirt line, And i notice most artist are covered with them. Is it a trust respect issue here? I mean basically would you get a tattoo from an artist that does not even have one tattoo? THANKS R-TISTs!

There are a few very talented non-tattoo (or non-heavily tattooed) artists. Anil gupta had none for a long time. Jesse Smith and Tim Harris only have a few... I think thats who I know who doesnt have many tattoos and tattoos. Some who arent heavily tattooed but are planning their tattoos deliberately. It is kinda weird, and non-tattooed tattooers tend to hurt more cause they dont experience the pain as much. Most tattoo artists *want* tattoos because they love them so much and thats why they do them. It is also the best way to learn, by getting tattooed by the best! Have you showed us some of your artwork yet?

Here you go gabe, This is only what I have done since ive been deployed, VERY limited on supplies. but here it is.. Check out my mothers blog made for me while I have been deployed. You might have to navigate the blog to find them but its easy, at the bottom of the page is (newer, older post) click one of those to find them. here it is....... http://blogginforjohn.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2007-11-18T09%3A04%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=7 click the picture for larger image.

GABE, ALSO please leave me some feedback!!

I would rather get tattooed by an artist that has tattoos,then one who doesn't.Although,if i really like their work,and i connect with them,i would get tattooed by them..I think the popularity of tattoos has brought alot of talented artist into the field-and some of them aren't really into tattoos,but they just wan't to try their hand at another artform..I just think if you really love tattoos,you won't care about having them in areas that are visible.