I know I am gonna get reimed, but I have to ask..

Okay, so I have been reading for about 2 hours now, and I can't help but comment. I have wanted to be a tattoo artist since I was 12. I am planning on getting a machine, and starting out with practice skin. I want to learn correctly. Now I have read all the comments when similar stories have been told.Here is mine... I can not quit my job and seek an apprenticeship, besides that there are no good shops where I am at (suburbs of Chicago) Now before anyone gets their panties in a bunch, I KNOW there are amazing artist in chicago, but I am over an hour outside of chicago, and work 11 hours a day (simply put I couldn't apprentice if I wanted to, and still keep my day job, which I NEED). I AM NOT INTERESTED IN THIS TRADE FOR THE MONEY!! Of course, I believe that once I am tenured, I believe I will receive what my work is worth, but I am prepared to take the necessary time to EARN it. I have paid for the work I have, and every penny was worth it, I expect any clients I have to feel the same. I have been designing tattoo work since I was 16, (No I don't have any online at the moment), and I really want to persue this passion I have. I have had a lot of friends, and tattoo artist compliment my designs, and have designed tattoos that all look amazing on skin. (I have my own designs on me, as well as multiple friends have gotten my designs tattooed onto themselves.) So, long story, my point is, I am looking for real advice as to how to get started. I don't want to be a scratcher, I want to learn the trade, be professional, and showcase my work on skin. I know the best way to do that is by an apprenticeship, but unfortunatly that isn't an option. But just because that isn't an option, I don't want to give up this dream. I respect all of you guys, and what I have read so far, but I am seeking more knowledge. Thank you in advance for any insight you guys may provide!

hippygothgirl....e-mail me and we will talk....I am not gonna teach you how to tattoo on the net but I may be able to give you some ideas!...TAz

how far are you from iowa??

at least 2 hours from Iowa... Maybe more?

Taz is going to be nice to you because he's that kind of a guy... I can be a skeptical smart ass at times, so my advice will be colored by that... You have wanted to be a tattoo artist since you were 12...How old are you now. How have you used those "x" number of years to prepare yourself and bring you closer to your goal of being a tattoo artist? If you are at a place in your life where you cannot spare the money or the time (you work 11 hrs /day?) to dedicate to the training, or cannot up and move to a place that does have artists who see you as a worthy candidate for an apprenticeship , then you have, in a way, answered your own question. Not everyone who wants to be a professional of one kind or another has the financial or personal resources to acheive their goal... They either save up their money and enroll later, or they re-evaluate how realistic their "dream job" truly is in regards to their own circumstances...and many end up having to travel to attend school if they are serious about their path...What they do NOT normally do is to just start practicing filling artificial ceramic teeth their kitchens till they have the resources to get into dental school...some may do that...but I've never heard of it happening... There are a few things you can do while you work to get your financial and personal resources to a place where they can handle the 3 to 5 year comittment of getting into the proffession properly. Think about the following 1) a portfolio 2) humble attitude/work ethic/sense of loyalty 3) BBP/CC training certification/vaccinations 4) getting work done by various artists you admire 5) Familiarity with the history of the profession/current local laws I wouldn't say simply owning a machine and stripping it down and putting it back together is necessarily a bad thing...(I'm doing that myself) but I'd work on all of those other things I listed above and I'd save the actual inking of practice skin for when you are in the presence of a mentor. You have more than enough things to keep you busy till you arrive at that apprenticeship place. "simply put I couldn't apprentice if I wanted to" See...there, you slipped...you don't really want to apprentice and you are using all of your unique circumstances to justify why an apprenticeship for someone in your situation would be downright irresponsible!...nice try. " I am prepared to take the necessary time to EARN it" That remains to be seen... at 11 hrs/day you may be prepared, but not able. There...you got your "reiming", and I let you off lightly because at least you suspected that your stance might be flawed. Good luck! If all goes well, maybe we'll be trading guest spots in eachothers shops in 10 years...

Thank you Caribou, I respect your words, and take heed to your convictions. I am 27 now, married with step children. I have a mortgage, and car payments, and we can not afford to loose my income, my husband simply does not make enough money for that as an option. And, yes, I have continued to draw and learn throughout the years. I truly value your words, and thank you for the advice. I appreciate your kindness as well, please know that I know my stance is flawed, but I am working with what I have at the moment. Please realize that my asking for this advise is my humble attempt to get more information on taking the steps that I can, when getting an apprenticeship is, unfortunatly, not an option. Just to clairfy my statement, I DO want to apprentice under a mentor!! Believe me, if we could afford it, I would do an apprenticeship in a heartbeat, but my priorities include helping to support my family, and that is more important than anything else. Just because of that, however, I refuse to give up this dream. So I will take your advice and keep it close to my heart, continue to save, and learn, until that can be accomplished. I appreciate your 3-5 year commitment example, and will surely incorporate it into my current goals for this dream. I will still be getting a machine, and learning what I can, and building my portfolio. And when I make it, I will surely love be trading guest spots with you in each others shops!! Thank you again, your words and advice have not fallen of deaf ears! Any other advise is gratefully appreciated as well! ~HippyGothGirl

No problem. I'm on a similar path myself. I just started a bit later than you. If all goes well I should be in a place (with the requisite financial and time resources) to start an apprenticeship in maybe 1-2 years. It is very liberating to be not doing it for the money. It allows one to slow down and concentrate on the journey instead of the destination. Luckily there are so many things you can do on your own, in the meanwhile, that are pretty affordable. Portfolio building, reading a lot in books and online, go to tattoo conventions that pass your area, and all the other things I mentionned above...There are SO many wannabees and scratchers out there, that if you actually put in the effort "to bring something to the table" you will stand out from the crowd. From my perspective, you pretty much owe it to yourself to learn as much as you can (short of anything involving actual tattoo ink) so you can pick your 'short list' of mentors...

Caribou, That is awesome, and I wish you the best of luck! I am glad that I am not the only one, I have felt a little overwhelmed by what I have been reading! I thought for sure everyone would hate me. Yell at me and tell me I am a wanna-be. If that were the case, I wouldn't have come across this website (THAT I LOVE NOW!) seking as much information as anyone will give me! Thank you again, and again and again!

There are just so many wannabees out there with a "give me an apprenticeship because I want one" sense of entitlement... it is easy to see why many Pros would get a bit 'testy' when approached... And it's dead simple to "shine" if you put in a bit of effort. When you step back from your own desire and try to look at it from their side of the "transaction" the proper approach/attitude becomes much more obvious. In a nutshell, strive for excellence with humility.