Some Advice?

I am 16 and I want to be a tattoo artist and eventually own my own shop. I have a tattoo machine and have been doing really simple tattoos. My father has been my ginni pig. I have been to so many different shops and they cant really help me till I turn 18, then I can try an apprenticeship. But i dont and probably wont have the funds. I know the basics but I want to my skills. Does anybody know of any way I can get a better start?

sounds to me like you have 2 years to save up. dont just expect to not have the funds when you turn 18. make it happen. get a job bust your ass and save all you can. if you really wana learn itll be well worth it.

thats what ive been trying to do. thanks a bunch :D

O.k lets do this right ...tattooing isnt always the best life,it may look glorious but, theres a lot to learn and im not talking tattoos im talking life...some times you starv ,sometimes you die! it might wreck your life or make you a happy millionare?...lets do each other a favor theres too many artists right now so.. wait till after youve lived..learned ...loved ..because it might cost you that too..start a different career like a machinist with air brushing on the side and go from there o.k ..trust me youll do much better and youll have money and respect as a tattoo artist then

Dont listen to the previous post telling you to put off your dreams....thats retarded. Too many people in this life wait and put off things they want to do and before they know it they are dead. you are lucky because it seems like you already know what you want to do at a very young age PLUS you have the support of your father (never said anything about your mother so i didn't want to comment due to my lack of knowledge of your home life). If you really want to do tattoos then save up and get an appreticeship when your 18. Start learning all you can while your young and if its truly what you want to do the money will come. Seems like the earlier you start something the more time you have to learn all about it. The more you learn about it the better your chances of being successful.

Yeah work on it now, not later. 2 reasons: First, you can do your part to start learning now. You can fill your spare time learning to draw, learning the history of tattooing and studying the health and safety aspects of the industry. Being young, knowledgable and talented will strongly increase your chances of landing a good apprenticeship. Second, there is never a good time to apprentice full time because you're not getting paid. But if you think it will be rough when you are 18, think of how rough it would be when you're older and have more responsibility. Maybe you're on your own by then or have a spouse and kids. A lot of people can't apprentice because real life gets in the way. So the younger you can do that, the better. Good luck. And DO NOT let anyone tell you there are too many tattooers. It may be true but it never stopped those fuckers from trying to persue their dreams (and YES there were too many tattooers back then, too).

I wonder how many homeless teens out there wanted to be rock stars? Just save up and shoot for the stars kid good luck!

I wonder how many homeless teens out there wanted to be rock stars? Just save up and shoot for the stars kid... good luck!

Gina you hack , your a cat lady from C.T and your bio didn't say squat about your exp. on tattoos witch is verry little from what I'v seen. I feel very sorry for the people in your yown, now before you get on your minstral cycle and ride all over me, I was just saving the kid some trouble and when I talk to him I talk as a loving father in tattooing and I'll tell you what kid I work in toledo Ohio I have 16 years in the biz unlike our friend here..come up with a grand and I'll apprentice you for 3 years after you turn 18 o.k pal seecha! My usual pric is 5k