tattoo school

to those of you that ARE tattoo artists: what do you think about THIS as long as it is not exclusively the only work i do before entering the market: http://www.spokane-tattoo-school.com/pacific_northwest_tattoo_school.ydev

Here's my Problem with this, and everyone who feels the need to pick up a machine. " Problem is, there just are not enough apprenticeships available for the number of competent tattooers needed out there in the tattoo-starved world." That's a quote from this seminar site. Last I checked there are more than enough competent, and way to many incompetent tattooers to cover the bases out there. I've said it before that just because you feel the need to become a tattooer, does not mean that you should. One way to discern this is to find a good tattooer, who genuinely cares for the business, and is willing to see your art, and get to know you. Let him decide if maybe you've got what it takes. Some dude looking to take your money show you the basics, than dump some equipment in your lap does not have your's or the tattoo business's best interests in mind. IM of the belief that when you take on an apprentice you do so for one or two reasons. First, you simply need someone. Your shop has become busy enough to take on another employee. And training someone from the ground up makes more sense to you than taking on another artist that may have preconceived notions of how your shop should run. Second, you as the teacher find an individual looking to get into the field with a great talent, and a willingness to learn to be a tattooist. When I was brought into this trade it was because there truly was a need for good tattooists, that was 13 years ago! I can't tell you how many individual artists and shop owners that I know that are struggling. These are good people, and talented artists, having trouble making ends meet in today's "Tattoo starved world". I know this sounds bitter, and just shitty. But I really am just simply pissed at how bad this business has gotten. People have said that back in the day all those old fuckers would jealously guard the trade secrets, like it was the last virgin on earth. Well Hell maybe they had the right idea. These were guys working there ass's off. Most of the people today spend half there days sitting around, hoping for someone to walk thru there door, and not go to the shop two doors down. This really is just my opinion, and everyone ones got one. Hell everyone know's mines twice the size as most. Do what you want, but watch your ass, and don't bitch when it get's burned. J.Capobianco Hope Gallery New Haven CT www.joecapobianco.com

Damn Joe C, hit it right on the head. The tattoo business has gone pretty much to shit, to many wanna be tattooist out there...

I think you are all full of shit , if someone has a talent for it and really want to be a tattooist they have every rite to try. !!!!!!!!!!!!

It looks as if we are loosing sight of the artistic side of tattoos. It is not all about buisness. Don't get me wrong, I like to make some cash too, but knowing that my art is the best I can produce is what makes me come back to work. Struggling as an artist is what produces style and character. In the world if "high art" there are millions of artists that will never gain recognition or make a lot of money, but for thousands of years people have continued to make art because it is just that... art! If no one had pased on the secrets of early painters, we all may still be painting hand prints on cave walls. My two cents...

Hey, it's a free market and any artist who knows he is good has naff all to worry about, at the end of the day it's about confidence in ability and creativity. I cant stand this "closed shop" mentality. Its the reason so many artists slag off each others work and run around at night super-glueing each others shutter locks. Its pathetic.

The reason the industry is so "closed" is because 99% of the artists out there shouldn't be doing it on skin, they should be doing it on other non-permenent mediums.

tattooing is 95% tracing and doesn't have allot to do with art unless you are doing custom work, being as precise as possible is what counts knowing what the fuck you are doing as far as depth and angles go is what is important. This is how I felt before I started my apprenticeship, and it's how I still feel now several months into it. So you gweeto fucker from conneticut try opening a shop that doesn't have as much competition around, or try building better relationships with clients and quit with the I'm so fucking artistic Mr. Divinci shit!

You could not be more wrong bro Tattooing is only about tracing because you're still in the middle of your apprenticeship. Until you're tattooing every day and you're no longer the shop minion you cant really say what its about. Now unless you want to be a flash jockey for your entire career, sure you can trace til' your hearts content. But sooner or later like the rest of us, you're going to have to pull a couple of good custom ideas out of your head because flash just aint gonna cut it. And whats gonna happen when that Cherry Creek doesnt quite your clients body shape and flow? No amount of tracing is gonna make that work. Tattooing is all about the art and tracing is just the tip of the iceberg.

95% tracing hungh? Wow, you must be on the cutting edge of this art.

Oh, and he doesn't need me to defend him, but trying to call Joe out is really silly Jordan, you should do your homework better. Joe is one of the good guys (nay, one of the best guys!). You wont make any friends trying to tell him off, you just look stupid.

"tattooing is 95% tracing and doesn't have allot to do with art unless you are doing custom work, being as precise as possible is what counts knowing what the fuck you are doing as far as depth and angles go is what is important. This is how I felt before I started my apprenticeship, and it's how I still feel now several months into it. So you gweeto fucker from conneticut try opening a shop that doesn't have as much competition around, or try building better relationships with clients and quit with the I'm so fucking artistic Mr. Divinci shit! " Dude, that is a quote of what you said, and you just made yourself look like the most ignorant piece of crap alive. 95% Tracing??? Dont' quit your day job. Telling Joe to build better relationships with his clients?? I am a client of his and as a client, I'd like to address that you couldn't ask for a better tattoo artist to do work on you, both on the artistic end and the professional end of it. "I'm so fucking artistic Mr. Divinci shit"-- that one just reeks of jealousy. Maybe try to push yourself to be better instead of taking shots at those who are extremely talented. As they say, See you in the Funny Pages.

Or on badtattoos.com.....

Hey Jordan...you unmitigated asshole!...Apparently you need a whole lot more time in the saddle my friend...insulting a premier artist like Joe Capobianco is laughably assinine...That man is an artists artist whether it be with tattoo machine, airbrush or oil paint that man is an ARTIST!!!...And you with what a few months in the business under your belt have the NERVE to come on a forum and act like you even DESERVE to HAVE an opinion of such high caliber artists is simply ludicrous....Do some homework newbie and figure out what tattooing is all about...sure there are color by number flash tattooers out there (and I'm sure you are one of them). But the are also REAL tattoo artists who don't just COPY flash bought out of a magazine....they CREATE art...they are called CUSTOM TATTOO ARTISTS....with your punk ass attitude you will never be among those ranks......Sorry Joe I know you need no defending but its assholes like this who are bringing our art down to its knees and I just could not let it go by....TAz, Painted Angel

To take this a bit further...someone above said something about this being a "closed business"....You are so wrong...if it were as closed as you say then why are "scab shops" opening on every corner?.....And 90% of them do nothing but shit work . I hate to see it come to this...yeah we make an assload of money fixing up the people who went for CHEAP instead of GOOD....We cover up crap tattoos every single day.....its rare that a day goes by that someone who came to us and said" oh you are too expensive I'll go down the street to Joe Blows Tattoo Palace and get me a $50 tattoo"...returns with that whipped puppy look and wants us to fix up that tattoo they thought was such a fucking bargain. Maybe I'm getting a bit jaded in my old age but it gets old.But keep getting those cheap tattoos folks...WE DO COVERUPS!!!...TAz

If you sit closer to the front Jordan you wont realize your on the short bus.

i have something to say!!! But, it's currently saved on my laptop that won't connect to the router because the router is being a bitch, so i can't say it yet :( *cries*

HATE it when that happens!

Now, don't kill me for this. I am not saying that the schools are good, just asking a question... I understand the "closed door" policy due to people who do it the wrong way/shouldn't be tattooing. Yet, i don't understand how artists can get sooooooooo upset. A lot of artists complain, saying that people don't accept tattoos, there are becoming fewer and fewer good tattoo artists, etc etc, yet many are not willing to take someone under their wing unless they are already like a "pro" at drawing and such. Why can't the drawing be part of the learning process? Why does someone already have to have mastered it to be seen as a "worthy" candidate? Can't people become an apprentice if you see potential and then, similar to any other job, have a probationary period where they have to prove themselves teachable and ready to work hard...and if they don't then you don't waist any more time on it? it just seems backwards to complain about scratchers and schools and a small number in the business, then narrow the list of who to train so much. this is very general, i'm not trying to point the finger at anyone. :)

Wow firstly let me thanks everyone who felt the need to step up to bat for me, Most appreciated. Secondly let me answer the little cuss who felt the need to get all shitty when his panties got in a twist. Here's the deal man, your right tattooing's not all about being "artsy fartsy", its about doing a good tattoo, and meeting peoples expectations on what they want on there body. And guess what if you can't draw, and all you think that being a good tattooist entails is "tracing", than your in for a few disappointed clients. Not to mention limiting your self on what you'll be able to do in a field that grows every day. Shops are opening up everywhere, and being a bit more talented may set you apart from the rest of the pack. You want to be a flash artist all your days that's super cool man, I've got plenty of great friends doing just that, and with wonderful results. But that's not what the original post was about. It was about the caliber of people getting into the biz, and wether or not there's a need for more. Not their artistic experience. You want to down play what you do, and what other better people around you are capable of, by bringing them down to your level, than do us all a favor, and keep it to yourself, and the hand full of clients who are unfortunate enough to keep you as there tattooist. If you feel the need to be defensive of what you do, than perhaps you should step back, and reconsider your choice to tattoo for a living. IM sure we'd all greatly appreciate it. And this Guido Fuck From CT, stands by his beliefs. By the way we're in an area where there are a handful of shops, and we take care of our own clientele, and those looking for a good person, a friendly laid back environment, and above all good art! J.Capobianco Hope Gallery New Haven CT www.joecapobianco.com

It is so not a "tattoo-starved" world, there are plenty of us out there trust me! I'm from Australia and even though our tattoo parlours aren't exactly on every corner, local business and the industry has seen better days. Rent, tax, insurance and general costs of running a studio are sending our hard-working ladies and gents of the biz broke. I'm a month a way from starting a piercing/tattoo apprenticeship, that was not easy too land (especially because I'm a chick), but I've worked my arse off to find it. My contention is less moaning more drawing and keep looking. Some one wise told me if inking is truely in your blood, you'll labour for no pay, and prove your patience through a year watching-then if you deam worthy you've got what it takes.

Thanks for the post Jethead....And good luck on your apprenticeship!! Let us know how it goes!!!...TAz

You know what's ironic, nay sardonic I must say, is that an art that's been around for centuries, extensively in the cultures of the people of color on this planet and I (a person of color) can't get an apprenticeship because of this very closed industry and closed minded people. I know some tattoo artists out here in NY that suck and I will never go to them but there is also some hidden talent in the "scab shops" as you call them. People have to start somewhere, right? I find it hysterical going into shops with my artwork looking for apprenticeships and I either get glanced over like I should be a customer instead of a woman looking for an apprenticeship or I get offers from guys wanting me to do flash for the rest of my life, just for them. So you better believe I'm looking for a school to go to and when I do AND I get that good, I will not be closed minded nor have a closed door policy. I will continue the centuries old tradition of marking and beautifying the body as my ancestry before me.

I lived and worked in new york and find it hard to believe that, as you are intimating, you can't get an apprenticeship because of your "color"....Highly doubtful....I am quite sure there are other reasons why you are finding it difficult to break into this business. As for the "tattoo schools"...Good Luck!!....We have done a fairly thorough job of debunking the validity of these schools...maybe you should spend some time reading the back posts on the subject!...TAz

Even as a FLASH ARTIST, I find it incredibly insulting that Jordan would say tattooing is 95% tracing. I have never tattooed a day in my life, but guess what, I draw a lot of the shit you'd be TRACING onto someone's body, and I spend a lot of time, energy and MONEY to do it. Not to mention, if I EVER walked into a shop and someone implied that their job is 95% tracing, I'd rip the artist a new asshole before walking out. Most people who are tattoo enthusiasts want original ARTWORK on their bodies, and that doesn't entail tracing. Not to mention, unless you're doing very basic LINE DRAWINGS, tattooing is a whole hell of a lot more than tracing. Do you expect to trace shading? How about fine detail? Can you trace colors? As for the "closed shop" approach, I for the most part agree with it. Usually, the people who get so worked up about artists not sharing their secrets are the people who have no business laying a hand on another person's flesh. Sorry, but if Taz turned around tomorrow and let all of his trade secrets out to a bunch of silly 17 year old kids, I'd lose immense respect for him, and probably wouldn't go to him. Tattooing needs to be considered as a sacred trade, as it has been in times past. This is ink, being permanently embedded in one's flesh, and if that ain't a sacred experience, not to mention a spiritual art statement, I dunno what is.

Red I and probably most of the pros out there will agree with you...we aren't trying to keep anyone out of our business....on the contrary I am one of the biggest advocates for helping new guys/girls coming into the art and I try to help the serious ones as much as I can...its always the ones who try to get an apprenticeship and are turned down...usually for very valid reasons and NOT because of the color of their skins or cause they are female....THAT, although I am sure it exists is probably NOT the reason in most cases...anyway its those people are always the loudest about this being a "closed profession"...and then demand that we teach them to tattoo on a public forum. That or they open up shop in their homes without training, decent equipment, inspections and licensing and most importantly without a clue....they get a tattoo at a shop and think," well that doesn't look so hard ...I can do that!...I'll just order me up a "KIT" from e-bay and start tattooing my friends and family and get rich!" Then they post on here wondering why they can't make their junk machines run or why their color falls out in a week or why all their lines are doubled......it takes YEARS to learn this profession...TAz

krazekaz, instead of pissing your money off on some tattoo school, I'd suggest you try contacting Jacci Gresham in New Orleans, who, in case you didn't know, is a very talented 'person of color' who operates her own studio and could perhaps give you some pointers on how to get into Tattooing the RIGHT way (and I sincerely doubt she'd tell you a 'tattoo school' is any part of that)...Doc

TAz, you seem to be the resident guru of this particular post so perhaps you have heard of Zulu Tattoo and his story of when he was starting out? He's publicly shared his experiences and I can say, quite emphatically, that they ring familiar to me. No, I've never been threatened, but I do know the difference between someone giving me a soft decline and somone blowing me off because they think I'm not the "right kind" of person. Let's not be naive TAz, it exists throughout America, why would the tattoo industry be any different? Because they are artists? As for my abilities and artwork - strangers, family and friends have given me more than ample compliments concerning that area which brings me to the reason I want to tatt - I'm an artist. Tattoos are walking museum, a friend could be the next Louvre. Somebody you've never met before comes to you to illuminate their body and depending how adept you become, their soul. There's immense self-gratification in tattooing - let's not deny that either and I'll be honest, it always makes me smile when I see the tattoos on friends that I've designed. I'd actually like to go further in the process... And one more thing you should know, TAz. I've had bikers and "Joe Publics" tell me I should start tattooing now. I have a friend who wants to buy a machine and have me start tattooing right away. You know why I won't do that, because I have respect for the craft. I've been looking for a school, looking for an apprenticeship because I want to KNOW what I'm doing and be very good at it. I can tell that you know from whence you speak but never assume, because I do too.

Thanks Doc, much appreciated.

"People have said that back in the day all those old fuckers would jealously guard the trade secrets, like it was the last virgin on earth. Well Hell maybe they had the right idea." Bulls*** The only way to stop scratchers is to give them a chance at training. Ex: If my wife could have found a willing and capable artist willing to train her she would jumped at it. Instead she had to scare the closest shop to our home into a half-assed apprenticeship. They didn't want to lose business because. A)She was free B)A scratcher can fuck up the local industry though bad tats (Haven't seen her do a "bad tat" at least not one the customer wasn't happy with and reccomended other to her. Yeah, her early work was rough, but never scarred save 1 piece, the beginning of her first piece on her). I know this because their #1 artist told her after they moved shop. They put her with their worst artist. They didn't want their "cash cows" taken away from getting that extra work done. The owners were business owners and not artists. She did learn a little there about sterilization, but she learned more from the other artists than she did from her "master", because he wasn't doing great as an employee and scared for his job.(He was late, she was early. He sat on his as, she busted hers...nothing to do with quality which he was afraid she might learn and would have). He was "let go" two months after her apprencticeship. They hired a former artist of theirs to replace him. They only reason to be scared to take an apprentice is future competition. If it was about the art for 90% out there and not the money then you wouldn't be scared. I know my wife has the luxory of me paying for everything, but I KNOW she has talent, I KNOW she has the drive and the work ethic. I saw her non-tat portfolio before I every invested a penny. She was at a less than minimum wage job when I met her saving every last dime to buy proper equipment. She WILL be one of the best. Less than two years scratching. Her first tat she did was Nov' 04. Has had like 6 months on fruit. A forced 6 month vacation. and 10 months on skin. During that time she's done 100+ on skin 1000+ on melons (if I never smell another honey dew melon it will be too soon.) Update: Right now she's waiting on a callback from a shop with an apprenticeship opening. The owner's at a convention in OK.

krazekaz, no problem, especially after reading your 'follow up' post, sounds like you really could be someone we welcome/need/want in this profession and if you truly are talented AND mean what ya said about your attitude about the Art of Tattooing, I wish you all the luck. Again, contact Jacci, I'm certain that would be a step in the right direction...Doc

Krazekaz....I agree with almost every thing you say...however I do NOT agree on the amount of racism in our biz....15 years ago yes indeed but not nearly so much now...If you want an apprenticeship you will find one....yeah maybe you will meet some assholes...I was once kicked out of a shop because I have look a certain way ...before I was even spoken too ...the little fuck had the phone in his hand and was yellin,"get out of here ...we don't want your kind in here!" But there are a lot of "non" assholes too...I get very tired of the excuses....just do it and if ya want it bad enough you WILL get it and NO on can stop you!! If I can help in any way just email me...thats what I am here for! KeAZ.....Thats what I'm hearing from you too...excuses ...if she would have wanted an apprenticeship badly enough she would have found one even if it meant travelling...hell I moved over a thousand miles to work under a guy who helped me out...I worked 2 jobs while I was learning....I wasn't allowed to touch skin for 2 FUCKING YEARS!!!! But when I did I knew what the fuck I was doing... But this is all a moot point...your wife (and I find it odd that she never speaks for herself on here!) IS good enough now to open a shop and do it legally and safely...I would hire her in a heartbeat...sure she has a way to go and loys to learn but thats ok too....she is definately doing decent solid work now...what bothers me most about what you say is this free tattoo thing...try that shit where I come from and you better have fire insurance!....Take his as an example...what would happen if say a guy doing construction found out someone was taking the food out of his kids mouths by doing free work?...this guy has his LIFE invested in his business ...do ya think he is gonna just sit there and not "FIX" that problem?...you and I both know what would happen.....and if you don't want you wife to get a real bad rep in this biz I'd keep all that free work she was doing in an unlicensed shop on the down low...I have been tellin ya this for a while....I am not trying to be an asshole but some things are a no no in any profession...there is a line you just don't cross...you definately need to be more circumspect in your comments...there are artists and shop owners from all over the world that read this forum...don't kill her career before ut gets started!...T

One more thing...How to NOT get hired or taken on as an apprentice.... just this morning a girl called me and wanted info on apprenticing... She said she had a portfolio so I told her to come to the shop today between 3 and 4 o'clock...I emphasized that I HAD to leave at four so get there way before that....At 4:20 she comes strolling into the shop like she wasn't even late...no apology no reason just came in and plopped her little sketch book on my desk and so I told her bye bye see ya go home.not interested at all!! Now she is probably going to go on a forum and say I wouldn't take her on cause she is a girl or she is so good I am jealous of her work or any of a dozen reasons (excuses) I see on this forum constantly....the reason I did not take her on was because she WAS LATE!!!!!! ...FOR HER FIRST INTERVIEW!!! THERE YA GO!!!

Once again thanks for all the advice and I get the point - tattoo school, NOT the way to go. Thanks again, Doc I will check her out. And TAz, if I would have come to your shop late for an interview and you booted me out, I would have deserved it. At the end of the day, you have to handle business and if you wouldn't be late for a job interview at a Fortune 500 company you shouldn't be late for the job of your dreams. Once again, thanks guys (and ladies) for the immense volume of knowledge you've bestowed - at least I have direction now.

First TAZ, thx for the support. Second about that post.... ".Thats what I'm hearing from you too...excuses ." Call it what you will, but before she had a driver's license, I drove her and her work to at least twenty plus shops(that's over a third of town) including the one that "apprenticed" her. After they later got scared from a "free tattoo" business card on their company vehicle in a Wal-mart parking lot. The usually comment was "Nice work, but we're not hiring". Some it was "We only want a full artist. No time for an apprentice". What the fuck? One even went so far as to turn her away without even looking at the portfolio, just saying "We don't have any apprentices". Now we didn't know about the shop where she will be going to next week that is looking for an apprentice, if we had things might have been different. "If she would have wanted an apprenticeship badly enough she would have found one even if it meant travelling....". I'm the sole provider for us not possible for her. My job in the oil patch has me locked down so to speak. "your wife (and I find it odd that she never speaks for herself on here!) IS good enough now to open a shop and do it legally and safely...I would hire her in a heartbeat." The only way her home studio is legal in Texas is the "Free" part. So her's is legal because it meet health standards and is free, but thanks for you comments on her abilty. No licesnse required, but can only be shut down by a failed health inspection called on it. "what bothers me most about what you say is this free tattoo thing...try that shit where I come from and you better have fire insurance!..." Makes the closed shop point.... Don't burn her studio... Hire her! A lot of her "free" clients do give her tips even though she doesn't ask for it. Many also plan on getting a tat from her once she hits a shop. The one she did the portrait for says she has the money and will be in there the moment she is in a shop if nothing more than to help bring her more business and so she can show her work to the shop. Some are waiting till she gets in a shop. A large percentage of artists I've talked to started from home. Almost all I've talked to don't mind if it was done "right" by their standards.

P.S. She hates computers and the internet. Yahoo mail and freespace is all she does. That and pay the bills (she hates that cause she hates math and business)

Not gettin the point man....I DON"T CARE ABOUT STARTING AT HOME!!!...Thats a non issue.A whole fucking bunch of the best in the biz did it that way...You will NEVER hear me saying that it can't be done that way...I know better...The point is she is now at the point that she needs to be in a studio not doing "free" tattoos at home...and you are wrong about that being legal by the way...her doing free tattoos in a home studio IS going to bite her in the ass...now I keep telling ya and you just are not listening...I am trying to help you here....tattooing is a big BIG business...but word gets around very fast...you DO NOT want the word getting around that she is doing free tattoos at home....KISS OF DEATH MAN...fuck don't think we are so naive as to not know those "free" tattoos just aren't free...come on....don't piss on my boots and tell me its raining pal!! Do whatever it takes to get her into a shop ...for her sake and her career in tattooing...You sound like a decent guy and its readily apparent that you really care about your lady...don't continue letting her fuck up her career.....Do WHATEVER IT TAKES MAN!!!...T

This is for everyone who responded to this topic. If you believe in freedom and rights, then you shouldn't have any problems with anybody trying to succeed and do something that makes them happy. If anybody wishes to be a tattoo artist, they should first make attempts to gain an apprenticeship with a valid tattoo shop that has professional tattoo artist, who can properly supervise and educate a green behind the ears artist. Secondly, you should leave your ego at the door. No matter how good you think you are or can be, there are tons better than you and in many cases will always be better that you. There are artist that have been tattooing for decades, though find your talent...meaning; black & gray, poitraits, typical flash, tribal, color art or other and go for it. Be humble and learn well. Don't take this industry for granted, as cross contamination, lack of proper sterilization and a variety of other issues can ruin you and place a reputaion upon you that you do not want. Take the time to learn and be good at what you are doing. Leave the drugs out of it, leave the drinking at the door and take this seriously. You are tattooing real people and real people can demand the best, get pissed at the crap and fight back when you fuck up. Anyone can be a tattoo artist, though being an artist frirst helps. You need to be able to draw, color, coordinate colors, steady hand, smart approach and confidence in what you are doing. This world is full of scratchers who think they know what they are doing, but have no clue. They are contaminating thousands of people daily, though anyone who would get a tattoo from a scratcher deserves what they get. For any one person her or there to say that a person can or can't be a tattoo artist is bullshit. That is the same as saying you can't be the president or a foreman or doctor. You can be what ever you want to be, just do it right and do it well. Fuck whatever anybody else says, but don't scratch in your garage without proper procedure and equipment. You will be seen and documented as a scrathcer and unsafe.

if you can afford it do boath. tattoo school will teach you you how to properly assemble equement safely. teach you a safe way to apply a tattoo. if you go to the school you will do more tattooing in two weeks than you would six months apprenticing. so thats why i say do boalth. then you go to the artist make sure hes cool a not a fucking dickhead! trust me there out there. if your dedicated enough he or she will see that and appreceate it and take you into consideration. but you cant get any licencing goin to tattoo school so unless you have the money just to learn with no gain of certification.

WOW! I'm reading these messages from these DAMN good tattoo artists and i'ts making me want to quit the business even before i start. I've been drawing since the age of six. My first cartoon character was Mickey Mouse, i was so excited... he came out perfect, well, at least for a six year old! Ever since i've been improving in my talent. I've done portraits, oil paintings, i've dabbled in acrylics, watercolors and i've even done some airbrushing that i've sold for dirt cheap!! I've seen some of you artists in action and it has motivated me to try to be UP there with you guys. To try and get that recognition as a GREAT tattoo artist. My family has always been supporting me, even when i have been sketching or brainstorming an idea for a tattoo. Your right! some of these shops have gone to shit. Hiring apprentices that cant even do good line work, let alone shade and blend colors. And not only that, scarring clients and giving tattooers a bad reputation. Well, i just hope that i can keep motivating myself into a better tattoo artist and try to be one of the BEST!!

This is a message for Joe- first of all, I am a fan of your shop and and your art and have been since I discovered your website after searching for any topics related to japanese pink and luckily was led to your on-line gallery. Secondly, I have apprenticed and worked as a lisenced artist in rhode island for two years (not very long i know), and face the same struggles that you wrote about here. Currently I am trying to open a small studio closer to home since I commute all the way to RI an hour each way. If you do read this and you have a free moment i would really appreciate it if you could email me. my name is amanda and I have an important business realted question. [email removed]