The demographics of an ideal apprentice...

Talent aside for the moment, I'm begining to formulate the opinion that you either have to be really young (20's or so) with no strings attached, or older and independant enough (no mortgage or lawschool student loans to pay off) to be able to swing a real & proper apprenticeship. The wannabees in the middle of life with mortgages, car payments and kids to raise, going through a midlife crisis, that complain about how they don't have the resources (time or money or mobility) for a proper apprenticeship so that's what's "forcing them" to scratch...they just haven't figured it out yet, or are in serious denial at any rate. They either should have gotten on the bus 10 years ago, or if they are truly destined to tattoo, they'll have to wait until they get their life resources in order to do it properly. You can't necessarily have everything you want in life at every stage in your life...My 5 yr old daughter already has a great grasp of this concept and she's 5!!!! ( of course I expect her to "forget" this concept throughout her adolescence, but thats a different issue). By the time one is in ones 30's one should have regained ones senses and understand how life works... JMO

I think your spot on. Our apprentice has a lot of other obligations and its hurting his progress. Luckily if you add talent back into the equation, its well worth it for everyone to push him as hard as possible and be patient. I know other artists who have had a hell 2 years making the transition from working family bread winner to working double time to working full time as a tattoo artist. It is NOT easy, and more power to those who can do it. It makes the scratching whiners all that more... well... whatever. Yes, it is much easier to put the time in when your young or have life covered so you can spend the massive amount of time learning thats needed.

So, I agree, but when you add talent and unstoppable work ethic back into the equation then there are exceptions.

And what the !@#$ do I know, I cant apprentice anyone (unless they wanna learn business or how to be an internet geek!)

Good stuff Gabe. I took talent out of the equation for the hypothesis to examine the pure demographic side of things... Talent and supportive co-workers truly do account for the notable exceptions... unfortunately scratchers invariably think they are full of talent...

***The wannabees in the middle of life with mortgages, car payments and kids to raise, going through a midlife crisis, that complain about how they don't have the resources (time or money or mobility) for a proper apprenticeship so that's what's "forcing them" to scratch...*** Boy, you nailed that one. Another example of blame shifting which is all too common in society today. Scratchers making the concious decision to possibly cause great harm and in some cases permanant damage but then blame it on the fact that nobody would come to them and just show them. Another thing that scratchers seem to lack is PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

I agree but only to a point...there are middle aged people that are serious about the art and CAN succeed...just as there are young people who try this biz out , find out just how much work it is and say "fuck this!"..... Age should not be all that much of a consideration ...its what ya got in the heart not how old you are... An old dog CAN learn new tricks..If that old dog is prepared to pay the dues!!!.....TAz

Not talking about age so much as 'life resources'. just seems that people need to have the time to devote to the process and time is harder for some to come by at certain stages in peoples lives. The combination of resources that need to be accessible for apprenticing: time, finances, mobility... just seem to be more available to, but not limited to, the demographic I proposed...Again, all other factors aside, I'm sure a 35 yr old living in their parents basement, or married to a financially secure spouse could pull it off as easily as a 20 yr old in terms of access to the resources I mentioned.

Or a 35 year old who is financially stable as a lot are