Too old to start?

OK, I'll try to keep this succinct- but it may still get long- I want to learn tattooing- I have ALWAYS wanted to learn tattooing!!I have read all your post here, and at several other sites, about apprenticeships and breaking into the biz. Im an artist, went to college got the degree/useless piece of paper, but I do have a decent portfolio of paintings. When I was 20 I was offered an apprenticeship with a shop near where I lived then. The owner told me he expected me to work there for 2 years, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for no pay, before I even touched a tattoo machine. I couldn't do that then and I definitely can't do that now. Hold on- before you totally write me off- I understand learning takes work, and anything good takes sacrifice. I take art very seriously, I truely believe it is our contact to the divine. I do not want to tattoo "for the money", thats not even a thought!! About a year later I worked with a woman whose husband apparently was an "old school"(my words not his) tattooist, had stopped for over a decade and was at that time wanting to get back into it. He had fixed up a room in thier house like a tat studio, had all the equipment I've ever seen at most shops I've been in, and had this huge dentist chair bolted to the floor. He offered to teach me. His theory was "the only way to learn is to just do it" and had me start going to town on open spaces on him. I did the outlines of about 4 tattoos(3 small ones and 1 which covered his whole back), he showed me how to set up and adjust a machine, and make needles but also said "fuck that, an artist should be making art, if you can order your needles and save time, do so". He worked a crazy shift at some nuclear plant, so we usually got together around midnight and were always done by 3am. Shortly after I started to shade things in, his schedule changed, and life got the better of both of us, and we both ended up moving. Putting myself through school kept me pretty poor, and busy!! At the time the town I was in only had one shop, I knew the owner through his brother, and knew him to be a coke-head, an asshole and thought his work was/is shit to boot! So I never even considered approaching him. Shoot forward- Im 34- I have 10 times the resposibilities I had at 20- I work my "day-job" come home and work on art- thats life!! Recently, because I've been talking about wanting to learn for so long, my stepdaughter has offered to buy me a "tattoo kit" for Christmas. Of course my first thought was "yes, great- I'll just work on my legs"- but then I started searching around tattoo sites and forums- and of course everyone says- "Don't do it"!! But, frankly, if I don't- it seems like my only other option is to just give up- which sounds pretty shitty to me!! I have "met" one guy online who is opening a shop about 2 hours from where I live, and liked my work, he said he would be willing to teach me whatever he knows. I tried to explain I know I can't be that hanging out 24/7 shop-bitch, even though I know thats really what it takes. He said he'd still be willing to meet up and discuss where Iam at. Which I thought was pretty damn cool of him. But aside from his own website, I can't find anyone who knows or has heard of him, and looking at his work, he still looks pretty green himself. So- maybe Im just a little freaked by all I've been reading over the past month, but I definitely don't want to waste his time or end up with a bad "rep". I know I can probably only give 2-3 days a week at best. And Im sure to the majority of, if not all, people ,my inability to drop everything and dive in, could be viewed as a lack of dedication and drive, - if it wasn't me, I'd probably think the same thing. So I guess Im looking for any advice I can get- Am I just too old?- should I just "give it up"? Art is life- and I love tattooing- I don't expect to make some carrer shift immediately and have shop, or my own TV show or some shit- I realize that because of where Iam at it could be 10 years or better before before I make dime one, or am even taken seriously for that matter. now I leave it to you- what would you tell me if we were face to face?

in case you want to see my art- there are a few older works here- http://artrenegades.com/the_art_of_christian_bernal.htm

IMHO if thats what you want to do then follow it. After reading all about this subject I guess the best thing you can do is take your best artwork around as many studios as possible and see if someone is willing to take you on maybe on weekends or something to fit in with your work, then offer to work for free and maybe in return they can show you some stuff in the coming months etc. The only other thing, and I know this because I've been offered it myself by a very famous shop, is to pay outright to learn, however I would imagine thats very expensive and then you dont know if theyre telling you everything or they just really want your cash. Thinking about it the best way into it is probably if youre friends with someone who already tattoos, also some people are really not worth learning from, I would say a lot of open shops are not that good at all themselves. Anyway I doubt I'm helping but whatever life is short so if you want to do something try to do it rather than forget about then later in life regret it, you know what I mean and the only other thing to say is good luck, oh and dont get put off by people, people talk a lot of shit and half the people on here who pretend they are artists are really not.

Thanks, amn- I did consider going around to some shops and hitting them up for a weekend, 2-3 day a week thing- not because thats all I WANT to give its all I CAN- NOW, and not be homeless, without a vehicle and starving!! so thats ONE of the main things Im asking as well- shop owners- would you consider someone in my situation? or would you tell me to fuck off? Don't worry- If you say yes Im not gonna come knocking on your door tonight!- really, just hypothetically- (well- I guess thats unless you're Brogan- you are within my range, man) no, really- kidding!!

In case this tells you something: Bob Tyrrell started tattooing at the age of 30. Read this article: http://www.mantratattoo.com/features/bobtyrrell/biog.php

wow- I didn't realize that- Thats pretty awsome thanks, man-

There is always the right time to start achieving your dreams. All it takes is desire, commitment and lots of practice.

like king says hell im 43 started when i started i was 31 "never forget your dreams" korzack. founder of crazy horse mountain

Hey dude, I turn 50 this year and after a 22 year hiatus I am exactly in your shoes. Pigs ears always are great to work with as well as the new practice skins, then move onto the slowest moving family member (one you can catch lol) least that where I'm at, I have a great artist (Burkey) mentoring me and it looks like its going to be the old riding a bicycle thing. Start off working on the ones that inspire and say something to you, then onj to other work. I had to purchase a pair of glasses so now I do look like an old fart, but people dont even ask how long I been working (could be good or bad eh?) Hang in there, find someone to work with you, and sling that ink man, one day we will both be too old, I'd like to think we got tons of time but life is short, cowboy up get back on and ride bro!

Dude bob tyrell is one of the best and most respected tattoo artists out there ...check him out ...and he started at THIRTY FIVE so get your priorities strait and get your head in gear ...if you get a good tax return, call me and i will build you a shop and teach you every thing you need to know and f.y.i careful what advice you take from the web !!!! (419)917-8870 tattoo black

sorry about the five ...I meant thirty ...my five year old was talking to me thanx and again sorry... start tattooing damn it!

NAVER

and by NAVER, i mean NEVER.