So after a month or so I figured I would lay it down with how my progress is going on finding someone that will apprentice me. I have made some mental notes along the way, and I would hope that you all take to heart some of the things that I have to say.
First off, I still don't have an apprenticeship. I know that it sucks, but hey you have to keep at your goals if you really want to make it. I have been drawing, trying to study different styles of tattoos, and educating myself to the meaning of them. It is important to embrace the culture if your going to truly be apart of the industry. Keep yourself busy, and keep yourself focused.
Some of the pointers below are in direct relation to the hits and misses that I have been though already. I have been to 3 different shops with largely different results, the only thing that they share is the that fact that they all said no....at least after the 1st few tires.
1.)Be yourself, look for someone that you can get along with.
I have already been told that it is very important to find someone to apprentice you that you can get along with, and that the two of you all mesh. After all, your going to be around this person alot. You have to be able to respect them and at the same time trust them enough to really take to heart what they are teaching you. Not only is it important that they know there stuff but you also have to been able to hang out with them. Don't try to be someone your not, because then your not going to be comfortable. Don't make excuses for who you are. Tattoo culture has alot to do with being able to express yourself and not give a crap about what other people think of you. I know who I am, and I don't give a flying rat's ass if someone else wants to judge me because of it. When you talk to another artist make sure that the two of you could hang out. Make sure that you all have somethings in common. Not everything, but just a few things that you all can talk about. If you could see yourself having a beer with this person and you already respect the way they work then the fit might be a good one.
2.)Educate yourself.
Your teacher is going to be showing you the tools of the trade, you need to show respect for the trade by educating yourself. Hell the entire reason for this blog is to help not only myself but other newbies just like me understand what we have to educate ourselves in. GET SERIOUS, DO WORK, SON! Tattoos have been around for a long time, so there is plenty of info. Not to mention you need to begin to understand the importance of a tattoo machine "hitting hard" and the differences of a coil vs. rotary machine. You also have blood born pathogens education, and sterilization education that is VERY IMPORTANT to learn, so help yourself out.
3.) Portfolio, Portfolio, Portfolio...
I can not stress this enough. Your trying to get into an industry full of posers, don't start yourself off on the wrong foot. Build yourself a strong portfolio, have color work, design work, work in different tattoo styles, show that you have good color theory skills, and that you know how to draw. Your an artist learning a trade that is not just another medium but a culture and a way of life. When you start out your going to be doing alot of flash designs for walk-ins. Your not going to be able to express yourself until you know what you are doing. So embrace that fact, own it, understand the differences in "American Traditional", "Japanese Traditional", and all the differences in lettering styles.
4.) Persistence
Your going to get turned down... your not going to mesh with one artist or the next, but keep at it. Don't give up, and don't cut corners. You will find someone that will give you a chance. When reaching out to a potential teacher make sure you get some work done by them, you need to show them that you want to learn and that you need to get to know them. what better way to do that then by getting ink done by them. Its a captive situation...lol. Go to the tattoo shop for random things, hang out, ask if you can be of help in anything. BE HUMBLE! Your not God's gift, even if your momma says so! Your a newbie only a step above every other Tom, Dick, and Harry with ink.
Keep your chin up! Follow your goals! And like my hommie, Commander Mark, says "Draw, Draw, Draw about 30 mins a day!"
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