pixxillatted

is it bad that I tried to make "a shark making airplanes noises" noises? I think I need more coffee.

Interesting thread going here, just wanted to chime in about a small point. To Stewart, I think the portfolio thing started as a way to show the shop you were approaching your current skill level- meaning can you pull a stong line (on paper at least), can you stay in the lines, and does your work look like something you put thought and time into. It's more a side note in the points for or against taking that person on as an apprentice. If they don't have some basics of shading, perspective and dimensions that means you'd have to teach those as well as tattooing. Also, alot of colleges drum into their students that you need a portfolio/resume for EVERYTHING. A couple friends of mine were forced to take a portfolio creating class, it was mandatory though completely unrelated to their career field. Phone ins and form letters for apprenticeships are pretty sad. I've come across people who post things on craigslist, FB and twitter stating "yo, im lookin to be a tat2 apprentice. call me if ur interest!" yeah, that'll work.

Hey! another Tennessean! welcome! Tried & True Tattoo is the newer place on Murfreesboro road right? I keep meaning to stop in there and check them out. I pass them on my way to the boro all the time.

I went to school in the valley, Ysleta High. Grew up on the Eastside around the Lee Trevino area. The guys I hung out with were skaters but we didn't use the park much, just parking lots and such. I miss the desert sometimes. You ever go back?

You did it, Yay! doesn't it feel scary and exciting and crazy and great? Best wishes!!

I'm a little late finding this thread. I'm Dee; I'm 27 and I grew up in in Texas. I lived in El Paso TX, moved to McAllen TX when I was 15, then back to El Paso after I finished high school. Got a little crazy, lived the punk rock life style for a few years but eventually realized it wouldn't end well. I moved to Tennessee to start over. I’ve worked all sorts of jobs over the years, then found my current job with a good company and started to try and settle myself to an average life of a cubicle job. Met the man I eventually married, tried going back to college for awhile and volunteered on my off time. I've been fascinated with tattoo for as long as I can remember; especially tribal tattoos from all around the world. It was a chance encounter and an off the cuff comment that put the idea of being a tattoo artist in my head. But once there it wouldn't leave. In my family art was a hobby, the thought of being An Artist had never seriously crossed my mind, because it wasn't something "real" people were suppose to do (dumb, I know). I discussed the reality of an apprenticeship and making a living as a tattoo artist with my husband and then decided to go for it. So now I'm balancing an office job by day then rushing over the shop to work till close, then at the shop all weekend. I hardly ever have free time and sometime things can get very damn stressful, but I've never been happier. That the hubby is backing me 100% and my friends are understanding is a huge help. When I do have time I play xbox, cook, go indoor rock climbing, skating, on bike rides and Zumba. I'm on facebook, twitter and xbox, more than happy to add to my circle of friends on any of those. :) To Ivar, you're right about this site being different. I love it and this was a great idea. To Thomas, what part of El Paso? To Shawn, the self sufficient life style has always sounding interesting, and....honest?..not sure if that's the word I'm looking for but the closest I could think of at the moment. I've always wanted to give it a try, but I'm kind of afraid I would find out how much of a spoiled sissy I really am. :)

reading that made my stomach shiver.

For the elbows/knees the pain factor would only be half the reason. I have some pretty good reflexes and little control of them, and I'm sure the person working on me would get tired of chasing me around the chair. I think I'll pass on the pits as well, as much as I love crying in public. And I hadn't even thought about finger tips. Didn't needles in finger tips use to be a torture? Pass on that too.

We have an artist in the shop who puts out good work, but he's alot slower than the others. Sometimes very very slow. If you're getting more than some script you can plan on being in our shop all day. He'll take 7 hours to do what the other artist will do in 3 or 4. Multiple smoke breaks and long food breaks add to his time. But each time his customers are happy with their finished product. And they come back to him, and refer him. There's that triangle for design: "Fast, Cheap, Good- pick two". Guess it just depends on your priorities.

I'm going to preface this with "As of now" so as not to possibly be a liar later. As of now I would not consider getting my scalp, face, the front of my neck, girly parts, or buttocks done. I don't think I'd be able to sit through my elbows. I recently burned myself on the elbow, it took a very long time to heal and it was such a pain. A very, very annoying pain. By the same reasoning, I'd probably pass on the knees.

Just saw this this morning. now I'm sick to my stomach. So after I fought for my apprenticeship and busted my ass to keep it these asshats that didn't have what it took to get in at a shop get to go to a "school", where they'll be tattooing people and calling themselves a tattoo artist way before I touch ink to skin. And when I do finish my apprenticeship they will already be in the field that I have decided to work, bleed and sweat for, thinking that they are equal or superior. It honestly makes me so angry and sick. I could rant about this for a good long while, about my hatred of cheaters and money grubbers, and people who piss all over something they know nothing about, but I'd rather just go bang my head against the wall until I can't care for awhile.

I guess that would take care of the customers asking "uh, do you work here?" The guys at the shop keep threatening me with a uniform, because they're all rock and I can go pretty hippy or yuppy in regards to clothing. Sometimes I'll come in in a skirt just to mess with them. It's good for laughs. If I walked into a shop where they wore uniforms, I'd probably base my opinion off the artist portfolios, but I would find it odd.

I recently quit smoking, and I know the drain you're speaking of. Good replacements were caffeine, any type of brisk excerise (jumping jacks, brisk walking, jumping in place, push ups, anything quick but fast) and surprisingly, fresh fruit (maybe the sugars?). These help to perk me up a bit. After a while my body readjusted to not having the stimulants, but it took a good month or so.

just....wow.

Please DO NOT start tattooing from home. The shops I know of won't even consider you if you do that. Do be persistant and humble in your approach. You have to really want it and be willing to learn. Also, consider why we have decided you want to be a tattoo artist. This is not the glamourous life that some make it out to be. Check out the apprenticeship horror stories link. I added a couple of my own experiences there and they deal with nasty bodily fluids. It's hard work. The artists work long, hard hours with aching backs and hands. Difficult annoying customers are a daily occurance. Weekends are our busiest nights so forget about going out with your friends. Shops aren't going to take you serious if you come in with stars in your eyes. Let them know you understand it's going to be hard work and are willing to commit. And then be willing to follow through. Just my 2 cents.

We have an artist who likes to let his stencil "set" for about 10 minutes. I think it's really because he wants to get in one last cig.

Tried it tonight with some on baked cauliflower, very good! Also made a stew type thing: potatoes, bell peppers, garlic, onion in a veggie stock with dumplings seasoned with mustard, cumin, rosemary and basil. It came out pretty good for a "what can I dump in a pot?" dinner. :)

oh it was horrible. It required a night of heavy drinking to erase the memory. I still can't look at salad tongs without feeling queasy. :)

I know I'm new, but I saw this and had to post, because I went through the same. I still have my day job, due to bills, but I've started working towards a major career change. Change doesn't have to happen all at once. It can be slow if you keep it steady. I started by devoting 3 hours a week to art. Then it became 6. Then hanging around the shop a couple nights, then more often, then everyday. Art slowly became an every day thing as well. It helped that I started hoarding art supplies, so that when I was frustrated or bored with graphite I could play with watercolors, or markers, or jewelry making, anything to keep me "creative" and keep the ball rolling. I don't see my friends very often, but they're awesome in that they're understanding and supportive. I don't get much face time with the hubby, but he's wonderful and knows I need to make this change. Maybe you should start a baking blog, and plan to update it every week for a month, and then twice a week the next month, and then more and more often. Sometimes it helps to have something you feel obligated to or to get feedback on posts to keep you motivated. Posting on deviantart and getting feedback from other artist really kept me motivated in the beginning. I've noticed that once people start to move towards what they love, no matter how difficult it gets they somehow find a way to make it work, and they just keep getting happier. You'll do great.