ApprenticeLife

Pat Whiting? If so, I agree. I've connected with him on IG and he seems super humble. Gives lots of respect to his teacher and engages with people. I remember him posting his first tattoo (it was a month or two before my first) and being pretty blown away. He seems to be a young, natural talent.

Like Graeme said, get tattooed. Being able to draw is important, but understanding the physiological/psychological aspects of tattooing is even more important. I am almost through year one of my apprenticeship and it's a trip. You need to be extremely focused and motivated, because it's HARD. It's also fun and inspiring and the best thing I've ever done, but again, it's HARD. You are broke, tired, stressed, overworked, and have your confidence tested regularly. My teacher tells me this, "Tattooing is a technical skill. Like a watchmaker. Anyone can learn it if you dedicate yourself to the craft. Your artistic ability won't even be a factor until you are 4 years in", so focus less on making the most amazing art you can and focus on being financially, emotionally, physically ready to apprentice. Get tattooed and find the right person. I spend 6 days a week with my teacher. I am looking over his shoulder 75% of the time. I do almost everything for the shop. We talk about life, we joke, we talk shit, we stress out, we help each other. If you can't find someone that you can do all that with and not hate life, it won't work. Good luck.

Some stuff that I do. Mostly colored pencil on tan paper. Thanks for looking : )

I would suggest that you find the humor in it and try to not let it upset you. Memory tattoos are hard, because the imagery can be hyper-specific, like which ear was supposed to be floppy. Just realize that your artist has (presumably) never met your dog and just did what you gave the OK on. As tattooers, we 100% rely on the client to be the final say in what gets tattooed. We have people write names, dates and overall be vocal about the most important parts of their tattoo. I understand that it is difficult to identify any potential mistakes from a mirror, but with something so specific, there should have been a, "So, the right ear is floppy, right?... Which ear is floppy?... Which side is the right side on me?" It sounds absurd, and it tends to turn into a funny comedy bit throughout the process, but it's super important to be vocal. I think a lot of people worry about annoying or offending a tattooer, but the most annoying thing is pointing out a mix up AFTER the tattoo is done. Long story short, I wouldn't get laser removal if it's technically solid. I mean, the world might see the portrait with the wrong ear flopped, but they don't know your dog. You will see it from a mirror, where it will be correct. If someone is enough of an ass to call you out on it, say, "This tattoo is for me. When I look in the mirror, I want to see my dog how I remember him/her. If it has to look right to me or you, I choose me." Then say, "Beat it, Nerd!" and Tupac walk away like a boss. Good luck and just remember this for next time.

Ahhhh! I see! I had no idea that was a thing. I only access Last Sparrow with Tapatalk and I can't seem to find the blog option through here. I'll have to check out the website, because I would love to write about my experiences more. Thanks for the heads up. Much appreciated. And I agree, I'm learning that I'm great with being professional and real with existing or potential clients, but I totally can talk some shit about it later. Hahaha

Pat Whiting from The Shaman's Den in Binghamton, NY. I've been following him on Instagram since his first tattoo this year and he's doing some great work. Check him out: http://i.instagram.com/patwhiting143/

Yeah. I'm not too upset about it. Just made me feel like a real tattooer. Haha. I use the deposit as a test. If someone comes in saying, "I want a sleeve/backpiece" and doesn't have at least $100 for a deposit, it's probably not time for them to invest in a multi-session tattoo. And I figured it would spawn some discussion on how serious to take tattooers as workers. I find that people, even experienced and heavily tattooed people, don't tend to respect the pressure of tattooing as a livelihood. It wasn't until I tattooed for the first time, and experienced the physical/emotional aspects of dealing with people, their appearance and their blood, that I fully understood how serious it is. It's not all hanging around and drawing; it's physically, emotionally and financially draining. Anyway, not sure if you meant that there is a better section to post this or if I should post this on my blog... but I don't have a blog, so someone can delete it if it's taking up space. Maybe it can make room for the next, "I want my first TAT! Wut shud I get?" ; )

I think I'm officially a tattooer now! Haha. It was my only appointment this week too (my teacher dislocated his shoulder on Monday, so it was the only time I could book for myself). The client and I have been in touch off and on all week, but he never called the shop or sent me a message saying he couldn't come today. Just silence. It's all good, because a super nice guy offered to let me do my first script on him tomorrow morning. All sarcasm aside, one of the biggest things I've learned in my apprenticeship is that people LOVE talking about the tattoo that they "want" to get, with barely any intention of actually getting it. I take deposits when I schedule for my teacher, so we don't have many no-shows, but what makes a person think it's ok to do that. I realize that tattoos are a luxury for people, but it doesn't make it any less serious when artists have family to support and bills to pay. Imagine going to work and your boss saying, "By the way, you're getting paid $500 less this month" and that's with just one no-show. I mean, I'm an apprentice with all of 11 tattoos under my belt, so I get it if people have second thoughts on letting me "practice" on them, but just be straight up with me. Either way, I'm SUPER motivated to just drop some undeniable lettering on this guy tomorrow and make anyone that thinks I'm not ready to tattoo them be bummed. These "practice" tattoos are only going to be free for so long. I can't wait to have "friends" ask for, "just this small, simple tattoo" and respond with "Sure thing. Shop minimum is $100. Will that deposit be cash, card or check?" Hahaha thanks for letting me vent : ) Wish me luck tomorrow.

Haha crazy. I get it though. I didn't realize what an investment it was for both student and teacher. I was fortunate enough to randomly ask for an apprenticeship from someone I became great friends with. The amount of time spent with each other is huge; if you don't get along, it will never work. My apprenticeship is 2 years of unpaid dedication. He has been honest with me that his goal is to teach me to become better than him. Like I said, it's the hardest thing I've ever done and I love it. I've learned so much about myself, life, confidence, respect and sacrifice. My teacher says it will take 10,000 hours before I feel comfortable with everything... I've got 25 hours. Haha. Thanks for the support. It truly means a lot.

Thanks Mister J! It's the hardest thing I've ever done. I worked 60 hours a week for 8 months before I ever tattooed, so don't be too jealous. Haha. Really happy with with the 3 liner. Can't wait to do another one.

Thank you : )

Did tattoo number 11 last night. It says "Bhakti" in Sanskrit on a dedicated yogini. Tiny tattoos with tiny groupings and tiny stencils are a BIG thing. We were all really happy with the outcome. She has other Sanskrit on other fingers by my teacher, so it was cool to put this next to his work. 3 liners are no joke. Not forgiving at all. We like to joke that you can see your heartbeat in it. Really pleased with how my hand strength and control is coming along. Thanks for looking!

Thanks SeeSea! I'm stoked.

I did tattoo number 10 tonight. Got to work on the outskirts of one of my teacher's tattoos. Super supportive client. It was an interesting spot to tattoo on. Really happy with my saturation. 14 hour day at the studio, so I don't have much more to say, except GOODNIGHT!

Anyone do the hot pack healing method? My teacher tattooed my leg for 4 hours or so. All foundational shading from foot to mid-thigh. The tattoo itself was honestly one of the easiest I've gone through. I think my teacher wanted to see me squirm, so he asked if he could hot pack my leg. He got some paper towels wet with super hot water. Once it was just barely not hot enough to burn me, he put it on my leg. There obviously weren't enough paper towels to cover the whole tattoo, but the areas that it did get (front of leg/shin area) healed super well. Barely any scabbing or even itching. My knee, thigh, ankle, foot got the light papery, flakiness, but I think the hot pack worked great. Definitely made me jump out of the chair though! It was intense. Haha

My mom paid for my first tattoo on my 18th birthday. Then she paid for my 2nd on my 19th birthday. Then she got my 3rd and 4th and 5th and 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, then I lost count. She also paid for my first tattoo machines when I got my apprenticeship. My mom doesn't have any tattoos. My mom is rad : )

Thanks. I'm still riding high. Thank you : )

Thanks! I'm still super high off the experience. I crashed so hard the day after. Getting tattooed and then tattooing is exhausting.

Another angle to show how it wraps over the shin. Will be full color eventually and have some symbols carved into the bark, also in the canopy.

Yesterday, I finally got tattooed by my teacher. I told him I wanted a tree on my leg and that was it. This is just the first session, all shading, drawn on with marker. The canopy on the thigh will come later. Afterwards, I got bandaged up and tattooed one of his clients, into a piece he had started last year. It was such an honor for my teacher to take a day out of his (booked out 6 months) schedule to tattoo me. Also, to have him allow me to incorporate my tattoo into his was amazing. I did this little mockingbird and drew the branch on, so it was also my first time freehanding something for a tattoo. I'm still buzzing from it all... or maybe that's just my leg healing? Haha thanks for looking.

Haha that's a rad idea. At least for special occasions. It's funny, I just remembered us talking about how he always wears the same socks, so we positioned the tattoos to be at his sock line, since it's always the same.

Haha probably the same style, different pair. Thanks again. The support means a lot.

I thought I posted it, but I guess not. Here it is. This was the 2nd tattoo I ever did.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. You can't see it, but there is another smaller tree in the outside of his left calf. He's super supportive and is letting me do an entire band of tree silhouettes around his leg.

I slipped a disc and had some seriously intense nerve issues last week, but I figured I should learn my limitations and tattoo with an injury (because it's part of the job). Did this little National Forest hiker dude. This is my 7th tattoo, next to my 4th tattoo. Thanks for looking : )