LadyGabe

so here is my contribution to this old thread. Done by Amy Kinsell from Modern Body Art UK. Done at the Cardiff Tattoo and Toy convention, the theme was Star Wars (at the con) so naturally I had to go with the same theme for my tattoo... :)

I know exactly what you mean and don't worry I never go in with that expectation! :) I have only approached for artists to check out my work and to offer advice etc... I have done painting with a friend who is an artist and have others who have offered some time to look over my portfolio. Not silly expectations but thanks for the advice about asking about drawing with them in the evenings, appreciate it :)

I think you make a very good point. I enjoyed the article, and think it has a lot to offer, to seperate the serious from the "rockstar" wannabes, but then I do understand it can deter people from going out there and trying to be taken seriously as well. My biggest hestitation in approaching studios with my work is knowing how often they have people come in with a small half arsed sketch of a skull and expect to be taken seriously. They give you a look before I even get past "I have a portfolio" that makes me feel embarrassed! :) But I do get a lot of great feedback as yet nobody has felt ready to take me personally on and be my mentor. Someone will one day! Just have to be the right fit....

No experience of Miami myself but went to the US for the Orlando experience a few months back and paid a visit to Tampa (just under 1 hours drive). RedLetter1 is an awesome studio, and my boyfriend had his panther done by David Bruehl. Really lovely bloke! Check him out... DAVID BRUEHL - - - Updated - - - Oh and awesome things I have been doing.... I painted my Rosy Maple Moth illustration on the weekend and did a fuck load of crossword puzzles. Rock and Roll

Thank you for sending this my way! I have been reading through from the beginning and I feel like such an arrogant tool after reading it... With trying to get into the industry for sometime I thought I knew my shit. That I knew the best ways to approach for an apprenticeship, get peoples attention etc... but after spending the last hour pouring over that thread and finding other threads like it I am discovering so much I didn't know or had not even contemplated. I am realising more and more how important it is for me to work on the relationships I have already within the industry. And not to just know what commitment is expected of me as a potential apprentice, but the huge commitment an artist makes in becoming your mentor. I don't know why, but I must have been too silly or over excited to properly contemplate that before. It is not just about my commitment and what I can offer but what it means as a big responsibility on them and their time. Wake up call duly received! :)

Thank you, I am really grateful I was sent the link to this post. I have been trying to find my way into the industry and what I am seeing more and more, is that you need to be close to someone who is willing to bring you in, and not be some stranger without any realtionship to the studio at all. I have made this mistake, by getting in touch with studios and not getting anything back. I have been left wondering why, as they liked my work? But again, it is to do with knowing that they can trust your commitment. Having your family grow up around it, you know what you need for your business to thrive and I commend that. An outside would upset your family balance. What it comes down to for me is that I need to be patient and build on my relationships with the tattoo artists I know. Not just to try and get an apprenticeship, but to understand their lifestyle and appreciate what commitment I and they would have to make in moving in this direction. It is silly, but I do tend to forget that for an artist to take on an apprentice is a huge commitment for them too. Their time is valuable. This has been a real learning curve, thanks again!

I read this earlier today and loved it! It highlights the reality to wannabe apprentices compared to the Kat Von D ideal of living like a rockstar. Can't see that it has been shared already... hope this isn't a duplicate thread! I am looking to gain an apprenticeship at present, and I know how difficult it is to get someone interested in my work! It isn't easy but would be worth it! If you are thinking about getting into the industry, give this a read and a lot of thought! Those of you already experienced and in the industry, it would be awesome if you'd like to add your thoughts along this subject too. Click out the link / or continue reading below... Brandon Collins: “So you wanna be a tattoo artist?” | TAM Blog "With the invention of tattoo “reality” shows, the average un-tattooed or mildly tattooed person is led to believe that tattoo artists are superheroes: they can draw an entire back piece in 15 minutes, go out to the clubs all night and still come to work on time, able to tattoo whatever you want, wherever you want it. That sounds awfully appealing to some kids–but it couldn’t be any further from the truth. Anyone who has spent time in a tattoo shop knows that most tattooers are your average hardworking dads and moms with mortgages, car payments and phone bills,not prima donna rockstars that get VIP everywhere and drive Lamborghini’s. Those TV shows make a mockery of our profession and because of them, our trade has been diluted by half-ass, mediocre tattooers. Not only have these hacks not paid their dues, but they pump out crappy $20 tattoos that the average joes doesn’t even realize are shit. Before deciding you want to be a tattooer, think about this: Say my appointment for the day doesn’t show up, so that $400 I needed to pay rent and put food on my table will just have to wait. If YOU go to work and no one shows up, YOU still get paid and so you can afford to sit home home and watch “TATTOO SCHOOL” and say to your stoned roommate “bro, I can totally do that shit!”. You get breaks and paid holidays, insurance and an guaranteed paycheck every week. We don’t. We work 50-60 hours a week tattooing, drawing and painting with no medical benefits and no retirement funds. Don’t listen to your family. That skull with the lightning bolts and a joint in its mouth you drew in the 8th grade ISN’T amazing. Your parents, close family members and friends are always going to tell you that you are a natural artist. Their biased encouragement will only give you the false confidence to go into a tattoo shop and get your feelings hurt. Tattooing isn’t a hobby or something just to pass the time. It is a profession and a sole mean of income, so if you think we will welcome you and your “tat guns” into our trade with open arms, you are sorely mistaken. Apprenticeships are meant to be hard–to weed out the undeserving. If you are lucky enough to get one (and I do mean lucky) you will be taught a skill that can carry you for the rest of your life and you are forever indebted to the person who taught you. There are those dip-shits that don’t have the balls to go into a tattoo shop and try to get an apprenticeship – or they did and were tossed out, just order some “guns” online and “do tats” out of their house. Not only is this completely disgusting, unsanitary and unethical, but also illegal. Don’t even think about doing that. Those fucktards can do some real and irreversible damage to someone not to mention potentially spread disease. Most tattoo artists don’t make a lot of money. Tattooers get paid by the hour but that money isn’t dumped right into our pockets. We have to give a percentage to the shop and pay for supplies and what-not. In reality we only get a fraction of what we charge for your tattoo. So when you tell me, “Dannnng $100?… Thats a lot, you must be rich!” and I want to run a steel spike through your head, you will understand why. As I mentioned before, if an appointment doesn’t show up or you don’t have anything scheduled, you don’t get paid. Imagine going to your job at Home Depot or where ever and working a full day without pay. So next time you have the urge to be like Kat Von D or whatever rockstar tattooer is the flavor of the week… remember this: Countless hours of work for minimal pay and no benefits is the life that we have chosen and will defend with extreme prejudice. Do yourself a favor: keep your day job, and leave our profession alone." Written by Brandon Collins Brandon owns and works at Nightmare Studios in Reno, NV. Welcome to Nightmare Studios

Hey Dude welcome! I have a piece on my back from 3 years ago that was left to add more too as we went. At the time I was unsure of how to progress, and then my tattoo artist moved 3 hours drive away. But I am still in touch with him, and he touched up the original recently to make sure it was looking good ready to be added to. I plan on having him and his sister do a collaboration on it to complete in the next year (she is his apprentice but is pretty amazing!). So you are not the only one who might have something spread out. I can only afford to do it bit by bit, and prefer to have longer sessions to get more done in 1 go, which means longer to save! But I have also been getting other work done in between, with different artists I wanted to collect. Dont worry if your story isn't the same as someone else getting it smashed out in 6 months of mad sessions. As long as you found a great artist to do it justice, then let it take the time it needs to save for the best of the best. You will not regret it! :)

Loved this thread! I cannot wait to add to this thread in 3 weeks time! I am getting a Storm Trooper on my leg... and later in the year, The Doctor may also be making an appearance :D

They never really translate well over electronic communication, especially sarcasm! Doesn't help I am incredibly dense too...

this is why I used etc... as I could have mentioned watercolour, dotwork and so many others there are these days! Didn't want to say too many to confuse the poor guy :)

This. Just this.

I also especially love smiling and being really friendly to those who have obviously made a snap judgement on my appearance! My boyfriend is a muscly, skin head with very vibrant traditional tattoos of a reaper, a devil and all sorts of dark things. But he is the biggest, kindest and cuddliest bear ever when you speak to him! So polite and thoughtful, a real gentleman. It still cracks me up when he holds the door for a little old lady and they look terrified of his kindness!! haha EDIT: I am not so sure my BF would be so pleased that is how I described him come to think of it! Ruin his manly image ;)

Welcome! Where are you based in the world? With any tattoo, the best thing to do is locate a quality artist, who specialises in a style you like (colour realism / traditional / neo trad / black and grey realism etc...), then get in touch with them regarding your idea. A tattoo artist is there to help create a design for you, you have no need to turn up with an exact design for them to copy, that is probably the worst thing you can do (and personally I feel that any tattooist who cannot custom create something of their own is someone to be wary of). You will need to provide the flag references, and explain how you want it, and if they are happy to do it, you pay a deposit, book a date and they create the design ready for your appointment. They may even have some additional creative ideas to add to the design to make it better. So basically my advice is to locate an artist you like, do plenty of research to know they put out quality work, and go from there. :)

@HaydenRose - I do exactly the same! I tried reading 50 shades, but it was awful. I made it to the end of the 1st book and could not go on after that. I thought the girl was pathetic and the guy was just a douche bag! lol @idyllsend - I wish I had stuck with the GOT books! Try to stay with them, I have heard it really is worth it! I read the first 3, but found it a real struggle keeping up with all the characters and also watching the TV series at the same time. So many times I almost gave away spoilers, as I thought what I had read in the book, was what had happened on TV! I might attempt them again during the next year inbetween series so I dont confuse myself between the 2! My boyfriend has read all of the books so far twice through...I don't know how he does it!

Hi Fellow Newbie Be cool to see your work, maybe add a couple of images to this thread?

@HaydenRose - I first read the Sookie Stackhouse novels over 10 years ago. I loved them then! I didn't have the Louisiana accent in mind at all, and as I am a Brit, gosh I must have made it sound so dull with my accent in my head! Still adored them though. When I saw the first episode of True blood I was sat there for ages trying to work out why it was so familiar and become very excited to realise it was my favourite books as a teen! I still have the full set of books now and re-read them often as they are so easy to read. I will never forget the first time I read the Sleeping Beauty trilogy by Anne Rice. Porn didn't corrupt me as a teen, but those books certainly did!

haha :D The pain is worth it when you are getting top work done. I could barely walk on it for 3 days after, so swollen! And it is our summer in the UK and it has actually been hot so didn't help the swelling. Meant to be getting the other foot done later in the year... Going to try some numbing cream next time!

Cheers for the lovely welcome all! @HaydenRose - The Scorpion is awesome, done by Miss Jo Black in Frome in the UK. I have a booking with Amy Kinsell at Cardiff Tattoo and Toy Convention in July. It is a Star Wars theme con, so I am having a realistic Storm Trooper on the inside of my thigh. Should be cool! @JimmyS - The lion was by Gre Hale at Rain City Collective in Manchester UK. He is doing my boyfriends sleeve, so we go to visit a lot, and I fell in love with the flash of this Lion on the wall. He smashed it in within 1 hour! Had to pin me down as it hurt like a bitch :D

Cheers dude! :D Congrats on the epic beard