inked skin = apprenticeship?

[squidgystar]

I've had differing opinions about this from a number of artists and wondered what you guys thought...

An artist once told me that regardless of my skills, portfolio and knowledge I would never be considered for an apprenticeship unless I was extensively tattooed myself. He told me that this was the only way to prove my commitment/obsession and that I would feel stupid having less work on myself than my clients.

This guy was self taught in the 60's and advised me to go down the same route as I would waste time looking for an apprenticeship... fook that, it's apprenticeship or nothing for me, I'm not willing to ink my own or anyone elses skin without the full supervision of a mentor. (happy to ink myself once on an apprenticeship... fully agree with not inking others if I'm not willing to ink myself).

Anyway, back to my point. I have tattoos but they are quite discreet. That's not to say I don't want more... I have many plans, but when I do start filling my relatively blank canvas... out of respect for my own body and the tattoo trade, I want it to be either designs that I have spent years perfecting, or years searching for... and I want them to be great quality, which means I'm willing to pay for them... but that means I'm gonna spend a long time saving for them. Basically, due to lack of funds, and the desire to find/create designs that I want to live and grow with, I'm not going to compromise on quality or quanity (whether I choose to have more or less) to prove my "commitment" and I would hope that this in itself would go a long way to proving just that! But I can see this guys point... I'm only willing to have the tattoos that I feel comfortable with but his argument was

"Part of tattooing is going too far, restraint doesn’t come into it! You will find out if you get into it that it is about seeing the spaces - not the tattoos, and you won’t want to have less work than your customers or you will start to feel a little foolish."



What's your opinion?... If I wait to find the right tattoos at any cost it may take me years... will this hold me back from obtaining an apprenticeship?

btw I'm not wanting an apprenticeship right now

[AlanMoon]

Firstly .... the guy who told you to start scratching needs his arse kicked!
Wait for the apprenticeship!
Second ... while it's true that most customers expect their artist to have tattoos ... the artwork they display isn't an instant "here you go son ... your body suit size 38 regular with long legs ..."
Their ink is a GRADUAL process, often taking many years to reach the saturation point.
While you are apprenticing, the good thing is, your ink will grow far more quickly, and your tastes will grow and change too.
Don't rush into getting ink just because someone told you that you'll need loads of ink to impress a potential mentor.
My first apprentice only had one small tattoo when I took him on. I took him on because he could draw and was passionate about tattoo art. His comment to me about only having one piece was "I didn't want to ruin my canvas with shit" ... or words to that effect!
Dont let others dictate what you should look like, sound like or talk like!
When anyone offers information like "you'll need loads of tattoos to be an apprentice" ..... ask them "How long have you been tattooing?" ... then tell them to fuck off!
Follow your own path ....

[snitch]

what a load of crock! as alan said, the guy needs his ass kickin'
what a chump tho.

"hmmm i like your art work and you have great potential, .....but you dont have many tattoos i dont think it'll work out"

pah!

[phil_kyle]

what an assneck....Good drawings and persuasivness gets an apprenticship.

[Cleb]

Hard work and constant badgering of the tattooer while working hard, making shit loads of needles,forget the tattoo shit get em while your on the journey I still have loads of space but I made a mistake a long while back, dont be too hasty get what you want when you want it not just coz some dumb fuck told you you didnt look the part who the fuck cares what anyone thinks just do it the right way and your on the right track now!Cleb

[gasman1260]

Yes, this tattooist sounds like he just wanted to get rid of you, either that or he is totally irresponsible. There is a difference between what he has told you, and being tattooed by an artist that you think you have a chance to apprentice with. If you like the work of a local tattooist it can help to get to know him by visiting to have work done, this gives you the oppertunity to show your commitment and get time with the artist that he otherwise probably would not have to talk to you. I started like this getting tattooed, making tea if I arrived early or the artist was running late, running to the chemist when he ran out of something. Then my appoinment fell on a day when the receptionist had called in sick, I obviously offered to help out. Also listening to the way customers were delt with etc you can almost start your apprenticeship before the tattooist has said yes by being helpful and useful but not a nuisance.You are then a likely candidate if he is going to start a new trainee. This is only my opinion and experience.

[squidgystar]

cheers guys, that's pretty much what I figured... he made me feel really small about it to (as some people have a way of doing) what a twat!

[phil_kyle]

be different if you been tattooing for 20 years and had no tattoos.I wouldnt get a tattoo from ya.