becomming a tatoo artist

[AzN~BoI_585]

So my lifes been sending me all over the place and as for a career I need to kick my ass in gear...first I would love to build custom bikes and I have a burning passion for it...I would out in 7 day weeks if I was building custom bikes no joke...but in my current location it isnt a big market...no one is willin to give me a chance which is fair enough since I dont have the backgrounds yet (im working on it tho as of right now)

But another thing I have a passion for (probally the only passion is equal to bikes) is tatooes...but again having trouble finding a place that will take me in out of the rain. There are a lot of good artists here in rochester but I am not sure how to approach them...Obviously i need my portfolio and resume but besides that anyone got any advice? should I have my own equipment? Although it will be a big hit for me I am willing to take that financial step if that is what needs to be done (just like with the bike building and buying a TIG welder)

I will throw in the curveball to my personal story...I am estatic about tatooes and body art and I am one of the biggest supporters of it...but I currently dont have any holes or tats myself :/ as u can tell Im not rich in anyway and good ink aint cheap in anyway...

I have the drive and dedication to do these things...but still seems like theres no love for a starry eyed noobie in the game...

[CustomFighterer]

it seems you dont have a passion for spelling though so forget that. haha.

learn your trades. get a shitty job in the industry. whatever you can to get in. then work your way up. always keep your eyes open to learn new shit, and take opportunities.

and glad to hear you dont spend cheap money on cheap tattoos. least you got some sense.

do work. hard work. you'll get there no matter what.

[AzN~BoI_585]

Meh spellings for rich ppl lol jk...really I can and do speak/type very well and in a professional manner...I just figure with u guys I can talk relaxed...

Im always lookin for a way to get my foot in the door. I just keep getting burned by people who say "Yea your good man Ill call you with a schedual in a couple weeks" then never hear back from them nor can I get a hold of them.

Im finding a lack of resources of information for both these trades...like I said Im trying to get a welder so I can get my TIG skills up to par...and Ive been looking into tatoo equipment and have noticed they are selling synthetic skin patches, might be worth it to get some and pratice.

Work hard, play hard thats the way life is.

[CustomFighterer]

you can practice on turkey thighs. thats teh closest thing your gonna find.

[CustomFighterer]

i'll sell you an autoclave for sterelizing your equipment if you do end up gettin a gun. . . actually i have one of those too. its not foot switch tho. its got a finger button.

[D-Buck D.F.L]

Pay for an apprentiship.. Look hard for an artist willing to do it, I'd say that's the best way... a good 1

[asphaltassault]

Pay for an apprentiship.. Look hard for an artist willing to do it, I'd say that's the best way... a good 1

"im a professional race car driver and an amature tattoo artist..."

[D-Buck D.F.L]

"im a professional race car driver and an amature tattoo artist..."
If your not first your last....

[asphaltassault]

If your not first your last....

hahaahhaha i wanna go fast!!!

[AzN~BoI_585]

So i dunno guys...Im trying to put a portfolio together...which I should either way but Im starting to get discouraged...just like with the bike building no one wants to give anyone a chance...not even a trial chance.

I mean seriously Im not sure what to do...the lack of finding a apprenticeship is making a tat school look pretty good...I dont kno I just think its kinda sad no one will even give me the chane to prove my dedication and loyalty...Ive even considered the option of practicing on whatever (syn skin, chicken thighs, whatever) and saying fuck it and tatooing my self...

I dunno just sad that as the trades grow and they get more public light...the more they close them selves off...

[AzN~BoI_585]

what about professional body piercers? I love body art all together even self mutilization as long as its not some deep rooted mental issue.

[BUCKLE UP 750]

what about professional body piercers? I love body art all together even self mutilization as long as its not some deep rooted mental issue.
PIERCE A GIRLS NIPPLE TO HER VAG.....NOW THAT WOULD BE GREAT ...THEN KICK HER IN THE VULVA:yes:

AND STEAL HER PINK 1979 VOLVO:twocents:

[louisvillerider]

well i can tell you it's not an easy trade to get into. it's a real secretive trade (most guys are anyways) i got out of tattooing after about 6 yrs.. so if your looking for equipment i have my whole setup ill sell ya for $800 http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/louisvillecpl24/tattooequip001.jpg

[gixxer_mark]

the tattoo game is one the hardest to get seriously involved in and even harder to make an acceptable living at. i was a decent artist and piercer for several years and worked another job the entire time to make the bills meet. if you've got some friends that tattoo already then you've got a good in to get started, otherwise make friends with someone and be prepared to be the shop bitch for a good period of time and do everyone's stencil and prep work for 6 months before you even get to pick up a machine and start practicing on yourself under someone else's supervision. your line work will be shitty and shaky and shade work will be crap. you only get better with lots of practice. luckily i had some friends with really shitty jailhouse work that were willing to let me fix it up for free to get good practice. i think i did 40-50 tattoos before i got paid for my first one.

if you don't wanna' go through all that hassle then you better be prepared to do some :bjspray and then be prepared to get your ass whooped for giving shitty ink work.

[louisvillerider]

haha good Advice Mark.... i live in the ghetto, so i didnbt have a problem w/ clients.. i had a problem w/ broke mofo's

[FiEnD83]

practice on yourself or find some friends that trust you enough to tattoo them.its a hard career to get into nobody wants to really help get you started b/c then your competition.

[spyder99r6]

a descent artist aprenticeship will cost u anywheres from 5-10 k and thats still not the end of costs u still have all ur equipment and in ny u have to get health board certified i went that route but shits hard to get clients and a name out there u can;t always get a job u love but u always need a job

[i23theone23i]

Sound like you watch too much American Choppers and Miami Ink. LOL just messing with you....
Man apprentiship is over rated...yeah you might learn things but it'll make you broke like a joke. There is no easy way in to the game. First you need raw talent and a sick imagination. If you don't have those two then you are just gonna be a regular joe tattooing gang bangers with their gang signs and little flowers for retarded girl. This is what you need. DRAW DRAW DRAW when ever you have time draw get the lines memorized so it will come natural. Once you got your equipment get like pig ears and pig skin and start tattooing on those alot cuz nobody want a green, shacky handed kid to tattoo on them. When you got banging artwork you go to tattoo shops and show your work to them. If you truly got talent they will recognize it and help you develop your abilities and talent, If your work wasn't all that they will tell you "apprentiship.. "

[gators07gsxr750]

Re: becomming a tatoo artist
Sound like you watch too much American Choppers and Miami Ink. LOL just messing with you....
Man apprentiship is over rated...yeah you might learn things but it'll make you broke like a joke. There is no easy way in to the game. First you need raw talent and a sick imagination. If you don't have those two then you are just gonna be a regular joe tattooing gang bangers with their gang signs and little flowers for retarded girl. This is what you need. DRAW DRAW DRAW when ever you have time draw get the lines memorized so it will come natural. Once you got your equipment get like pig ears and pig skin and start tattooing on those alot cuz nobody want a green, shacky handed kid to tattoo on them. When you got banging artwork you go to tattoo shops and show your work to them. If you truly got talent they will recognize it and help you develop your abilities and talent, If your work wasn't all that they will tell you "apprentiship.. "

Look im a tattoo artist of 14 years and have been doing guest spots lately I have to agree with the stuff said up above. Draw draw draw refine your skills make sure you have quality art to bring to them first. As for equipment why buy the cheap bullshit from spaulding if you want what the pros use get ahold of me i have a ton of it 4 sale. I could set you up good for a lil over a grand if interested get ahold of me just remember you get what you pay for in this industry shit i payclose to 400 a piece for my power units and 250 and above for my machines

[infamousfamefam]

IM A PROFESSIONAL TATTOO ARTIST AS WELL.. AN GETTING INTO A SHOP IS HARD IF U SEEK IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT. GO IN THERE CONFIDENT, KNOW WHAT UR TALKING ABOUT, BRING IN LOTS OF PHOTOS OF EVERY TYPE OF WORK U'VE DONE. EVEN THE OLD MESSED UP ONES U BEGAN DOING AND THE CURRENT KIK ASS ONES U DO NOW (if ur that up to par lol) ANOTHER THING IS IF UR AN UP AN COMING ARTIST WHO NEEDS A BIT OF DIRECTION, DONT HESITATE TO ASK TO BE AN APPRENTICE. THATS HOW I STARTED AND ITS AN AWESOME WAY TO LEARN FROM THE BEST AND INCORPORATE UR OWN TECHNIQUES B4 U START BUTCHERING PEOPLE UP! IF U NEED ANY OTHER ADVICE OR TIPS.. FEEL FREE TO LET ME KNO! I'LL BE GLAD TO HELP