I have an oppurtunity to apprentice as a tattoo artist but its hard for me to decide?

Question

I thought i was going to get a chance at my friends shop which i have a lot of confidence in their ability but the spot didnt open up i dont have a lot of art experiance but i realized that i could learn and have been drawing about a month. theres another shop that i spoke to and they do decent tattoos but im less confident in their ability than my friends shop and they sound like almost a sure thing if i come up with the money they have a stigma as a biker shop thoug
I Have about 30k coming from a land deal in a few days and can afford the 6k fee and not to make any money for the first months if this doesnt go through im gonna take my money and travel developing countries till it runs out but id hate to miss a great long term oppurtunity like tattooing seeing as i have full sleeves and tons more. should i take this less promising apprenticeship to get my foot in the door or should i go travel my family thinks i should get into any way i can if i want to. they like travel ideatoo

Answer 1

If you get this apprenticeship then it doesn't matter whether the shop is completely awesome or not. You can use it as a stepping stone to better things. Tattooing is a very lucrative business, especially if you learn to pierce too, and once you have a certain amount of experience and have shown that you are creative, professional and knowledgeable, you can get a job or open a shop anywhere. Good luck.

Answer 2

Tattooing is not something that you can just do. You really have to want it. Really want it. Or you'll always be the mediocre flash artist making passable money. If thats what you want you might as well take the biker shop offer. IfYou really really want to be an Artist in the trade take the money and go travel. Use the time to look at art from all over the world and get yourself an art education along the way. Then when you're ifnished your friends shop may have more time for you. Working with people you respect makes a lot of difference to your own work .6k seems a bit steep for soemthing you might not be too happy about in the end. I didnt pay anything for my aprenticeship except time and effort and the guys i work for are known nationally and internationally for their work. Dont throw your money away unless you really cant wait the extra time.

Answer 3

Well, I value my skin a bit too much to let apprentices tattoo me. I spent two years looking for an artist I would even consider letting tattoo me. I'm just a tiny bit anal... However, if I ever did let an apprentice tattoo me, I would absolutely tip them. They work hard in the shop, and they take home little or no money.

Answer 4

My opinion is that in this business, you are often judged by who your mentor was. If they want 6K (fairly high, in my opinion) at the studio with a "not so hot" reputation, that is already two reasons not to apprentice there. Also, you mentioned not making any money "for the first months." In a good apprenticeship program, you will likely not be making money for MANY months.

I would keep drawing, make a fabulous portfolio, and keep trying at the studio you prefer. If that doesn't work out, consider traveling to a well-known artist for an apprenticeship since you can afford to live modestly off 30K for awhile.

The bottom line is: Ya gotta wanna. Bad.

Answer 5

Yr going to pay US $6k to be an apprentice ??
Come to australia,I'm sure you'll be most welcome with your money,I might even take you on as my apprentice depending on your art work & imagination.

Answer 6

i think you should do both. apprentice, get the job eventually, save up money, and travel tattooing. never know, the more you network, the more things will happen!