Artist vs. scratchers
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I've been tattooing for over 30 years and owned shops for over 20.
I am so sick of the conflict between artist and scratchers. Sure there are Legitimate frasons for the predjudice against home tattooist, but there are many legitimate shops that are filthier than many toilets and the so called artist have the talent and or skill of a 3 year old.I also understand why many folks start off working from home, an apprenticeship is very difficult to obtain, not to mention very expensive.
So heres an idea, If you find some one that has a serious interest in tattooing, and or piercing, but they cant afford 3000-5000 for the apprenticeship, waive the fee and let them work off their education. after one year get them a decent set up, not that cheap shit you can get from ebay.
I have 3 apprentices in my shop now and except for the day to day expenses I dont have to worry about payroll for a shop girl or receptionist. we never have to worry about running outnof tubes and my shop is always immaculate.
Help these guys out and you woun have to worry about scratchers taking your business.
Personally if it wasn't for scratchers I'd miss our on alot of money for coverups.
But from alot of the work I've seen on this site the guys that complain the most about scratchers aren't much better, yeah they lucked out and got into a shop, but they still need alot of practice.
REMEMBER THIS .......................................
WHEN YOU POINT A FINGER AT SOME ONE ELSE YOU HAVE 3 FINGERS POINTING BACK AT YOUR SELF.AND WORKING IN A SHOP DOESN'T MAKE YOU AN ARTIST
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ha. I point with my whole hand.
Yo make a good point. It is true that working in a shop doesn't make you good and tattooing out of your home doesn't make you bad. I think we can all agree though that if you are being tattooed at a kitchen table by someone who has never worked in a shop (and been trained in cross contamination and sterile chain ) you will probably get a shitty tattoo.
I think half the problem is too many people want to be tattoo artists. Half of them cant draw, the other half don't want to put the work in to get an apprenticeship. I always hate the doctor analogy but with medical school there are 100 spots and 500 people trying for them. those other 400 people don't start practicing home surgery because they didn't get it. While scratchers might be good for your pocket book they are bad for the industry and the art. -
Excellent points michaelb... I agree 100%.
The economy is spiraling down the shitter, and the FIRST thing to go during tough times: Entertainment.
Like it or not, tattooing & piercing is considered an "Entertainment" expense, and tough times aren't going to creep up on us, and take out "A few, crappy establishments"... It's going to kill most of the legit shops out there too. (Especially guys with families who won't be able to work for cheap...)Gas is going up, the US dollar is getting it's ass kicked abroad, Bush actually signed the "North American Union act" (Personally, I think it should be treated as treason), our education system is bungled, middle-class is drying up, and small business is being specifically targeted by the IRS... It all adds up to a shit-storm that would be made a lot more survivable if a few of the "Have-nots" would get a job doing something they'd be good at.
You're doctor analogy is a great one, but in this biz, it's more like a 1,000 apprentices, and only 10 tattoo artist jobs to go around... a balloon like that is going to burst soon....
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I agree completely. There are an abundance of people who would like to tattoo, but a handful of people who are willing to make the dedication and have the talent to become a full ARTIST. I believe that unless you have been properly taught about all of the aspects of tattooing, you shouldn't be able to touch a machine. I strongly believe that not enough people are knowledgeable in the subject of art its self. You would be amazed to know how many people rely on that sheet of flash to color their outline, create a background or even have correct line weight!. Not being able to understand color theory and balance is what i see the most. I could go on all day about the subject of art knowledge, and I'm not saying I'm perfect or amazing. I just believe that Apprentices should know as much as possible, if not, more than their mentor. Apprenticeships are getting easier and are becoming less traditional. I believe that this is one of the reasons scratchers are being created. They dont have the love and dedication it requires to permanently mark someone.
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Thank you fpr your comments guys.......I agree with your additional comments. We aree being over-run by a new breed of sub-standard artist. No i don't think that every one that asks for an apprenticeship should be given one, but If the prospective apprentice has legitimate talent and a true passion for the art of tattooing then he should be granted an apprenticeship whether or not he or she has the finances to pay for it. My apprentices work for their apprenticeships rather than pay for it, by working in my shop with little or no pay. unless i have them running errands for me out side my shop,in which case i tip them generously. They are made to work for a full year before they are allowed to pick up a machine to do their first tattoo. If I Find out they tattoo out side the shop before their year is up their apprenticeship is terminated immediately.
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That's a good policy "Newaddictions". So far I've had 3 people attempt an apprenticeship under me... none completed it:
I don't ask for money per say, but I offer a choice:
1) Either you can pay for the apprenticeship upon it's completion ($3,200.00: and this includes a full set up of equipment, 2 machines, and pigments.)
2) OR you can simply produce a set of marketable flash (6 sheets of ORIGINAL art work that I would be proud to put my studio's name on to reimburse me.)
NOTE: College isn't free either, and it sure as hell can't offer you a position making over 60K per year (to START) in the first year of working. Neither do internships. But kids will SLAVE for that no-pay job that they think it's worth working in eventually. It's worth a few grand, scrubbing some toilets/tubes, and running errands if you want it bad enough. It's an education after all.I ask that they are here at the shop at LEAST 25 hours per week, and that the apprenticeship will last between 15-18 months MINIMUM.
They sign a contract that upon completion, they will either work for me, or work outside a 20 mile radius. (Out of respect.)
I sign the contract too, promising to teach them everything I know about art, interacting with customers, first-aid, BBP, theory, cover-ups, machine/needle building... EVERYTHING.
All 3 left because they "weren't tattooing quick enough"... (Or making any money!)
I worked 40 hours per week at a shitty office job from 6AM to 2PM to pay my bills, went to college 3 nights per week (Psychology/Biz Mngt.), and STILL MANAGED to apprentice almost everyday, usually from 6PM till Midnight, and all day, every weekend, for nearly 2 years.If others don't show me that same drive, in my opinion they don't want it bad enough. It ain't all roses.
