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Tattoos/becoming a tattoo artist
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Question
I was wondering if you could tell how i could become a tattoo artist. Where i could go to school for it and all that.
TJ,
What you should do first is try to find an apprenticeship with a qualified tattoo artist or piercer in a licensed studio. It is not as simple as buying a starter kit, picking up a machine or needle and starting to tattoo or pierce. There is a lot to know from sterilization to placement, needle depths, anatomy, client handling, business practices,needle making, jewelry type and more. Not to mention the legal aspects of licensing, insurance, etc. Working with skin is a whole lot different than drawing on paper or whatever you can imagine. I have seen a lot of people who can draw or poke holes in their body, but tattoo and pierce very poorly. Four extra words of advice
here;
First, you can not learn how to tattoo or pierce from a book. Secondly, you can not learn how to tattoo or pierce by watching someone else. Thirdly, tattooing and piercing is not a get rich quick profession, it takes years to get established and see the rewards of your work. And last
but certainly not least, You can not practice on your friends or children or yourself to learn.... Soon you will have no friends.
We have developed some courses that can help you tremendously towards distingusing yourself in a "SEA OF APPRENTICESHIP SEEKERS" by putting into your hand knowledge, transcripts and certificates of acheivement. These show how serious you are and that you are willing to work for your goals. It also tells the professional artist that you have made an effort to do things the proper way. It should open many doors for you that others find
slammed in thier faces. You can check it out by going to URL
http://sekpress.com Remember however, there is no substitute for a formal apprenticeship.
So please (as I've already advised) if you are serious about learning, get an apprenticeship. You will be glad you did. One last thing,if during or after your apprenticeship you find that you do not have a knack for tattooing or piercing (tattooing takes a certain touch, some can do it,
some not. Not everyone has that touch no matter how much training they've had), then you should give it up and not scar people for life.
If you would like an idea on what is involved with tattooing and piercing or have problems finding an apprenticeship please visit our web sites http://www.ubtat2d.com or http://www.sekpress.com
Hope I've been some help to you. If I can be of further assistance please let me know.
-The GYPSY
http://ubtat2d.com
http://sekpress.com
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Answers by Expert:
The GYPSY - Certified Master Tattoo Artist, Body Piercer and Permanant Cosmetic Technician
Expertise
I can accept questions on proper tattooing and piercing procedures, including but not limited to, licensing, sterilization, studio promotion, safety, what to look for in an artist/studio, aftercare, apprenticeship, studio management and proper design/piercing placement. I can also rate artistic quality. We also can answer questions on tattoo/piercing resources, ie; books, videos, studios and artists/piercers. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE ASKING YOUR QUESTION: I will NOT answer "How To" questions. If you want to know how to tattoo or pierce do the right thing and seek out a formal apprenticeship. Tattooing and piercing are not a "Learn On Your Own" professions. ALSO: Please DO NOT ask me about tattoo or piercing prices. Rates vary from region to region. You will need to check with studios in your area for their current rates.
Experience
I was appointed By Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson in September 2009 to the Kansas Board of Cosmetology. I represent Body Art Studios and Artists on the board for the State of Kansas. I am one of only 27 people worldwide who have taken and passed the Tattoo Mastery Test presented by the Alliance of Professional Tattooists. I have been in the Body Art Business since 1976. I got my start in this business due to the inspiration, great advise and guidance I received from Gene Grimm of Grimm's Tattoo Studio in Kansas City, Missouri. I took formal classes in Micro-Dermal Implantation (Permanent Cosmetics) in 1990. I had formal Body Piercing Training in 1992.
Organizations
Alliance Of Professional Tattooists and Kansas State Board of Cosmetology
Publications
"STANDARD PERIODICAL" FEBRUARY 1974
"TEEN TODAY" MARCH 1974
"ABILENE MAGAZINE" JUNE 1981
"SCOUT JAMBOREE PROGRAM" NOVEMBER 1981
"PRONGHORN PRESS" DECEMBER 1981, FEBRUARY 1982, MARCH 1983, MAY 1983
"ENEWS" JUNE 1983, JUNE 1986
"EL PASO SUN TIMES" OCTOBER 1985
"BAXTER CITIZEN" AUGUST 1992
"TATTOO" OCTOBER 1992
"TATTOO" MARCH 1993
"BAXTER CITIZEN" JUNE 1993
"SKIN & INK" APRIL 1994
"PARSONS TIMES" APRIL 1995
"CROSSROADS" SPRING 1995
"PITTSBURG SUN" APRIL 1995, APRIL 1996 & APRIL 1997
"JOPLIN GLOBE" OCTOBER 1996
"ASC TATTOO DIRECTORY" 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
"AMARILLO GLOBE-NEWS" JANUARY 1999
"EASYRIDER MAGAZINE" OCTOBER 2001
"HISTORY OF TATTOOING IN AMERICA"
"A COMPLETE GUIDE TO TATTOOING"
Please visit http://ubtat2d.com/ To View A Complete List Of Other Media That I Have Been Featured In.
Education/Credentials
West Platte High School - Weston, Missouri
United States Department of Agriculture: Forestry and Wildlife Management - Nemo, South Dakota
Platte College: Technical Illustration and Mechanical Drafting - St. Joseph and Kansas City, Missouri
Grimms Tattoo Studio: Tattoo Career Guidance - Kansas City, Missouri
Missouri Department of Mental Health: Psychiatric Technician - St. Joseph, Missouri
Concho Career Institute: CDL Training - San Angelo, Texas
Institute of Micro-Dermal Implantation: Permanent Cosmetic Technician - Kansas City, Missouri
Sir Fredrick's A-1 Tattoo: Body Piercer Trainee - Gladstone, Missouri
Successful Entrepreneur Program: Independence Community College - Independence, Kansas
Awards and Honors
SKIN ART CREATIONS TATTOO SHOW - 1993, "BEST BLACK & GREY TATTOO"
SKIN ART CREATIONS TATTOO SHOW - 1993, "BEST OVER-ALL TATTOO MALE"
TATTOO RENDEZVOUS - 1993, "BEST OVER-ALL TATTOO - MALE"
TATTOO RENDEZVOUS - 1993, CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FOR PARTICIPATION
THE GATHERING PLACE - 1994, CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR ARTISTIC TALENT
LION'S CLUB INTERNATIONAL - 1994, CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION AS GUEST SPEAKER
SKIN ART CREATIONS TATTOO SHOW - 1994, "BEST TRADITIONAL TATTOO"
TATTOO RENDEZVOUS - 1994, CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FOR PARTICIPATION
STURGINK - 1995, 2ND PLACE "BEST COLOR TATTOO"
STURGINK - 1995, 3RD PLACE "BEST TATTOO OF STURGIS"
HAWG HAWLER - 1996, 2ND PLACE "BEST TATTOOS"
SKIN ART CREATIONS TATTOO SHOW - 1997, "BEST FRONT PANEL"
25th ANNIVERSARY REUNION CONVENTION - 1/19/2001, 2nd PLACE "BEST TATTOO OF THE DAY"
ABATE OF TULSA MOTORCYCLE & TATTOO SHOW - MARCH 2002, 1st PLACE "BEST PATRIOTIC TATTOO"
ABATE OF TULSA MOTORCYCLE & TATTOO SHOW - MARCH 2002, 3rd PLACE "MOST REALISTIC TATTOO"
BIKER DAYS IN THE OSAGE - SEPTEMBER 2007, "BEST TATTOO OF SHOW"
APT TATTOO MASTERY TEST - JULY 2008, "CERTIFICATE OF TATTOO MASTERY"
MAYFIT - MAY 2009, "BEST TATTOO OF SHOW"
Past/Present Clients
I tattoo/pierce an average of over 1200 people per year. Multiply that by 34 years and I have tattooed and/or pierced approx. 40,800 people.
The GYPSY founder of Skin Art Creations Tattoo Emporium® is a State of Kansas licensed Tattoo & Piercing Artist & Trainer and has been in the Tattoo & Piercing Industry since 1976. He is a Professional Member of APT (Alliance of Professional Tattooist), and has taken and passed the APT Tattoo Mastery Test. His formal art training and experience has helped him win numerous awards both Nationally and Internationally. The GYPSY's art has been exhibited in museums World wide, including the Smithsonian. He has also appeared on television, documentaries, albums, radio talk shows and in numerous magazines. Along with his Wife Debbie they have developed and maintained numerous projects including resource and shopping sites. WE INVITE YOU TO VISIT THESE SITES: www.ubtat2d.com - www.ablazable.com - www.emerald-city.us - www.sekpress.net - www.freaky-links.com and www.pluribusunum.net
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