Old School vs New School Apprenticeships

 

 

 

I'm one of those people who don't belive in tattoo schools, tattoo academies, and I'm kind of iffy on going to an art academy for learning how to create tattoo styles as well. I believe that having an apprentiship is the only way to go. There is nothing more rewarding then working your butt off, going every day, seeing your skills get better and better. The first time I picked up a machine I had no clue what I was doing. The buzzing was shaking my hand so much I almost dropped it and it made it so I was nervous of what I would do to somebody else's skin if i couldnt even get over shaking so much. I rememeber as if it were yesterday the first time I broke apart my machine and couldn't put it right back together. Then I loaded the tube onto my machine to see what it felt like; to see it ready for action. I didn't do this sitting in a class. I learned how to do this under a man who gave me a chance. To this day, i can't thank him enough.
I also remember hearing about other kinds of "apprenticeships" through friends. One guy told me a story of how he had to go sweep his bosses drive way for months to even sit in their shop. Another good friend told me he had to change the owner's tires and oil. To me, this has nothing to do with tattooing or even anything to do with the shop. I understand trying to test their commitment but shouldn't that come from them showing up day after day, just to be a fly on the wall? How about taking care of duties inside the shop to learn the inner workings? I always told myself I would want to learn, no matter what it took, even if that meant that I had to take trash out every hour, clean tubes every single day, or recycle sharps containters. My apprenticeship was nothing like what theirs were. I expected to be told to bow down because society has a way of making tattoo artists and the industry seem so hard up and make them feel so much more superior than "normal society."
The first couple of days were spent helping a brand new shop set up their jewelry cases, helping hang mirrors and setting up booths. There were about 4 artists there at the time. From the minute I got there, it felt like a family, except for one guy. He was very old school. He had a traditional apprenticeship that he wanted me to go through under him. He basically told me that I was his bitch; I had to do what he wanted. The guy who actually brought me there intervened and told him that they were not going this route. In his view, I was no less of a man because I wanted to start my path in the tattoo industry there. That was humbling. In the end, I've been there longer than the guy who wanted me to be his slave. I heard through the grapevine that he's been fired from multiple shops for having a piss poor attitude. I've been asked multiple times what makes a good apprenticeship. I have a short list on what I think these are:
1. You're not a shop bitch.
2. Not one person owes you anything. If you want to advance in your career, you make the moves and we will help you along. But nobody is going to pave your path for you.
3. Sanitation is one of the things we focus on so intensly. Be prepared to go the full distance in learning about sanitation.
4. No drugs! We are doing our best to get rid of that image and we wont let anybody destroy our reputation.
5. We dont bad mouth other artists. We are all trying our hardest to get somewhere. Bad mouthing other artists is not going to make you better.
6. No home tattooing. PERIOD.
7. When we make decesions for the shop, we are all involved. If somebody is left out, the decision doesn't get made.
8. This is a family enviroment. We all have kids and we bring them to gatherings! Our families support us and we demand their respect.
9. We all share walk-ins. We are all making a living off tattooing.
Number 10 is the most important:
10. We all RESPECT each other. Without respect we won't make it as a whole.
I know a lot of artists may disagree with me and my views on this, but honestly, this is how I was taught. I have more respect for the man who taught me than i would have for a man to make me clean his garage. I'm all for doing what fits best for you, but this is what made me realize how tattoos aren't just cool or trendy, but they really are a part of life. Once you dive deep enough you can find that this is one of the most rewarding things you can do.