Hello,
I've recently become interested in pursuing tattooing as a career, and after a fair amount of practice on myself I've discovered 2 things. The first is that this is, in fact, what I want to do. The second is that a formal apprenticeship is the best way to go about it. Sure, I've made progress, but not the type of progress I think I am capable of if a professional was teaching me. I have a bachelor's degree in design and I'm willing to provide a sample of artwork / flash / self-practice to demonstrate that you wouldn't be wasting your time. I'm looking to start something around a month after the 1st of the year, this is sort of a "feeler”, to see who responds, and maybe start a dialogue about the arrangements.
After some thought, I've come up with the following as a general guide to what I'm looking for, this isn't iron-clad, but it's a start and I think we could build on it.
- I work full-time; this would be an after-work and weekend arrangement.
- I'd like to be licensed 1 year from the starting date of the apprenticeship; we can negotiate any further business relationship after that. (Additional instruction for additional compensation, work for additional instruction, etc.)
- The apprenticeship must result in a license.
- There must be a signed contract. Compensation will be up-front.
- You must be licensed, and have/have access to a licensed facility in which to practice tattooing.
- Price to include any and all materials / equipment used to complete apprenticeship.
I would also prefer we agree on a curriculum (and most likely a timeline) beforehand, this is something you would undoubtedly know much more than me about, but here is my stab at topics I'd expect to learn.
- Shop Cleanliness
- Sterilization Procedures / Equipment
- Maintaining a Sterile Work Environment
- Equipment Selection (machines, needles, tubes, tips, grips, power supplies, stencil printers, clip cords, foot pedals, stencil application materials, etc.)
- Equipment Maintenance / Tuning / Repair
- Required ID / wavers and administrative obligations
- Needle groupings and appropriate uses, applications, and techniques.
- Tattooing
- General Techniques (Outlining, shading, filling, greyline, bloodline etc.)
- Positioning clients
- Black / Black and grey / Black wash / Color work.
- Ink selection
- Healing and aftercare issues and concerns
- Touch-ups
- Restoration and Cover-up (I realize that this is an art unto itself, but I would like to touch on the subjects as far as the results of tattooing previously tattooed areas etc.)
Some personal notes:
- I have a full-time job; this would be a "nights and weekends" arrangement.
- I realize how serious the tone of this thing is written, I'm taking this seriously. I'm generally most likely one of the most laid back people you're likely to ever meet.
- If you ask me to grab you something to eat, take out the trash, help you clean up, or help you move, I will happily do it. I'm a team player; not everything is exciting, but it's necessary.
- I do not expect to ever make 6 figures a year tattooing, I expect a one-bedroom apartment and a car that runs, anything else I would consider a bonus.
- I'm pursuing this because I think I could be good at it and make a living at it, and because there's nothing like the look on someone's face when they're done getting a tattoo they love.
- I've worked in construction and in design, criticism is what makes you better, if you tell me something sucks, I won't run out crying; I promise.
- I realize that tattooing is not television, there's paperwork, cleaning, pain-in-the-ass customers, and a lot of the same bullshit any other job comes with.
If you're interested in giving this a shot (or even curious at all), shoot me an e-mail and we can see where it goes. If the terms seem ridiculous to you, shoot me an e-mail and let me know how crazy I am and why, maybe we can work something out.
Thanks,
A
- Location: Boston / South Shore
- Compensation: $5000.00
- This is a part-time job.
- This is a contract job.
- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
- Please, no phone calls about this job!
- Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.