Originally Posted by tala
So... Pawnjob...
The issue is this: It'll take a measure of time to gain a certain respect from
folks who've been tattooing for their/our lives. (Seriously FOR...) Even then
you may not get the information you're asking for. You're trying to break into
a life over-saturated with people; "wanting to support their families." Most
of these folks care only about their families and the necessary $$$, which by
the way... ain't there for most of the people tattooing. (the $$$ that is...
keep tattooing and the family may not be...) Seriously, you'll make more money
spreading asphalt, it'll cause you less grief, and... if you're lucky; all
y'all will organize a laborer's union... Tattooing is still infused with
carny/circus/sleaze and a strong dose of outlaw. At least the folks I hang out
with fall into those catagories... This means; bring your waders and watch
your back... Have a tough hide, cause you're going to need it.
So, the questions asked always have a purpose; well, several purposes...
(nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition...) We, specifically I, need to know
who you are, what your experience is, and... what you're willing to do to find
as much of the information you need on your own... especially since you're
basically on your own, not an apprentice... And... obviously not a tattoo
artist. (You may become one, but you'll really have to earn it... Lot's O'
Work!)
I talk every f@#king day with people who want to know how they can learn to
tattoo. (One day I had four people ask... three of them back to f@#king
back!!!) I sit down with each and every one of them and ask questions, tell
them the facts of life and give them a few suggestions. If they later return
having done any of the research or drawing I've subconsciously suggested I'll
talk to them a bit more. I've yet to take on an apprentice... very few people
even come back for the second sit down even though I warmly invite all to
return. I read the lack of diligent pursuit of a dream as folks wanting
something for nothing... The specious entitlement of "rights" over and above
the equal requirements of responsibility, investigation, effort, and
service... I've been "talking" with one person for almost a year now. This
person is diligent, does the research and draws, draws, draws... They listen,
challenge, reflect and acknowledge. Rare qualities... (except for the
challenging which is a national sport... Well, no one said arrested
development was without dissonance... cognitive or not...)
Here; we'll try the questions in another form...
What are the qualities of aluminum? Magnetics, Electrics, Weight,
Machinability, Feel, Finish...
What are the qualities of brass? Magnetics, Electrics, Weight, Machinability,
Feel, Finish...
What are the qualities of Steel? Magnetics, Electrics, Weight, Machinability,
Feel, Finish...
What are the qualities of Iron? Magnetics, Electrics, Weight, Machinability,
Feel, Finish...
If YOU were going to build a machine what would YOU choose? What do you know
now? What do you need to know? Do the research...
What do coils do? What is a door bell? Who is Samuel O'Reilly?
Who was his apprentice? Why didn't Edison invent the tattoo machine?
What is EMF? How is magnetism different from electricity? Why are watts
important? What are watts? Watt will you do-do?
Do the legwork. Stop expecting knowledgeable artists to "give" you the
information. On the other hand.... you could get lucky... but... Keep your
day job. Most tattoo artists work 80-120 hours a week and their families suffer
as a result. Few get paid for the artwork, the research, the testing, the
building, the mixing, the thought of it all... It's a calling, a life. VERY
different from; "a job to pay the bills."
Tala
|