Hi to all you like minded tattoo enthusiasts 
I kind of stumbled upon this site by accident one night while looking for advice and found myself coming back again and again so thought why not join.
It is really refreshing to see people being able to talk openly about being an amateur and wanting to learn and being taken seriously and given good sound advice instead of humiliated or patronised!
So, I am a 29 yr old woman living in the UK. I have wanted to be a tattoo artist as long as I can remember (prob from around age 14 when I first discovered the whole tattoo world was a thing) art is all I have ever been good at. It’s always been my ‘thing’ and my teenage years as a ‘scene kid/emo’ opened me up to rock music and cool tattooed people ?
I went to art college for a while and over the years had a few interviews for apprenticeships at studios but unfortunately having to pay bills always got in the way of the dream.
Then I got I’ll a few years ago and was unable to do a conventional job which forced me to focus on my artwork and realise I need to do what I love. Fast forward to now, later than I would like and trying to finally do it. The problem is now that no studio wants to give me a chance when I am honest about my health issues. (Long story but I have been offered apprenticeships and asked when I can start, then been ghosted when I’ve told them) so I think now it’s time to go down the self taught route. I just never wanted to be a ‘scratcher‘ or give anyone the excuse to tell me I shouldn’t be tattooing. I’ve always wanted to do it ’the right way’. I have been really inspired and reassured by seeing all your home studios on here. It has really given me hope that it’s not too late.
I have only ever done 2 tattoos, on my best friend. She is very supportive and she basically had to beg me to even use her as a canvas because I don’t want to mess anyone up. She loves them though which is the main thing. It’s given me the itch now to want to do more.
Im sure you will all know what it’s like, everyone and their dog want a tattoo from you when they hear you’ve been tattooing but I want to know I’m not messing anyone up first haha.
Anyway, sorry about the massive first post. I can’t wait to get to know everyone. ?
I kind of stumbled upon this site by accident one night while looking for advice and found myself coming back again and again so thought why not join.
It is really refreshing to see people being able to talk openly about being an amateur and wanting to learn and being taken seriously and given good sound advice instead of humiliated or patronised!
So, I am a 29 yr old woman living in the UK. I have wanted to be a tattoo artist as long as I can remember (prob from around age 14 when I first discovered the whole tattoo world was a thing) art is all I have ever been good at. It’s always been my ‘thing’ and my teenage years as a ‘scene kid/emo’ opened me up to rock music and cool tattooed people ?
I went to art college for a while and over the years had a few interviews for apprenticeships at studios but unfortunately having to pay bills always got in the way of the dream.
Then I got I’ll a few years ago and was unable to do a conventional job which forced me to focus on my artwork and realise I need to do what I love. Fast forward to now, later than I would like and trying to finally do it. The problem is now that no studio wants to give me a chance when I am honest about my health issues. (Long story but I have been offered apprenticeships and asked when I can start, then been ghosted when I’ve told them) so I think now it’s time to go down the self taught route. I just never wanted to be a ‘scratcher‘ or give anyone the excuse to tell me I shouldn’t be tattooing. I’ve always wanted to do it ’the right way’. I have been really inspired and reassured by seeing all your home studios on here. It has really given me hope that it’s not too late.
I have only ever done 2 tattoos, on my best friend. She is very supportive and she basically had to beg me to even use her as a canvas because I don’t want to mess anyone up. She loves them though which is the main thing. It’s given me the itch now to want to do more.
Im sure you will all know what it’s like, everyone and their dog want a tattoo from you when they hear you’ve been tattooing but I want to know I’m not messing anyone up first haha.
Anyway, sorry about the massive first post. I can’t wait to get to know everyone. ?
I’m in a similar boat to you, bit older at 33 but very much novice with artistic talent. I say go for it! Self belief, dedication, and relentless attention to detail, added to natural talent will mean your future is in your own hands! I’m on the brink of getting licensed in UK having only tattooed fruit, reelskin, and myself, but I’m excited, very nervous but more excited about tattooing my first clients. All power and best luck to ya ?
I tuned it up and did everything completely safe and sanitary with better ink and needles etc but I definitely will not be bringing that thing out again, it’s for the bin. I am looking into buying a rotary cartridge style pen but unsure of which one to go for if anyone has any suggestions?
