The Design Blog

Apprenticeship Update No. 2

Yeah, so it's obvious I am no good at keeping blogs! Funny, because I uses to rock at keeping diaries!

So it's been like 3 1/2 - 4 months since I started my tattoo apprenticeship and it has been an amazing whirlwind of creativity, bustin' ass, love, support, and I wouldn't trade it for the world! I love having the tattoo machine in hand, making art, and most of all, I love my shop!

A custom art shop, Hollywood Stars Tattoo, in Los Angeles, California, is literally just a step outside of Los Angeles International Airport. This location puts us in contact with so many wonderful people who are coming and going, staying, and traveling. Our customers range from locals to tourists, celebrities to the average Joe, but all amazing body art collectors after our guys put a needle to them!

So, if you're reading this and actually know who I am and this journey I am making, you might be asking yourself, but T, what have YOU been doing at the tattoo shop? Aside from jonesin' for more ink?

Well, I have started working on tshirts for the shop based on the artwork of our artists, working on the shop website, and, with the help of Lovely Lesley, the other shop apprentice, redesigned one of the tattoo stations. Photos to follow. Along with the redesign, I have reupholstered an office chair to match, and thanks to Craigslist, found a vintage dentist chair-made tattoo chair to match!

So I have the tools. I have the station. I just need the flesh! Any volunteers? 

My Tattoo Apprenticeship: Week One

So it's now Friday morning. Midnight ended the first week of my tattoo apprenticeship at Hollywood Stars Tattoo and all I can say is "Give me some more!" The shop is great, the people already feel like family, and I am loving the experience!

Things got off to a good start on my first day when I impresses the guys with my glasses-fixing skills. I think they were just surprises to see me pull a mini Leatherman tool out of my pocket and take matters into my own hands! But that's the kind of person I am. While I have had no problem picking up the regular apprentice duties (mopping floors, cleaning up after tattoo sessions, etc) I have also been able to bring my particular skill set to the table in means of graphic design and administrative tasks. I am currently in the process of building a database for the shop to help streamline schedules, client info, marketing info, etc. I cannot tell you how rewarding it is to have your input heard and implemented.

And of course, every chance I get, I am observing! When I hear that machine buzz, smell that green soap, my heart starts to smile and I come sneaking around the corner to watch these incredible guys do their thing.

Now, I have wanted to be a tattoo artist for as long as I can remember. I was the kid who was always drawing on myself. Crayola, Magic Marker, Sharpie, BIC pens, you name it. My mother always told me that one day I would get ink poisoning. Sorry to prove you wrong, mama. I was just destined to wear ink and will one day give ink.

And this week was the first step. Can't wait for the next one!