Tattoo Artist

Tattoo Artist

Tatted Mom

Tucson, AZ

Female, 32

I'm a tattoo artist who underwent a standard apprenticeship under a certified tattoo artist. I am an artist first, tattooer second, which means I put creativity and art into my tattoos, not just the 'you pick it, we stick it' type of tattooer. Apprenticeships for tattooing vary by state, according to the laws. I'm also a trained body piercer, as well. Any questions about the job or apprenticing, I'd be happy to help!

PLEASE NOTE: I will NOT price tattoos. Seek a shop for that.

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Last Answer on May 23, 2014

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Hi, I recently went into a tattoo shop for an interview for an apprenticeship. My question is if I do not have any tattoos on my person would that affect them choosing me? I know how to paint/draw really well is that enough or do I need to be inked?

Asked by inquiring artist over 12 years ago

That would completely depend on the artist or shop where you want to apprentice. Some artists feel that you shouldn't be a tattoo artist if you have never even gotten a tattoo; it shows slight disrespect for the art form that you'll do it, but won't have it done to you. Some shops or artists won't care. Many tattoo artists get started in tattooing because of their love of body art; if you have none, you need to ask yourself why you want to be a tattoo artist.

Is there a way to fix expanded lines so that the originally empty spaces show again? I really loved my tattoo before and it's very special for me so I would hate to have to get rid of it.

Asked by Dani almost 13 years ago

Nope. Ink expands under the skin over time- it's just a fact. There's nothing you can do to take permanent ink out of the skin, except laser tattoo removal treatments. I'm not too familiar with the process, so I'm not sure if they can fine-tune the area just to remove expanded ink, or if the process would just remove the entire tattoo.

i have a tattoo on my rib, I don't want to remove it but i do want to make the word bigger, is that possible?

Asked by STEPHANIE over 12 years ago

Probably not. Without seeing it, it's hard to give an accurate answer, but usually when you try and make an existing word larger, you will just make the letters even closer together, making it hard to read.

After geting an all black tribal I can see some light spots and a few blotchy spots that need touched up. After the touch up will they then look darker then the rest of the tatt or blend in naturally?

Asked by Ron almost 13 years ago

If the same ink is used and the touch ups are done pretty close to the time of the original tattoo, the inks should blend together. If you wait years to get it touched up, the new black will be darker.

Will it annoy my artist if I ask him to touch up my tattoo one more time? I see just a couple of tiny spots that need to be touched up but I am afraid I'm going to bug him if I ask for one more touch up :/

Asked by Abby over 12 years ago

It depends on the artist, the tattoo, and how much time has gone by. If a tattoo needs multiple touch ups in a short amount of time, chances are, artists start to wonder if the person was caring for the tattoo correctly during the healing process. If that's the case, that a customer wasn't caring for the tattoo correctly, then chances are the artist won't touch it up without charging you the shop minimum. If it's in a rough area, too, like the hands, elbows or feet, where it's more difficult for the ink to stay bright, they may limit the number of touch ups a customer gets. And, if months (or years) have passed, chances are, they will charge you for a touch up.

I had a consult in may and 2 four hour sessions booked for mid oct/nov.. forgot to ask the artist if I get to see the work leading up to appt? and how long in advance I could excpect to see it? what's the etiquette here?

Asked by desucca over 12 years ago

Every tattoo artist is different. Some get their drawings done ahead of time, some wait until the day of the tattoo to produce their artwork. Just ask your tattoo artist and see how they do things.

I just finished my first tattoo on practice skin. Came out great but the white highlights I put on last did not 'take', and didn't show at all. Could this be the ink quality or the skin?
Thank you!

Asked by Tony over 12 years ago

It's more than likely the practice skin. That stuff is thick, and really is not a lot like human skin at all. White is a tricky color, too. You may have not gone deep enough with it.