irezumi

Army town is gonna be exactly what you need, lots of skin time and a variety of fairly standard type of tattoos. I worked in street shops for a long time and it was a crucial thing for me. I still use every skill I learned walking the floor and handling people, both pleasant and difficult clients. Good deal man, applause.
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Imo the best place for a REAL critique would be a different forum; I recommend you check out Tattoodles forum. It has a large 'pros only' section that has threads for critiques, painting trades, networking, reference sites, classifieds, guest spot opportunities, etc etc.
It's not real easy to get on, be prepared to give all of your professional information and they will cross check your employment at a real shop.. This is a good thing so as to keep out the civilians and scratchers.
Critiques can be brutal there; keep your head high, stay strong, and listen to everything said without making explanations/rationalizations/excuses/defending etc. Just listen and absorb. It's definitely tougher love than here and maybe an asshole or two. Whatever.

Same here! I did have one drink in the last year but it was a very special occasion. It was feuerzangenbowle night and there was a group feeling of Gemütlichkeit.

Same here! I did have one drink in the last year but it was a very special occasion. It was feuerzangenbowle night and there was a group feeling of Gemütlichkeit.

Army town is gonna be exactly what you need, lots of skin time and a variety of fairly standard type of tattoos. I worked in street shops for a long time and it was a crucial thing for me. I still use every skill I learned walking the floor and handling people, both pleasant and difficult clients. Good deal man, applause.
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Imo the best place for a REAL critique would be a different forum; I recommend you check out Tattoodles forum. It has a large 'pros only' section that has threads for critiques, painting trades, networking, reference sites, classifieds, guest spot opportunities, etc etc.
It's not real easy to get on, be prepared to give all of your professional information and they will cross check your employment at a real shop.. This is a good thing so as to keep out the civilians and scratchers.
Critiques can be brutal there; keep your head high, stay strong, and listen to everything said without making explanations/rationalizations/excuses/defending etc. Just listen and absorb. It's definitely tougher love than here and maybe an asshole or two. Whatever.

I just wanted to reply to this thread, as I haven't been on this site in quite a bit. I took people's advice to heart, branched out and networked, and am now tattooing in a military town in TN surrounded by fantastic artists. I've been able to improve my skills while building a client base, and feel like i'm finally starting to find my way in this industry. I've attached two pictures of recent tattoo's that i'm in the midst of and would like to hear any constructive criticisms. Thanks all again for the inspiration and kind words.

Get a part time job and keep tattooing. I've had to do it for the last 3 years, it's not so bad. There are a few other really talented newbies who have had to do the same, its nothing to get down on yourself about. Great advice in this thread so far. Welcome to LST!

I really appreciate the kind words from everybody, and I'll definitely take the advice to heart. You're right, Kahlan. I've been feeling quite defeated the past two days and my shop owner doesn't seem to be concerned, making things a bit more frustrating. I'm not going to sit around feeling sorry for myself, and have already begun writing to artists that I admire. As a side-note, I have posted several tattoos in my album section and always welcome constructive criticism. Tear me down for all I care, I simply strive to improve every day. Thanks again for the words and encouragement.

Start networking man. Do some painting and send them to people around you. Send an actual letter to tattooers you respect. Work hard on your art. Developing connections is a super important thing and something I struggle with. There is a great deal to be said for pursing a relationship with other tattooers. Sometimes those relationships can be started with just sending them a painting or something and a thoughful letter.

@MadeIndelible Awesome to hear you are doing something about that problem. Remember that many of us here have gone through similar struggles and have come out the other side all the better for the experience. There was a lot that i missed out on while wallowing in my addictions but I would not really change any of it because, as hard as it was to come out of, that is what made me who I am and gave me the perspective I have. I also learned a lot about humility, pride, and how to ask others for help and none of that was easy or came naturally to me. It does get better if you stick with it.
One of the awesome things I did recently was to go to a live performance of Welcome To Nightvale with my wife and daughter (15). That was a lot of fun.

Having a tattoo that looks like a fucking tattoo.

I turned down an invite to Vegas, because I am taking a month off of work to go to an outpatient rehab for a helluva coke habit. I haven't mentioned anything about it on here, because I didn't want to bring something like that to a proper tattoo discussion, and it wasn't really needed. But, now that I am actually having good thoughts and actions towards getting help, I feel it's okay to say something to the rad people of LST who have shown me so much love and support in my tattoo endeavours. I'm definitely struggling, and I really am in deep with it all, but I have my older sister who is my best friend supporting me in all this, and I think it's going to stick. I know of one other LSTer who no longer posts who went through some similar stuff, and his example has crossed my mind more than once over the past couple of months. Posting here helps me, because I am an introvert, and actually putting myself out there convinces me more than it convinces others that I am actually doing something positive.
I went to the bar tonight to talk to someone who helped me with my resume a while back, and he is putting me in contact with a rather elusive tattooer for my magazine. At a time like this in my life, I am glad that tattooing exists to help me feel like I am still worth something more than having this cocaine addiction.
Bought my ticket to Lee Fields at The Fillmore next month since @CultExciter was so kind as to post his music.
Ordered the catalog for Perseverance, after some long weeks of spending way too much money on non-tattoo things.
That's my awesome struggle update.

Apprenticeship shows? Fucking ridiculous. How about one for the front desk? Or tattoo shop hanger-outers?
Why are we getting more exploited than others? Are there ice trucking/lumberjack spin-off shows strictly about dudes first week on the job? Apprenticeship biker build shows? I don't watch any of that shit so if I'm right and don't even know it that's pretty fucking sad.
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Side note; if this were a show of 'tattoo models' meaning tattoos that are designed & composed well with the body itself regardless of age or body shape, that could have potential.
That won't be this show I'm sure. I can't imagine it will be anything but Americas Top Model That Happens To Be Tattooed.

Apprenticeship shows? Fucking ridiculous. How about one for the front desk? Or tattoo shop hanger-outers?
Why are we getting more exploited than others? Are there ice trucking/lumberjack spin-off shows strictly about dudes first week on the job? Apprenticeship biker build shows? I don't watch any of that shit so if I'm right and don't even know it that's pretty fucking sad.
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Side note; if this were a show of 'tattoo models' meaning tattoos that are designed & composed well with the body itself regardless of age or body shape, that could have potential.
That won't be this show I'm sure. I can't imagine it will be anything but Americas Top Model That Happens To Be Tattooed.

Hiro just posted this. Thumbs up.

So lame.

Apprenticeship shows? Fucking ridiculous. How about one for the front desk? Or tattoo shop hanger-outers?
Why are we getting more exploited than others? Are there ice trucking/lumberjack spin-off shows strictly about dudes first week on the job? Apprenticeship biker build shows? I don't watch any of that shit so if I'm right and don't even know it that's pretty fucking sad.
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Side note; if this were a show of 'tattoo models' meaning tattoos that are designed & composed well with the body itself regardless of age or body shape, that could have potential.
That won't be this show I'm sure. I can't imagine it will be anything but Americas Top Model That Happens To Be Tattooed.

I haven't been getting tattooed nearly long enough to have any credibility to say this, but fuck, I hope tattoos go out of style really soon.

Apprenticeship shows? Fucking ridiculous. How about one for the front desk? Or tattoo shop hanger-outers?
Why are we getting more exploited than others? Are there ice trucking/lumberjack spin-off shows strictly about dudes first week on the job? Apprenticeship biker build shows? I don't watch any of that shit so if I'm right and don't even know it that's pretty fucking sad.
- - - Updated - - -
Side note; if this were a show of 'tattoo models' meaning tattoos that are designed & composed well with the body itself regardless of age or body shape, that could have potential.
That won't be this show I'm sure. I can't imagine it will be anything but Americas Top Model That Happens To Be Tattooed.

Hiro just posted this. Thumbs up.

Neurosis in Denver in October, can't wait for that. It's probably been 15 or so years since I saw them last.

Once again everything Slayer just said

Fuck. I'd be done with it at that point. "Thanks! I'll see ya next when I've managed to forget what I just went through!"

Fuck. I'd be done with it at that point. "Thanks! I'll see ya next when I've managed to forget what I just went through!"

Hiro just posted this. Thumbs up.

Hiro just posted this. Thumbs up.