Joe Capobianco

Hey Mike, You miss understand me. and I unfortunately did not make my point entirely clear.

In past posts. on several message boards, and blogs, over the years, I defended the apprenticeship standpoint. But also made a point in saying that there are many phenomenal artists in the world that did not get into the industry in this manner. They did start out in there Kitchens, homes, banging up there friends, and family first, and getting there chops that way. Eventually making it to where they are today. I'd never dispute that. Its the individual that makes the difference here. When you blatantly make getting into the trade this easy (thru schools, shitty suppliers, insane amount of tattoo adverts), than you invite every lazy ass, knuckle head, dumb ass that thinks they'd make a good tattooist. Not to mention the fact that the school is ill prepared to properly teach folks.

That is what this post was about. Granted, it does sound as if I come off a bit heavy handed, in favor of apprenticeships. Not entirely my intention. But when I say that it should be made more difficult for individuals to get into this industry. I mean it. Tattooing is not, and should not be for everyone. I stated that I loathe the idea of a standard of teaching, and am against state, and federal governments getting involved (probably didn't make that clear enough). But by the same token something needs to be done. Obviously we've lost the ability to govern our selves.

You are correct I've done the Miami Ink thing, Hell I may even do more like it. I find the media to be a powerful tool, and feel that good people should be showcased in it. And the only way that happens is when good people step forth, and take them. Tattoo schools are a nightmare, and there are many located throughout the world. Are you a tattooist, do you not see the pressure that is put on the local tattoo shops, and feel that there is just tooo fucking much?! All IM saying is that if you take on an apprentice, than make sure its the right one. Know the people you teach, and bring in. Because that individual can easily fuck you and everyone around you with poor, and spite full decisions that can easily effect your business, and those around you.

Again too much to say, and probably too much said already.

Hello Mr. Capobianco' date='

Thank you for posting your thoughts about this topic here.

I am not a tattoo artist, but I am interested in your thoughts about the following parallel, which I think is a valid one.

There are numerous arts/trades, whose knowledge was once only passed from parent to child, master to apprentice, whether in a family business or guild/association. Areas such as painting, drawing, medicine, carpentry, baking, cooking, dance, etc. etc.

Eventually, each of these arts/trades formed schools or were subsumed into traditional university or colleges.

I do not believe that transition has devastated those arts/trades.

If someone can learn how to cook and feed people in a school setting, why, in principle could someone not learn to tattoo in a school setting?

People learn to become doctors, soldiers, lawyers, physicists, etc. in a school setting.

But tattooing can only be properly learned in a Master/Apprentice relationship?

I have not seen this show, so cannot speak to it specific merits, but as an overall guiding principle for the craft of tattooing:

[b']Why is the master teaching an apprentice relationship the only valid way of passing knowledge in this particular craft?[/b]

Could a school be crafted that would offer a valid way to pass along tattoo knowledge?

In my own profession, cooking, I think that a merging of the two, schooling and apprenticeship would seem a promising path to take.

Thank you again for your post.

And thank you for your own contribution to tattooing, I think you have a beautiful and enduring style.

Hey Jaycel, I understand what you mean, and yes trade schools do work when your talking about teaching many individuals the proper way to perform there trade. Electricians, Plumbers, bricklayers, Hell even cooks, should all be taught the proper way to perform there tasks, if there going into a certain type of business.

Fortunately for these individuals, these jobs are usually very numerous, and sometimes easier to find work in. Tattooing is a small world, with already too many people performing them. Shops open on a daily basis sometimes, and quite a few of the individuals getting in. have already had a poor apprenticeship. Now add schools that claim to be able to churn an individual artist out in just 2 short weeks. The results can be devastating!

Also lets not forget that with most "trade schools", there is an organization, or union that governs its curriculum, and controls (most of the time) there schooling, and where and if these individuals work (in some union jobs). IM gonna side with most peoples beliefs that just about every individual involved with these So called tattoo Schools barely have a clue as to what there doing, let alone the ability to teach others. Also note, that to my knowledge this is not an accredited (by state, or law) school in any way, shape, or form. SO to say that there is a certificate given at the end of said course, is total BS. This certificate is literally, not worth the paper it is printed on.

There are already states in this country that do require a tattooist to attend 1 of these so called tattoo schools. This I believe is simply to ease the jobs of local health departments, and have all individuals learning, & working under the same guidelines. Do I agree with this. Hell no. I've met individuals from these schools (forced to attend by there states laws), and they were both Upset, and sadly disappointed by both the quality of teacher, and artists teaching said classes.

My recommendation (And I hope this never happens) is that these states mandate that the "Schools" themselves be forced to take classes on proper procedures, and teaching abilities. I believe that being a greedy as fuck, People Person, does not make one a teacher! Also these schools should be accredited. Hell lets make it official than. These schools should be forced to pay the same dues, taxes, and licenses as a proper school. And should have to abide by the same standards. Or not be called schools at all. Call them for what they are. Crooks, taking money from ignorant, impatient people, who have chosen to take the easy way in to tattooing.

I've often said that while getting into tattooing can be both tedious, and frustrating. Not everyone is meant to be a tattooist. There is a reason why a person apprentices. Things to be taught, and handed down. Granted not all apprenticeships are worth a damn. And in my eyes those are just as bad as schools (all together another rant). But I believe that by making an individual find there apprenticeship, making them jump through a few hoops, and creating an environment that perhaps forces, or intrigues them to learn a bit about the history of this business. Than I think over all you'll end up with a tattooist who cares a bit more about what he does, and when and IF they choose to take on an apprentice later in there career. Its hoped that they will instill the same amount of respect for this industry, as they learned.

Of course, I personally half think this is all a pipe dream, because I think that the majority of the reason we're in the position we're in (too many shops, too many tattooists, too many suppliers, and too many conventions), is because all that I just said was forgotten a long, long time ago (by many, but not all), and the main reason were in the fix were in today, is because of US. The lowly tattooist, trying to make a living, any way they see how. Greedy Fucks, are greedy fucks. No matter what they do for a living.

Not certain that this response/post made a ton of sense. There really is so much on my mind, and too much to say. I guess this is just the beginning. Especially as things in my life, and career start to change.

I hope this answered some of your Questions Jaycel.