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bovver
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 Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:41 am Post subject: So, I'm running into a bit of a problem: |
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Here's the deal.
I have been trying unsuccessfully to find an apprenticeship in my area for some time now. I have a decent portfolio, and almost all my work is my own original flash. (I have about 36 hours in the chair total.)
I had a brief apprenticeship with a fellow at a shop not too far from where I live for about 6 months before he no-call-no-showed to work and vanished off the face of the planet. Noone else there was able to take me on, so I kinda got screwed.
I have brought my portfolio to four other different places, all of which had artists who claimed they were interested in seeing my work, and when I got there, it became less about my portfolio and more about the artist wanting a date. First off, I'm engaged, second off, I don't believe that screwing the artist for an apprenticeship is any way to gain respect in this business or any other.
This frustrates the hell out of me. I'd like to be taken seriously. I present myself respectfully, my artwork is good (considering I have it permanently inked all over me, I'd hope it is anyhow), and I really would like to get into the business, but I'm getting more and more frustrated with this type of shit.
I guess my question is, is there a better way to go about "knocking on doors"? Is there a more demure way to present myself besides a t-shirt and jeans? (perhaps a burlap sack?)? Or am I just having shit luck in dealing with sexist pricks and should say fuck'em and keep trying elsewhere?
I'm at a bit of a loss here, and not sure what to do. Moving out of my area really isn't an option. 
Thanks. |
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evilrockangel
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| Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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Damn, I feel for you. Your situation sucks, sounds like you really have a dead end on your hands. How do you feel about driving out of your area to find an apprenticeship and commuting? Maybe a hour or so in another direction would help. And a suit jacket and wide leg pants help when you need to have a penis actual hear what is coming out of your mouth. (I know it seems a bit formal, but the jacket covers the girls better than any thing I've found.)
Good luck with your search. Let us know what happens.
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davey_p
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| Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:03 am Post subject: |
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honestly i think your going about this kind of wrong
first do you only have flash work in your porfolio? do you have realism, is it a sence of your own style. Did you get your work critiqued by other artist?
the problem with flash art in general is that it can look copied, you have to show your artistic ability before you can step into an apprenticeship> You better have one of everything, color, flash, realism, black and grey, script, and just random drawings of what you love to draw
second dont call and show up to the shop, if there dicks theyll prepare themselves to incounter you, main thing about apprenticeships that you have to understand is that there like joining a feternity, actually a feternity thats very hard to get into.
that could just be them testing you, remember you have to be down to do almost anything!!! i had to walk at a tattoo convention in a dress!! so be prepared to do just about anything
the best way to approach them, is by coming in with your portfolio and be very anti apprenticeship. What i mean by that is first always check out the shop, just go through there portfolios, look at there shop. Just hang out for a little bit. If they ask if you need help just say you wanted to just check out the shop
then if you like the shop, and see yourself there, talk to one of the artist there ask him if he/she has time for a question. (best time to do this is when there outside smoking, if possible) Once you get there attention just be like,
"hey i need help im building my portfolio and i wanted to see if im going in the right direction"..... and just build conversation off of that, and just watch how that conversation explodes
main thing is if they say no, keep going to the shop (only if you really like the shop), getting one is not easy at all, you need to just keep going become a regular, be friendly and dont be afraid to flirt, shit you got boobs use them.. lol
what i mean by that is dont be afraid to use your "beauty" as an advantage and not a disadvantage
remember they dont just let random people become apprentice, you have to show that your up for anything, im going through 6 months of hazing.. and im sure thats at every tattoo shop
good luck
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bovver
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 10:13 am Post subject: |
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Thing is, I don't want to "use my boobs" hehe... I'm getting married in September so I really have to be businesslike. Usually I show up in some jeans and a girlie shirt (partly because I can be attractive that way without looking like a sleaze out to fuck my way into a shop and partly so they can see my arms where alot of my own work is already inked.
My portfolio consists of some flash, some realism, and some renaissance style art (one drawing I have is of the archangel Michael done in pencil). I hadn't done any script for it, but perhaps I should. I'll take your advice and expand on it more in every direction.
Thing is, it doesn't even get to the point that I have really gotten to show them my work... It turns sour in the middle of the starting conversation. :\
Ill have to try how you say and just kinda be a semi-fixture at a shop. There is one up the road form me I'd love to work at. The owner has an amazing reputation and his artwork is incredible. he's also an older guy, so maybe that might affect how he acts toward me. |
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clily
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 11:56 am Post subject: |
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| Are you set on doing your apprenticeship in a specific shop? If not have you looked around for a shop that maybe already has a couple women working in it whose work you like/admire and who might be more sympathetic to what youre having to deal with? |
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EvilJay
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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How many shops have you been to that have "a couple women working in it"??? And that happen to be looking for an appretice?????  |
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CxCx
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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Seriously, if guys simply can't stop "laying the mack down" on you long enough to look at your work, then find a shop with either a homosexual male or a heterosexual female artist.
If you want it bad enough and work hard enough for it, you'll be able to open a door. It just takes time and (more importantly) persistance.
Keep at it, best of luck in the hunt
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evilrockangel
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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| CxCx wrote: | Seriously, if guys simply can't stop "laying the mack down" on you long enough to look at your work, then find a shop with either a homosexual male or a heterosexual female artist.
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Seriously CxCx- I can't even imagine you saying 'laying the mack down'!! Now I can't stop snickering.. 
FYI--I don't know a huge amount of female artists, but ALL the ones I know are bi..finding a hetero female artist in my area would be like finding a unicorn.
bovver--I really respect you for not using your sexuality to get what you want. Its a rare quality anymore. Good luck, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
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no, I dont look for trouble usually |
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Live4him
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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Evilrock, my old mentor was a woman, and married to the other artist in the shop. I also know of quite a few straight female artists around the area.
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evilrockangel
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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 Maybe its something in the water down here... 
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CxCx
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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I've met a few dozens female tattoo artists and they've run the gamut of marital status and sexual preferences. I wouldn't say it's impossible by any stretch, though, sdmitedly, the majority of the female tattoo artists I know are Bi as well.
The "laying the mack" down thing was definitely done tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek. On occassion, while speaking to my "cool" friends, I'l speak to them, very dryly and in a deadpan manner, in ebonics. Only THEN to they typically realize how goofy they sound.
Just think of Leslie Nielsen, straight from "The Naked Gun", saying "Fo' Shizzle My Nizzle. What be up in this hizzie?"......yeah, nobody gets me, lol.
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Live4him
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:57 pm Post subject: |
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| evilrockangel wrote: | | Maybe its something in the water down here... |
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mental note. Move there.
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evilrockangel
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:08 pm Post subject: |
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Two of the female artist I know are married. But its a 'bring your girlfriend home to daddy' kinda relationship.
CxCx I totally get it..and I am kinda jealous of kitten. 
L4H--you turn 18 in October, right?
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hanalotus
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:11 pm Post subject: |
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Evilrock, have I told you yet that I am absolutely entranced by your sig. Damn!
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evilrockangel
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| Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:15 pm Post subject: |
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Hmmm, entranced in a fadetoblack can't look away kinda way or a wish it was longer kinda way?
I would have changed it long ago, but I never get tired of Jessica. or Sin City.
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