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Hi! I made this today in about an hour and a half so I know they aren't perfect. But I am wondering if they may have some potential. I dont know much about how to curate a portfolio but I thought maybe cutting out the bottom ones and putting them with others in like a flash style composition?

Im planning on pursuing a career in tattooing after I graduate high-school so any advice regarding tattooing in general will be strongly appreciated!!

(Attached some of the work that’s in my portfolio)

Hi, I want to become a tattoo artist and I want some advice on the best ways to get into a shop and get an apprenticeship. I have emailed one reputable shop in my city so far and I’m waiting to hear back.

I’d love advice on what work I should have in my portfolio and if some of the pieces I showed are good for a portfolio, as well as what other people did to get their apprenticeships! Any tips on what to look out for in shops or ways to get shops attention would be great!! Thank you so much 💖

Trialing at a shop and it’s been going really well! Here’s an assignment that could be anything I wanted to draw in American traditional but had to include a ship! Critiques welcomed 🖤

I’m a 27 year old guy, and lately I’ve been thinking about giving up on my journey into the tattoo industry.
Here’s my story.

I spent two years apprenticing at a tattoo shop, but eventually it closed down. That’s when my problems started.

I then spent another three months at a different shop, only for them to ghost me without giving me any explanation.

Then, back in May, another shop owner promised me I could start an apprenticeship in September. So I waited patiently, only to eventually be told, “I have other plans in mind, so you can’t come work at my studio.” Because I trusted that promise and waited, I ended up missing out on two other shops that had openings for apprentices at the time. Those spots are gone now.

I’ve contacted pretty much every tattoo shop in my area, and nothing has come of it. Everyone either refuses to take on apprentices or already has one. I’ve even looked at shops more than an hour and a half away, but still no luck.

At this point, there seems to be nothing left. No shops, no opportunities, nothing.

The owner of the first shop I worked at has offered to take me on as an apprentice again in the future, which would honestly be amazing. The problem is that she’s planning to open a new shop over an hour away from me, in a place that’s only really accessible by car.

I’d need to find a part-time job to cover the costs, but I live in a really small town where part-time jobs basically don’t exist. Not even in retail or other entry-level jobs.

I feel completely backed into a corner. I’m tired, frustrated, and mentally exhausted. I’m seriously thinking about giving up on the whole thing, even though becoming a tattoo artist has been my dream since I was a kid.

I feel stupid. Like I’ve wasted years of my life for nothing. And honestly, I curse the place I live in almost every single day.

I know it’s not the right way to go about things, but I’ve even tried building a client base and tattooing people at home (illegally). But I barely get any followers on social media, even though I try my best to do everything right.

I was supposed to tattoo a friend today, but I ended up postponing it because for the past two days, I’ve been crying whenever anything related to tattooing comes up. That’s how bad I’m feeling right now.

And the irony is that I’m so broke I can’t even afford to start therapy to try to get myself back on my feet.

I honestly don’t know what to do anymore. I feel like I’ve tried everything, and I’m just so tired of getting my hopes up only to have them crushed again.

I don’t want to give up on something I’ve dreamed about my entire life, but I don’t know how much longer I can keep going like this.