A possible career in body art using your art makes for an exciting change.
No one wants to be unhappy in their chosen career. After all, the goal should be to find a job that provides a good income while also being enjoyable. Showing up to work every day unsatisfied with your choices can lead to all kinds of problems. Taking a step back to assess your needs and your desires can allow you to realize there are other things you’d rather do. For example, your particular passion might lie with art. Creating beautiful images can be more than just a hobby — it could be your job. If you’ve taken steps to decide on a career change and you know it’s the right choice, why not take the plunge?
A possible career in body art using your art makes for an exciting change. Perhaps you’ve even seen the TV shows that follow the lives of professional tattoo artists. While it takes hard work and determination to learn the trade, the result is rewarding. Being a successful artist is about combining your artistic ability with business savvy. After all, you’ll practically be an independent business. Before that, though, you must learn the skills. What steps must you take to accomplish that?
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Practice your art.
Before you can truly dive into developing as a tattoo artist, your artistic skills need refinement. Start drawing lots more. Try working on personal designs. Ask friends if they’ve ever thought about tattoos; sketch out their ideas. Begin building a portfolio of your best drawings, tattoo designs, and other work. This practice will be very helpful throughout the process. Not only can you watch yourself improve, but you can demonstrate your ability to others.
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Familiarize yourself with the basics.
Speak to some local tattoo artists about how they developed their career. Don’t forget to ask them about the business side of things, too. You can learn a lot from their experience in the industry. Also, work to familiarize yourself with piercing equipment and basic tattoo machine operation. Learn about the standards industry artists are held to, at least on a basic level. You may even want to learn about the history of tattooing. This foundational understanding will give you a base from which to grow.
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Apprenticeship is a big test for any aspiring tattoo artist.
Traditionally, one would apprentice to another artist in a long and often frustrating process. Skip the traditional route and go another way with an apprenticeship school, like the Academy of Responsible Tattooing. At this point, you will learn everything you need to know to work independently. At the same time, you may notice that many tattoo artists also offer piercing services. A.R.T. offers apprenticeships in this area as well, should you decide to broaden your skill base.
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Work through your program.
Whichever you choose, whether it is tattooing or piercing, dedicate yourself to your studies. Practice as much as possible. Developing your abilities throughout the program will give you an excellent head start. In combination with research and learning on the business side, you’ll be ready to launch in no time. Don’t forget to pursue all the relevant licenses you will need to operate as well. Displaying these in your work location is often a legal requirement.
- Find a place to grow your new skills. Upon completion of your program, it’s time to head out into the world to develop your career. Whether you choose to rent space in a shop or open your own location is up to you. Remember, though: being a good tattoo artist is all about excellent customer service and smart business practices.
Enrolling in an A.R.T. body piercing apprenticeship or tattoo program is an exciting moment. It signals you’re taking a big step forward in being your own boss! Not just that, but soon you’ll see the results of your hard work displayed on other people. Giving individuals the unique look they want is a rewarding experience, so don’t just continue to daydream about a career in body art. You can find out for yourself and make it your job!
