Where to begin? I have wanted to be a tattoo artist for a very long time now. It always seemed to be something too far out of my grasp to do more than just dream about it.
The traditional entry into the field involves begging an experienced tattoo artist to take you in as an apprentice where you work for free, cleaning and taking out the trash, and occassionally getting to "watch" a tattoo being created. Eventually, you will be allowed to handle the tattoo machine. Meanwhile you are not getting paid. And I have a house payment. I can't afford to work for free.
So life goes on. I work at one job and then another. Currently I am a plant lady. I water and maintain interior plants at offices and hospitals and restaurants. But with the current "economic downturn" (read: Depression) my accounts have been cutting back and some have even cancelled their plant service. My paycheck is getting smaller and smaller. It's time for another career change.
Looking back at some of my past interests, I considered going back to school to finish that Paralegal program I had started back in 1977. I thought of applying to law school - a way to put my History degree to work. I even got a book to study for the LSAT. All the while, in the back of my head, was this nagging notion of learning to tattoo.
Eventually, those thoughts began to twist and turn and I started to think of it in other ways. Why don't I learn how to remove tattoos? There is certainly a market for that. Right? Aren't there people who acted impulsively and have now come to regret that crazy tattoo on their neck? Or maybe they are no longer happy to have Mickey Mouse covering their calf. I should learn how to do this!
So I researched. Typical tattoo removal involves lasers. Lasers require specialized training only offered to those with a medical background or to Estheticians. Estheticians? What is this? Estheticians are skin care specialists. They typically do facials, microdermabrasions, skin peels, face massages, makeup, waxing, micropigmentation..... Micro-what? Pigmentation? Pigments, as in ink? Micropigmentation = permanent makeup = facial tattoo. Well, well, well.
So I've enrolled in a program to become certified as an Esthetician. I start March 2nd. I've ordered my textbook and workbook. I have also ordered a tattoo machine so that I can start practicing that too. At some point I will find a way to get laser training.
The traditional entry into the field involves begging an experienced tattoo artist to take you in as an apprentice where you work for free, cleaning and taking out the trash, and occassionally getting to "watch" a tattoo being created. Eventually, you will be allowed to handle the tattoo machine. Meanwhile you are not getting paid. And I have a house payment. I can't afford to work for free.
So life goes on. I work at one job and then another. Currently I am a plant lady. I water and maintain interior plants at offices and hospitals and restaurants. But with the current "economic downturn" (read: Depression) my accounts have been cutting back and some have even cancelled their plant service. My paycheck is getting smaller and smaller. It's time for another career change.
Looking back at some of my past interests, I considered going back to school to finish that Paralegal program I had started back in 1977. I thought of applying to law school - a way to put my History degree to work. I even got a book to study for the LSAT. All the while, in the back of my head, was this nagging notion of learning to tattoo.
Eventually, those thoughts began to twist and turn and I started to think of it in other ways. Why don't I learn how to remove tattoos? There is certainly a market for that. Right? Aren't there people who acted impulsively and have now come to regret that crazy tattoo on their neck? Or maybe they are no longer happy to have Mickey Mouse covering their calf. I should learn how to do this!
So I researched. Typical tattoo removal involves lasers. Lasers require specialized training only offered to those with a medical background or to Estheticians. Estheticians? What is this? Estheticians are skin care specialists. They typically do facials, microdermabrasions, skin peels, face massages, makeup, waxing, micropigmentation..... Micro-what? Pigmentation? Pigments, as in ink? Micropigmentation = permanent makeup = facial tattoo. Well, well, well.
So I've enrolled in a program to become certified as an Esthetician. I start March 2nd. I've ordered my textbook and workbook. I have also ordered a tattoo machine so that I can start practicing that too. At some point I will find a way to get laser training.
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