Tattoo School? Are you kidding me?
n.a
So, today, on Facebook, a pretty good friend of mine, who happens to be a tattoo artist, joined a group about boycotting a new show on TLC, called Tattoo School.
A woman teaches 'students' how to tattoo. In two weeks.
I'm sorry, but that's f-ing degrading. I know too many artists who have, first of all, spent twenty+ years developing their drawing skills, and have spent FAR more than two weeks APPRENTICING for other artists.
My friend apprenticed for nearly two years, spending a vast majority of her free time practicing on oranges and tangerines and synthetic skin and the like. She did not tattoo a person until she had it down, and it was not accomplished in a mere two weeks. They are letting these fresh 'students' tattoo on living human beings (who, I'm willing to bet, will come to regret some of the poorer tattoos that they receive- this is not like cutting hair). From the looks of things (and looking at the tattoo school's website), they aren't quite properly equipped (no bags over the machines, etc).
I find it disgusting. Completely and utterly disgusting and degrading that they are going to air something like that. People spend years and years and years trying to perfect their trade, and they're going to 'teach' people how to do that in two weeks.
I get it, everyone wants to be a tattoo artist. It's hard work to get there. It should never be easy, because, dammit, nothing in life is easy. I just...ugh. I have no more words.
And if you think this whole 'tattoo school' thing is a good idea, I will kindly ask you to keep your opinion to yourself, because IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA. EVER.
Tattoo school sounds like the worst thing that could possibly be a "class"... and on TV.
TLC just loves to have crappy shows that feature the worst people. Like New York Ink... it's just a bunch of people yelling at each other. Only 5% of that show is ever really about tattoos themselves.
I could understand if it was piercing school, because that's a trade that's much easier to learn... But a tattoo gun can either be a bad machine or a good one.
People are just going to walk out of the "Tattoo School" shops with really dumb, crooked, and messy sparrow and heart/star tattoos.
I want to boycott that BS, too!
I looked at their eh....'portfolio'.
Most of everything there is flash art. I saw two of the exact same tattoo, just done in different colors. Being a tattoo artist is about so much more than just the flash art. It makes me want to cry when people don't realize how much effort goes into being a tattoo artist.
Cassie
Ugh, I didn't here about this til now because I don't have cable, but what a terrible idea! I LOVE tattoos. I love getting them but I am very picky about who tattoos me, to me it's hard enough to find the "right" artist with out having to worry about what is obviously going to produce half taught wanna bes -_-; UGH. I wanna boycott too!
xoxo- Brook
This sounds so stuipid.
I know nothing about the topic, but you prove really good points...
I agree with you^^
Dragoness
no offense to tattooists, but i wouldnt trust someone who had just started tattooing,maybe if they were supervised by someone who had been doing it for years who would step in if the tattooist was going to do something wrong.
tattoos are permenant, and skill, training and years of practise are vital i think.
in summary, Pixii, i totally agree.
on a side note: i dislike reality tv such as 16 and pregnant, the only way is essex, next top model, big brother etc. and soaps.
The television channel TLC is about to start showing a programme called Tattoo School, following a group of people with aspirations to become tattooists as they go through a two week course. For $4800, and 80 hours of ‘lessons’, these people are then sent away with a brand new tattoo machine to continue their lives as tattooists.
Here at Skunx we think this is not just irresponsible but also an insult to all of the artists who learnt their trade by apprenticing with a licensed expert. The artist who has set up the schools is not someone we’ve ever heard of.
Becoming a tattooist is not something that can be taught in two weeks. It's not simply about knowing the mechanics of how to tattoo, it's about creating the best possible tattoo and experience for the person involved. Knowing how to prevent infection, cross contamination and other potential risks is one of the most important things that a tattooist needs to learn.
Aside from these health concerns, we also think the show raises questions about the ethics of sending people out to potentially scar others after mere weeks of training. This programme is giving the impression that learning to tattoo is a short process which can be undertaken by anyone. It isn’t.
We are regulated and licensed by the local authority, who we pay to regularly inspect the premises and our equipment to ensure the highest possible standards. Working in this profession is not something that should be undertaken lightly. The thought of people thinking that they are fully qualified to tattoo after two weeks horrifies all of us here.
The industry is fighting back and we would implore you to sign this petition calling for the show to be pulled from the air http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/tattooschool/
Nick, Steve, Kerry, Darren and Hannah
Skunx Tattoo, London, UK
Thanks for posting that particular petition!
Here are two others that can be signed.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stoptattooschool/
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/boycotttattooschool/
Well, to turn such a serious profession into a reality show (which, I imagine, will end up running along the same vein as Miami Ink, LA Ink, and now, NY Ink, which all teach people that absurd drama frequently takes place in tattoo shops, and that only assholes tattoo, which is so far away from the truth I can't even shake a stick at it) is to teach those who know very little about the profession that tattoo artists around the world are unprofessional and dramatic. While this can be true in some cases, as with anything, the reputable tattoo shops that I've been to have ALWAYS been incredibly professional, and I have never personally witnessed any drama, nor have I heard of any.
If that show airs, my couple of friends who are tattoo artists are sure to get flack about it every day. "HEY did you go to school for tattooing lol". They both apprenticed for at least a year, and it was hard work. It was far more than 80 hours of TATTOOING ON PEOPLE. It's degrading to allow people to think that that's all it takes to tattoo.
"Next on TLC's line of new shows- TWO WEEK PLASTIC SURGEON! TWO WEEK DENTIST!" < That's not true or anything, just making an example of other serious careers.
I signed the petitions thanks for the links!
I don't have any tattoos myself but I have got a friend with several tattoos and each one is a beautiful piece of art. I think the concept of this crash course is an insult to all the tattoo artists (and they are artists) out there who work for years to reach a very high standard. Tattoo school seems to be other in a long line of TV programmes made by, performed and watched by morons. Seriously, take "The only way is Essex" or "Made in Chelsea". Why would watching chavs with more money than sense air their brain farts on national television be in any way interesting. And this has been dubbed entertainment. What is the world coming to?!
LesLee P.
petions signed and posted to my facebook!!!
This is the most idiotic idea for a tv show I've ever heard!!!!
Every tattoo artist I know is pissed.
Hopefully it'll get shut down before it even gets started.
hopefully
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