Hi there!

Hey forumites,

I’m LJ, a complete newbie to the art of tattooing. I have been interested in it for years, have four tattoos so far and many more planned. I have been thinking about getting into it myself for at least six years. I’m most of the way to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewellery and Metals, though taking some time off. I’m also in the vast frozen north of Canada, though it’s very spring-like now!

A large portion of what I want to do is incorporate the practice skins into my various artworks, and while I’d love to end up tattooing people eventually, that’s a goal for another year after I’ve had a LOT of practice. ;)

Anyway, I hope to learn a lot from you folks, and I hope you won’t take my questions poorly. I’m currently looking at this endeavour as an artistic process rather than a professional one, so I haven’t really considered apprenticing with anyone at this point. I am happy to take any suggestions or advice you pros have for me, and learning what I can through this site.

I was just gifted a Hildbrandt .44 Winchester for Easter (my dad is a tattoo fan and has a number himself, so is very supportive) so it’s a very exciting day!

Thanks in advance for not eating my face. ;) I am eager to learn the right way to go about things, I am grabbing recommended books, etc. I appreciate the opportunity to chat with people who have been doing this a while. Cheers!