An Introduction…. Finally

Hey all,

I have written a few posts and replies over the past week or two and thought it was time to finally introduce myself to those interested.

My name is Ben from Sydney Australia and I am a full time Medic in the Royal Australian Navy. I started tattooing about two and a half years ago when I bought a tattoo kit from a supplier at the Sydney Tattoo Expo. I thought at the time that it would be cheaper than paying for tattoo’s as in Sydney the average price for a tattoo is about $160 per hour. Sometimes upto $220 an hour… Obviously, I was wrong, because at the time I had no idea what I was doing and was just “scratching”.

Luckily, being a medic I am very much aware of the dangers of blood borne pathogens, and the use of personal protective equipment, sterilization and a clean/sterile environment. However, I had no one to teach me so I went to the web. Luckily I found the book sold by this site and have read through it many times taking down notes on the important stuff. Also have bought a few different instructional DVD’s and Googled like there was no tomorrow.

Unfortunately due to my full time job in the Navy, and the 6 year contract to being up yet, I have not been able to get an apprenticeship as no one wants a wekkend only apprentice haha. :lol: I have been practicing on myself, family and friends who are willing to get free tattoos and have also used some practice skin and pig skin. Before I continue I would like to point out I only ever use disposable grips tips and needles pre sterilized. Plus I also dispose of nipples, cups, and all else, and only use small single use packets of vasolene and a&d ointment.

Once I get a chance, I will load up some pictures of my work as well.

What I really want is to become a full time Tattoo Artist, and I have found someone in Sydney I would love to learn under, but I am going to have a few tattoo’s done by her first to get a relationship going. She already knows I am a “scratcher” at the moment and is still willing to tattoo me so that a bonus! :)

I would love any advice you people can give me and I take critisism very well (big part of Navy life haha) so please feel free.

If there is anyone in Sydney in the same situation as me I would love to hear from you so we can confer and discuss technique etc.

Cheers,
Ben.