Marlowe doesn’t take apprentices, Bethesda has a full house and Liaa doesn’t own the shop so the apprentices wouldn’t be hers anyway (she did tell me to contact the owner in a few months, more on that in a minute)

And Lady Octopus just took an apprentice

The GOOD news is, Lady Octopus and Liaa at Bethesda both looked over my portfolio and gave me some feedback and direction for what to provide to them later, or to other shops now

Liaa in particular gave me a bunch of resources to learn, emulate, and the diverge from so that I have a proper tattooist portfolio (she said mine was a good portfolio for a general artist, but needs work)

Lady Octopus gave guidance about the master-apprentice contract, what to expect, and made sure I’d keep myself a good candidate for them or others in the future (that is, telling me what to work on, what to do and not do)

Lady Octopus’s lead artist and Liaa are both former art students / Liaa is an ex art teacher, so it’s really cool that they were all so willing to help me and tell me how to make myself a more desirable apprentice

Bummer they weren't in a place to accept, but awesome that they were so helpful!

SO. I’m taking a few months to focus on building up my portfolio with flash art, line work, and Sailor Jerry inspired designs, along with more of my ink and watercolor work

Because they want to see that, especially.

And it’s not that I CAN’T do it, it’s just that I haven’t done enough refined work of those to make an entire portfolio, which...for a tattoo apprentice, needs to be 50-100 pieces, not 25-30

Annnnd aside from that, my ass hurts, I haven’t skated in two weeks because of my tailbone, and Im overindulging in Skyrim because sewerwolf has it now and Ngl it’s fun to play alongside a friend even if it’s not an MMO

Bethesdaaaaa gaaaames

Oh and my medication’s been adjusted so I can now sit down and read without getting distracted. That’s nice

Exacerangutan: yeah I’m...kind of caught in a weird intersection of shame, disappointment, gratitude, and eagerness?

Like I’m ashamed of my portfolio being seen and being THe Wrong Thing, I wish they COULD take me, but I’m glad they helped and I’m ready/willing to do the work to show I CAN do this

Nothing’s ever handed to you etc etc etc

The line work should be easy, it’s just what I was doing before without adding color, no problem

It’s really great that they gave you all that advice!

The sailor jerry and flash will be a challenge because I’m not used to that style, and I don’t have anyone to sit and teach me except professor YouTube

I'm glad they gave you feedback, it sounds like they are really interested in you!

intrepid, talented fucko

glad u had fun pickpocketing your pissy but forgiving sweaty

I FEEL SO GUILTY ABOUT PICKPOCKETING AND THEN KILLING HIM???

GONNA LEAVE A MARK

THAT SOMEONE ELSE IS GONNA HAVE TO HELP HEAL

:3

:3

I followed you here from your tattoo advertisement but I came to mention that Liaa is awesome and I got my first tattoo from her years ago in 2012

i'm glad she helped you

kriskristofferson: I've been going to her for my tattoos for years, as well. She's just...a fantastic role model and amazing mentor, and I hope someday I can be of her caliber ;.;

I'd really like to see what she did for you!

They are a family of wood ducks on my feet!

let me see if i have a decent pic

this one is old from 2012

on the foot you can't see it's a baby duckling

they could probably use a touch-up but i think they still look nice settled

Oh my gosh that's wonderful!!

this is the baby now

color a bit faded but i think it still looks pretty good

oh noooo it's so cute ;.; And definitely her work

she was a great first tatt experience

She's usually the first to offer touch-ups; you should go back! She's at Bethesda Ink now

I don't live terribly close anymore so it's hard for me to get out there. I HOPE TO SOMEDAY

Ahhh yeah I get you

I used to live in crystal city and moved up to NJ back with my family

now crystal city is amazon city so lol

iiiiiit's true

I'm off Van Dorn, and everything is like...Apartments going up everywhere and no one can afford

no one could ever afford the entire area even 10 years ago tbh

it's just getting worse

I mean got me there~

I swear, at least if I get an apprenticeship, I'll have a skill I can use anywhere, preferably far from here

GOOD LUCK! I hope after building your resume you'll be able to get one!

Thank you!