Life’s opportunities vs our choices 😉👍

[PogArt-Ttoo]

Well, dear friends ~ by total coincidence I got introduced to the professional tattooist last Saturday …

We went to pay a visit to Michal (our nephew) who did turn 18th

There was Adam the tattooist.
He runs his business 2h away by car, so it isn’t near by, but not impossible to visit either.

All my wife’s family knows me for drawings, as I’m doing it for couple years already…

There was not surprise, that once I’ve appeared at their house, they introduced me to Adam…

Yes, I was very tired because I’ve just finished my long shift, and went there straight from work…

But talking to an artist was very enjoyable and it’s awaken me as well

What I’m trying to tell by sharing my story is that, Adam invited me to come over his studio.

He did offer help to let me try how the tattooist machine works, he promised to guide me through, to let me practice at his studio and help me to become the tattooist if I want to…

Well.
The only thing I was certain for all the time is that ~ I DO NOT WANT TO do any tattoos in my entire life !!!

I don’t know why, but last Saturday I saw the idea in different light?

I’m fed up driving buses.
Especially this year this is more noticeable, and affecting me than ever ago.

I’m very often being offended mostly by youths, promising to stab me one day, or asking to come out the cab to bit me up, or offering a free slap to my face …

Other people are usually asking for my driver number to make a formal complain agains me, simply threatening me, to look down on me…
Every time they aren’t happy, even though it’s usually not entirely my fault they’re upset…

I’m responsible for everything ~ literally everything.
For £15 per hour.
The driver’s mistake can easily get ended up being dismissed by company.

The customer has all the rights guaranteed.
The driver has the right to remain locked in the cab and being keen to the customer, or else …

Can you see the point?

So I was thinking to get retired sooner, and have peace of mind, enjoying the rest of my life until I can.

Looking for another job at my age wasn’t my temptation.
Where would I go, what would I do?
Factory for less money?
I couldn’t see it as a good idea at all.

So at this point meeting up Adam the tattooist was something I wasn’t ready for, yet ~ bringing some new ideas, challenge that I got interested …

Even if I’m fail ~ I’m not losing anything, yet ~ I have Adam who’s stunned with my artwork and he’s assuring me I’ve got right skills to become a tattooist and it can change my life forever ?

I’m after.
Yes.
I’m interested to follow what life has brought over…
Because if not now, then when?

So I’m planning to purchase the tattoo machine, some inks and the artificial skin

As I said earlier, Adam has invited me to pay visit to his studio.
He will show me techniques, he will teach me, he will give me his recommendation then to help me find tattoo studio near by me, but also he assured me I can stay at his studio if I would want to, and he’ll do anything to find a space for me…

I can keep driving buses, and in my free time going to Adam’s studio to learn and practice …

Well.
All my life I was avoiding getting involved into making tattoos…
I’m feeling silly now, sharing this story to you.
As it is not me.

Things changing.
Life is changing.
Is it the new path, right path for me to discover?
Nothing to lose really.

What you think dear friends?

[LindasPencils]

Very exciting news Artur!
Although I do not have any skin art myself, I do admire a lot of it. I have a couple of aquaintances who do tattooing (J, a friend of a friend of a friend kind of thing, and an art student)
...however, before you hand in your resignation notice, just a couple of things you should think about from what J has said to me
- Here we have a few rules about setting up/doing tattooing professionally. You must have a tattoo operators license, as well as a Higher Risk Personal Appearance Services licence (this has to do with safety and hygiene). Check what the laws are in the UK. I get that anyone can order a tattoo kit and start inking, but you do need to be aware of the safety hygiene aspects of the trade. As with any blood work there are risks and hazards to both you and your customers. Tattoo parlours can get shut down pretty quickly here if there is any instance of HIV, or Hep C or even just being assoiciated with 'bad' people (bikie gangs, underworld, etc)
- One thing this aquaintance has talked about is how he got into as an expression of his artistic talent. BUT, a good 80 or 90% of his customers aren't really interested in that. They just want their girlfriends/childs/boyfriends/mother's name inked. OR they want a design they have seen on a famous person. OR the standard tramp stamp, bluebird, etc, OR they want a design lifted from a cultural group they are not part of (e.g., Maori, Philipine, etc)
- And remember, you will still be dealing with the public. And many of that 'public' are going to be the same sort of idiot who abuse you on the bus. So if they are unhappy with the design or you make a mistake they can make your life hell.

NOT trying to rain on your parade! There are some beautiful and fabulous ink out there. And some amazing artists. Google '20 best tattoo artists in the world' to see some mind boggling work. It will take hard work, dedication and practice on your part. You have the talent, and it is just really a new brush and canvas for you to work on.

So embark on this new and joyfuly journey with open eyes and open heart and see where it takes you...

[PogArt-Ttoo]

Thank you for very wise words dear Linda
I am well aware what you’re saying.
I know it’ll be dealing with people as well, and I know what I can expect, just to mention my experience in the public transport, when in few seconds happy face can turn into hot red ~ for no reason …
I think I’ll benefit dealing with customers just because of the experience, as I can sort of sense the attitude …?
You’ve mention health safety ~ yes, I’m aware of that too, as we’ve been talking with Adam for few hours.
He actually focused on this subject, to make me aware that first thing is not putting an ink into someone’s arm, but making 100% sure of hygiene. He says we’re getting in touch to the blood, which is already a very high risk, and everyone has to be safe the tattooist and the client…
Obviously I don’t know about UK’s law regulations, it will come in time for sure, also I am not opening any business, so whenever I go to join some tattoo studio, they must have had gone through all this paper work and certificates, so I’m sure they’ll guide me what permissions I need to join them…
The buses…
I’m not leaving buses any soon too, that’s for sure.
I’m not even know where this new experience is going to lead me
What I’m saying is ~ my expectations are very low Linda.
I don’t know if tattooing is my thing either
So I’m not becoming a tattooist at this point at all.

All I wanted to share to you ~ is the window, that somebody has opened for me
Adam saw my artwork and therefore he did offer to help me to learn, provide all the practice needed and support me if I want to
Having this opportunity I just can not say no anymore, even if I never wanted making tattoos
It’s just the thing… thing that’s not happening every week, when somebody is willing to help you for nothing really, as he didn’t ask for any money for practice at his studio, for his time, supplying with accessories to practice when I’m there etc…
Yes I’ve asked him WHY me, WHY no money for training?
He said the life is not only about the money.
He said he had heard about me as family were mentioning my artwork, and he wanted to see my skills.
Adam said from what he saw, he knows already I can do tattoos, and he felt I need somebody’s help ~ and he can help, so this is not getting somebody to the studio and teaching him for money…
He said, it’s meeting up a talented guy who’s not achieving anything regardless of his talent, so he’s keen to give me a hand to try become a tattooist and change my life maybe if I want to

This is what is happening Linda.
I’m not expecting anything.

Somebody just had opened the window for me, and all my life being locked in the cage of missed opportunities ~ I have a hope now, that I can get fly out now when I have a chance and see where it will lead me…
I can get back to my cage too
You see, I get it as a message ~ now or never
How I end up this new adventure is unknown.
We can not change things that are before us, all we can is making choices…
So I’m choosing to go for it when I still can, because I’m sure I won’t meet any other tattooist, who runs his business and who will teach me for free…
I have heard about Adam for many years, as family members were showing me their fresh made tattoos …
I didn’t want to get in touch , what for … I don’t like making tattoos …
I’m not interested !
Can you see Linda?
Sometime in our life there is exact moment, the choice we’ve been waiting for …
We take it or lose it, the life goes on regardless…
Few days ago I’ve met up that guy, Adam, first time face to face…
I wasn’t willing to go to pay this visit, having great excuse being tired after work …
But I’ve chosen to go there…
If not ~ all this story wouldn’t be happened !
What a coincidence really…
We both have heard about ourselves, but never got in touch …
So I’m sure this is the right moment, it was meant to happen
I’m willing to try

Thank you for your keen words Linda

[LindasPencils]

Yes I’ve asked him WHY me, WHY no money for training?
He said the life is not only about the money.

What a lovely person!
He sounds genuine and someone who is interested in helping you on your art journey.
If it feels right in your 'gut', then go for it. At the very least, you could be doing actual designs and drawings for a tattooist like Adam.
Open that window a crack and breathe the air of freedom!
Enjoy.

(btw, what #bus? In London? I was on the #14 A LOT! )

[Mike Sibley]

First, that sounds like an amazing opportunity for you, Artur.

Second, I have absolutely no doubt that you'll be superb at it. Your pyrography alone tells us that. And your story-telling abilities.

I do have one reservation, and that is that tattoo parlours seem to closing faster than new ones are opening. It is perhaps not as popular now as it was recently.

Now, I'll state right now that I'm not a fan of tattooing, despite some beautiful works being created. I can't help thinking, "Are they really going to be this pleased with it when they're 80 and wrinkly?" But I also belong to the age group that winces every time I hear a glottal stop - and "TA-OO" is one of the worst! So you can probably ignore my opinion altogether.

However, I've been running Vincent Whitehead's website for over 20 years, and Vincent went down the tattooist path some years ago. His website is now dormant, but you can see how his ballpoint pen work easily translates to tattoo art: Rural-Route-One.com.

You could contact him through the website to ask about his adventure in tattooing?

I think you're very much like me. You're an artist who drives a bus for a living. I was an artist who, at that time, drove a taxi for a living. I don't know if you can move from full time to part-time as your business grows? Or maybe drive coaches part-time instead? I rented out my cab during the day and drove in the evening. Then sold my cab and drove three consecutive 12-hour shifts each weekend while drawing during the week. When you want to make a success of something, the means usually present themselves.

Finally, heed Linda's advice and don't jump in with both feet until you know you can make it work. I do think you'd make a superb tattoo artist, but it might not ultimately be the route you're looking for. And if all fails, you can still go back to driving - anything! - until you can try another way to live from your art.

But you never know until you try.... so I say "go for it", or you risk never knowing if it really is the opportunity you've been waiting for,

[PogArt-Ttoo]

Yes I’ve asked him WHY me, WHY no money for training?
He said the life is not only about the money.

What a lovely person!
He sounds genuine and someone who is interested in helping you on your art journey.
If it feels right in your 'gut', then go for it. At the very least, you could be doing actual designs and drawings for a tattooist like Adam.
Open that window a crack and breathe the air of freedom!
Enjoy.

(btw, what #bus? In London? I was on the #14 A LOT! )

Thanks again for keen words
Yes, he said he wants help me, because he can see I need someone’s help …

Buses yes, but not London …
West Yorkshire, Bradford
If you just put your finger tip at a centre of UK’s map ~ I’m just there waving back to you
Can you see me?
Yes!
It’s me on your screen

[PogArt-Ttoo]

First, that sounds like an amazing opportunity for you, Artur.

Second, I have absolutely no doubt that you'll be superb at it. Your pyrography alone tells us that. And your story-telling abilities.

I do have one reservation, and that is that tattoo parlours seem to closing faster than new ones are opening. It is perhaps not as popular now as it was recently.

Now, I'll state right now that I'm not a fan of tattooing, despite some beautiful works being created. I can't help thinking, "Are they really going to be this pleased with it when they're 80 and wrinkly?" But I also belong to the age group that winces every time I hear a glottal stop - and "TA-OO" is one of the worst! So you can probably ignore my opinion altogether.

However, I've been running Vincent Whitehead's website for over 20 years, and Vincent went down the tattooist path some years ago. His website is now dormant, but you can see how his ballpoint pen work easily translates to tattoo art: Rural-Route-One.com.

You could contact him through the website to ask about his adventure in tattooing?

I think you're very much like me. You're an artist who drives a bus for a living. I was an artist who, at that time, drove a taxi for a living. I don't know if you can move from full time to part-time as your business grows? Or maybe drive coaches part-time instead? I rented out my cab during the day and drove in the evening. Then sold my cab and drove three consecutive 12-hour shifts each weekend while drawing during the week. When you want to make a success of something, the means usually present themselves.

Finally, heed Linda's advice and don't jump in with both feet until you know you can make it work. I do think you'd make a superb tattoo artist, but it might not ultimately be the route you're looking for. And if all fails, you can still go back to driving - anything! - until you can try another way to live from your art.

But you never know until you try.... so I say "go for it", or you risk never knowing if it really is the opportunity you've been waiting for,

Thank you dear Mike.
It’s exactly as you saying.
My mum having heard the (good?) news went quiet
She sees ta~oos () as a crime thing
So you can imagine her reaction …
She warned me immo ~ DON’T QUIT BUSES !!!
So I tried to explain details, and make her be assured I’m not silly teenager anymore ~ I bet she still can see me as a little boy
As you have said ~ I don’t know whether it’s for me or not unless I try.
So I’m willing to try until I can, nothing more, nothing less.
Thank you for the link provided, I’ll check it out 100%
Thank you for good words too ~ I can’t promise if I succeed or not.
All I know this is something new, and will help me to gather even more experience, regardless how this adventure ends up
Thank you Mike

[Laurene]

Hi Artur. I know I’m very late to the conversation, but this is very exciting! I’m the kind of person who has to have a plan A, plan B, plan C …. well, you get the idea. It allows me to take more chances if I have a fallback plan. If you feel comfortable with your decision, go for it!! It’s like driving, you map out a route to your destination, but you can always change your route if you need to!

[PogArt-Ttoo]

Hi Artur. I know I’m very late to the conversation, but this is very exciting! I’m the kind of person who has to have a plan A, plan B, plan C …. well, you get the idea. It allows me to take more chances if I have a fallback plan. If you feel comfortable with your decision, go for it!! It’s like driving, you map out a route to your destination, but you can always change your route if you need to!

It’s never too late to chat to a FRIEND Laurene
At the moment I’m just trying things onto the fake skin.
Learning by making errors.
Nothing is working the way I want lol lol lol
So I’m just choosing another subject for practice and carrying on
What future be like ~ who knows?
All I’m sure about, the tattoo idea has had brought my motivation to life
Which I’ve probably had lost last year…
Thank you so much for stepping by, and it’s so nice to hear from you Laurene