#Repost @adrianrogersanchez ・・・ If you have been a young or aspiring tattooer in my chair you might have heard me talk about my apprenticeship. There are so many reasons why a group class room setting during the course of several months won't work and isn't a good idea for learning the trade and craft of tattooing. I come from a linage that I am very proud of. I specifically came to the Bay Area because I knew of its rich tattoo history and so many of the great tattooers i aspired to be like lived, worked and grew greater here. I didn't pay money for my apprenticeship and it was sealed with a verbal agreement and a handshake, but I paid blood, sweat and tears. I learned patience, humility, perseverance, stamina, integrity and respect. And no it's not easy, nor should it be. It is a relationship between student and teacher, one that for me has been 15 years strong and I still go to my mentor for advice. I also didn't just walk into the first place that would have me. I sought out my teacher and he in turn vetted me before he would even consider giving me a single scrap of information. When I started my mentor told me I could draw and I would learn the tools, but what was more important then that was character. Not what I can make but what I am made of. And some of those lessons, some of those menial task, or some rigid standard I didn't understand or agree with at the time but went along with anyways, you know what? Years later, sometimes 4-5 years later, when I thought I had it all figured out, I'd sit up in my chair and have that "oooooooh 💡" moment. And I'm very proud that a small group of us here in Oakland could contact each other, meet up with the intention of supporting and protecting tattooing after all tattooing has done for us. Thank you @ianoliverwheeler @freddycorbintattoos @ryan_groebler @the_grime @scsylvia and everyone who has reposted around the county for your outspoken support and thanks @davedawg and Henry Goldfield for taking the chance on me and passing down all the knowledge I wouldn't have had access to otherwise. ✊🏾 #arttattooschool #blacklistedART #blacklistart
