Nurse and aspiring tattoo artist

Sierrac11 · 7 Jan 2023

Hi everyone,

I am a RN, married, and had a pandemic baby. I work full time as a nurse and have loved creating art in many forms (pencil, water color, digital). I am in my 30’s and have been seriously considering tattooing. An apprenticeship isn’t an option really for me, and I have huge regret passing an opportunity I had for one when I was in nursing school in my twenties. Honestly, I’m tired of being a cog in a wheel of profit driven care. I want to pursue my passion of art. I have already been using illustrator and procreate for a few years for fun and selling custom vinyl stickers. A few questions I have:
1. Would you feel better going to a home based tattoo business recommended by a friend if they were a nurse (infection control)?
2. Orange, cantaloupe, then use Pound of Flesh?
Any tips or advice welcome

Ps. I have a Versa BN 20 solvent printer, I don’t like cutting corners.

MarshMomma · 7 Jan 2023

I’m an RN in my 50s and working on my “retirement” income in the future! I’ve been working through tattooing101 Artist Accelerator program and loving the flexibility of doing videos and homework as I have time. I’ve been a production manager and digital artist/trainer/photographer for years so hoping to translate all this as well. Have fun! It’s doable!

Sierrac11 · 8 Jan 2023

MarshMomma said:
I’m an RN in my 50s and working on my “retirement” income in the future! I’ve been working through tattooing101 Artist Accelerator program and loving the flexibility of doing videos and homework as I have time. I’ve been a production manager and digital artist/trainer/photographer for years so hoping to translate all this as well. Have fun! It’s doable!

That’s good to hear, do you feel like it really breaks things down? Is support there with questions? Have you tried tattooing skin yet? Thanks!

Big Pete · 8 Jan 2023

I don't think being a nurse will make much of a difference in regards to people feeling safer, most customers have no idea about health and safety required to get a tattoo ( I have had people come to get tattooed that appear to have not bathed in days and others who don't seem to realise the importance of aftercare)
Get yourself some good quality fake skin (Pound of Flesh, Reelskin)....I only used fruits to judge depth control ( Banana is good, if you go into the flesh of a banana, you're going too deep)
As for your printer, I don't know if that printer would be any good for printing stencils, as stencils require specialised ink...would probably only be good for printing out tattoo designs and that can be done on any printer.

Sierrac11 · 9 Jan 2023

Big Pete said:
I don't think being a nurse will make much of a difference in regards to people feeling safer, most customers have no idea about health and safety required to get a tattoo ( I have had people come to get tattooed that appear to have not bathed in days and others who don't seem to realise the importance of aftercare)
Get yourself some good quality fake skin (Pound of Flesh, Reelskin)....I only used fruits to judge depth control ( Banana is good, if you go into the flesh of a banana, you're going too deep)
As for your printer, I don't know if that printer would be any good for printing stencils, as stencils require specialised ink...would probably only be good for printing out tattoo designs and that can be done on any printer.

Hi, thanks for advice and reply

. I should clarify that I have a solvent printer for my sticker hobby I bought a few years ago. Buy once cry once.

Do you know about tattoo supply shops if they want tattoo license number usually or the license and shop affiliation also? I’ll spend the money for a license if I can access the professional site but not if it’s with shop link too (at this time). Thank you!

Big Pete · 10 Jan 2023

Sierrac11 said:
Hi, thanks for advice and reply . I should clarify that I have a solvent printer for my sticker hobby I bought a few years ago. Buy once cry once.

Do you know about tattoo supply shops if they want tattoo license number usually or the license and shop affiliation also? I’ll spend the money for a license if I can access the professional site but not if it’s with shop link too (at this time). Thank you!

There's a lot of supply shops that will sell to you, I'm not based in the US so am unsure of which ones...I remember years ago buying from Painful Pleasures, I don't know if they are still around.

MarshMomma · 11 Jan 2023

Sierrac11 said:
That’s good to hear, do you feel like it really breaks things down? Is support there with questions? Have you tried tattooing skin yet? Thanks!

Yes the process is super organized and step by step. I feel the instructor is top notch (coming from someone who has attended 6 colleges - he’s excellent). Tattooed myself a couple days ago and tonight my husband! (see IG #marshmommatats) This forum, I found very late in the process through. It seems the best place for Q&A. Been taking the class about 7 months, working in homework and videos when I have time. Here’s my first selfie.

reysro · 11 Feb 2023

Sierrac11 said:
Hi everyone,

I am a RN, married, and had a pandemic baby. I work full time as a nurse and have loved creating art in many forms (pencil, water color, digital). I am in my 30’s and have been seriously considering tattooing. An apprenticeship isn’t an option really for me, and I have huge regret passing an opportunity I had for one when I was in nursing school in my twenties. Honestly, I’m tired of being a cog in a wheel of profit driven care. I want to pursue my passion of art. I have already been using illustrator and procreate for a few years for fun and selling custom vinyl stickers. A few questions I have:
1. Would you feel better going to a home based tattoo business recommended by a friend if they were a nurse (infection control)?
2. Orange, cantaloupe, then use Pound of Flesh?
Any tips or advice welcome
Ps. I have a Versa BN 20 solvent printer, I don’t like cutting corners.

You would definitely look good with a folk hero spider-man tattoo.

Nurse and aspiring tattoo artist

Sierrac11

MarshMomma

Sierrac11

Big Pete

Sierrac11

Big Pete

MarshMomma

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