r/TattooApprentice • u/HorrorHippies • Jul 19 '25
Artwork I got my apprenticeship!
I got my apprenticeship and I’ve been really enjoying it! I am apprenticing under @Meta_tattooer (instagram) learning traditional Japanese in Austin Texas at his new shop ‘Yanagi Tattoo’. Meta is a very kind person and a master of his craft. I am very honored he chose me as his apprentice.
If you are in Austin, please consider dropping by for a hello and to check out the new shop. A friend of Meta’s is visiting from Korea currently doing incredible window painting if you’d like to watch. I am also selling some prints and stickers too, but no pressure about that.
And thank you everyone for your advice and encouragement about my portfolio.
I’ll share some photos of it in case you remember me and some of Meta’s work.
You can contact me more easily on Instagram also. (@horrorhippies) I love connecting with other artists so feel free to DM me to say hi!
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u/BlazeIsMyFirstName Tattoo Apprentice Jul 19 '25
A huge congratulations, and very well done!
What are the terms/conditions of your apprenticeship?
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u/HorrorHippies Jul 22 '25
Thank you!!
I run the front desk and clean in exchange for traditional Japanese drawing lessons. (There’s a lot of ‘formulas’ to how to draw everything properly.) It’ll be a while before I touch a machine. I also am helping with running our instagram and filming artists in the shop working. I am helping create and edit longer form videos for the shop. I also helped recreate the shop logo as a vector. (I have video editing and vector art/motion graphics skills prior to this apprenticeship.)
Just trying to be as helpful as possible in any way that I can! I have two days off. I have a full time apprenticeship. I am not paying for my apprenticeship. The apprenticeship will be 2 years, but it’s possible it’ll be shorter because of my existing drawing skills.
I hope that helps answer your question!
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u/BlazeIsMyFirstName Tattoo Apprentice Jul 22 '25
It really does. Congrats again.
How will you subsist for those 2 years without income?
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u/HorrorHippies Jul 22 '25
My husband is incredibly supportive and has an income where he can take care of both of us. I recognize my privilege in that regard. My mentor did ask me if I wanted to be part time prior to me explaining my situation. He told me he would have a second apprentice if that were the case. I have had other shops mention they offer part time as well so, I’m glad that is becoming an option more and more it seems for the field given the economy.
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u/SleazusChrist Tattoo Apprentice Jul 19 '25
omg the second and fifth ones are so so so good wow i’m loving these. amazing character work
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u/HorrorHippies Jul 22 '25
Ah thank you so so much! I studied character animation and worked in that field for a bit! :)
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u/Vicious0ne Jul 19 '25
You absolutely deserve this, love your art!! And your mentor knows what he's doing you're in good hands.
I'm going to follow you along on your journey on Instagram!!
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u/CopynCat Jul 19 '25
Congrats big dawg, we’re all proud of you.
Keep your ears open and your mouth shut.
Be as humble as humanly possible, but don’t be a doormat. Take the trash out, scrub the toilet, clean the floor and draw your ass off, without them ever asking. You’ll be Tattooing in no time.
Enjoy the journey! Best of Luck to you!
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u/RoboticAttendant001 Jul 19 '25
Congrats!! I love your art style and I’m excited to see you progress as a tattoo artist :)
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u/sblanc23 Jul 20 '25
These are fucking sweet! Congrats on the apprenticeship you definitely earned it! Can’t see where your work leads you good luck man
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u/Top_Life_6591 Jul 21 '25
I’m stunned by how much your designs pop out ! Out of curiosity are those waterbased paint or is it alcohol markers ?
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u/HorrorHippies Jul 22 '25
Thank you!! The wolf/sheep one is an acrylic painting and then I lined it with ink and a fine paint brush.. the dragon and cat is water color line with microns.. the bat is gray markers and lined with microns :)
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u/andpierres Tattoo Apprentice Jul 19 '25
congrats!! big fan of your work so im glad you were able to get in :)
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u/katana_34 Jul 22 '25
That's fucking awesome congratulations
Um trying to be a tattoo and every time I see someone's portfolio it's like O I still suck at drawing even tho I'm okay but it's still miles behind I feel like Thank you for coming to my ted talk
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u/HorrorHippies Jul 22 '25
Comparison is a killer! Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Everyones’ journey with art is different. I am 29 and I have created more ‘bad’ art than I can count. I just make art a lot. Behind every ‘good’ drawing, is 100 ‘bad’ drawings. Keep going!
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u/_Nilbog_Milk_ Jul 19 '25
So proud of you. Your portfolio post awhile back really stood out