am I getting screwed?

I've been offered an apprenticship at a pretty decent shop but my question is has anyone ever heard of making someone do the grunt work in a shop and charging them large sums of money to recive the lessons. Current artists...were you charged to learn the trade?

It's not uncommon to pay for an apprenticeship not at all. Doing the grunt work? That's not so uncommon either. In any job if you're the new guy or low man on the totem pole in any industry, you're gonna get the shitty jobs and what not. I don't know the person who's offering you your apprenticeship but maybe the grunt work is to determine whether or not you've got the drive and determination to do whatever it takes to make it ? ???? Lots of variables here, but I"d watch out for "free" apprenticeships. If you admire the possible mentor's work and you feel safe with the offer , I'd say go for it. From my personal experience knowing how hard it can be to get into the art/industry I'd say take your time in making a decision that will effect your progress permanently.

I got ahold of a few other tattoo artists and it seems to be a pretty commen thing. I realise that the apprenticeship is well worth taking advntage of and I'm gonna bust my balls to get everything I can out of this. I'm wicked excited to finally be getting somewhere in the field I've been dreaming about since I was little. I knew when I was in High School that this profession was for me and I'll do anything to be in it. including scrubbing toilets and organizing paperwork. maybe in a few years from now oyu'll see my art work out there and be like I saw her when she was a wee runt!! for now I'll keep on busting my ass to get what I want. thanks so much!!

If you are a good artist an apprenticeship should not cost a dime.If an artist sees something in you,he would not charge a dime.Simple