tattooing traineeship

hello:) my name is tom, well, i have been interested in tattoo's for as long as i remember. unfortunately i have NO communication with the tattoo world through friends or family. i am 15 going on 16 in November, no longer going to school. i know you cannot ask for an apprenticeship and just get it, i just need pointers. what type of art do i need in my portfolio, i can do just about anything other than mechanical things, like vechials and guns and things, im terrible at that stuff. well yeah, i would really, really love some feed back, also, maybe some artwork what i should copy and draw into my portfolio. i believe i am a fantastic drawer, but as everyone knows, that isn't nearly enough. i have a lot of confidence and i go into tattoo stores regularly, just, no one is willing to teach someone who doesn't provide the art first:P haha yeah. so please help? it will be appreciated muchly. tom, newcastle australia

Hey Man, I too am 16 and left school to become a tattooist but the sad truth is its the hardest job to get in the history of jobs.haha. If you are really keen i have some advice for you, draw, draw,draw. You know if you want to be a heavy metal star you must practice guitar everyday for like ten hours, well same goes as this job. Oh and be unique, always be unique and it wouldn't hurt to get a peircing either if you haven't already got one that is. your best bet is to go in to your favorite store get tones of peircings and try and make friends with the right people, untill then take a visual arts class or something to improve your drawing skills well there's much more i could say, i mean i could go on and on with this all day but i don't want to bore you.... goodluck wb if desired.