Basic Tattoo classes are designed for those who have never picked up a tattoo machine, but would like to.
Lesson #1: There is no such thing as a tattoo "gun". A tattoo machine shoots nothing, not even ink. If you refer to a tattoo machine as a tattoo gun in our class, you'll be instantly killed. With a tattoo gun. If one existed.
The course, which runs about 90 minutes, covers a few minutes of tattoo history, a bit about sterilization, autoclaving, and basic sterile practices, then dives straightaway into machine setup, stencil application to human skin, and actual tattooing. During the last 30 minutes each student uses the machine they set up during the previous 60 minute course, and may tattoo on practice-medium (usually fresh fruit) to their heart's content.
This class is called "Introduction to Tattoo" because that's what it is. It's not a course in tattooing; it's an introduction to tattooing. It will allow you to get a hands-on feel for what tattooing is all about, and it's designed to answer this question ONLY: "Do you enjoy tattooing and do you want to know more about it?"
What you will NOT learn: You won't learn enough to do a real tattoo, even a simple one, on ANYONE (not even your gullible little sister or your shaved, unconscious cat)(although we have no qualms about practicing on shaved, unconscious polititions, especially Democrats). You won't learn to be "an artist" -- that's far beyond the scope of a 90 minute class and can't really be "taught" anyway. You won't learn everything you need to know about machine setup and tuning-- the only way to do that is to build one from scratch (see advanced classes).
Courses are limited to three (3) students per instructor, so there's plenty of one-on-one interaction.
Payment is made online. Scheduling is coordinated using the calendar below (pending). Cancellations and no-shows are NOT refunded under any circumstances, even if you DIE.
Classes are usually held in Ballard (North Seattle) in a fully stocked and operational home-based tattoo shop. The owner no longer tattoos due to a loss of fine-motor control as a result of a commercial diving career under adverse conditions in which decompression tables were not always observed (take notice, recreational SCUBA divers).
Schedules usually run afternoons and early evenings.
We used to run these classes using a number of local instructors. Unfortunately, many of those "professionals" couldn't grasp the concept of SHOWING UP (it's a left-coast thing), and so were unceremoniously FIRED. Our instructor pool is now limited. If you're interested in becoming one, please inquire using our contact page. We train suitable candidates for free, contingent on a cut of the instructor's income later on. Have a strong East-coast work ethic, please. Be calm, articulate, have basic computer skills, LOVE art, be passionate about helping people do and be their best, and don't be afraid to make lifelong friends.
The course is laid-back, slow-paced and fun. The atmosphere is quiet, with great music --think: "private library". We want you to leave inspired and content -- even glowing, with marvelous thoughts of new possibilities of expression. You'll leave with the tattoo needle(s) you used during the class -- you can come back during any scheduled practice time and use your needles to torture all the fruit you like (you bring the fruit).
We suggest that most people don't know what they want to be when they grow up. Most don't figure it out even when they DO grow up. The surest way to never get what you want is to never KNOW what you want. There's only ONE way to know what you want -- and that is to try EVERYTHING. Until now, there has been virtually no opportunity at all to walk in off the street and try your hand at tattooing. Now there is. Use it. Enjoy it!
PS: This makes a great first date...
PPS: We make almost no money at this. We do it FOR FUN. Watching others have fun, is fun for us.
Caveat: Unfortunately, one rotten student can ruin a great experience for everyone; therefore: Students who are loud, obnoxious, impolite, drunk, high, rude, terminally stupid, etc., will have their class terminated. With predjudice. A bad egg will NOT ruin this experience for anyone else. This warning, of its own accord, tends to weed them out. This is a cerebral exercise for the intelligent and artistically inclined, not a street-urchin's crack-party. Students are expected to be polite, respectful, and to otherwise and in all cases act like intelligent human beings. Instructors reserve the right to refuse classes to anyone, for any reason, at any time, or to remove disruptive students from classes. Please leave attitudes at the door. It's too damned bad we have to even mention this, but this is the world we live in today.
