regarding "tattoo schools", words of comfort for tattooers and other interested parties.

    I'm hearing a lot of chatter lately from tattooers, and would-be tattooers, and even from collectors, regarding "tattoo-schools" around the country.  The general consensus seems to be confusion, frustration, and sometimes outrage.  I myself feel inclined toward loathing at the idea of these "schools", and those that would set themselves up as "teachers" with a "come one come all (so long as your check clears)" type of attitude.  The community of tattooers represents a long line of artists and craftspeople descended from a very small group of dedicated individuals who won their livelihood through a struggle against information scarcity, and societal resistance to the craft.  The tools, techniques, and knowledge have been carefully guarded secrets for most of tattooings history, until (in my understanding) people like Guy Aitchison and others began to publish educational material and publicly accessible supply catalogues in the 90's and american culture began to widely embrace the collection of visible tattoos en-mass.  Since then the number of tattooers and collectors has sky-rocketed and the art form has grown in celebrity and desirability to match.  It is only reasonable that tattooing would become considered by to be a desirable line of work for many people, many of whom, by reasonable standards have no business putting permanent marks on people.
    Did not all of us tattooers begin our careers as unqualified for the task?  I know my "apprenticeship" was little more than a foot in the door, so to speak...  a crash course in the tools, and culture of tattoo studios.  I've made my way since 1995 by trial and error, learning as I went. I often reflect that 98% of what I know about art I have learned AFTER I started tattooing. I shudder to think of many hundreds of tattoos that I did as a younger tattooer, and have only the fact that my clients weren't forced to hire me to do their tattoos to comfort me.  I think that we as tattooers can ALL relate to this in some form or fashion.  So why do so many of us get hot under the collar to hear of these "tattoo schools" and the enthusiasts who enroll in them?
    A tattooer, it is generally thought by professional tattooers, should learn to tattoo in a one on one apprenticeship with a highly skilled and knowledgeable tattoo artist.  It is also generally believed that only those with adequate artistic potential and the right sort of integrity and character should be allowed the opportunity to learn to tattoo.  As any tattoo collector learns eventually, a poorly executed tattoo is a trauma, and a bitter disappointment, that is costly and problematic to remedy with cover-up's, laser removal, or simply having to go through life with a mark on ones skin that one is ashamed or embarrassed of.  But who is responsible for deciding who creates ones tattoo?
    The tattoo collector is ALWAYS responsible for making the choice as to who will create their tattoo.  A collector of poor judgement in this matter will very likely fall into the hands of an amateur tattooer, and receive amateur work.  Is it the fault of the amateur tattooer? I think not.  If it weren't for all of the clients who's ignorance or poor judgement allowed me to practice my craft as a novice, I would never have been able to reach the level I have reached where I feel that I do a respectable job.  All newly minted tattooers are vulnerable to taking on jobs that are beyond their skill level, in which they will fail. Only an apprentice with a very high level of guidance will be able to avoid this mistake, but this level of guidance is incredibly rare, even in traditional apprenticeships.  So if we all go through this period of development, why the concern over the "tattoo schools"?
    Perhaps the concern comes from tattooers indignation at the cheap sale of admittance to a line of work that many of us hold as a sacred office.  Perhaps it is out of frustration at the inevitable proliferation of sub-par tattoos that will ensue.  It may also be a concern about the publics impression of tattoos in general if they are exposed to too many amateur tattoos. Often I see that it is the concern of over-saturation in the work-force of tattooers, and the fear of the subsequent lack of clients for each individual tattooer.
    I ask again, is it not the responsibility of the collector to know good from bad? Professional from amateur?  I live in a city with over 200 tattoo studios, and more open every week, yet I have more demand than I can meet.  I am very grateful to the community for their trust and support, and I work hard to treat them kindly, respectfully, and deliver the finest tattoos I am able.  That, for me, seems to be sufficient to ensure my income, and no matter how many tattoo artists move to my city, I expect to have plenty of business.  I have graduated to a level of tattooing, it would seem, that attracts a more knowledgeable class of clientele.  My clients research their options, identify style and ability they deem to be superior to the competition, and they are willing to wait longer and pay more for my services than they would have to with the competitors, and yet they choose to do so because of their own judgement. I imagine that all of the tattooers in my city, be they poorly trained or highly experienced are all working, to one degree or another.  If they are not as busy as they would like, I would advise them to avoid blaming the number of competitors and focus on how they might elevate their craft to a level that will attract a more reliable flow of business.
    In my opinion, these "tattoo schools" are a scam, perpetrated on ignorant or unworthy would-be tattooers.  A money grab by tattooers who themselves cannot make a living by the merit of their own tattooing, and so mislead others into believing that if they lay the money on the table, they can be handed a certificate of "graduation" and go off merrily into a life of celebrity and riches as a professional tattoo artist.  However, I think that ultimately attacking these tattoo schools isn't the best use of our energies.
   I suggest, to any who are troubled by the proliferation of tattoo schools, to focus instead on client education, public education, and the refinement of ones own craft.  If we can work together to bring public discrimination up to a reasonable overall level, they wont employ the unqualified, and those of us who are proficient in our craft, will always have enough work.