Learning How To Learn Pinstriping
One of the most valued lessons I’ve learned does not have anything do with the act
of pinstriping but rather how to go about learning to pinstripe. Mitch Macial, aka
AlteredPilot, started a thread over at SketchKult.com that stressed the importance
of not just learning to do something the right way, but the right way of learning
to do something. Here Mitch’s post nearly in its entirety. I would suggest that
you read it and take it to heart as I have. I’d also encourage you to follow the
link at the bottom of the page and visit the full thread over at SketchKult.com
to see the responses this thread got.
Have you ever been in church and felt like the preacher was talking right at you.
That’s the best description I can find to explain how I felt when I first read this
post. Convicted, guilty as charged and ready to reassess the situation.
Maybe Mitch’s post hit me harder than others because, believe it not I once thought
I wanted to be a tattoo artists, many, many years ago. Not too many people know
this about me because it’s not something I’m proud of. Regretfully I took the wrong
approach to learning. When I was still in high school, I took it upon myself to
learn the art of tattooing. Before I knew it I had a steady stream of willing subjects
ready to let a misguided kid permanently brand their bodies with ink. Yes, I had
way too much unsupervised free time as a kid.
I thought it was fun and cool, and I thought I was on track to becoming a professional
tattoo artist until I started going around town to tattoo shops trying to get an
apprenticeship. I was surprised that not only were doors being slammed in my face,
but I got the impression that most of them would have liked to take me out in the
parking lot and teach me how take a punch. I didn’t understand it at the time, but
now I realize that what I was doing was terribly damaging and disrespectful to the
art form these people had dedicated their lives to.
By trying to rush into the craft I was not only damaging my own reputation, but
also damaging public perception of the craft as a whole. Endangering the livelihood
of professional craftsmen is no way to begin your journey to becoming a professional.
I’m not going to make the same mistake with pinstriping as I did with tattooing.
I’m going to take it slow, honor the traditions of pinstriping, and the mentors
I meet along the way.
Thank you Mitch for the knowledge you’ve shared with me and for allowing me to share
you post on my website.
You can read the rest of the thread by following this link:
http://sketchkult.com//phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6014
Also check out Mitch’s portfolio here:
http://www.pinheadlounge.com/mas
" I still have that tattoo you gave me back in 1992. Know anyone who can finish it? LOL!!"
4/19/2007 9:54:54 PM
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Matt Ayalla
"Hey Matt, I'd suggest you go to see the Chris Harness at the Electric Chair or McFail at Artists At Large. They're right next door to one another so you should let them both take a look and see what they can do for you. Ron Dolecek is also an amazingly talented tattoo artist so check with him over at The Lucky Devil. I'm sure they've all "finished" some of my work already. Give me a holler some time."
4/20/2007 2:11:57 PM
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Rocky Jr
"Ya, I have been to church and feel like I have been the one he was talking to, I also wanted to be a tattoo artist. I have wanted to learn to pinstrip since i was a kid, well yesterday was my 39th birthday and my wife bought me a pinstrip kit. after reading your web page i feel as if i am begining a walk down the yellow brick road, and I am not scared to learn. thanks for you page.
Pablo"
12/20/2007 7:48:49 AM
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Pablo