i have a half sleeve on my right arm of an angel in smoke, not completely finished (thank god, it can be fixed)done by the guy who first apprenticed me, after he was done destroying my arm and doing the original piece of artwork no justice, i immediately withdrew my apprenticeship, and decided i would be far better off on my own. low and behold i put him out of business and he quit tattooing. muahahahahahahahaha

that's rough.. did you know it was coming out shitty? or was he done before you realized? and why did you accept an apprenticeship from him? was his portfolio any good?

yes i did, i just thought he knew what he was doing and thats how he was "planning" it. then he was dont and i was pissed. he only got the linework done though so it can still be mended im sure. if i could tat lefty i would do it myself. thats why i only show off my left arm. cause its advertisement for my work and its waaaayyyyy better than my right. lol anyways i accepted an apprenticeship because i am entirely too trusting of folks sometimes and having no possible clue as to how to break into the field, seemed like the best option. funny thing about that "portfolio" he magically seemed to have lost it. oh well. i have all his disgruntled customers who are now my happy customers, and he doesnt sling ink anymore. i learned my lesson.

so your whole left arm is done by yourself? where can i check out some photos?

yup, my friends say i have a problem, im addicted to tattooing myself, and i should seek help. i say malarky. and i guess myspace is the thing that comes to mind right off the top of my head. either that or that inkednation hoopadoop. myspace: nathan ramboldt (my profile is private due to horrible people) inked nation: n8rs. most of my work done is up on myspace. so. ya. did you find out about the not swearing on this website thing?

or just check out the gallery. just found that btw. once i get a better pic of the rest of my arm ill post it

alright.. i'll go check myspace.. i'm not having too much faith in this forum.. it seems like no one it here.

oh dude.. i just checked out your arm.. that is nutty.. i can't believe you did that much work on yourself.. and it's not even that bad.. i mean.. it isn't great either.. but it certainly isn't jailhouse shit... how did yo get into tattooing? don't tell me you just went out and bought a kit and started tatting away?

pretty much. bought some low grade shit, some grapefruit, worked on that for bout a month, did my first tat on some guys back, then it just kinda took off. i havent even been doing it a yr yet, so far i have been getting good feedback from people though. given alot ot work on but its progressing alot faster than expected.

that is nutty dude.. i've heard of a lot of people doing the same thing.. i guess it's a good way to get experience.. but if you get into a real shop.. you'll probably have to unlearn a lot of the things you've been doing.. other than that.. you arm looks pretty cool considering you did it yourself..

i appreciate it. i still have a ways to go but hey gotta start somewhere. i actually was taught the cleaning/sanitation procedures and a few other things but for the most part it was self taught. so im not cleaning peoples arms with 409 or anything crazy like that. i actually have everything needed for a shop, minus an autoclave ( i use disposable needles and tubes)and thermal copier.

that's crazy dude.. you should try and get yourself in a shop and start up a career.

im workin on it. believe me. this iraq crap threw a wrench in alot of things. do people just not like forums or what? cause the viewed to comment ratio isnt too hot!

yeah.. i just keep responding to my own comments with the hope of someone getting involved.

bummer.

hey im usually here!
im just a little brain dead from
doing computer work all day so
i sometimes cant find the words to type.
be i read all the posts.
:)

im brain deas also, most likely from injesting too much sand and heat, and lack of sleep, but brain dead none-the-less on that note im out.

NO SHIT! are you in iraq?!

unfortunately yes i am. and none too happy bout it.

and here i am bitchin about being in front of a computer
all day...

ive gotta say both of mine are starting to look really shitty.
all faded and old lookin.

a: i would hate to sit in front of a computer also, almost as much as this.
b: get the tattoos touched up!
c: nap time! yeah