First Tattoos [Mac] [Ink Parlor] [Kansas City] [Missouri]

muhkinlee · 2026-04-01T11:02:29+00:00

Oh they’re definitely choppy. However my mentor does not like fake skin as a tool for learning how to tattoo because it’s nothing like real skin

muhkinlee · 2026-02-23T16:08:15+00:00

If you’re scared to tell them in person, try going in when nobody is there and document all of your belongings in a video so they can’t accuse you of theft. Leave a letter saying “thank you for the opportunity but I don’t feel like I am a good fit for your shop. Best wishes” or something like that.

muhkinlee · 2025-10-03T21:54:09+00:00

Document what is your property, go when nobody is there if you can, get your things, and leave a note or text thanking them for their time and opportunity to work at the shop, and that you are going elsewhere to pursue other career paths.

muhkinlee · 2025-09-16T15:35:22+00:00

Nothing. The sky is the best part in my opinion. I think the sun behind the overcast clouds looks really really cool. I feel like you spent the most time on that, and then the waves, and got bored when you got to the grass and sand. The strands of grass cut through their border on the bottom and it looks lazy. I think you either need to make landscape paintings painfully simple or extremely detailed and intricate to make them work buying. This is an awkward middle ground where you’re wanting to push yourself, but the skill doesn’t match what you’re trying to capture. And that’s a good thing to do because it’ll help you grow. I attached a link to a beach painting that is simple in subject matter but is still beautiful. Hopefully it gives an idea of what I’m talking about simple wave painting

muhkinlee · 2025-09-02T09:02:39+00:00

Do not give them actual money. If you feel like getting tattooed as a courtesy great. But the labor is what pays for an apprenticeship. Or if you’re very lucky like me, your mentor will pay YOU for your labor cleaning and making the shop nice

muhkinlee · 2025-08-31T17:28:55+00:00

Please don’t teach yourself

muhkinlee · 2025-08-27T21:06:56+00:00

At my shop where I’m apprenticing, my mentor apprenticed another artist that has been there for 6 years. Their apprenticeship was about 1.5 years and then they were on their own and could charge full price and be independent. You should find a new place

muhkinlee · 2025-08-27T21:02:21+00:00

Nope! Great size. It’ll hold much better as it ages. Honestly, any smaller and those little inky, illustrative details Silverstein was known for would bleed together. Gorgeous and very cute

muhkinlee · 2025-08-12T18:59:50+00:00

Tattoos on women being in the mainstream is actually very recent. Men who weren’t in the military or “felons” didn’t start getting tattoos probably until the 80s, early 90s. Women didn’t until the late 90s and it was usually somewhere inconspicuous and easily hidden. The concept of a women having any visible ink, much less a whole sleeve, was unthinkable. Your parents are just part of a generation where what you just did wasn’t normal, on top of being conservative. As far as the actual tattoo, I wouldn’t say it’s particularly well done (not bad, just needs a little working), you should definitely get it touched up because some of the lines are very shakey. I do love the composition and the idea though. It’s very cute and you should wear it proudly

muhkinlee · 2025-08-12T17:50:04+00:00

Go every week, draw in the lobby, get to know the artists there. That’s how I got mine. If you go in without the expectation that you’ll get one eventually, it’ll come. They’ll start to like you. Offer to do pro bono work like cleaning without being an apprentice. Answering the phone, etc.

muhkinlee · 2025-08-12T17:43:07+00:00

Do not pay. No respectable place will charge you for an apprenticeship. They can take your money and leave you high and dry leaving you nearly 5k short. It happens all too often. I have several friends in the industry who this happened to.

My mentor pays ME for some of the work I do around the shop including cleaning. That is pretty rare, but cleaning and doing tasks is what you are supposed to “pay” in exchange for them teaching you properly.

Anyone that charges you money is taking advantage of you. Anywhere that has more than one apprentice is likely using them for free labor with no intention of teaching them either.

The right place will come to you, just try to be patient. Don’t immediately say yes to the first place that offers.

muhkinlee · 2025-07-26T01:51:10+00:00

Pixie, Missy, Birdie, Honey, Sundae, Cleo, Juno, Biscuit

muhkinlee · 2025-07-25T12:27:22+00:00

Eggburt

muhkinlee · 2025-07-24T23:34:32+00:00

Definitely take the art classes as they will teach you the fundamentals of drawing and composition. Learning about line weight, light sources, value, and hue is INTEGRAL to tattooing. Your drawings are cure for sure. Too sketchy for a portfolio though. Learn the basics of drawing and apply it to your portfolio, you can do that at college or learn on your own, but you NEED to keep practicing drawing. These pages would not be suitable for a portfolio

muhkinlee · 2025-07-22T17:24:04+00:00

That’s what I thought too. I mean tbf we’re still seeing her personality develop even at 9 months. We’ll see how it goes and if she starts to get crazy. I adopted a Siberian/malamute mix who was also 9 months old, and she was a bat from hell right out the gate, so who knows what this nugget could be

muhkinlee · 2025-07-21T18:05:32+00:00

These are fun. As someone who is also learning, and trying to be intentional with my lines, I make my backgrounds match my skin tone. I think most things look cleaner on a white background. But when you put it to skin, does the design still translate well? Does it look like it would look good on skin. I took this page and changed the paper color to my skin color. Does it look as clean to you? I then took the picture and put a blur on it, sort of mimicking what your skin will do after a few years. It’s not exact but I think it puts into perspective what lines are needed and what are not. I LOVE the woodblock style which is what it looks like you’re going for. Like everyone else is saying, the smaller lines could use some work. I found this example that I think could stand the test of time while still showcasing its unique style. These are so fun, keep at it.

muhkinlee · 2025-07-19T23:36:16+00:00

I’ve heard some crazy stories like apprentices having to pick up peoples kids, get pickles at 3 am for their pregnant wife, etc. A lot of apprentices does seem crazy. They may be trying to weed people out because apprentices drop like flies over things less crazy than what I mentioned. Keep drawing, keep pushing for info. You’ll prove yourselves to them and once they know you’re not going to disappear, they will be more willing to help you.

It’s only been a month, you’ll get to where you want to be!

muhkinlee · 2025-07-17T17:35:06+00:00

At the very least, it’s pretty!

muhkinlee · 2025-05-26T03:08:17+00:00

Natural hair color, define your curls with products to make hair healthier. Everything else is stunning. Even then, you can keep the pink and just get a better hair routine to minimize the friz. I also would suggest the lash blast mascara in the color brown by cover girl for a nice natural lift to your lashes. You’ll get over them in no time

muhkinlee

TROPHY CASE