In most cases — no. We always doubt. We are not completely honest with ourselves about the tattoo artist profession. Often we expect quick returns from the tattoo industry: money, popularity, success, recognition. But at the same time, many haven’t even answered the main question for themselves: “Am I a real tattoo master?“

Personally, I couldn’t answer this question for over five years.

Am I ready to dedicate my whole life to developing myself as a tattoo artist? Is this really my calling? Am I wasting my time?

• I remember a phrase I heard at the very beginning of my tattoo artist journey: “You will constantly doubt this profession. And you won’t immediately be able to fully answer to yourself whether you chose the right path. But one day you will wake up and realize that you can’t do anything else anymore.“
• And that’s exactly when everything changes. From this moment on, all doubts disappear. You stop looking for backup options. You stop thinking about what else you could become. All your energy starts going in only one direction — into the professional development of a tattoo artist.
• In my opinion, you don’t become a real tattoo artist the moment you first pick up a machine. You wake up as one after numerous years of work. But unfortunately, not earlier than after five to seven years of daily practice.
• That is exactly when your real professional league begins. It’s no longer about “trying to learn tattooing“. It’s a game where you invest your time, health, nerves, focus, and your whole life without a trace. That is exactly why all top tattoo artists are so highly valued. Their added value is not just perfect technique or pictures on Instagram. It’s years of complete certainty and readiness to go all the way.
• In my opinion, a tattoo artist’s career has its clear stages. The first three years are a period of searching. We try different tattoo styles, techniques, and approaches. But at some point, oversaturation occurs, and the need to decide arises: black & grey, color, or graphics.

When you finally choose your style — it gives a huge push forward.

Focus appears, fuel for development, inner confidence. But soon the next crisis arrives.

• Around the fifth to seventh year of work, many specialists begin to lose confidence in themselves and their future in the tattoo industry. The question arises: “Is this really my calling?” The answer to this question can be searched for for years.
• Therefore, I believe that around the third year we choose our tattoo style, and around the seventh — we finally choose the profession itself. And it is exactly this decision that gradually separates those who will become a successful tattoo artist and stay in the profession for a long time, from those who will stop halfway.

Having gone through all the fears and doubts, I do not regret choosing this path for a second. The tattoo artist profession has opened up dozens of paths for development for me. Don’t worry about it ending — it’s a long game that requires maximum dedication.