How does one become

My question is How does one become part of this tattoo world & make a name for his/her self or new friends if the others don't give them a chance.Don't get me wrong i've met a lot of people in 16 yrs. tattooing & took advice from old timers in the trade to get me where i'm at today.But it seems that if your not in the main stream you don't have a chance. I don't post much but would like some info from you all good or bad. thanks

Man its like any other business that is popular and somewhat commercialized, You are going to see the cliques and the superstars. If thats what you are in the biz for well, good luck but I think you are misguided. If you are interested in "getting your name out there",in a positive manner, then go to conventions,hell, hold your OWN convention!, get a high profile website with a competent web site builder like Gabe here at tattoonow or at tattooconnect.com, invite some of the more prominent artists to your studio for guest spots and advertise!!!!! Send pics of your work to trade magazines... Most importantly do clean,solid and safe tattoos and always seek to improve your work. Its the artwork that will pay off and give your tattoo karma a boost!

yeah, if your work is good and you get a high traffic website(our artist sites get up to 30,000 unique visitors a month, studios 80-100,000 uniques) and send in pics to the magaiznes you will build up a lot of clients and a good portfolio... if you are humble and cool then you shouldnt be kept out of anything...

And hey, can we see some of your tattoos and art anywhere?

First you have to understand the level of depth behind precious moments figurines.