byanyan · 1 year ago
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post-college / tattoo artist verse updates, developments, & additional headcanons
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ㅤcompleting their associate degree in fashion design at community college and deciding they aren't interested in spending another two years at school for a bachelor's degree, byan begins searching for opportunities in the fashion industry. while they do get more job interviews than they expect, nothing ever ends up being the right fit. either the interview goes horribly (usually due more to their personality and poor work ethic than the work they're capable of producing), or they end up walking out or getting fired before their first week is over (usually due to them creating a hostile work environment or them realizing that the job isn't as appealing as they thought it would be). growing more and more frustrated that none of the work is exactly what they want it to be, that they can't only work on projects that appeal to them, they also start finding that fewer and fewer places are willing to give them a chance.
ㅤwhile getting their latest tattoo done with an artist they've gone to for several of their pieces, who even gave them their first tattoo at age fourteen despite them not having permission from a parent or guardian, the conversation eventually circles around to byan complaining about their most recent job interviews and about how all the work is nothing like what they thought it would be. brea, the artist, who's known them since they were thirteen, has seen a lot of their work since they always want to base their tattoos on something they've drawn themself, and has let them watch her work numerous times over the years, suggests that, if they're interested, byan comes and does an apprenticeship under her. if it goes well, they stick with it, and they successfully get certified, she'll give them a guaranteed job in her shop at the end of it. although blown away by the abrupt offer, they can't deny being intrigued — having always found great joy in tattoos and even learning how to do stick and poke tattoos in order to be able to do several of their own, how could they not be interested? without so much as requesting some time to think about it, byan immediately accepts.
ㅤduring their apprenticeship, when they aren't doing things around the shop like cleaning and prepping work stations, they're drawing or watching brea or the other artists work, learning as they do so. they struggle a little at first, rather frustrated over being relegated to errands and chores most of the time, but they find the grunt work a lot more worth it here than they did in fashion jobs because they're learning a lot when they do get to watch someone work and have them explain what they're doing as they go. plus, they get to draw during work hours. ...although, they still don't handle even constructive criticism of their art particularly well.
ㅤit isn't until they've been there for well over a year in that they finally get to start using the equipment themself, start learning how to use it and start practicing on fake skin, then on themself, and eventually on clients willing to allow an apprentice to give them a small tattoo for a discounted price. all the boring work they've had to do around the shop becomes completely worth it the moment they finally get to hold the tattoo machine in their hand and put ink beneath skin. it was worth the wait, worth the failed attempts at getting a job in fashion, and even worth the two years of schooling for a degree they'll only ever make use of on the side. the instant they're finally able to do more colourful, more detailed tattoos themself, they become even more passionate about the artform than they already were.
ㅤthe downside to their apprenticeship is that it isn't paid — as it's more akin to another few years of schooling than an actual job, they make no money off of it. fortunately, their online shop, which has moved from etsy to its own domain by this point, has maintained its success and thus continued to bring in some money which they can contribute to rent, bills, food, etc. so that sol doesn't have to completely support the both of them. if they aren't working on drawing practice at home, they're working on clothing pieces to sell, as well as commissioned work. this means, unfortunately, that they aren't making as many pieces for themself as they used to or would like to, but it's a necessary sacrifice. they'll have time again in the future.
ㅤabout a little over three years in, byan finally gets certified and starts working full time as an artist in brea's shop, taking their own clients and getting paid quite well for their work. over time, they become known for their use of bright, vibrant colour and their specialty in both very cute designs and stylistic choices, as well as ones which put a darker twist on those cute designs.
ㅤat some point, they start playing with the idea of getting certified for piercing too, since they can do an apprenticeship for that right there in the tattoo shop (with brea as their mentor again, no less) when they have downtime between appointments, although they haven't made up their mind just yet.
ㅤoverall, they've become a fairly functional adult — they still live with sol and their two children cats, and overall they feel much more fulfilled in life. although they still get into trouble with the law, still get into fights for the thrill of it, still struggle with their mental health (while continuing to refuse therapy), and still fall back on unhealthy coping mechanisms... they're a lot happier than they've ever been before.
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