Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Totally focused on a tattoo-based career
PERMANENTLY changing someone’s appearance is up there with one of the most pressured jobs you could have.
However, that is exactly what 29-yearold tattoo artist Andrew McCallum does each day at Rock ’n’ Roll Tattoo.
Andrew, originally from Glasgow, now lives in Dundee’s West End. He studied fine art at Duncan of Jordanstone before coming across another student’s project on tattoos in his second year.
“Essentially that was when I became hooked on tattoos,” he said.
“Before I saw the project I didn’t have any tattoos myself. Very quickly after seeing the project, I got my first which was a clan badge on my chest.
“Everything was tattoos after that. All of my art work became tattoo-based. I started getting more and more tattoos.
“When I heard that Rock ‘n’ Roll Tattoo was opening I started pestering them to let me come in and be an apprentice.
“Persistence is key within the tattoo industry. You need to be persistent in practicing and perfecting your drawing and also you need to take on board everything a shop is telling you to improve.
“The worst thing you could do when starting out is buy a kit yourself and tattoo people at home.
“The main concern is hygiene. You can’t get the required levels of hygiene anywhere else but a professional shop.”
Andrew has now been tattooing for seven years and claims the job is “the most exciting, terrifying and rewarding you could have”.
He added: “The first tattoo I completed was on my best friend, Graham, who is now the apprentice at the shop.
“You can do all the preparation and have all the confidence in the world. However, the first time you turn on that machine and are going to permanently alter someone’s skin forever is terrifying. There’s also a feeling of elation.”
The only slight negative Andrew had around the job is the constant work. He went on: “You have to be prepared to choose this career as a lifestyle. It is not a 9-5 Monday to Friday job.
“You never have spare time. There is always something you can be doing.”
However, it makes it all worthwhile when Andrew sees the reaction of his clients.
“The best part of the job is seeing how ecstatic and overwhelmed someone is when you have completed their tattoo, whether it be a tiny piece or a full sleeve. Seeing how happy they are is amazing.”