@thedonnaklein: This isn’t gatekeeping. It’s being intentional about who I choose to teach. I’ve spent 20 years earning the knowledge, experience, mistakes, lessons, and perspective I have in this industry. If I’m going to pour all of that into an apprentice, I want it to be someone who actually wants to learn from me — not someone looking for any available body, shop, and signature to get them where they want to go. If you’ve never stepped foot in my shop, never gotten tattooed by me, never taken the time to know my work or how I operate… asking me for an apprenticeship probably isn’t going to get you very far. I worked really fucking hard for what I know. I’m happy to pass that knowledge down — but I ain’t handing it to just anyone. 🖤 An apprenticeship isn’t a shortcut. It’s a relationship.

Donna Klein

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Region: US

Friday 21 August 2026 18:21:53 GMT