The Human Side: Mentorship Over Professors
In college, you’re often one face in a crowd of hundreds. By the end of the semester, professors may never know your name, let alone your dreams and aspirations.
In a tattoo apprenticeship, mentorship is everything. You’re guided by experienced Tattoo Artists who don’t just teach you the ropes. They also invest in your growth. They challenge you, encourage you, and help you find your unique style.
Think about Ed Hardy. He wouldn’t be the legend that he was without his mentors.
Hardy had secured a spot at Yale, which is one of the most prestigious universities not only in the USA, but in the world. However, he decided to forfeit this opportunity to learn tattooing. He apprenticed under some of the biggest names in the industry, including:
- Phil Sparrow (Samuel Morris Steward)
- Zeke Owen
- Doc Webb
- Norman “Sailor Jerry” CollinsÂ
- Horihide (Kazou Oguri)
In turn, Hardy passed down his knowledge, discipline, and respect for the craft to the next generation of Tattoo Artists. One of his notable tattoo apprentices was Mary Joy Scott, who went on to become a highly respected tattooer in San Francisco. Hardy’s legacy isn’t just in the iconic art he created, but in the culture he helped shape.
Hardy’s story is proof that success in tattooing doesn’t only come from chasing a degree. It comes from learning directly under those who’ve already carved their place in the industry. Just as his mentors poured into him, he poured into others, continuing a cycle that keeps tattooing authentic, innovative, and alive.
Tattooing has always been built on mentorship, on one artist helping another find their place in the craft. At Ink Different, that tradition continues, just in a structured, supportive, inclusive way.
