So I've been working at the tattoo shop for a bit over a month now, and in that time have done one tattoo on myself, created about 14 designs, and one of them is now inked on my good friend Keza, who took it home to Scotland. I didn't do that one--my manager did, and he did it beautifully.
I'm so pleased with this job and find it incredibly satisfying in every way. My coworkers are friendly and polite and don't interfere with anyone unless they are asked. They allow me to study and watch. They allow me to take a break, read tattoo magazines, drink endless coffee and study flower drawings. We have friendly, short conversations because my Japanese is pathetic. And if I want to try something they're happy to show me.
I'm doing art every week, for hours and hours, in a supportive atmosphere with good music, basically at my total whim, with plenty of reference material.
I'm building a portfolio of marketable art and receiving requests at a reasonable pace, fast enough to keep my creativity going and not overwhelm me considering I still have "a day job".
The only complaint I could have is the light isn't very good at the front desk and I could use a lamp. XD

Though I'm now working 6 days a week, this job is totally keeping me in high spirits. I look forward to it all week and am constantly thinking about the designs I'm going to create next. I'm also trying to bring business into the shop to help them out too.

So, in short, this journal entry isn't very restrained and businesslike because I just can't control myself. I love this job and everything associated with it! I feel like I've finally found my place in the art world!