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We love the culture of tattooing at Rites Of Passage, and feel fortunate everyday that we are able to be involved in the trade. I personally have seen tattooing grow in leaps and bounds in the 20 years I have been involved in different aspects. It's sad though, that we cannot teach every talented artist we meet "how to tattoo". There are many new artists and studios popping up all across North America. So many in fact, that the ability for many established tattoo artists to make a living is growing more difficult. Unfortunately, the wave of tattoo reality TV shows has given people the impression that tattooing an easy way to make a quick buck.

"No bosses, obligations, or answering to the MAN."

Well around ROP Tattoo, I'm officially the "Man". If my workers fail to show up on time, show up hung over, make a client wait, etc... I don't hesitate to let them know what the job entails.

Tattoo schools, apprentices, shop managers, and super hip life stories seem to be the topics of conversation around the shop ever since these shows started airing.  The  actual commitment and dedication it takes to establish yourself in tattooing is often underestimated. It is not a short path. It is not easy.

What does it take? Aside from  being able to draw, you must be able to calmly hurt people while doing it. You must be an expert at pain management and bedside manner. You should be social and firm at the same time. You should be able to maintain basic machine mechanics, and problem solve on your feet. You should be able to calmly improvise in the face of potentially life-altering mistakes, without letting out any indication of stress. You should understand colour theory and design composition specifically geared towards tattooing. You should have a knowledge of the trade history. You should be prepared to work an unpaid job for at least a year while you try to grasp the bare BASICS of tattooing. Plus you will need a willing, patient, and compassionate mentor to hold your hand every step of the way.

We have people coming to visit us every week wanting to learn to tattoo. They flippantly ask about learning the trade as if it was as easy as being a fry cook. Some even act like we owe them a job, because they have a fine arts degree, or thier friends say they are a "great artist". It's painfully obvious how oblivious they are to the scope and range of what they are asking to do. 

Sorry people. I'd just like to save you the time and energy.

We do not accept apprentices. We will never hire a "tattoo-school" trained artist.

-Pat Burke -Grand Poobah of ROP Tattoo

 ROP tattoo is proud to be hosting the 5th annual Ink Alley Tattoo and Art Show at Prarieland Park April 16th and 17th 2011!

This will be the best year yet with international Award Winning Artists, Seminars, Live Music, VIP after-parties, Burlesque shows,  Derby Girls, and the best Chopper and Kustom Kulture vendors in Western Canada!

I'd like to extend a special thanks to Cat for the great photos she sent us this year for the pinup poster! I'd ALSO like to extend a special thanks to Graeme Burke from Rites of Passage Tattoo for the great painting he did for our poster this year! There are rumours that the original watercolour may be up for auction at the show....

Check out the posters in either Pat or Graeme's fine art galleries!

Our longstanding email problems have been solved by allowing you to now email your artist directly through our contact page! We apologize for any inconvenience the old contact system may have caused. This new setup will allow direct communication with your preferred artist on their own email account, and can resolve some of the communication problems we were having due to a buggy shop collective computer!

Beginning September 28th, we will be having two shifts at Rites of Passage, and early and late shift to better suit your hectic schedule.  We will be taking early appointments from 10am - 3pm, and later appointments from 3pm-9pm! Sundays will remain the same, with our hours from 12 noon- 6 pm.

Different artists will be working each shift, so be sure to call ahead and talk with our front desk peoople to make sure your favourite artist will be available to work around your schedule!

We are proud to welcome two new Tattooists and one new Front Desk person to the ROP Roster! Jose and Jesse are now taking appointments for work, and  there is a good chance that Kendra will be booking your appointment! Be sure to stop by and say hello, or take a look at the online portfolios as we update them! We still have all the old tattoo family that you know and love, however our new extended hours allowed us to open up the shop for some new talent!

During the Fringe Festival July 29- Aug 7th 2010, the Broadway area is bustling well into the evening. To take part in the festivities again this year, Rites of Passage Tattoo will be offering Walk In tattooing from 3pm-9pm during the Fringe festival dates. We will be closed Monday, otherwise, feel free to bring down your art during the festival to be tattooed on a first come-first served basis. Small and medium sized tattoo designs will be accepted and given priority, although we will also do reasonable sittings on large (already started) work. Walk Ins are welcome after 3pm, and if the last 6 years on Broadway are any indicator, it should be a busy time! See you then!

The site is still under construction... we're still working out a few small glitches. Look around and hopefully we will have it ready to rock asap!!!