u/Plastic_Classroom308

I’m looking for some outside opinions from other tattoo artists because I’m genuinely confused about where I stand in my studio and whether my expectations are unrealistic.
I started my apprenticeship two and a half years ago. I’ve been tattooing clients independently, taking my own bookings, designing my own work, handling my own clients and essentially running my own tattoo business within the studio.
Recently a “meet the artist” post was made and I was labelled as an apprentice, which surprised me because I thought by this point I was more in the junior artist stage.
My mentor does still help me occasionally but when i ask. I sometimes get help with designs and he’ll occasionally come over while I’m tattooing, not ever really saying anything just watching.
However, there isn’t really any structured apprenticeship/development anymore.
For example, I don’t have regular sit-downs to review my work, the last proper review of my portfolio/work was over two months ago when I asked him to and he eventually got round to it, there aren’t regular design sessions, and there isn’t really a clear list of things I need to achieve before I’m no longer considered an apprentice. All I’ve been told is ‘when I no longer need him’ but nothing else. I feel I don’t need him consistently enough to still be an apprentice.

I’m obviously not expecting someone to stand over me for every tattoo after two years, and I know I still have plenty to learn.
I actually want critique and mentoring because I want to keep improving. My confusion is that if I’m still officially an apprentice, I would expect there to be some kind of structured development towards moving up to a junior artist.
I’ve also increasingly felt like I’m expected to operate at the same level of independence as the other artists while still being positioned below them as “the apprentice.”
I enjoy the studio for the most part and I’m not trying to slag anyone off. I’m just at a point where I want to build my own career and brand, and I don’t know whether continuing to carry the apprentice title without a clear end goal could actually start holding me back.

I also think I’m more confused as other artists who joined after me, trained by other studios, but the same years experience if not less, have all been labelled as a junior artist.

For people who have apprenticed or mentored apprentices:

And if someone is still considered an apprentice after two years, would you expect their mentor to be able to clearly explain what they still need to achieve before progressing?
I’m completely open to being told my expectations are wrong — I mainly want opinions from people outside my own studio because I’ve realised I don’t really have anything to compare my experience against.

For context I’ve just recently hit two years tattooing and have been at my current studio from day 1.

I’ve had issues from the beginning but minor things that we’ve worked through, teething issues if you will like how my mentors talk to me, how they word criticism, time spent going over things not just tattooing etc. There were bigger issues such as having me cry in front of clients from them ripping my work to shreds, telling me to slut myself out to get clients.

The bigger things have started more recently. Since December 4 more artists have been added, three of which started in April. They and I were told that I was to be the primary apprentice and the owners priority.

I’ve noticed since the most recent three came all of a sudden the main owner/mentor is suddenly doing things I’ve been asking for since day one. Designated time to go over tattoos, drawings, help with specific aspects, him spending time watching me work. Suddenly the other three, mainly two, one who started with a year and a half of experience and the other just under a year, are getting roughly 2 hours each month getting all that help and advice. My mentor says well all get this time but I maybe get 20-30 mins each month going over just one piece and him telling me it’s good but to work on one thing. He never actually spends time showing me this though, maybe once or twice but not in depth at all.

Then when I hit two years I was all excited, wouldn’t shut up about it, the entire studio of 8 people were all well aware. I put up a couple posts, one about the previous two years and a raffle to celebrate. No one at the studio acknowledged the posts, said congratulations in person or over messages. I pushed it off as maybe they forgot and tried to forget about it. Then the artist with the least experience hit their one year within 2 weeks and they had a post made on the shop page, messages in the group chat, their post shared and a cake….

There’s other things below I can elaborate on if you’d like but am I being dramatic in being hurt by this and what should I do?

Returning from a 2-week trip and nobody from the studio checking in, asking how it was, or messaging me.
Replying about availability for a potential client in the group chat and being completely ignored.
Feeling like im no longer a priority within the studio.
Feeling pushed aside as more artists have joined the shop.
One mentor still referring to me as “the apprentice” despite being two years into my career and building my own client base.
Having to actively ask for support, promotion, or help rather than it being offered.
My work not being reposted or promoted by the studio unless you specifically ask and even then if someone else asks their posted first and I’m forgotten and have to ask again.
Feeling less invested in by the studio than newer artists.
Feeling like opportunities for growth (conventions, sponsorships, seminars, etc.) haven’t been encouraged or supported.
Being concerned about the professionalism of the studio after a newer artist publicly criticised another studio on TikTok, leading to legal threats.
Feeling embarrassed or worried that other studios may view me or the studio negatively because of that behaviour.
Feeling disconnected from the team culture.
Feeling that relationships within the studio are more transactional than supportive.
Not feeling a strong sense of belonging, welcome, or loyalty keeping me there
Questioning whether the studio sees my contribution and progress in the same way i do.

TIA xx