Brian Finn, a tattoo artist working at Infinite Art Tattoo in Toledo, Ohio, wanted to do something to help victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and self-harm. For this reason, he decided to spend a week inking over scars for people — and he did it for free.

Finn has been a tattoo artist for about 17 years and says that the symbolism behind tattoos can often give people the feeling of a new lease on life.

“A tattoo can help disguise the scars, so … it’s like a new chapter,” he explained in an interview with The Huffington Post.

Over the years, Finn has had many clients interested in covering up their scars because of past abuse, but many times, they could not afford his quoted price. For this reason, he decided to set aside a bit of money to help these individuals — even if they couldn’t pay.

If you want to become a tattoo artist, you may be inspired by stories like these. Even when services aren’t donated, it’s clear that tattoo artists often help to empower their clients and help them through difficult times in life. Tattoos, for many people, end up becoming symbols of struggles they’ve faced and overcome — and as an artist, you end up being a part of that process.

Art School for Tattooing
Is art school for tattooing for you? Like any career decision, you’re going to want to weigh the pros and cons. If you enjoy helping people and having creative collaborations, then you’ll like the type of atmosphere you’ll encounter in a tattoo studio.

Is the tattoo industry big enough to support new artists like yourself? Most statistics seem to point to “yes.” Tattoos are becoming an increasingly popular way for people to express themselves and their interests, and as the popularity of tattoos continues to increase, there is less workplace stigma associated with having one. Approximately 20% of U.S.adults have one or more tattoos, so there is a fairly large customer base out there. And there are more than enough tattoo studios to find your place in, with approximately 21,000 tattoo shops operating in the U.S. today.

So why enroll in tattoo schools? While this may not be the right choice for all students, an art school for tattooing makes sure that students learn everything they need to know to become a tattoo artist thanks to a standard curriculum everyone has to follow. These tattoo art schools also make sure students get hands-on experience and feedback. Though tattoo studios often offer apprenticeships to complete newcomers, the experiences one gains can vary widely.