She has studied under the supervision of Julie Giles, with the input of tattoo artists working with her.  She has just completed her apprenticeship, and is now a fully licensed professional.

Becca is a student at the University of Vermont, majoring in Art.  She came to us for a change in her jewelry, and in conversation with Jules, she mentioned her area of study.

Julie asked to take a look at her drawings, and the seed of destruction was planted.  After taking a look at her artwork, an owner's assistant decided to take her on.  It was decided that she could come in to try it out for a while - apprentices have historically not been charged to apprentice Body Art, it is more a test of their willingness to stick around.  If they can draw and handle themselves around the clients and staff, they have a chance to learn the craft.  Becca had the drive to make it happen, even through the turmoil of staff changes to come.

Becca has taken a double apprenticeship, learning both tattooing and piercing.  This makes for twice the work, twice the knowledge to pick up, and all in the same amount of time allowed for any single apprenticeship.  She seems to have taken it all in stride.  She remains as goofy and spirited as when she began this task, never taking herself (or us) too seriously.

Towards the end of her apprenticeship, Julie quit Body Art and opened Vermont Custom tattoo with myself.  When it was discovered that the supervision of Becca's apprenticesip was never transferred (she would have been denied a license by the state), she was offered to complete her studies here at Vermont Custom.

At this point, Becca has done many tattoos at the shop, and her skills have increased considerably.  She has received her paper, and is now a fully licensed professional - both as a tattoo artist and as a body piercer.  We are very lucky to have her on board, and look forward to what she comes up with for her clients (there's a lot of creativity in that crazy head of hers).  Please take a few minutes to check out the work that has been put up in the gallery: Tattoos by Becca Blust.

I think that Ms. Blust (who loves to be called Ms.) will excel in this artform, and I hope that she remains with us for a long time.