Meet April Czapla | Tattoo Apprentice

We had the good fortune of connecting with April Czapla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi April, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My work life balance has changed dramatically since I started my tattoo apprenticeship at Crafted Image. I went from having a full time forty plus hour a week job to holding down two full time forty hour plus jobs, so I am basically working a 60-80 hours a week. It has been quite the struggle the past two months since I started working so many hours, but I have learned if I want to get anywhere in my career there was going to be a sacrifice somewhere along the line. Yes, I struggle, but I am very grateful for the opportunity that showed up and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am still going through my trials as an apprentice in the tattoo industry. There are actually five of us apprentices so I have friends to rely on when we get stuck on a piece we are doing as well as our mentors to guide us out of situations that would normally make anyone give up and quit. The road has been far from easy… you have to learn how to take criticism from everyone and learn from it. You can’t take everything to heart when it comes to tattoos…everyone makes mistakes and we grow from it. All of us take this apprenticeship very seriously. We are all here going through road bumps together though. My first person I ever tattooed by myself I had screwed up, but luckily I had my mentor Sean and Tony both watching my every step and helping me fix the tattoo.. I have yet to screw up again. It was a very humbling experience for me especially because the one thing I have always wanted to do I failed at the first time, but I got back up and practiced. I’m doing very well as an apprentice now and continuously learning everyday from each experience with new clients and some very trusting friends. I haven’t quite made a brand for myself since I am just starting out, but it seems to be growing as I grow. One day, it will be a unique brand like each and everyone of us can all relate too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Of course you can’t come to Texas and not go see a few bands in Deep Ellum. Preferably Dos Equis pavilion in south Dallas is an amazing place to go to for a concert. Deep Ellum on the weekends is usually filled with various people. They have various themed bar crawls, music and art festivals.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Sean Smith and Tony Figueroa. If it weren’t for my two mentors showing me the ropes of the tattoo industry I wouldn’t be where I am at today with my tattooing. I’d also like to thank my best friend who is to remain anonymous for standing beside me even when I struggled with certain decisions and hardships I have had to deal with along my continuous journey in my apprenticeship. He has been there since day one.

Instagram: Czapla_tattoos