Here is some writing about tattooing
Where I've been, where I'm going, and where you can work with me this fall
When I asked on my Instagram stories what people wanted to read about on my Substack, a lot of people mentioned tattooing.
And it’s not that I don’t want to write about tattooing… It’s just that I’m scared!
I am not an expert, like I grew to be in the fashion and lingerie industries. I only started tattooing in early 2022, and I don’t know when I’ll feel like I’m no longer “learning.” And as someone who didn’t have a traditional apprenticeship with a singular artist who could instill their very specific beliefs on me, I hesitate to say anything with conviction.
Tattooing has always been an industry with its own culture, its own codes… and in 2023, that culture varies wildly and dogmatically between every shop. Any technique you learn or belief you have as a tattoo artist will be challenged by the next person. Inevitably, no matter what, someone will tell you you’re wrong.
But I guess you can either find yourself beaten down by this fact, by the reality that there are no right answers… or you can take it and embrace it.
There are no right answers! There is no score card! There is just you and your client, and your job is to make them something beautiful in the best way you know how.
So I’m learning to trust myself and what I do know. Because I might not know everything about tattooing yet, but a lifetime as an artist goes a long way. I know how to make a design look beautiful on a client’s musculature. I understand color theory and how certain shades won’t work on certain skin tones. And I can make art that, honestly, looks good as a tattoo—in my opinion, anyway.
Another reason I’ve hesitated to write about my experience as a tattooist is because I’ve had my fair share of negative experiences on this path. And quite frankly, I don’t want my writing to be so… pessimistic.
If you know me, you know how much I love supporting and connecting my friends and colleagues, so we can all work together to create paths for each other in this wild city. It’s one of my favorite things about life in NYC, and was a big part of my work in the often-cold and impersonal fashion industry. I thrived on helping other people make connections and figure out how to navigate that world! What else is life for, if not helping each other do what we want to do?
Candidly, I’d say that it’s rather rare to find that spirit in tattooing. The industry has changed a lot over the last few years, becoming less opaque and more accessible to people who want to work in it. And that’s resulted in so much fear.
As someone who loves collaborating with other creatives, it’s sometimes a difficult place to be. But there are tons of creative, kind, funny, warm humans in this space, and I’m excited to keep doing the work and trying to find my place in this industry—hopefully, one where I can keep learning and growing with people I support and deeply respect, and who support and respect me in return. That’s my dream!
But what keeps me here on the daily, and I assume what keeps so many other artists here as well, is that it’s a beautiful craft.
I love working with my clients to make something that resonates just as much with their aesthetics and ideas, as it does with my own artistic eye. I love tweaking a tattoo stencil’s placement just that one tiny percentage of an angle to make the design sit perfectly along the curve of a body part. I love watching the art heal and change and fade over time, turning into something as alive as the person it’s on.
It’s really special to do this kind of work.
And after working in an industry as undervalued and disposable as fashion, I love making beautiful things that the wearer will cherish literally forever.
I’ve never questioned my love of tattooing, but I’ve gone through things that certainly made me wonder if I wanted to stick it out. Sure, I can move through the brutality of the world without a constant breakdown,1 but I’m still a sensitive baby artist lady! Why would I voluntarily put myself in yet another difficult industry?
After one particularly horrible experience, I texted my mentor, a friend-of-a-friend who has been so incredibly kind, nurturing, and welcoming to me, for no reason other than he’s a kind person. He’s been tattooing for literal decades, and I was sad but, frankly, relieved to hear he’s been through similar things over the years. That it wasn’t just me.
“I think you are finding yourself at your first real crossroads moment,” he said. He told me the story of the very first tattoo he ever did, on the woman who is now his wife. So scared to hurt her, he didn’t go deep enough and all of the ink fell out.
The next tattoo was on his best friend, right after finding out his friend was moving away. That momentary anger got rid of the fear. The tattoo healed just fine.
“It stayed because I had the confidence to hurt him,” he said. “The whole industry is like that. You have to really force yourself into it to make it happen.
“If you want to do this, you just have to do it… There is always going to be something in the way.”
And isn’t that the same for every industry, every part of life? Something will always be in the way, for all of us.
So that’s why I have the guts to share my experience here.
I don’t know everything there is to know about tattooing. I don’t think I ever will.
But if something will always be in the way, why do we hold ourselves back, waiting for the fictional day when we have all the answers and no one will tell us we’re wrong?
Next time you hit a roadblock, I hope you find the strength to move past it, too. To handle it in a way that will make you the most proud, the most happy, even if it’s hard. And to do the things you love, even if you aren’t a goddamn expert yet.
where I’m tattooing this fall
I’m doing guest spots at a couple studios this fall! Yay!!
Next week, I’m tattooing at Meadow Sky Studio on Wednesday 9/27 + Thursday 9/28. Those dates are booked up, BUT I’m opening up one extra appointment on both dates exclusively for my tarot talisman designs! Email me for more info & to claim a spot~
In October, I am booking regular appointments at my pretty pink studio! I’m finally getting over COVID so I’m excited to have some new flash posted over the next few weeks. Not finding anything you love on my “available” highlight? I’d love to work with you on a custom piece! Email me or use my handy dandy tattoo appointment form to make an appointment.
In November, I’m tattooing at Vacation Forever Tattoo in Ridgewood on Friday 11/10, Saturday 11/11, and Sunday 11/12! This was just finalized this week, so email me to book an appointment before the dates are publicized.
That’s all for this edition of la vie en rose! I’ve only left my house like twice this week due to the aforementioned illness, so my flower update will be back next time.
In the meantime, I really want to know: Did you like this post? What kinds of things do you want to read on my Substack? Leave your thoughts in the comments, or just email me!
A few years ago, a friend of mine asked me how I’ve managed to live in this city so long without losing my sensitivity and gentleness. I laughed and said, “You should have met me before I lived here!”
That pigeon tattoo is soo pretty!! My favorite 💙