1. When/How did you know that you wanted to be a tattoo artist?
When I was about 11, my younger sister had a babysitter and she had tattoos and I asked her how she got them and she told me about it. That's when I decided that I wanted to be a tattoo artist.
2. When did you get your first tattoo?
When I turned 18. It was some crop circles. I really like crop circles, and I also worked in some Polynesian stuff.
3. Do you feel that women are under-represented in the tattoo world?
There's not too many of us. But it's like any other field, it's not about being a guy or girl or being from a specific place. It's about what you can do. If you can do it you can do it--it doesn't matter who you are. I've never worked with another woman tattoo artist. I'm the only girl.
4. Do you feel that men (clients or colleagues) treat you differently because you're a woman?
No I don't think so. I haven't been treated differently. Also, I get along really well with the guys I work with. They are all really good at what they do.
5. What advice would you give to a girl about to get her first tattoo?
You have to make sure it's something you really like. And make sure that the person who's tattooing you specializes in that specific style or art of tattoo. Look at their books, see if there's anything similar to what you want in their books. Like at my shop, we each specialize in different things. So if you came in asking for something specific, we would give you that person.
6. What advice would you give to a girl who wanted to become a tattoo artist?
You definitely want to do some kind of school. I went to Art school. Then you have to find a person to train you. The apprenticeship is the best way. The old school way--you make no money and take everybody's shit, but that's the right way to do it. That's how it's been done for many, many years...that's how you gotta do it. The art education is also good because you're bringing something into it that doesn't have anything to do with tattoo culture.
7. What are your favorite kinds of tattoos to do?
I like tattoos with fine lines. Small, intricate stuff. Details.
8. In your own artwork do you feel you are heavily influenced by tattoo culture or is it just something that you do for work?
I like tattoo art, the old school stuff, pin up girls. But in my own work, I like to draw a lot of negative space stuff....Like Frank Miller comic book style, though I rarely get to tattoo that stuff. When I draw, I like to draw intricate lines with fine details, so that's definitely influenced by what I do at work, but not necessarily by tattoo art.
9. Are there any tattoos you would refuse to do (e.g., something you found racist)?
People who would get racist tattoos are stupid anyway. I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't feel like it's right so I wouldn't do it.
10. What do you see in the future of tattooing?
In terms of technology, the machines are exactly the same as they were in the 1940s-- one extra part was added. Well, not exactly the same, but pretty similar. In general the quality of it is getting better. In terms of the art, tattooing isn't ever going to die out. Even though right now it's trendy, there will always be people who want to get them. Tattooing has been around forever...in Borneo, Polynesia, before people even traveled. It's not ever going to become a thing of the past.
11. Any further comments?
I feel very honored that people let me mark them permanently...because they're trusting me to treat their body like that for the rest of their lives. I appreciate it.
1. When/How did you know that you wanted to be a tattoo artist?
6. What advice would you give to a girl who wanted to become a tattoo artist?
