Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Lott

Abby, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

Hello! I’m Abby (Stabby Cat Tattoos), a 25 year old tattoo artist based in Tennessee. I co-own a tattoo shop in Lawrenceburg, TN called Stray Cats Studio.
I started tattooing in 2020, I was apart of the batch of “Covid baby” tattooers lol
I initially started off in a shop that was essentially just an apprentice farm – there were more than 4 apprentices at all times and it was truly the blind leading the blind as he really didn’t spend any time teaching and we were expected to help each other or watch YouTube videos – but was there to get his cut of your cash at the end of the night of course.
The next spot I worked at I learned how to use coils and I saw an almost instant improvement in my work, that truly set me up for success and I’m grateful for it for sure.
Both environments were not good for me and my mental and physically health took a big dive those couple of years. I did walk away with good life experience but I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t been difficult.
Truly changing my environment, the people around me, and my own mindset and goals has been so beneficial. I feel like I’ve grown a lot as an artist and a person and I look forward to continuing to improve.
Surrounding myself with likeminded people and absorbing all I can learn from them has been wonderful. Working conventions and doing guest spots has allowed me to meet so many wonderful artists and people, I truly love this career & community with all of my heart!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Haha absolutely not! I am very stubborn though, and if I want something bad enough I’ll push through anything to get it!
Being femme presenting in the tattoo industry has had its challenges, the same typically things you run into in any male dominated career space though. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me I was the first femme artist they had ever had, I sure would have a lot of dollars!
Unfortunately there are also predators & just overall bad people in this industry as well and that’s presented its own set of challenges that I and countless other people have had to deal with; I haven’t met very many people who don’t have traumatic stories from their apprenticeships/early years as an artist, sadly.
That being said – I have definitely seen people being the change that there needs to be because of this.
People are being called out and dealing with the consequences of their actions, the cycle of abusing your apprentice is being stopped, and there’s just overall been a shift in what people are willing to put up with anymore. It could just be me speaking on a small town artist’s experience but I do see more good than bad nowadays and I’m hopeful for the future!
Tattooing itself has been a struggle as well haha! It’s an art that is forever evolving – let that be with new technology, techniques, information, ect. and it’s like being enrolled in forever school. I fell in love with it immediately and am addicted to evolving in my craft any way possible!
Battling my anxiety has been a huge part in letting myself get out there. It’s so nerve-wracking to message an artist you look up to, or to walk into another shop and ask about guest spots, or to work conventions, the list goes on haha! Truly having a super solid friend group has been huge for that. The friends who travel, the ones who don’t, the ones who don’t tattoo – every single person I’m lucky enough to call a friend has changed my life for the better and I have so much love for them all! It really does take a village!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I am a tattoo artist and I specialize in colorwork and illustrative pieces. I really enjoy traditional, neo traditional, watercolor and ornamental as well.
I pride myself in my ability to connect with clients; the tattoo process can be nerve-wracking, especially to first timers, and I love making the whole experience comfortable and fun! Tattoos are a luxury and it should feel that way!
I provide that by working in a clean environment, I tattoo using high quality products, I talk my clients through my process to ease their anxieties, I work in a heavily decorated space so there is always so much to look at / spark up conversation, ect.
I truly just strive to provide the experience I would want when getting tattooed, it’s a treat and it should feel that way!

What do you like and dislike about the city?

Lawrenceburg has that small town charm about it that really can be lovely! Most of the general public is polite and down to earth and the small businesses are mostly ran by similar folk. We’re in Amish country as well so there is a lot of local produce, handmade items, and other goodies that are worth checking out when you’re in our neck of the woods. There’s a lot of really good local food spots to check out as well – I’m a sucker for the barbecue!

The downsides come with being perceived as different in the South. With small towns can come people who refuse to grow with the world around them and I’ve had a couple of tense interactions, unfortunately. All you can do is put out the energy you want to see in the world and hope that people clouded by ignorance can grow and contribute to the world around them positively vs continuing to make things harder for everyone.

Pricing:

• $100 minimum
• Flash / pre drawn designs are typically priced at flat rates
• Typically 140/hr for other projects
• I’m happy to work with someone’s budget as well

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grimdark.art?igsh=eGVoOTZzcnVjNm96&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/stabbycattattoos/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@stabbycattattoos?_t=8oGOkPhZKJz&_r=1