We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Wendi Ramirez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Wendi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?
It’s not a lesson learned by one prior job which I based my decision to be my own boss upon. It’s the simple knowledge gained by all prior job experiences which confirms I can’t abide by someone else’s schedule or set of rules. I feel the ticking of time that can be stifling so I want control of everyday I have. Waking naturally opposed to an alarm, working with only clients whose company I enjoy, working only the hours my eyes and back will allow, and executing only the art that can maintain my interest are only a few quality advantages I’ve worked many hard years to obtain.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I started working at age 16. I tried many different categories to find an enjoyable career. I quit high school at 16 and skipped through beauty school to art school quickly while feeling art job options out by working as a freelancer. My decision to tattoo came immediately as I sat getting my first tattoo at age 18. That was it. I was hooked and have been ever since. I just celebrated my 50 th birthday. I continue trying to develop thanx to the pleasure of working with an abundance of talented artists through the years as well as the endless exposure to the amazing art produced around the world today. I struggled at first to break into the industry. It’s incredibly more accessible today then when I started. My supportive Dad sat as my first ever client when I chose to try it out on my own before achieving an apprenticeship. My parents enabled me every step of the way. I just remained determined and followed the opportunities that arose. Dealt with a lot of crap that formed my current strong opinions. Maintain your boundaries! Mine are much stronger today than yesterday. I feel young people today have more awareness and support in such matters as well as so many resources they can tap into. The world is so much smaller now. However, I still deal with talking to walls when offering advice. It’s just human nature and most choose to learn things the hard way. Overall, I enjoyed my journey because I feel it contained some lingering grit and character that I rarely see in many atmospheres and individuals today. On the flip side of my observation is the undeniable higher standards in technical and artistic applications in our industry which spills over into other art forms as well as the part we play in clients becoming whom they strive to be. I’m also very proud of every bit of help I’ve given to those who’ve become successful tattoo artists.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Making a living from celebrating who I am while having a constant exchange with others of natural, esoteric gifts that can last a lifetime. In our own unique ways of rebelling against the type of domination that destroys a spirit by being forced to follow a restricting program that results in everyone and everything seeming simply replicated in order to serve whomever is currently in power. Things such as looking however you wish to look, celebrating ancient culture and practices, doing one’s craft whenever and wherever your heart chooses, and joining other creatives in aiding in healthier mind and bodies through what is natural and special opposed to cheap carbon copied impressions that just numb all individual thinking. It’s the same ole cycle of gaining awareness that I feel my art definitely feeds.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
First many can acknowledge that creative services are necessary and worthy of fully financially supporting those offering it opposed to it being considered “ a hobby” or alternative to a “ legitimate job”. Many of these “ legitimate jobs, careers, services, etc. are often catering to things that hinder positive human development. The type of industries that grease the machine that has been designed to stomp out individuality and self sustainability. I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked what my “ real job” is as though I escape from my cubicle where I’m required to wear long sleeves to go secretly scribble on skin as though I allow my wild side to peak out a little from time to time. It’s hard to say anything original without coming across as an angry hippy.
Contact Info:
- Website: dovetailtattoo.com
- Instagram: wendiramireztattoo