We recently connected with Melise Hill and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Melise thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

The tattoo industry has definitely been viewed in different ways over the years. Fortunately, as it’s gained popularity over recent years, most people are accepting of people with tattoos, or at the very least are intrigued by it. That wasn’t always the case though! When I started tattooing a decade ago, my parents questioned at first whether it was a viable career choice. I had so many people assume it was just a side hustle and would ask what my full time job was, or whether I was still doing that “tattoo thing.” It’s frustrating to have worked so hard to be successful at something that I’m passionate about and still not be taken seriously as a professional. It’s been nice though, to witness this perspective change in a positive way over the years.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Melise Hill, a tattoo artist based out of a private studio in Detroit. I grew up in Ontario, just over the border where I went to college for Fine Arts. I started my tattoo apprenticeship in my hometown in late 2012 where I worked for the next two years before moving to Michigan to work at Ironclad Tattoo Co. I recently opened a private studio where it’s just my apprentice, Ryann and I. Getting into tattooing, I always was very serious about making it my career. I worked as a bartender at night for the first year or so to supplement my income, so it required dedication right from the start. Learning the craft was also a challenge (and sometimes still is), but it always felt worthwhile to keep pushing, and it definitely paid off!

Learning to tattoo is really only part of the job though! You become your own business, and being able to handle clients, work a schedule, and market yourself is a ton of work that is crucial to your success. I’ve gotten myself to a place where I work when I want and dictate the artwork I produce, which is a direct result of the intentional efforts I’ve put in, setting goals and taking my job seriously. I think clients see that and appreciate it too.

In an industry that’s often not taken seriously, I feel that it’s important for tattooers to show that we are professionals, if not experts in a very specific line of work. Our job may seem like it’s all fun and glamourous, but we work just as hard as anyone else. It is a pretty fun job though, and I feel really lucky!

What do you find most rewarding about being creative?

At the end of each work day, not only do I feel good about having created a piece of art, but it’s also so rewarding to see how excited it makes a client. It’s such an honour to be trusted to create something that will be taken with someone wherever they go. Not all jobs make you feel like you’re making a difference, so even if I help one person feel better about themselves, I feel like I did something good!

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building a solid following on social media takes a long time! It can feel like a part time job to maintain. I find that it’s most helpful to be consistent with posting and try to add unique content that your audience is interested in. Often getting shared will create more momentum, so tagging and hashtags will help make that happen. The algorithms can be a lot to keep up with, but I think regular, relevant posts and engaging with your followers is important! Social media isn’t the only way to promote yourself, but personally I credit a large part of my success to the following I’ve gained on Instagram.

Contact Info:

• Website: melisehill.com
• Instagram: @melisehilltattoo
• Other: Tiktok: @melisehilltattoo