We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alex Leigh. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alex below.

Alex, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

Well, there’s two experiences I consider to be my first dollar I guess!

The first time was when I was in elementary school. My grandmother loved to sew and one day she showed me a really easy way to make bookmark tassels. I got the idea to get some friends in on it and start selling them to people in the class and I probably sold maybe 3 of them haha. However that moment was forever burned into my memory as my first official sale of something I had made and I was so proud of myself.

The second time I was in my second year of college and I had entered a few paintings into a student exhibit. I was really into doing oil paintings of still life at the time and I made a painting of my bathroom. It was really simple with some towels, tile walls and a door. While I made second place with the painting it did not sell until a few weeks later. A coworker of mine had noticed it and really loved it, so once the exhibit was over she bought it from me and that was the first time ever I had sold a painting. I normally give my paintings away to friends or family so the fact that someone loved it enough to purchase it made me feel like my art really was impactful.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

I am a tattoo artist based out of Springboro, Ohio and I have been on this journey for about 3-4 years. I specialize in neo-traditional color tattoos but I also love doing black and grey tattoos dearly. I began this career path in 2018 and after about a year and a half I took a break to take care of my mental health. After a year I got back into it with help from a good friend and I dove head first into it after that.

I pride myself on offering a comfortable and safe environment for my clients. Being a female artist does help, but I work very hard to ensure each and every potential client feels like I have their back. Tattoos in themselves are an intimate experience that can sometimes be in very intimate areas and people need someone who is professional and has their best interest in mind. The main thing I want from my clients is that they can leave my booth and say they feel respected and good about themselves!!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I don’t often talk about it unless it comes up in conversation, but I quite literally came from nothing. I grew up poor, I got my food from the fish pantry, Christmas presents some years came from adopt a family programs offered by a local church, and sometimes I would go a month and a half without being able to wash my clothes. I grew up in an abusive home, I survived and escaped multiple abusive relationships and I’ve been without a place to call home more times than I care to admit. No matter what life has put me through, I have absolutely refused to give up. I had a dream and I chased it with every fiber of my being, I didn’t care what it took I was going to get there and make it or fail. I continue to look back and embrace how far I have come so I can constantly appreciate what I have given myself today.

What do you find most rewarding about being creative?

Oh god it’s hands down changing peoples lives! As a tattoo artist I quite literally become part of my clients lives for the entire time that tattoo is on their body. I have met so many strong and amazing people that have taught me so much and it became apparent very fast that they also change my life in the process. I firmly believe everything happens for a reason, we meet people for a reason and I’m blessed to have this experience with my clients. We share our stories sometimes or other times we absorb the exchange of energies in silence. No matter what, though, they become part of me as much as I become part of them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alexleightattoos.threadless.com/
• Instagram: AlexLeighTattoos
• Facebook: Alex Leigh
• Other: Tiktok – @alexleightattoos

Image Credits
Alex Leigh