We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ana Odle. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ana below.
Ana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
The biggest risk I’ve taken has been the most fun and rewarding adventure of all. Flashback to eleven years ago, fresh out of college with a biology degree, wide-eyed and excited to step into the ‘real world,’ I started a new job making allergy medicine for people. It didn’t take long until I realized that even though I’m a science lover, Biology wasn’t for me. I loved college, but I also love learning, so it never occurred to me that my field of study wasn’t what I wanted to do for the rest of my life until I was in a lab from 8-5. Cue the existencial crisis: I quit my job and moved away.
From there, it took me about four-five years and living in three different states in the US (New York, North Carolina, and Texas) to slowly find my path: tattoos.
I’ve drawn and painted for as long as I can remember, but I never considered art as a career possibility for myself. It was my dream, but I never thought it could actually happen. I chose science because if you’re good enough and get good grades at school, you can get a good job when you graduate. So the biggest risk I’ve ever taken was to leave a secure job/income, to pursue my ultimate dream and give myself a shot at finding happiness and purpose.
Fast forward to today, I’ve been tattooing for almost six years and I own a tattoo shop (with my amazing husband) called Cellar Door Tattoo Gallery in El Paso, Texas. We have three other artists (other than me), and two apprentices, and we have so many plans for the future of the shop! I wouldn’t change a single thing. The journey that has brought me here has been amazing and so much fun. I specialize in illustrative blackwork (mainly ornamental and botanical), I have such passion for what I do and I absolutely love decorating my clients’ skin with pretty art!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve been in the industry for about six years and specialize in botanical and ornamental blackwork. I’ve known I wanted to specialize in this style and technique since I started tattooing because I love the way black ink contrasts with skin, and because I love science, nature, and sacred geometry. My strong suit is my lines. Tattooing a person is a big deal to me, it’s radical. You’re permanently changing someone’s appearance, so every line has to be perfect.
Every stroke gives me life and seeing how nature and ornamental shapes flow with the body is very satisfactory.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Not necessarily society, but the direct families of artists and creatives. Talking about my field specifically (although I’m sure a lot of people can relate to this), but I’ve witnessed how my friends’ and colleagues’ relatives don’t always encourage them to take the leap and pursue an actual career in tattooing. There are a lot of obstacles and challenges in this field, but when you add the lack of encouragement and motivation from family, living off of your art seems nearly impossible and unattainable.
My advice would be that if you have a family member or friend who wants to be an artist (or tattoo artist in this case), to keep encouraging them and show them you have faith in their dreams, and help them find the resources and tools they need to improve their craft!
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
The fact that work never ends for us. I own a tattoo studio and I’m an appointment only- tattoo artist. On top of working all day, I go home and draw for future appointments, answer messages, post content on social media, and handle anything else that my studio needs such as inventory, bills, etc. I chose this life and I absolutely love every part of it, but it really never ends. Work is never all done. I have learned a lot about time management and setting boundaries, but it’s definitely a very different dynamic compared to an office job.
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Image Credits
Portraits by @franciscoamayaphotography