We were lucky to catch up with Arleen Silva recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Arleen, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I am happy as an artist. Deciding to work for myself was probably the scariest decision I’ve ever made but I can’t imagine going back. In my previous “regular” jobs I worked for some not so great people in some not so great environments and I felt like I was capable of doing so much more with my life. I remember being at work feeling like a zombie and barely making it by. Little me would have been so disappointed if I didn’t at least try to go after all the things we wanted. Seeing it all finally happen is a feeling I hope everyone gets to feel.

Arleen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an artist/ tattoo artist at La Familia Tattoo Studio in Lancaster California. My art style is a mix of neo traditional and realism with mediums ranging from ball point pen, graphite, acrylic paint, graphic design, and tattooing. I first started getting into this business by entering a few art shows held by local breweries, a few private galleries and submitting my work to Conception Arts. They helped me showcase my work and really get a feel for what I needed to push my artwork in a more professional direction. Art shows showed me how to make important connections with people and how to put myself out there/brand my work. I drew all day almost every day until my hands couldn’t uncurl from pen holding position and permanently ruined any chances of a normal sleeping schedule. In 2019 I was given an apprenticeship by Angel Munoz @heptictatz and I’ve been with La Familia ever since. I couldn’t have asked for a better shop to be a part of and I’m thankful for having the most supportive, inspiring coworkers who make it feel like a second home rather than work. I’m most proud of all of the relationships I’ve made being in this business. I’m proud of how far I’ve come from being this shy awkward girl who didn’t talk to anybody to being this outgoing awkward woman who loves herself. If there’s one thing I want future clients to know it’s that I’m committed to helping bring your ideas to life.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

To me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is hearing that I inspired someone else to start drawing again/start drawing for the first time. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had a conversation with someone who told me they use to draw and they just stopped for one reason or another. They would show me pictures or try to draw something out really quick to show me and I’d get these butterflies seeing them light up talking it. Then it would get sad because they either don’t have the time anymore or don’t know where to start. Last year my dad texted me saying he was showing my grandma my artwork and it inspired her to start drawing again following it with a drawing she made of me. I cried. You never know who your art is going to reach or how. Some of my favorite messages I’ve received are friends/followers asking for advice which is something I never thought would happen to me.

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.

One thing I get told a lot is how easy my job is, that all I get to do is sit around and draw all day. It probably looks easy from an outside perspective and the 10 second clips I’ll post on my story, but there is so much more to being self employed that doesn’t get shown or talked about enough. My job doesn’t end when I leave the shop or on weekends and holidays. I get messages every day at all hours of the day and if I don’t answer it keeps building up until I make time to get to them all. I have to schedule, create, photograph, edit, promote, and document everything. If I stop or take a break my business can slow down, especially with Instagrams horrible algorithm it’s hard to even get your work seen unless you pay for it to be shown nowadays. It can get overwhelming at times, for me I hate feeling like I’m disappointing people by not being constantly available and it’s messed with my mental health. I’m starting to prioritize giving myself enough time to be home and off my phone along with making time for family and friends, and only doing work related things at a certain time.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.arleensilva.bigcartel.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/arleen_silva

Image Credits
Lesslye @vtattz