We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Antolin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

As I’ve invested years into honing my craft and working on myself as a whole. In recent years, I have been much more interested in curating my clientele and the type of projects I work on. Projects and clientele that feel more joyful, fulfilling and meaningful to work with. I want more than just soul sucking survival. I want to thrive and build community. It means a lot to me to create works I can be proud of and know I took part in creating a great experience and connecting with my clients. Even better if it checks all the boxes of reclaiming/decolonizing/reindiginize, hold space for folks who a lot of times may not be or feel welcomed in stereotypical cis-het white male dominant spaces and are just rad tattoos.

Ashley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Ashley Antolin. I am a Filipino American tattoo artist from Lahaina, Maui. I have also been an outspoken advocate for my hometown especially after it had burned down in August 2023.

I started my career in Maui, Hawaii in a walk-in shop basically working on whatever walked in the door. Before I persued a career as a tattoo artist, I was also a henna (temporary) tattoo artist for some years. I enjoy versatility and have recently learned that interest may stem from my neurodivergency. I particularly do enjoy botanical, anime/cartoon, cute, kinky, fine line, color and black and gray tattoos but am open to just about most things. If you have an idea, just ask.

Even though I am American from an American state, Hawaii is much different from Oregon even in history. It was and still is such a culture shock. I grew up in brown and black spaces full of culture so currently living in a dominantly white space and actively seeking BIPOC community is very new to me. I didn’t understand why BIPOC clients would get so excited to get tattooed by me as a Filipino woman until I moved away from home to not so diverse spaces. Representation and unspoken understanding is huge. Seeing people who look like you when you are considered a minority makes a huge difference and that’s just the start.

For a long time I hid behind my work without sharing who I was, thinking my art alone could speak for itself even though I wasn’t allowed as much artistic freedom at the time. It wasn’t until I started flagging more and sharing what I really think, not just in art but on my hard stances in activism that I saw more support and relation. I found it very fulfilling to help folks reclaim their bodies as women, queers, BIPOC etc. and offer quality tattoos and experiences.

I have worked in a lot of different kinds of environments and got to know that kind of people and spaces I do not want to be around or have profit off of me by mere association to myself and my clients. It is statistically impossible that there aren’t more capable professionals with intersectional identities that folks would love to support. Eventually I realized I could be just that just by being me and doing what I do that align with my ethics and values.

I am owner and artist of my own private shop, Paradox Studio in Portland, Oregon. I aim to hold trauma informed safe space for myself and my clients of all body types and backgrounds while creating a variety of awesome tattoos.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Connecting. I mean that in a few ways. Physical, emotional, mentally, it is very much an exchange of energy. I’ve had many interesting conversations with all kinds of folks especially in long large sessions. It feels like such a win when a project comes together and really comes to life. Especially difficult projects like coverups, memorials etc. I have worked some magic and had clients cry from happiness. Even if it’s just a typical Monday for me it can still mean so much to another person and I am honored to be apart of that.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my particular industry, there is crossover between art and service industry. I do appreciate those who put the time in to research what tattoo artist they would like to work with whose style they like. Clients in service industry work are particularly understanding in paying someone what they’re worth, what their rates are and tipping well and allowing for at least some artistic freedom. If folks are willing to pay a lot for phones, shoes, bags etc, why shouldn’t they consider properly investing into the art they are going to wear on their skin. That being said, tattoos are a kind of luxury though I do believe in accessibility so the above mentioned is more in reference to those who can afford it. Some artists like myself do offer sliding scale options or work with reasonable budgets.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://campsite.bio/ashleyantolin
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AshleyAntolin
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshleyAntolinArt
• Other: Google Maps: Paradox Studio – Ashley Antolin Tattoos & Art https://maps.app.goo.gl/QH6DvhS5jgP9YL5h9

Image Credits
Tattoo work and photo’s by Ashley Antolin