We were lucky to catch up with Caroline Conlon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Caroline, appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I began my tattoo journey in 2020. One of the biggest obstacles I think most aspiring tattoo artists face, myself included, has less to do with the craft itself and more to do with finding a safe and comfortable place to learn and grow. This industry can be tough to navigate. That being said, every obstacle is simply an opportunity to grow and learn. Negative experiences can shine light on how you DON’T want to be, so you can instead choose who you DO want to be.

Art is subjective and my favorite thing about tattooing is that it can be anything. Tattooing is an ancient art with roots in many different cultures. Exposing yourself to as many tattoo styles as possible is a great way to broaden your horizons and expand your creativity. Artists today consistently push the limits of what can be done on skin and it is amazing to witness!

The most basic skill in tattooing as a craft is health and safety. The most essential skill in tattooing is problem solving. Each and every tattoo and client is a unique piece of art on a living human. Being adaptable and in the present moment is a requirement.

It’s hard to think back and wonder what would I do differently if I knew then what I know now. I believe all of the steps I took led me to become the artist and person I am today, so I would not change a thing. Everyone’s tattoo journey will look different, and that’s what makes it special <3

Caroline, 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 tattoo name is Sweet Caroline Tattoo. I have been licensed in Virginia and tattooing as my full time living for the last three years. I specialize in fineline tattooing, but I like to do a lot of different styles.

I think what sets me apart from other artists is I have a very client-focused mentality and a friendly vibe. I think people feel comfortable to express themselves with me, so they have a good experience. In my local area of Virginia Beach, I am known for doing fineline work, so people seek me out for that!

My tattoo work is largely centered around my femininity and love for cute things, so my work resonates with people who share similar interests to me. I love to connect with people and bring their vision to life!

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Something that I did not fully understand when I started my tattoo career was the financial and business management side of the job. I wish I would have had more knowledge about how to run a business and manage my finances.

Everyone’s situation is different, but in general, tattoo artists are self-employed independent contractors. Compliance and understanding of federal, state, and local taxes is a must! I highly recommend all tattoo artists seek a skilled accountant & work to expand their financial literacy, including retirement planning and securing insurance.

I was so focused on my art and learning the craft, that the business end of the job took me a bit by surprise! Learning how to manage my business gave me a lot of empowerment in my career and tattoo practice.

How did you build your audience on social media?

For better or worse, social media has become a huge part of the tattoo industry. More people are getting into tattooing than ever before and there’s a lot of sentiment that the industry is “over-saturated”. I respectfully disagree with this take, and I think there is enough space in the industry for everyone.

Personally, I am thankful to say that social media has been so kind to me and it has allowed me to connect with so many lovely people. My main platform is Instagram and the majority of my clients find me on there.

My advice for anyone trying to build their social media presence is to be yourself. Create as if it is just for you. I know how cliché that sounds, but I really do think it is true.

For tattoo artists specifically, I definitely recommend posting original flash, resharing art and tattoos from other artists that you love on your story, and don’t be afraid to show yourself. Giving people an opportunity to connect with you as an artist and a person is the strongest way to build a “brand”.

Don’t be afraid to fail, as the only person you are truly in competition with is yourself. Your fellow artists are your community. Also, maybe run an Instagram ad here and there hehe.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sweetcarolinetattoo.com
• Instagram: sweetcarolinetattoo