Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Deborah Espinosa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Deborah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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 am an artist of many mediums, for the past 9 years I have been an aerial circus artist. Now as I am entering my early 30’s I have been drawn back to my first interest as a career, a tattoo artist. When I was 15 I asked my mom to buy me a tattoo machine, with the promise that if she did, I would not get any tattoos myself. Sure enough, that Christmas I got it. I immediately had a line of willing friends to be my guinea pigs. I could easily imagine myself having a career as a tattoo artist, I tattooed friends for a few years but I ended up taking a different path and later became an aerialist.

Fast forward to 30 year old me, as an aerial lyra teacher I have become friends with many of my students. While teaching I expressed to my friend Kim that I wanted to get back into tattooing. Her husband is the owner of the reputable Blindside Tattoo shops. I began an apprenticeship with Mr. Siego the owner. Teenage me was freaking out at the opportunity. Though I feel like I am getting a late start I do believe it is never too late to learn anything. Starting circus as an adult taught me that. I fully committed to the apprenticeship and trusted the process. I love being a student, I also welcome the opportunity to be critiqued. I believe being able to take critiques is an important quality to have, being able to take correction graciously and use it as a tool to continue honing your own skills is key. Knowing now where I am going, I wish I would have kept drawing more consistently in my 20’s. I have always loved to draw and paint but I never made it a priority. My favorite part of the process has been diving back into practicing my drawing and creative skills.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Currently I am in a tattoo apprenticeship but for the past 9 years I have trained and performed as an aerial circus artist. I specialize in Aerial hoop and silk. I began my journey as an aerialist when I met my now best friend Leylen, at a rock climbing gym, I began to train and perform with her. I spent years seeking out more in depth training at different Circus facilities in California. I have worked as an independent performer. I have done residencies at clubs in Austin, as well as private, public and corporate events all over Texas. After years of experience I began to share my skills by becoming a teacher, I now teach at Lache Movement here in Austin Tx. While pursuing my career as a tattoo artist I will continue to teach and perform aerial. It is a part of who I am and one of my favorite ways to express myself creatively.

During the pandemic when I wasn’t able to perform I got my personal training certification and began taking clients. One of my clients named Ana is a licensed therapist with her own practice. We became good friends and she approached me with an idea. She asked if I wanted to be on the board and help her start a non profit that would aim to provide resources and unbiased therapy to the night life performing community. It has always been important to me to show support to my fellow performers. After lots of hard work we are close to our goal. Currently TEN, which stands for Therapy for Entertainers in Nightlife is providing therapy to our targeted demographic at a discounted rate of only $40 per session. Ana is the back bone of the organization and I am so proud of all the work done by her and our entire board. You can find information about us and our mission at Nightlifetherapy.com

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

For those who have known me as a Circus performer the news that I am now focusing on a new career as a tattoo artist came as a surprise. Though this does not mean I am giving up performing, I had been feeling a pull internally to pursue this new career.

The life of an independent circus artist has not been easy. It is a constant hustle to get consistent work and you must be vigilant in promoting yourself. As an aerialist, when you hire me for a gig you are not just paying for the time I am performing. You are paying for the countless hours and years of training and the time it takes me to warm up properly to prevent injury. There is risk involved with the job, as am in anywhere from 5-60 feet in the air without a safety harness or net. You are also paying for the costumes, make up/hair, and the gas for traveling to gigs. When I am not performing, I am training and conditioning. It is imperative to maintain strength so I can feel confident and lower risk of injury in the air. Over the years I do feel that Austin’s market of aerial performers has been over saturated and several new comers taking low pay rates has made the price for hire lower and lower. I am at a point in my aerial career where I want to be picky with the gigs I take. If someone does not want to pay my rate or I am not excited to do a project, I will say no. With this fact, I know I may not get enough work to support myself and accomplish my goals. I still have more I want to accomplish as an aerialist, I also want to produce and direct aerial shows in the future. I need a more steady income so that I will be able to fund and bring my visions to reality.

I feel as an artist there are more ways of expressing myself creatively and more I can offer to the world. That is part of why I decided to pivot my focus on becoming a tattoo artist. I knew I could turn my passion for drawing and painting in to a career. As soon as I got the opportunity to do my apprenticeship I have felt like I am truly on my path. I know it is a great fit for me. I aspire to specialize in black and grey realism. I would love to do animal and dog portraits. Being a tattoo artist comes with its own set of obstacles as well but I am up for the challenge.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

As a nightlife performer and a tattoo artist I rely heavily on the support of the public. Buy tickets to local nightlife events and go to local art shows. Buy art and tip your artists and performers when appropriate. Share flyers and information about events. Encourage creatives, do not put them down for not having a “real job”. We need artists in this world too. Do not try and negotiate lower pay rates with artists who give you their minimum rate.

Contact Info:

• Website: nightlifetherapy.com
• Instagram: Aerial ig @lildebbiecakesaerials. Tattoo ig @lildebbink.art

Image Credits
@kristialyssa – leopard lyra photo @captured_desire_photography – Long pony tail photo @bryanpatricksmith – aerial silk photo