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

Alright, Emily thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

In the end, I’m just using art as a tool to reconnect people with their spirit. Their spirit, or their inner nature, however you want to name it. I see the loss of connection with our core selves as the reason why we’re in such an environmental and mental-health muddy puddle right now… I also believe that there’s a way out of it.
I guess that’s the bigger picture, but often i simple want to visually share and create from beautiful experiences I’ve had, the feeling of pure oneness in the waves or the mountains, or truly connecting with others. Sometimes it’s simply to share the beauty I see. Or quite often its from personal reflections too.

In the tattoo world, I want to create a space where the experience of being tattooed is as important as the tattoo’s aesthetic. Where my clients feel comfortable enough to share the stories they wish to put on their skin. And to create tattoos without forgetting that it’s such an honour to be able to mark someone’s skin for the rest of their earth life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Art was my favourite escapism as a child. I would draw to focus my thoughts, drawing through class and constantly in trouble for covering my hands, arms and schoolbooks in doodles. It took me until I was 25 and already working as a freelance illustrator (part time, and alongside other jobs) and after leaving England to discover tattooing. The tattoo scene in England when i was growing up never appealed to me, but I was captivated by the traditional bamboo tattoo techniques in thailand. There were many things I loved about it:- how it was slow and so considerate, the time and skill that went into making the needles. And how it was practiced by monks, as a blessing, giving tattoos a ‘magic’ element. It seemed like so much care was put into each one. I studied it there under 2 masters, and after awhile evolved my tattooing into handpoking- a different technique to the thai traditional practice. But i always try to keep with me the highest importance of care and compassion with every single tattoo- however small or spontaneous they are. I like to make my clients feel as comfortable as possible, make sure they have time to question or share anything they wish, to meditate before a tattoo, and make sure that the energy always feels good!

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I always like to work in multiple different ways, to keep ideas fresh, and keep thinking creatively. But this meant that in the past- and sometimes still now- i work more than my body probably wants to. It’s hard to find the balance when you really enjoy working. Around 7 years ago i was working in outdoor/environmental education, teaching (and chasing) kids around waterfalls, forests and elephant rescue centers in northern thailand. Alongside that, myself my partner at the time, and some good friends were running a music and arts festival. And alongside that i was freelance illustrating and tattooing. All my areas of work were fun, full of learning, and i loved my life. But i was burning the candle at both ends. And eventually became sick, luckily not too sick, but enough to force me to slow right down for a few months, and then pick up the pace much slower. I went part time at my full time outdoor ed job, and managed my hours slightly better with everything else. The busiest time, when i was working non-stop, was not when i was earning the most. It was more the opposite… i needed to slow down and re-evaluate myself, my needs, and question how much i was giving for what i was receiving back financially. That illness was a blessing in disguise which allowed me to put more time and focus into my personal art career. Rest did me a lot of good!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

– Above all, dont let social media become more of a focus than the art that youre making. Your art is the most important part, and it will speak to others itself. The algorithms, fashions, trends are always changing. I have never been able to understand it, but wont stop drawing and creating (as i dont know how to live life without it!)

– Dont listen to the numbers of how many likes you get, but more so how it impacts individuals. When i have someone write to me saying how a piece woke up something inside of them, or helped them through grief, that means much more than a hundred new followers.

– Connect with other artists and people in your field. I love chatting with others (probably why tattooing works for me) and sharing thoughts on art. Artists are often happy to support and elevate each other, collaborate, give advice and share each others work on social media. Reach out and connect with people who inspire you and see if you can support each other. This also makes instagram feel more of a ‘real’ community. When you dont know anyone on there individually, its hard for it to feel connective in the slightest.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.Inkandearthstore.com
• Instagram: @ink.and.earth