We recently connected with Erin Armstrong and have shared our conversation below.
Erin, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Pursuing a creative job is already a big risk. Pursuing one that has stigma attached to it, male dominated, and very competitive is another.
Reaching out to the ad on Craigslist for a tattoo apprenticeship was the best risk I have ever taken. The second was when I was able to quit my two jobs and support myself full time as an artist.
Entering the tattoo community was a lot of work, consisting of late nights, early mornings, drawing assignments, being very very broke, constructive criticism and self discipline.
I wouldn’t change the hardships at all, I learned a lot about myself, and they have impacted how I run my business today.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Tattoos have always been of interest to me. I started getting them as soon as I was 18.
After going to art school and considering going into art therapy, I was a desperate creative looking for a job. I was a server and Paint Nite host, but I wanted more and to use my abilities to my full potential.
Originally searching for a job at a tattoo shop as counter staff I found an ad for an apprenticeship on Craigslist. I reached out sending some pictures of my work and was chosen for an interview. Luckily at the interview my mentor saw something in me and decided to give me a chance she asked that day when I could start.
After a year in my apprenticeship I was able to go off on my own. I developed my own style and consider myself an artist specializing in black and grey botanicals, ornamental, blackwork, and dot work (stippling).
My skills help bring my clients ideas to life through custom work as well as creating my own designs for people to wear. I think my style is particularly unique especially in the Midwest, and I aim to create work that is timeless and compliments all body shapes, sizes, and colors.
My clients safety and comfort is my number one priority. Getting a tattoo is a vulnerable experience. I do my best to ensure a clear understanding of the tattoo process from the initial email to the aftercare.
I think some of the main things I want potential clients to know is to trust the process, a little trust goes a long way. Also always feel free to advocate for yourself, whether it’s a design adjustment, a break, or anything that would make the experience more pleasant for you.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I think the most rewarding aspect about being a tattoo artist in particular is providing a service that makes a lot of people feel better about themselves. I have heard time and time again when people look in the mirror after the tattoo is done how they feel more like their true self. Tattoos are used for so many different reasons like reclaiming the body, cultural significance, art for the sake of art, and memorials.
I am eternally grateful for those who trust me with such a permanent piece of art, utilizing my skills and aesthetic.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Creating boundaries is probably one of the harder aspects of being a creative. It’s incredibly difficult to say no and really easy to run into overbooking and burn out.
Most of us are one person shows, a lot of the time we are our own accountants, administrators, and there is a lot of behind the scene unpaid work done to make sure there is an end product you will be proud to wear.
Patience and trusting the process are huge.
Contact Info:
- Website: Erinncreates.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinncreates/
Image Credits
1st photo- Sam Bramble