We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kaitlin Brock. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kaitlin below.

Kaitlin , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I have always done some form of art, as far back as I can remember. Growing up, I’d often be inside drawing and painting while other kids were outside playing. I always knew I wanted to do SOMETHING with art. After high school, I went to vocational school for commercial art. It didn’t pan out. I kept doing art as a hobby, whenever I could. Always hearing the usual comment, “you’ll never make a living doing art.” I worked a couple different retail jobs for about ten years before I discovered I wanted to tattoo. I had been getting tattooed for a while and never thought it was an option. Once I realized that was my dream, nothing could stop me.

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?

I was getting tattooed for a while before I started doing tattoos. I can easily relate to my clients, as I was on that side of the machine first. I did not have the easiest beginning to my career. I did not have a full traditional apprenticeship. Plus, being a woman in a man dominated industry wasn’t easy. I had some cards stacked against me. I knew in my heart I had the passion, the capacity for art, and a stubborn drive to keep going. Chasing your dreams can be tiring and not easy, but is completely worth it. Over a decade later, I am proud of who I am and what I have accomplished. I have the most amazing clients! I have the coolest people sit in my chair and trust me with permanently modifying their skin. And I get to do art that fuels my heart!! I put my all into each piece I do. I truly deeply care about what I’m doing. I love helping people make their body their own.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Not everyone standing on your side is rooting for your success. Some people will hold you down to further themselves. You should always put yourself first. I woke up and finally started to put myself first. I quickly realized that someone I thought was a friend (of 7 years) was really the one holding me back. Shedding “relationships” with people who aren’t about my success and happiness has been the best thing.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding thing about being an artist is getting to unapologetically be myself. Before tattooing, I worked 10 years in retail. I always had to dilute myself and fit into a corporate cookie cutter. Now I am my own boss. I work with people who love my art, and appreciate me for me. I’m definitely on the awkward and weird side. I am happiest when I can do my own thing. I have worked hard to get here.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @kaitlinbrocktattoos
• Facebook: Facebook.com/Kaitlinbrocktattoos
• Other: Tik tok: @kaitlinbrocktattoos