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

Kuu, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I am currently a full-time tattoo artist and crafter selling crocheted items and hand-made rugs at pop-up markets. I am very lucky to say that I’ve been able to earn a full-time living ever since graduating university in 2019, when I moved from Japan to the USA to start my creative journey.

It was very bittersweet leaving my home country of Japan, it is a beautiful country, but I saw chances in being able to pursue a tattoo apprenticeship in Austin, Texas- so I made the big move. Unfortunately, 6 months after I moved, the Covid pandemic settled in and halted my plans for about a year. In that timeframe, I met my current husband, and moved to Orlando, Florida. This is where my art career begins, as I find my tattoo apprenticeship at the East Tattoo here in Orlando, where I’m currently still located.

Tattoo apprenticeships are unpaid work. So you can only imagine how hard I had to work essentially juggling 2-3 jobs at a time just to get by. Luckily, my illustrative work kept me afloat during this time, but definitely not by much.

It was all worth it, though, as now I’m living my best life being a tattoo artist at the East. It fulfills my need to create, to grow, and connect with people. That’s what this is all about for me.

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.

Hi! My name is Kuu Tamura, I am a tattoo artist from Yokohama, Japan, currently located in Orlando, Florida. I love to tattoo and tattooing is my main source of income, but I my side hustle is being a vendor at pop-up markets and conventions with my crochet and rug-making art. I love to keep my hands busy! So I would consider myself a hand-made artist who makes each of their creations with heart and love.

Throwing my life head-first into tattooing, I have to say that it is the best decision I’ve made in my life. Was I scared? Leaving my home country with 3 big suitcases, $4k in my pocket, and nothing but big dreams and a big heart? Absolutely. But I’ve shaped this life into exactly what I wanted, and for that I am proud- and I think my clients can all feel that in our sessions and passion I put into my work.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think it’s to openly love and have love in your heart. Society can’t survive without art & music, it’s about how humans communicate their love for each other. Even if you can’t support us monetarily, even the littlest of “wow!”s or compliments on our work goes a long way. My job relies directly on word-of-mouth and how each of my clients felt during their appointment. I have so many new clients coming in to tell me that their friend or family member or co-worker sent them, because of my good work and heartfelt sessions. I do really try to make, not only my craft, but my environment and comfortable and cozy experience.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I recently listened to an audiobook called “The Happy High Achiever: 8 Essentials to Overcome Anxiety, Manage Stress, and Energize Yourself for Success – Without Losing your Edge” and it’s given me a lot of insight on how to manage a good work-life balance being a full-time artist. Being passionate about art and making that your career is very much a gamble sometimes, because doing what you have to do to pay bills can very much kill a flame, and that feeling of not enjoying something you once loved is a devastating one. So changing my mindsets about the way I look at money, at things I can’t control, the future, etc…. it has come a long way in being able to actually enjoy my life and live it as it comes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kuutattoos.com
• Instagram: kuutattoos
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kuutattoos