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

Kyle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

What drew me to the industry was the idea of putting art on people. An idea one would think any and all tattoo artist would share. But it’s difficult to find other artist who sympathize with that mentality. In a lot of shops money and running the circuit is the priority. Don’t get me wrong. Money is handy. But it’s about number 9 on my list of considerations when I’m booking a tattoo. For me, I’d rather a person leave my booth smiling, feeling better about themselves, and with a piece of my art I’m proud to have them share with the world.

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.

I began my creative journey late 2019. Prior to that, I had worked in Healthcare as a cna and hha at facilities and in house care and went to college for English literature. I always had a creative bone. But it was snuffed out pretty early by the idea of the suffering artist and my desire to feed myself. It wasn’t until a tattoo shop opened by the school I was substituting at. Tattooing was a completely and utter accident that fell into my lap.

I went in for a flash day and never left. I was so fascinated not only by the art but the subculture. You have artist playing pseudo-therapist and clients being genuine and laughing and healing all in the same space. That stole me. I was infatuated with this new way of expression, which compounded well with my desire to be genuine with others and to laugh and smile with them. Shortly after, I landed my first apprenticeship and studying under them for a few months.

My aporentice was a rocky one. I went through about 3 since I was learning during covid. A shop would open then close and I’d have to reset. But I was too passionate to give up and next thing I knew I was an artist.

Now I can and have been tattooing professional for 2 years and some change and I’m still violently in love with it. I love improving my skillset everyday. Finding better ways to run my business. And having the chance to meet every walk or life that happens through that door.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I shifted from school teacher to tattoo artist it wasn’t exactly seemless. There’s a lot of comfort and security that comes from a salary, retirement plan, and all that noise. I always thought that was the only route a person could go. Either it was never imparted on me or maybe I wasn’t so bright to think it. But I never thought of paving my own way. Earning my own dollar. But the freedom that comes from knowing someone doesn’t count my worth in hours clocked in and I can achieve more than yearly income lended me to seeing the world a whole lot different. It was a scary shift, but once you get knee deep in the mud it’s not so bad.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

For anyone looking to be an artist or creative the best advice I wish I could give to them or my younger self is this: there’s no secret sauce, just draw. Early in, all artist think you need this book or that method of drawing, or those pens and paper. But none of those things sharpen your skillset or mind. Afraid the only thing that’ll do that is drawing. Draw EVWRHTHING! See that tree? Draw it. See that chair? Rotate it like 6 times and draw it each time to learn how to draw a chair at different angles. It’s really that easy, which funny enough, makes it difficult.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kihletattoo.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kihletattoo?utm_source=qr&igshid=ZDc4ODBmNjlmNQ%3D%3D