We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mandy Hazell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mandy below.
Alright, Mandy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been 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? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
I feel like anyone who has ever dreamed of making a living off of their art or creative abilities has had a ‘Starving Artist’ phase. What that looks like for each individual will vary. For myself, I always made an effort to sell and promote my artwork. I would take on commission pieces, make prints, give art as gifts, post things for sale on social media, made business cards, organized art shows for other artists and benefits and was also a member of an art gallery in the Santa Fe Arts District for a several years. But even with all of that, I still needed a full time job to support myself. It wasn’t until I started my tattoo apprenticeship in 2012 did I really take the leap and make the commitment to become a working artist. I trusted my style of artwork would translate well into tattoo form. I have always prided myself on being able to learn new mediums of art quickly; however, learning to tattoo was one of the most humbling and challenging mediums of art I have ever encountered. If you think of skin as the canvas of a painting, imagine every single canvas you need to paint on requires specific techniques in order to produce your best work. Oh and every canvas isn’t flat, can be stretchy and will occasionally move while you are trying to pull a straight line! I am not sure if there was anything that could prepare me or sped up my process, but I do know a huge part of my understanding and respect for this industry is due to my mentor Travis Koenig. One of the first things he said to me after agreeing to take me on as his apprentice was “I am teaching you how to take money out of my pocket”. Coming from a man with a family to provide for, I took that to heart. The tattoo industry can be very competitive. Travis gave me a very traditional, by the book, no-nonsense, knowledgeable and rewarding apprenticeship. And it’s because of artists like him that this industry continues to thrive and stay alive. You can’t learn what he taught me from a YouTube video or quick google search. I have an immense amount of gratitude and respect for him because he took a chance on me. With out that, I would not be where I am today.
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 born and raised in Littleton, Colorado and moved to Denver to attend Metro State for art. In my early 20’s I got a job working the counter at Bound By Design Tattoo. I already had several tattoos at that time but working in a tattoo shop is what really introduced me to the industry. I got to see the process of getting a tattoo, start to finish from the artists perspective and there I also saw the amount of work and discipline that it truly takes to be a working artist. I think seeing that first hand, really helped me prepare (as much as I could) for my career as a tattoo artist.
While I do enjoy making fine art, the majority of the art I make is strictly for tattoos for my clients. I enjoy making a wide range of tattoos but I really enjoy bold lines and vibrant colors. I usually describe my style as if Lisa Frank and Tim Burton had a baby. I also really enjoy tattooing flowers, pet portraits and anything retro inspired. Some clients come to me knowing exactly what they want, but some need guidance. It can be us brainstorming what elements to include or exclude, the best composition, ideal size and location to ensure the tattoo ages well over time, discussing budget or a number of other details. This can occasionally require an in person consultation. During this process, it is my goal to make sure my client and I are completely on the same page so I can give them exactly what they envisioned or even better than they imagined.
I think what sets me apart from some artists in this industry and what I am most proud of, is my bedside manner. Giving someone a great tattoo is only one aspect of the entire experience. Making sure every client feels comfortable, safe, relaxed and enjoyed their time with me can be as important as the tattoo they got. I want clients to look at their tattoo and not only be happy with the outcome but also be able to remember it being a positive and fun experience. It is crucial to me that I provide that experience for everyone who gets tattooed by me because they are wearing my art forever. It’s how I continue to maintain my business and do what I love.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I think something that might be difficult to understand for someone not working in a creative field, is we literally never clock out. When a client shows up to get tattooed by me, the amount of hours and mental energy I have put into a drawing can be more than 5 times what it takes me to physically tattoo the design. When I am at work, I am there to tattoo. I might find small moments between appointments to answer emails, reference tattoos or start sketching a design. But 9/10 I am doing all that work at home in the morning or evening, on my days off and even on my vacations. Personal time that involves nothing work related is a rarity and very much welcomed when possible. Being a tattoo artist is a FULL TIME job. There is no OT pay, no health benefits, no tax breaks, no paid vacations, no 401k. But even with all those ‘perks’ a more conventional job might provide, I still would stay exactly where I am. Seeing my hard work pay off in small moments, like a client’s face light up when seeing their new tattoo or a big moment, like being able to purchase my own home makes it all worth it at the end of the day.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
It’s no shock to anyone that tattoos can be expensive. So while the easy go-to when it comes to supporting me and my art is to say ‘book an appointment with me’, I know it is not always that simple. There are lots of ways you can show your support to someone working in a creative field. For me, what I have noticed the most business from, is word of mouth. Sharing my information with friends, family or even strangers who are looking for a tattoo artist has had a huge impact on my business. Living in the time we do, social media is one of the biggest platforms working artists utilize. Liking, sharing and saving posts on social media can really help widen an artists exposure. Purchasing original artwork, prints, shirts, stickers or gift certificates for yourself or as gifts can also be a big help. Shopping local and supporting local artists vs buying mass produced products not only helps support working creatives but also puts money back into your community.
Contact Info: