We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mariana Magnani a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mariana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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?

Ive been able to make a living out of my art by tattooing and selling my art work as prints, originals, and merchandise. It hasn’t always been easy, but I think it it important to grow organically and to conserve and cultivate one’s unique style despite coming trends and expectations. People who value your work will find you inevitably. Thise who don’t, eventually will. It is easier to monetize your craft by selling your image or closely analyzing your audience’s trends. However, remaining true to who I am is the easiest way for me to continue discovering who I am, even at the expense of losing followers or becoming irrelevant. .

I don’t think i could have sped up the process. Every opportunity and phase that has led me to this point in my life has been a necessary stepping stone for me to be able to look back and reflect on what I did that benefited me and what I can improve on. It is important to stay humble to grow, but to also believe in yourself.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Aside from desiring to sustain a living doing what I love independently, I believe a recurring driving force of mine is watching myself get better. it has become very addicting. There is no better feeling than seeing results. As the saying goes, keep your curiosity very sacred. It can ignite fires within you that can guide you to develop your art/ brand identity. For me, it is very important to allow my curiosity to take me places im scared of, or closed off to. The more you evolve, the more you inspire and therefor attract.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I have had to unlearn certain limitations that I have imposed on myself directly. I was told certain styles of art couldnt be tattooed when now they are viral. i.e (single needle, abstract smoke, etc) Therefore, as time went by, I became a better tattooer, but my work began to lack the technicalities and aggression I once loved. All because i began playing it safe

It is good to take advice and ask for help, specially with things regarding finances, safety, sanitation, etc.. However, not everyone in the world wants you to win, so take everything with a grain of salt and see what works for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: mariana-rm.squarespace.com
• Instagram: painfultattoo