We recently connected with Nicki Giustine and have shared our conversation below.
Nicki , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I’ve worked on many meaningful projects through my career. One that stands out in particular is when I was asked to cover a lot of self-harm scars on someone’s entire arm.
Working on a whole sleeve is a commitment, time consuming, and painful in itself. Covering scars can be extra sensitive in addition to all of that.
Tattoos can be incredibly healing and can allow someone to reclaim their body, and choose their trauma. And that’s what my client expressed. After every tattoo, how they loved their body and themself more and more. It brought me to tears, because I was able to help someone heal and feel confident in their skin again, despite their battles. It no longer felt like the scars defined them, and that when people stared, it was because of beautiful art covering their body.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I started tattooing in mid 2018. I have my BFA, and I focused in illustration and installation at the time.
I offer specialized tattooing services. I only take on projects I feel resonate with me, and my client. I think what sets me apart is how much I put an emphasis on feeling empowered during your apt. I never want any client to feel pressured, rushed, or anything. I’m very open to questions and anything I can answer to help make clients more comfortable. I tattoo only one person a day so no one feels rushed.
I’m most proud of the environment I’m able to provide and how much my clients trust me with the process. In my 6 years of experience, trust is a huge part of getting tattooed by me. I love creative freedom, but also check in constantly to make sure my clients are comfortable.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
I wish I had access to seminars, online workshops, and discord chat rooms with other artists. There’s many resources out there, but also a lot of toxic old-school tattoo mentality. Catering a safe and comfortable environment is something I wish was emphasized earlier on. And reading material such as ‘the science of tattooing’ which is helpful in explaining to clients what is happening on a molecular and philosophical level, and why certain inks can cause reactions, etc. There’s so much out there.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
To create work that gives people joy. I create from my soul, and want to help others in many ways. This can range from coverups, to full scale back pieces. I want people to love themselves, and to love their bodies. Tattoos are incredibly powerful in helping with that. I also feel like tattooing is a very personal and intimate, and it can be a time where exchanging stories, words, trauma, etc. can be healing as well. It’s a therapy of its own kind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Merpied.com
- Instagram: Merpied
Image Credits
Mitchell Wiisanen (photo of me)