We were lucky to catch up with Nika Urban recently and have shared our conversation below.
Nika, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
Yes, definitely! I spend a good amount of time wondering what my life would be like if it weren’t for tattooing. I am grateful for it each day. While art has always been first throughout my life, I do sometimes miss learning and studying in an academic environment- but I try to fulfill that part of my brain on my own time now. Regardless, life seemed to keep me in the creative realm even if I didn’t realize it, so I am glad for that. Aside from all the fun elements, I have realized that tattooing and working as an artist lines up much better with my disposition, if that makes sense, so it suits my life path from a more practical perspective as well. For example- I don’t think I would do well working in a setting where strong social skills are required in order to progress, or at least that’s one way I look at it. With tattooing, I can simply show up as myself. No need to compete, try to sell something, show up to meetings, etc. Of course I’m not trying to talk down on these things; they are just not for me personally. I like to remind people that while it’s nice to pursue your passions, you also have to remember that the minute you turn your passion into work, it becomes just that. Maybe it doesn’t always make a great fit! So I’m just thankful that it worked out for me and so many other tattooers.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Sure! It’s kind of a long story, but quite some time before tattooing, I went to art school in Detroit and was a visual artist doing freelance work, gallery showings, and working mostly non-art related jobs. I’ve always been particularly interested in tattoos but for some reason never thought to actually pursue it. By chance I got offered a tattoo apprenticeship in Michigan and took that on. It didn’t work out, but after getting a taste of that world, it was confirmed: my mind was set on nothing else but tattooing. It took years before I could land another apprenticeship. In short: I was visiting Austin, Texas, with no plans whatsoever to move there. It was just one of those “right place at the right time” situations where I met my mentor Wendi, and she happened to really like my artwork, AND was ready to take on an apprentice. Right then and there, I thought to myself, “well, looks like I’m moving to Austin!” I moved here two weeks later and have been here ever since. It was the hardest thing I ever had to work for, but very much worth it in the end.
Now, over 4 years into tattooing (5 since I moved here), I do primarily black and grey work with dark themes, similar to my personal artwork. One thing that I am proud of is that I just kept making the art that comes naturally from my brain, and ignore those who used to suggest I make “happier art”, because now, people actually come to me for dark natured tattoo designs! I don’t think of myself as a totally unique artist… Just one with an old soul, who creates whatever imagery their mind wants to express. Along with a lifetime of practice, I’d like to hope that at least this reveals some kind of authenticity showing through my work.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
When it comes to tattooing, of course the most rewarding aspect is giving someone a permanent piece of artwork that they are truly happy to wear on their body, forever. It makes me happy when clients tell me it’s better than they could have imagined. It also warms my soul when people are drawn to my personal artwork. I don’t expect many people to “like” it, but I’ve observed that those who do, tend to find a sense of comfort in my imagery. It’s not the most macabre artwork by any means, but certainly gloomy, so I feel like it can bond us grim hearted souls together in a weird way.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I think that in our American society, the arts should be treated with just as much importance as any other part of human culture. My family is from Europe, and when I spent time there growing up, I could see that all art and its history is respected more widely throughout society to the point where it’s just an essential part of their culture. I understand that this is a complex topic and what I’m saying sounds quite generalized, but that is just a snippet of my perspective based on my own experience. I know that here in the states we have a lot of support for the arts, but it seems to be in smaller communities scattered amongst us, reserved for only those who appreciate it, as opposed to one whole collective outlook. I think that the arts should be taken more seriously and that includes understanding its history as well as artists themselves who make an impact on our culture. Or even simply acknowledging any form of art or design around us in our daily lives. So much of what we see around us is art, and the world would be so much different without it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nikaurbanartwork.com
- Instagram: nikaurbanartwork
Image Credits
The photos of myself with my drawings are taken by Aryn Jonathan Black. The rest I took myself.