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

Nina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I always was an artist and I went to college to earn my degree in Painting from the University of North Texas in 2016. After I graduated, I went into the fine art world of art restoration and conservation and I really did love it but the lifestyle and the people I was working with, really didn’t mesh well with my personality. Once I realized that I wasn’t happy with my career and began to refocus and figure out what would really make me happy. The answer was drawing everyday, meeting new and interesting people, and also some how, making money while doing so. Tattooing was the only answer I found. Once I set my heart on it, I approached a tattoo shop and kept improving my portfolio until they agreed to take me on as an apprentice. Two years later, I graduated and began my journey as a tattoo artist.

I’m not sure I would do anything differently, because my journey was unique and while it had its own challenges, it led me to where I am today and I’m very happy with that.

When I was working as an art restorer, I had to be more than proficient at color matching to return items and paintings close to their original glory, I believe learning this skill is what allowed me to pick up tattooing, especially color realism, so quickly.

Unfortunately, the hardest time I had during my apprenticeship was a clash of personalities. I tend to be more introverted than most, especially in a new environment and during my apprenticeship I was confronted with people and relationship that just didn’t mesh well. This gave people I was working with and more importantly, learning from a skewed perspective of me until I was more comfortable breaking out of my shell and being authentic.

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 am a tattoo artist from Texas, and I’ve recently relocated with my husband to Denver, CO. I’ve been an artist all my life, I grew up copying illustrations of animals from the books my parents would get me and from there I just never stoped. I specialize in color and black and grey realism. I love to do mix style works, like combining realism elements with neo-traditional or geometrical. I think that alone sets me apart, but I also really love to tattoo classical art paintings from the 18th century.

I’m most proud of my self for taking the leap to leave my career and start over in an unpaid apprenticeship that ultimately lead to me leading the best life possible. It wasn’t easy but I had an amazing circle of support especially from my wonderful husband.

I most want my clients and followers to know that I specialize in realism designs both, color and black and grey, but also that I want to be accessible to my clients. I know that tattooing is considered a luxury industry but I want my clients to know that I’m happy to work within budgets and find a comprise that works for us both. I never want my clients to think that I don’t have the time for them, and no matter how many sessions it takes to make their tattoo affordable, I want them to walk away from my station happy with their art and body forever.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

So I mentioned that I started my art career in art restoration and conservation and that I left it to tattoo, but II actually really loved doing it. I love focusing my attention on minute details and perfection, which is where my precision for realism comes in, and I was very happy doing that kind of work. I decided to leave that field because no matter how good day I had fixing, repairing, and maintaining these amazing artworks, I found myself angry, unfulfilled, and disappointed. I didn’t like being told what to do, where to go, and when to take breaks. Every drive home I would find myself growing more and more unsatisfied with my life, all I wanted to do when I got home from work was drawing and paint but even then I was too tired and unmotivated to do it. I was laid off when COVID happened and while it was a really hard time, it also gave me the ability to fully dedicate myself to my apprenticeship. It because clear to me that I was doing the right thing for my career, because even though I wasn’t getting paid, I had to pick up a second job as a bar tender and I was working about 80+ hours a week between the shop and the bar, I was happy doing it. I wasn’t angry with my life, I was drawing every day and not just doodling. I was creating and painting, and finally blooming into who I wanted to be. I’ve never felt more like myself and more happy with my choices, career, and lifestyle than I do now as a tattoo artist.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Honestly, the biggest thing that has driven my journey and led me to where I am now is my desire to find happiness. I got my degree in Painting, what is the point of that if I’m not happy? I didn’t get into this field to get rich, I did it because I loved it. Once I realized that I wasn’t happy as an art restorer, I knew I needed to change my life. My whole philosophy when it comes to life and existence, is what is the point if you aren’t happy?

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @sleepy_poppy_tattoos

Image Credits
Nina Klaser