We recently connected with Priya Handa and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Priya thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you 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?

Art under the umbrella of capitalism is truly a weird thing. Throughout my years of being a full-time artist, I have had moments of picking up restaurant jobs, barista gigs, or even being a substitute teacher. As of late I have been able to do it full time without any side gigs. But I think a part from consistently building my art, a big contribution has been a change in my mindset and perspective.

I have had many days where I have to reevaluate what I value in this moment in time. Three years ago it was different and year before that it was different. There was a point where touching as many new places and absorbing and creating art was my priority, so I would take on whatever work I could as long as it paid and then travel. As I got older creating art became more healing for both me and the people around me. In order to do so, I needed stability I needed a schedule. So I turned to tattooing which allowed me to create and financially support myself. It became a dance between what am I ok with creatively getting paid with, and what would I like to do just because it solely fills me up.

As artists we pursue art to express. We feel so much, that play and experimenting helps us feel ease in this life time. Art unites us whether we speak the same native tongue or not. We can get lost in sauce of trying to get paid, that we stop creating for ourselves. I always remind myself, that it is great to be making money this way as a full-time artist. But there is also no shame if I need a break and need to take on work away from my commissions, so I can breathe and keep a roof over my head, and dedicate my art making for myself.

I wish I knew that my creative outlook is unique to me and necessary in this lifetime. I wish I knew at a younger age to protect it and it’s great to get paid for my skills because my creativity is a vessel to communicate to others and to help out in this world. So I would say don’t be ashamed to get paid for a corporate mural, or to paint the same flowers for the 100th time. BUT remember to create time weekly if not daily where I am creating solely for myself and for my play.

Priya, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I currently work as an Intuitive Tattoo Artist based out of Brooklyn, NY. I also love tattooing botanicals, insects, birds, and other whimsical objects. But before I got into tattooing, I spent years as a painter and a muralist in the Bay Area, California. Working as painter and muralist, I got to connect with communities around the world. I’ve painted in Mexico, Nepal, Los Angeles, Brooklyn, and Palestine. This work allowed me to be mindful of the communities I entered. Never was the work about ‘Me! And what I want!” but how do I honor the ones who have lived here and built this neighborhood for what it is. How do I learn what is important to them, that they would like to see immortalized in this mural they will walk by everyday. I also had to be responsible and skilled, because I am the vessel for it. So it’s my job to make sure it looks great and can make them proud.

Working as a muralist for many years allowed me to show up to tattooing with a lot of awareness and attention. I use to work at an herb and spice store before tattooing. My first flash I created was my favorite flowers and plants with unique healing properties, and it was so cool seeing how every client resonated each. I have always known that beyond a tattoo artist, I am also playing the role of space holder. Does this room create privacy, is my client safe, hydrated, warm? From that I came up with Intuitive Tattoos. I wanted to hold an intentional space and create tattoos that could bring healing properties. Of course this is also inspired by the very origins of tattoos that started in indigenous communities around the world, before it was labeled as “uncivilized.’ I can’t take the credit for creating tattoos that are healing.

My intuitive tattoos allow me hold space for my clients, where I do a reading using different modalities and from the reading we create a design and tattoo from there! This process has been evolving since I started it and I know will continue to evolve.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

You don’t need to have it figured out. And you being a beginner who doesn’t have the answer is ok. I felt like I had to always come off as a professional who had it figured out, to prove myself. Prove to the ones that hired me I was worth the pay, Prove to the ones that wanted to collaborate with me that I was worth their investment. But I think looking back at it, honesty with yourself is very important. Asking questions and saying you need help is essential. It helped me learn, it helped me understand what I skill I may not possess that someone else does, is not because I am not talented, but because that individual spent years creating that practice and discipline for that skill. Practice and skill triumph natural talent over time.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

When the inspiration for a project is a ‘what if’ and when I show up consistently to work on it everyday which leads to a finished project. Showing up even when I don’t feel ‘inspired’ is so essential, because it is that day that makes the biggest difference in the whole project.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: priya.k.handa

Image Credits
The first picture that is a portrait of me. The photographer’s name is Lulu but is best known for their Instagram handle: @tooda.fuji