Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shelby Ouellette. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shelby, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I have loved art and drawing for as long as I can remember. I started drawing on a wacom tablet and desktop when I was in middle school, even doing commissions for my friends. Making a living through art had always been my dream. My mom and grandmother are both very creative, artistic women, and so my family always fully supported my ambitions, and for that I am incredibly grateful.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a tattoo artist from New Jersey who specializes in colorful cartoon and anime pieces, but I enjoy doing black and grey, and American traditional tattoos as well. I typically book clients through my email, and post on my Instagram when I’m accepting booking inquiries. I’ve been tattooing for a little over six years now, and I am always trying to get better. Due to the subject matter I tend to gravitate towards- tv shows, anime, and video games- I just about always have something in common with my clients, and I love getting to know them and geek out over shared interests. It’s also super important to me that my clients know that I would much rather they speak up about something, than go along with it because they don’t want to inconvenience me. When a client comes in for their tattoo, I always have a full color rendering of their piece, and I encourage them to let me know if there’s anything they want changed.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Not only do I get to make a living by drawing, but I get to draw things that I find exciting and that I’m passionate about, and that is so rewarding.

It is also such an honor to know my clients chose me to execute their ideas on them, and in such a permanent way. I’m super grateful for the relationships that I’ve formed with so many of them, it really means a lot to me.

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

My dream had always been working in a career that involved drawing, and at the end of high school, I was torn between pursuing animation or tattooing. I ultimately decided to go to college for animation, in part because there isn’t formal schooling for tattooing, you instead seek out an apprenticeship. I wanted to give college a try and I was drawn to the idea of getting to live somewhere else for school. I ended up dropping out within the first year with the intention of going into tattooing. I had a lot of reasons for leaving, but it wasn’t an easy decision. I was riddled with uncertainty at the time, but I don’t regret it one bit, nor do I regret giving college a try. I really do enjoy formal education, and I loved my classes and professors, but everything definitely worked out for the best, and I can look back without any what-ifs.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @shelbytattoos