We were lucky to catch up with Syd Kolnberger recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Syd, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I’m actually not I full time tattoo artist just yet, due to there being a huge issue in the tattoo industry. It does not provide health insurance or benefits to artists. So I’m also a Union Ironworker during the week.

I work as an ironworker to provide myself with healthcare and a retirement plan. As soon as those things are set, I plan on becoming a full time artist!

When I go through a layoff and experience what it would be like to be full time tattooing, I absolutely love it! I’m also very grateful to my clients, who have always worked with my weekends only/whenever I’m on a layoff schedule.

So to answer the question about wondering what it would be like to have a “normal” job.. I honestly still wouldn’t exactly know since being an Ironworker isn’t at all normal either. But from being a Construction worker during the week, to a tattoo artist on any time off I can fill, I’m pretty consumed with cool jobs at the moment, and at no time am I wondering about a desk job. I know very well that they are not for me!

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’m Syd! I own a small tattoo shop on the West Side of St. Paul. ‘Vicious INK by Syd’, named after a nickname I had in high school (very fitting if you knew me on the soccer field.) located in the back of GG’s Salon, owned by Gayle. As I provide tattoo services, Gayle provides Salon services, permanent makeup and piercings. I would not have my business if Gayle hadn’t made room for me in her salon. I owe her a great deal of gratitude and appreciation for believing in me. Especially with my 3 year anniversary just passing of my business being open, it’s a good reminder of who helped me when it was all just an idea.
Tattooing now for 5 years, I specialize in black and grey detail work, focusing on fine line, portraits, neo-traditional and sacred geometry designs.
I provide something a little different being such a small shop, I believe it being more personal. Such a one-on-one experience is something I pride myself on being able to provide. I don’t have an assistant so every time you message any platform of mine you’re talking directly to me. After that we workout what you’d like and the experience itself isn’t in a space where you have people watching you or have to wait in some big room. We can change the music or watch your favorite shows. Tattoo sessions are very therapeutic; but not just for the person getting the tattoo, they are for me too!
I love being able to talk about life, and check in with my clients. Since it’s just Gayle and I we don’t mind having family and friends in for support or to bring in some food during breaks. I relate our shop to a “barber shop” all the time, just a female version!

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

The absolutely most rewarding part about being an artist is seeing the reactions of my clients! I could have been exhausted or overwhelmed by the day, but as soon as they get excited about receiving their new piece of artwork that I got to create for them it just wakes me back up to why I love doing what I do.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I specifically like this question because there are so many different answers! Being from Minnesota and apart of the art scene my whole life I feel like we have a pretty good one here for music art and creatives. Our world is becoming so modern which is a form or art don’t get me wrong! But what I loved about when I visited Colorado is how many murals there were everywhere! On all the buildings!

Art makes people happy. If it’s on their skin on their walls or on a building. I think the more we give undervalued artists the freedom to fill big spaces we would be surprised with how much it would impact their worth and drive to keep moving forward. And it may make quite a few people smile as they walk by some art instead of a blank wall as well. It may seem simple but sometimes simple works.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://viciousinkbysyd.bigcartel.com/
• Instagram: vicious_ink_by_syd
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ViciousINKbySyd/

Image Credits
Photos by: loco love photography