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

Tami Jo, thanks for taking the time to share your stories 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?

I received my Bachelor of Fine Art in Drawing and Painting in 1996 from Wayne State University (Detroit, MI) and my Master of Fine Art in Medical Illustration in 1999 from University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI). My corporate career began at General Motors where I was a Technical Illustrator, then Campbell-Ewald where I was a Web Developer, and finally JGA where I was the Creative Director of Environmental Graphics. I had learned to tattoo in 1992 and worked at that throughout my education and other jobs. In 2007 I quit my corporate life and began tattooing and freelancing art full time. I opened my first studio in Michigan. In 2009 I moved to Miami Beach where I continued to freelance art, design and tattooing. I opened my own Studio in Miami in 2016. Currently in Delray Beach, I tattoo at conventions, sell art on my website theurbanmachine.com and freelance.

Tami Jo, 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 was the kid who always had a crayon in her hand. Art was just always my thing. It was a natural progression to make it my discipline. I got a full academic scholarship for my undergraduate degree. Half way thru my program I shifted to include pre-med courses to be able to specialize and get my graduate degree in Medical Illustration. I had never even heard of that concentration before, but in 1994 my mom had an extended stay in a hospital. I covered her room with my drawings. The doctors and nurses would come in from other wings just to see the art. One day when I was there, a nurse said to me “you should be a medical illustrator.” I never saw that nurse again, but I went to my counselor’s office and pursued the path. To this day it is one of the greatest things I’ve ever achieved.

I am an illustrator at heart. I like to draw single objects in high detail and make them the hero of the piece. That tendency translates well to being a tattoo artist, as that’s what tattoos are – illustrations. They tell a story, the person’s story. It’s my favorite part of tattooing, coming up with the vision for the client. I do the same with my art and design clients.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

My favorite part of being an artist, especially a tattoo artist, is evoking an emotion from the viewer. I gauge my biggest successes by how the viewer reacts. And when it comes to tattooing, I’m someone’s hero for the day. It’s so gratifying!

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I am a huge fan of the Law of Attraction. I listen to self-help, motivational podcasts and videos and I read everything I can about other artists, entrepreneurs and positive speakers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theurbanmachine.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamijourban/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamijourban/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamijourban/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/tamijourban
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tamijourban
• Other: https://tamijourban.com https://www.instagram.com/tamijourbantattoo/