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

Hi Tiffany, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I learned to tattoo by going through an apprenticeship. Every apprenticeship is different—some last a few months, others span years; some are highly structured and supportive, while others can be more challenging. Essentially, an apprenticeship involves finding a mentor, someone with enough experience to guide you through the dos and don’ts of tattooing.

If I could go back, I would have started my journey earlier, but I wouldn’t want to rush the learning process. When you’re dealing with something permanent like tattoos, it’s crucial to take your time and progress in small, deliberate steps. Rushing would only risk mistakes that could impact both the client and your reputation.

The most essential skill is drawing and having a solid foundation in art. I think many people underestimate just how critical this is. For me, it’s easy to tell the difference between an artist who tattoos and someone who only knows the mechanics of tattooing. Art is the heart of this craft.

One obstacle I encountered was a bit of gatekeeping, though this has been the exception rather than the rule. Most of the artists I’ve met along the way have been incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and generous in sharing their expertise. I feel fortunate to have learned from such a welcoming community.

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 a 29-year-old tattoo artist, about a year and a half into my career. I specialize in a variety of styles, including color, black and grey, blackwork, anime, kawaii, and black and grey realism. I also enjoy experimenting with newer styles like glitter tattoos, low polygon designs, and pixel art. I have a deep love for all things nerdy—Dungeons & Dragons, video games, and anime, which often inspires my work.

My journey into tattooing was born out of a turning point in my life. During the pandemic, I contracted COVID and honestly thought I might not survive. That experience forced me to reflect on my life and my regrets—one of the biggest being that I had never pursued my dream of becoming a tattoo artist. Once I recovered, I made a promise to myself to change that. It took three to four years of hard work, building my portfolio, and honing my skills before I finally landed an apprenticeship, and I haven’t looked back since.

What sets me apart from other artists is my deep passion for nerd culture and the versatility in the styles I work with. I hold myself to high artistic standards and take pride in maintaining integrity in everything I create. I’m always pushing myself to grow as an artist—I never settle for “just okay.”

One thing I want clients to know about me is that I take my work very seriously. While I love to have fun with the creative process and make the experience enjoyable for my clients, I’m also fully aware that what I do is permanent. That responsibility is not something I take lightly. I’m selective about the projects I take on because I want every piece I create to be something I can stand behind with pride.

I value originality and creativity above all else. I strive to give my clients custom tattoos that reflect their individuality. You are unique, and I believe your tattoo should be just as unique as you are. I also make it a priority to work within my clients’ budgets, finding ways to deliver art that fits both their vision and their needs.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A major lesson I had to unlearn was being shy and overly humble, especially when it came to challenging client requests. I was never shy in a social sense, but when faced with high-pressure situations—like complex or intimidating projects—I would sometimes doubt myself and hesitate. I even passed on projects I knew I was capable of, simply because I didn’t feel “good enough,” even though I had successfully completed similar or more difficult work in the past.

In this industry, humility is critical. Without it, it’s easy to become a “rockstar”—the type of artist whose ego gets in the way of good work. However, I leaned too far in the opposite direction. I was so concerned about not being seen as arrogant that I held myself back, undervaluing my abilities.

Another related lesson I’m still unlearning is how to stop being a people pleaser. This tendency often led me to prioritize others’ comfort or expectations over my own boundaries—whether that was taking on extra work, saying yes when I wanted to say no, or doubting my creative voice to accommodate someone else. This year, I’m making it a priority to stand firm in my worth, both in my work and in my personal life.

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

I spent 10 years in college trying to find my path. Yup, ten whole years of changing majors, searching for something that truly excited me. I went through majors like graphic design, ASL interpretation, marketing, and anthropology, before finally settling on art education. Every time I found something I was passionate about, there was always an obstacle—programs being cut, exorbitant tuition, or schools not offering the degree I wanted anywhere near me.

Eventually, I earned my associate’s degree in arts after four years and was just one semester away from completing my bachelor’s degree in art education when I was offered an apprenticeship to become a tattoo artist. Initially, I thought I could juggle both. But as any education major will tell you, that last semester is no joke. You’re essentially working a full-time teaching job for free while keeping up with coursework and preparing for the Praxis exam. At the same time, an apprenticeship demands a similar workload—full-time hours, unpaid, with additional homework and practice.

As the semester approached, I had to make a tough decision. I realized that there was no way I could do both while also working part-time. I pivoted and chose the apprenticeship, trusting that this was my true calling. It was a leap of faith, but I’m incredibly grateful I made that choice. Now, I’m living my dream, working as a tattoo artist, doing what I love every day. I traded the comfort of stability for the passion of a career that feels completely aligned with who I am—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tattoos_by_hiccup/