We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vickie Chiang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Vickie , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

During my upbringing, tattoos were not commonplace in Taiwan and certain Asian countries, so they never caught my attention. It never crossed my mind that tattooing could be a career path for me. In fact, I only became a tattoo artist at the age of 37. Prior to tattooing, I focused on textile patterns and stationery design in the San Francisco Bay Area, which I thoroughly enjoyed due to my passion for decorative arts. After relocating to Los Angeles, an opportunity presented itself for me to begin learning the craft of tattooing. With my background in Fine Art and Illustration, it swiftly became apparent that this medium was truly where I belonged. As time progressed and I gained experience as a tattoo artist, a childhood dream resurfaced within me – to become an artist who paints delicate flowers on tea cups and plates. Remarkably, I had managed to fulfill this dream, albeit in an unexpected manner – by creating beautiful floral creations on people’s bodies. It is surreal to realize my dream actually came true! If I had not seized the opportunity when my mentor offered to teach me how to tattoo, none of this would have come to fruition. This experience has greatly broadened my perspective on embracing change in life and taking risks by venturing into unfamiliar territories.

Vickie , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi! I am Vickie Chiang, the owner and tattoo artist behind The Story Blossom in Los Angeles, California. I specialize in custom tattoos, particularly botanical designs. My passion for art has been deeply ingrained within me since my early years and I became a tattoo artist since 2017. I am very grateful for how tattooing has given me the chance to encounter countless remarkable clients and learn about their unique stories. By earning their trust to permanently ink their bodies, I have the privilege of transforming their life experiences into tattoos. This is the inspiration behind the name of my business, The Story Blossom. While I appreciate the support and admiration for my artistic style from my clients and followers, I believe that what sets my work apart is my dedication to capturing the essence of my clients’ tattoo concepts and stories and bringing them to life. Creating a tattoo that is one-of-a-kind and deeply personal to the clients is very important for me. Additionally, I have meticulously designed my private tattoo studio with a calming and intimate atmosphere, ensuring that my clients feel safe and relaxed throughout the entire experience.

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

As a Tattoo Artist, I find the most fulfilling aspect of my profession to be the connections I establish with my clients and those who appreciate my artistic work. In today’s age of social media, artists are able to exhibit their creations and make them accessible to people worldwide.It is a great joy when others view and provide feedback on my art. When someone chooses me to ink their body, they often share their emotions and personal stories with me. This act of trust is both an honor and a privilege for me. Through tattooing, I have had the privilege of hearing countless stories that deeply touched me. Witnessing the therapeutic impact tattoos can have is truly remarkable. With each design and every tattoo I create, I pour my heart into it so that it resonates authentically with the client. The connections formed between myself and my clients through my art are immensely valuable to me.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

While growing up and attending art school during high school and college, I always knew I wanted to pursue a career as an “Artist.” However, I was uncertain about how this would actually work. While idealists might solely focus on creating art, the reality is that one must also consider how to make a living. Throughout my creative journey, I had a strong passion for creating decorative art and design using traditional mediums. However, I faced significant challenges in turning this passion into a career. Upon receiving my BFA in illustration in San Francisco, I worked in various art-related fields, but none of them felt like the right fit for me. My thoughts were restricted due to the knowledge I had acquired in school regarding art techniques and the potentialities derived from my education. This left me feeling trapped because none of these options seemed to lead me towards achieving my dream. Consequently, my confidence suffered greatly during this period of time. For many years, I doubted whether or not I was truly a talented artist. To be honest, it wasn’t until unexpectedly delving into the world of tattooing that I regained confidence in myself as an artist. Tattooing made me feel like I had finally found my rightful place and purpose. Reflecting back on those challenging times when I felt lost and doubtful, I realize now that I should have approached things with a more open mind. Rather than being constrained by what I was taught and how I thought things should work, I should have allowed myself the freedom to create with an open mind and enjoy the process. Additionally, I would tell my younger self to explore new avenues and try different things as they would have opened up unforeseen opportunities in ways that were beyond my imagination.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thestoryblossom.com
• Instagram: @tattooist_inkandbloom

Image Credits
Megumi Bacher