We were lucky to catch up with Zoey Hunter Vick recently and have shared our conversation below.

Zoey, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

First, yes I am happy here – if money wasn’t necessary I’d still tattoo. Growing up Tattooing seemed like a pipe dream; art school opened my eyes up to animation and for a minute I thought that was going to be my life. Once I was deep in it, it was way too restraining for my personality. I think the naive 17year old had dreams of being the next Tim Burton, but the reality is you are just a pencil in his army. For some, that environment is awesome and fuels their creativity as a team, but it made me depressed. As I embarked on tattooing, I faced both the wins and the struggles of course. I questioned it for sure; the hard days make your mind wander down the ‘should I have just taken that more secure easy road?’ thought. I know deep down that question only pops up during hard days, but it’s not even a question. The day I picked up a tattoo machine I was home. I knew it in my soul and it has never changed.

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’ve been an artist since I could hold a pencil. I had a Father who encouraged my weirdness, so even though it took a minute of thinking about being in corporate America the road to tattooing started very young. I broke into this industry through a traditional apprenticeship that took a weird turn. Once I realized what kind of tattooer I wanted to be, I needed a true mentor and I found that in Jack Hammer John Cameron. Even though I’d been tattooing a few years when he came into my life, I truly feel that was when my real apprenticeship started. He took away my pencils and forced me to learn the machine and needles. When he gave me back my artwork, I realized the two melted together much better making me a better tattooer. At this stage in my career I tattoo, I paint, I do custom shoes and skateboard decks.
I provide my clients honesty and hard work – I will be real with about what I can offer you for your project and I will show up ready to give it my all until we are both happy.
I’m most proud of the community within my shop – I’m not sure how it happens with me but I think it’s pretty awesome that in California my shop grew into a place where people have come for many years, bringing their families to get tattooed so we have generations getting work done. Then I moved to Texas and opened this location and somehow all these years later it’s happening here too. It really is a magical thing to have so much loyalty over sons, daughter, parents, grandparents etc. I can’t even put it into words.
New clients should know that everyone in my shop leaves our egos at the door, we all just want to provide a good experience and good work.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think society needs to try to understand us more. I’m not even sure how to explain how it feels to have people who don’t care who you are or even care to know your name and only care that you’re cheaper than the guy down the street. Once that has occurred, it’s extremely difficult to bring the creativity back around and do the best job you can. So, I guess what I’m saying is do your research, pick someone you can connect with and trust your skin with, understand we put out money and time before we ever even start working on you. I think having your artist excited about your project and both of you enjoying the time you’re spending together is going to produce a far superior end product.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The client. When I was a young tattooer my views got mixed up. But as I matured in my career and went through different hurdles, I always came back my clients. No matter what was happening, it was that look on their face when it all comes together that could make even the hardest of days feel pretty good. Seeing them come back for years, watching their lives change right in front of you while they steadily trust you with their skin and inner emotions/thoughts etc. It’s a lot of responsibility that is extremely humbling to be a part of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://heartandsoultattoo.com
• Instagram: zoeydmonster2
• Facebook: Heartnsoultattoo

Image Credits

All photos self shot