I’m A Black AF Tattoo Artist Who Has To Make Art To Survive
As Told To is a recurring segment on xoNecole where real women are given a platform to tell their stories in first-person narrative as told to a writer. If you have a story you'd like to share but aren't sure about how to put it into words, contact us at submissions@xonecole.com with the subject "As Told To" for your story to be featured.
This is Ashley's story, as told to Charmin Michelle.
I have to make art to survive.
No, I'm serious.
I attended Morgan State University in Baltimore and got my Bachelor's Degree in Painting. Once I graduated, I began looking for ways to simultaneously make art and money. After lots of self-reflection, I decided that I wanted to be the black Kat Von D, so I googled which cities had the largest tattoo industries. Ultimately, I decided to move to California.
Once my job transferred me to another location, I found a same-sex couple on Craigslist to live with, shipped my car, and made the move to San Diego. And because I had never been there before—and I knew no one there—I went door-to-door offering my services. Well, one lucky day, I stumbled upon a tattoo shop that loved my portfolio enough to allow me to be an apprentice for free.
And from here, my life changed.
Courtesy of Ashley Paige
Upon entering the industry, I immediately noticed the stigmas and challenges that women who look like me, often face—and I'm even asked about it all the time. I mean, as a woman of color, you generally know what challenges you'll have in any situation, but now I witnessed an industry where I knew I would have to learn to play the game and speak the language above standard.
Be twice as good to get half.
I see visual representations of stereotypes on a daily basis. I see it in surprised looks. I see it in pitch changes when customers ask questions. Like, the ridiculous notion that black women can't tattoo as well as men, or at all for that matter. Ugh. I've been in many rooms and have attended many conventions, where out of thousands of artists, I was the only black woman tattooing.
Anytime someone finds out my assistant, a man, isn't the artist behind the work they're admiring, a moment of shock always follows. But I love those moments. I live in those moments.
There's a major lack of products catering specifically to our skin tones as well. And as old as the tattoo industry is, I'm always amazed there isn't color ink designed specifically for people of color yet.
The good news is there has been some progress. In the 90's, it seemed that all of the tattoos on darker skin were difficult to see (or as we call, prison tattoos) and very rarely did they have color. The options for people of color are almost endless now. We have come a long way and more than ever, there are black people walking around rocking really phenomenal work. Additionally, I've met many really dope black women who tattoo. So, it's extremely reaffirming to know we're evolving. It's a beautiful time to be alive.
When my apprenticeship was over, and I began building clientele, the tricks and trades became a little more manageable. It was less of a culture shock, I'm assuming because I knew what I was up against. I quickly caught on to the fact that it takes more than an apprenticeship to excel in this industry. If you don't hunt, you won't eat. So, I was certainly toughened and I grew out of being as trusting and naive. I choose to live as if no one is coming to save me, and in the meantime, I'd fight to the death for what I want.
In the end, would I trade tattooing for anything? Absolutely not.
My profession has afforded me a multitude of amazing stories from thousands of people across the country. One of my favorite people to ever tattoo was a guy named Eli. He passed away just over a month ago but he frequented an old shop I used to work for and every time I saw him, he would tell me how big he thinks I'm gonna be. Some of my favorite conversations came from him. I've also inked a vast range of tattoos: from something as simple as names (those are usually the biggest regrets from customers), all the way to complicated and intricate full back pieces. I even once tattooed a "Lovingly Owned By:" tramp stamp on an elderly lady.
There's no limit to what you can be asked to create. You never know what people are passionate about or what their interests are so I try not to predict what clients will or won't eventually regret—and I don't know most of them personally to even guess. I give them what they ask for, I make it look great so even if they hate the fact that they got it later, they will still love the quality of the tattoo itself.
Courtesy of Ashley Paige
Outside of tattooing, I'd say I'm just a driven and kind-hearted jokester who thinks way more than she says. I love herbs and essential oils—both being quick mood elevators to offset a hectic day. I love the gym and pushing my body to its limits. I love realism and portraiture (I love the details, they make the larger piece look even more magnificent).
So, what's next for me? Everything.
I am and would like to be a part of the evolution of the tattoo industry by providing boss ass, true and permanent works of art on people who look like me. I want to be a household name for my work, graciousness, work ethic, innovation, and growth within the tattoo industry. I want my work to help change what the culture, and everyone else, expects a high-caliber artist to look like.
And I want everyone to know she has brown skin. And that she looks like me.
You can book Ashley for your next tattoo by clicking here to secure your spot. You can also keep up with her latest work through Instagram @artizmylov.
Featured image courtesy of Ashley Paige.
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
Courtesy
I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
Courtesy
That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
Courtesy
So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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Feature image courtesy