Today we’d like to introduce you to Serena Dovalina
Hi Serena, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Although I’ve been tattooing for about 6 years now, it was actually never my intentions to! I originally wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and join the military. In high school the recruiters visit and have you take the test (optional of course) to see if you’d pass. I did not. I have always struggled with math. I’m not really the type to stay in something I struggled with the first time, so I said ok next thing. I found a lot of interest in forensic science. Took the class in my senior year to learn basics and of course that as well came with its challenges but it was still entertaining nonetheless. I decided after graduating to go to a local college and pursue it even further. Back to my previous statement of struggles with math, college was just not for me. During that time I was dating a tattoo artist and spent a lot of my free time at the shop. I used to draw all the time in school (often getting in trouble for it) and even since elementary creating a lot of paints or clay sculptures. Anything artistic I was all in for. I didn’t want to force myself into something I had no interest in (school) and realized tattooing was actually something that seemed to come natural to me. I was pretty decent at it from the get go and of course you could only get better as time goes on. 6 years later and I do not regret it! It has not only been fun to create permanent on someone that has meaning to them but it also has taught me other qualities that I lacked such a patience. That was probably the biggest one. I am diagnosed autistic so it also has helped me strengthen my interactions with others that I was often very shy in pursuing. It was not an easy road and I’ve endured a lot of loss in between that have shifted my outlook on many things and just life in general. I’m grateful for the connections and opportunities I have come across along the way as well as the lessons that came with it. If you are not learning then you are not growing! Best advice I can give someone is, don’t be afraid to try something different than what is expected from you. It’s better to not live in regret.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Tattooing might seem easy on the outside point of view, but as most things it will come with it’s challenges. Especially when you’re first starting out. For me, it was a tough decision to decide between school to make my parents proud or pursue something that made me happy and enjoy more. But at the end of the day you have to remind yourself that it is your life and yours only. Only you are responsible for your future. A lot of patience and overcome of fear will be required. You will make money and you will lose it. In time, if you are consistent, it will be rewarding. This also applies to personal relationships that come with this career.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I often fluctuate between dot work or traditional (black or color), but I enjoy color American traditional the most. Horror traditional is certainly a favorite! That also applies to dot work as well. Anything horror, I’m in. I would say I’m definitely best known for my line work and speed.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was the weird kid growing up for sure. Not many friends and always the quiet one at any family function. I lived in my head a lot. I guess to others it seems as if since due to that I was mean or something but I’m just a very shy person. I had a hard time expressing emotions (still do). I often would make my own toys out of paper drawing cut outs and spend a lot of time on video games as well as a form of an escape from reality. I would even write small fictional stories and loved to read. Definitely a loner but never minded it!
Pricing:
- $100 minimum
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenadovalina
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenadovalina
