Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Lynn
Hi Vanessa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been a self taught artist my whole life. Molding myself around acrylic, watercolor and prisma pencils.
Early 2016 I set up for my first art showing and continued presenting my work around art gigs in San Antonio for the next couple years.
Not too long after I crossed paths with my good friend and mentor (Gabe Vasquez) in late 2017. The idea of learning the craft of tattooing was pitched to me and I knew I wanted to run with that. All the art events I came into I unknowingly and conveniently at the same time was building a portfolio for myself which I used to present my work to the tattoo shop to show what im capable of.
I picked up an apprenticeship under Gabe and worked with Golden Rose Tattoo when they opened their doors in 2018 and have been planted there since.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road was far from smooth. It was a very hard process with a few obstacles I had to navigate around.
My first year of apprenticing I got pregnant so everything came to a halt for me when it came to learning tattooing. While I was still able to be present and help do daily tasks at the shop, I could still feel myself taking ten steps back. It was so discouraging.
There was a point in my maternity leave where I knew I had to figure out how to be a first time mother but also get back into the tattoo shop so I can finish what I started. I knew nothing else but art and now the world of tattooing, so I was stubborn on wanting to find the balance between motherhood and an unpaid apprenticeship.
Stepping back into the shop, I had to relearn basics and get back into my routine. It took a couple years, but I pushed through and eventually made it out alive.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I love to tattoo classic American traditional designs but I also love to throw my own flare to them. I specialize is bright colors but can also have fun with black and grey work too. Some subjects I revolve myself around are girl heads, skulls, florals, butterflies, weapons all things sad/haunting/witchy/weird.
I feel like what separates my work from others is definitely my color palette. I find myself always utilizing certain colors when it comes to certain things. Or for a finishing touch, I’ll throw in some sparkles last minute.
What’s next?
Eventually I’d like to be able to learn a new style, such as black and grey realism. I love to draw realism in pencil but it looks so scary to approach as tattooing it.
I’d also like to be able to put myself out there more and guest spot in new places later in the future once I feel ready to do so.
Pricing:
- Starting minimum of $100, im able to work with your budget (if any).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://web.getporter.io/artist/vanessagrt
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/dameofpain
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/vanessalynnartwork
