I don't have a single tattoo on me. I've looked at tattoos and have looked at my friends' tattoos and I always Imagine a tattoo on myself. I have the perfect spot where I always imagine my first tattoo to be at and I have even purchased a design by Spidspill @spidspill. I also have tattoos you put on yourself that I've purchased from Savannah @wholesome_hunny which I still have! I've been using them very sparingly. I almost got a tattoo by Katerina @kewpiekatt and I really really wanted the GARFIELD with the cowboy hat! I backed out a week before my appointment, but I'll get it one day...hopefully! There's something about Katerina's flash sheet that's just FUN! From the designs of a dog that looks like snoopy saying "pretty -- ok" to a cat in cardboard box, a wizard, and a dog in cowboy hat! There's simply too many to choose from and I think that's the fun part. You obviously would want more than one that's for sure. Do you have a tattoo by Katerina? If so which one? I will forever think about the tattoo I never got and how it would look like if I got it haha :( if you couldn't guess weeell this feature is for Katerina @kewpiekatt
We begin by asking Katerina what got her interested in being a tattoo artist? What about it calls her attention?
"I’ve always had an interest in art. I was giving my friends and myself stick and pokes in high school, and when people asked me what I wanted to do for a living I would say I wanted to be a tattoo artist. I ended up going to college after high school, but the entire time I wasn’t really committed, and still telling people I wanted to be an artist. I like the way tattoos make me feel about my body, and I want to be able to do that for other people with my art." As Katerina mentions "I like the way tattoos make me feel about my body, and I want to be able to do that for other people with my art" it's either having someone walking around as walking canvas with your art, helping the person put something onto that they enjoy or is meaningful to them onto their body or just something fun either way. I've actually overheard from friends that they want to get a Garfield tattoo from a local artist from something they've seen online. I assumed it was Katerina haha, but it's nice to know that even just by hearing it that looking at people's art work that they would want it tattooed! As Katerina is an apprentice she is mastering her craft she is definitely accomplishing her goals by the amount of tattoos posted on her feed/story.
From giving tattoos what made Katerina get a tattoo?
Does she remember when and where she got her first one? What motivated her?
"I got my first 'tattoo' from a night of having nothing to do. I remember hiding in the bathroom at 15 years old giving myself a stick and poke of a rose on my hip with a sewing needle and india ink. Definitely not the most sanitary thing to do, and I’m really thankful it didn’t end up getting infected." That's it Katerina has motivated me to stick n poke myself after publishing this feature! I can't imagine the process with a stick n poke, but hey the journey began somewhere.
When it comes to Katerina's flash sheet and other designs/work is there a piece of you that you put into your work?
"Right now I put a lot of myself into my work, almost to a fault, by drawing a lot of things I like. I’m definitely trying to work out of that shell and improve by drawing things I’m not as comfortable with." Even though as she mentions "I put a lot of myself into my work...by drawings a lot of things I like" people like that! There is a sense of connectivity with the designs produced by Katerina. I understand that we also cannot grow without stepping out of our comfort zone which is important just as experimentation. I'm glad to know that Katerina is taking the steps to step out of comfort zone as I will soon step out of my own comfort zone and get a tattoo.
Does Katerina have a favorite design/ piece of work she's created? If so which one and why as she says "That’s a tough question, but if I had to narrow it down my favorite design would probably be the frog that I have on my flash. I think he’s a funny little dude." Honestly yeah it is pretty funny its the face that makes it for me. My favorites are obviously the dogs. the wizard, Garfield, anything with a cowboy hat on, the cats, the tooth, the cat paw, the shiny effects, the flowers...I might as well just name the entire flash sheet, huh?
Does Katerina remember the first tattoo she did? What was going on through her mind?
"The first tattoo I did at the shop was a flower I did on my friends wrist. I was really nervous doing it. I’m really thankful to have friends that support me and were willing to help me learn." Oh really? I wonder how that looks! I can't imagine how that felt for Katerina during the moment, but hey once it was done it's done. That reminds of when my friend's brother was learning to cut hair in his makeshift shed/barber shop. I would get my haircuts from him and he accidentally gave me a fake bald spot on top my head LMAO and the three of us were just dead then he just combed my hair and it was gone. We're just part of the process and as homies we are glad to help.
How does Katerina wish to grow with her work?
"After I do a tattoo I examine the end product and the different ways I could do it better. I’m also working on adding more movement to my designs. I want them to be a little bit more dynamic while still following a traditional style. I’m always trying to figure out new ways to improve to do the cleanest designs/ tattoos I can do." More dynamic? Hmmm I kinda understand, but I'm sure Kat can do it for sure.
What sort of feedback have you received on your work?
"I’m so lucky to have people who love and support my work, but i’m also thankful to be in a shop that’s generous on the constructive criticism. It’s also really nice to get sent healed photos or to run into people who have my work on them, some of the best ways for me to grow with my skill is by seeing the healed tattoo." I do agree that constructive criticism is helpful along with the positive reinforcement is always welcomed. It also must be really nice to for Kat to see her work out in public!
If you could collaborate with any other artist to create a tattoo
together who would it and what do you think it would be?
"My friend @astronamydomine (@astronamystica) had a really good idea with making astrology based flash. I’d like to collaborate with her one day to do that." An astrology based flash sounds really nice especially blended with their styles that'd sure be something to see.
An idea would she ever consider making water on tattoos
of your flash sheet? for those who are a bit scared of tattoos as she say
"I’m DOWN. Definitely want to do those in the future, they would be lots of fun for an event!" It would be super cool! I'd keep those on deck and be like "today feels like the froggy tat" as I press it against my arm. I just find them pretty neat and easy to use personally that it could even be worth looking into.
As an apprentice how have you seen growth within yourself?
"I think about this all the time! I feel like i’ve aged years mentally since I started. I didn’t go out much during the first couple years COVID, so all the maturing I had to do kind of hit me really fast as I progressed through my apprenticeship." A lot happened during the start of the pandemic like shit I started this project 2 years ago during the pandemic creating virtual exhibitions and stuff. It hit hard and now we're here, huh? I feel like as long as we don't think on the "what if" because well we're in the present and for Kat she has her goals which include her apprenticeship. She has stated working out of her comfort zone so she's on the right track. Gotta keep growing and going. She continues by saying "I’m way more confident in myself now, and I can’t even believe how my art has progressed from just a year ago, but there’s definitely still more growing to do!" From creating the art to having people walking around carrying her art to new locations. Big moves bro.
What's the best thing about finishing a tattoo? What does Kat enjoy about leaving her artwork on someone creating a walking canvas basically as she mentions
"I love seeing their reactions when they like the tattoo. It makes me feel good that someone trusts me enough to have their art on them forever." I wonder if any of them have come back for another tattoo after the first one? Double the art to show around!
Katerina shares her thoughts on the local valley scene,
The local scene is why I stay in the valley. I’m so thankful to be apart of a community that uplifts creatives, everyone’s great and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
Along with one final comment,
Thank you for this opportunity to share my art! I’m so thankful for everyone who’s gotten tattooed by me or even just shared or liked my art. I also want to give a shout-out to my mentor @romeotorrez, and to my friends at shop @juan_raul_palomares, @mr.ragerilla_tattoo, without any of them I wouldn’t be where I am right now.
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