Today we’d like to introduce you to Lanie Barth.
Lanie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a Tattoo Artist in my 9th year of tattooing, here in Brevard County. I got my start at a small shop in Titusville where I completed my apprenticeship as well as my first 5 years building clientele and my following. It was through the pursuit of my dream job that I met my amazing husband, Drucif, who is also a Tattoo Artist and helped me further hone my skills, branching out into many styles to make me the versatile artist I am today.
A little over 3 years ago I relocated to a shop in Merritt Island and expanded my clientele as well as progressed in my skill level. I have been at my current shop for going on a year, and am blessed to work close to home so that I can spend more time with my family. Drucif and I have the most precious daughter, Gwendalyn. She is quite the artist herself, though I’m not sure she could have avoided the artist’s genes if she tried. It was a series of fortune events that led me to my career, my husband, and therefore my daughter.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Apprenticeships are hard, and mine was just shy of two years long. My apprenticeship was very much what would be considered an “old-school apprenticeship”. I worked full time for no pay and had to also work a paying job outside of shop hours to pay my bills. It can be difficult to handle the stress of work, life, as well as an apprenticeship all at once. It takes a lot of drive, self-discipline, and a true passion for what we do. There were times when I thought I wouldn’t make it through my apprenticeship. I was afforded the “three-strike rule”.
Thankfully, I never made it to three. You really have to learn to juggle your life and establish priorities to succeed.
Self-employment, especially in this line of work can be very inconsistent income. I’ve had to be very self-propelling and learn to adapt quickly to the changes and advancements in the industry as well as find a way to create and maintain a healthy work-life balance. To be honest, that balance part can still be difficult for me, as I have a tendency to be a workaholic if I don’t keep myself in check.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m not sure that I could say I specifically specialize in any particular tattoo style. My favorite style would be black and grey realism, such as portraits. My other favorite would be full-color/color-bomb/new-school designs. I love using as much color as possible to create dynamic art. Despite these being my favorite styles, my friends and clients have told me that my lettering, Fineline, and florals are what I’m best known for. I love tattooing portraits because I believe it to be a style that not everyone does, or necessarily can do. I spent countless hours learning how to accurately create a portrait tattoo.
Achieving this level of skill is probably one of my most proud accomplishments. A few years ago I added “Ink Therapist” to my business cards as well as social media. Many of my clients refer to their appointments as their “ink therapy.” So if it’s therapy, then that makes me a therapist! Not only do many people find the process therapeutic, I have a way of being the kind of person people come to for advice, or to vent. Many of my clients leave their appointment with a fresh tattoo that they love, as well as life advice, tips & tricks I’ve picked up on the way, and their hearts a little lighter from using our time together to get some things off their chest. I intentionally create an environment where anyone can feel welcome and comfortable. My space is a safe space. I prioritize my client’s comfort and overall experience.
I keep a “client courtesy cart” for my clients to set their things on, which also has a few items they might like during their session. This includes phone chargers, gum, stress balls, and fidget toys. I have many neurodivergent clients, as well as being neurodivergent myself. I find that the whole experience is better if they are able to be as comfortable as possible. We take as many breaks as the client needs. I maintain a calm, welcoming, and comforting environment. I think that helps set me apart from others.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I’d have to say luck is what got me in the door. Hard work is what kept me there. I had reached out to the first shop owner regarding an apprenticeship, a couple of years before I actually started one there. Originally, I was working towards my first assignment to be accepted as an apprentice.
However, life took over and I was not able to afford my apprenticeship at that time. I was lucky that two years later when the shop owner decided he needed extra help at the shop that I was contacted regarding a possible free apprenticeship.
The process was done by interview. Out of the 6 people interviewed, I was very lucky that I was the one chosen.
Contact Info:
- Website: Linktr.ee/lanietattoo
- Instagram: Instagram.com/lanietattoo
- Facebook: Facebook.com/tattoosbylanie
