Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelcie Spector.
Kelcie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always loved making various kinds of art, but never thought I was cut out to be a tattoo artist. I entered the industry as a body piercer, and about 8 years ago, an opportunity for a tattoo apprenticeship was presented to me. I jumped on it, and it was one of the best decisions of my life! Turns out I could handle the pressure, and that felt like a personal achievement in its own. Since then, I helped open a brand new shop with a few other artists, and about 2 years ago I opened my own private tattoo studio. I’ve come a long way, and so has my art.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being a full time artist is never a smooth road. Being a woman in a heavily male-dominated industry is never easy either. The amount of disgusting, misogynistic, “jokes” I had to hear for the first 6 years of my career made me sick. I definitely reached a point where I realized I only want to work with other women tattooers, or alone, and that’s working out really well for me. Like most industries, my work ebbs and flows with the economy. Tattoos are not a necessity, and when times are tough, my schedule definitely thins out, which can add a lot of stress and pressure. And now of course AI use is rampant, which is warping everyone’s views of what’s real, or even what’s possible. I have clients sending me AI generated reference photos, which could not even realistically be a tattoo. I also recently had someone refer to one of the best tattoos I’ve ever done, as “AI generated slop”, which was obviously incredibly demoralizing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am both a tattoo artist, and a business owner, running a private studio. I’d say I specialize in illustrative and neo-traditional tattoos, in both color and black & grey pepper shading. I’m also very passionate about creating the safest, most welcoming and comfortable environment possible for my clients. This is why I love having my own space! Getting tattooed is anxiety-inducing enough, the last thing my clientele wants is to be in a large, loud, bright room full of people with aggressive music blasting. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of people who do want that experience, and there is nothing wrong with that! But as a very anxious person myself, I tend to cater to people who also have anxiety, and prefer a calming experience. I keep my studio cozy, with low lights, a crackling electric fireplace, along with a tv to play comfort shows, or movies to keep you distracted from the pain. I also pride myself in consistently using an eco-friendly tattoo setup! I buy as many all natural, biodegradable products as possible. I definitely think that sets me apart from others in an industry that typically uses an abhorrent amount of single use plastic.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
As an anxious person, I personally do not love taking risks, but I really think it’s important (sometimes) to force myself to do so. This is what ultimately led me to opening my private studio. I knew I was unhappy and wanted more control over my environment, but had never worked alone in this industry prior. It would be my first time not having the crutch of being able to ask for help or advice on a tattoo, as well as making sure I could drum up enough business on my own. That was scary! Not to mention there is a whole side of this business that most artists don’t ever have to dabble with. Health inspections, studio insurance, licensing, dealing with the bio-waste disposal company….that had always been someone else’s responsibility. At the end of the day, it was kind of exciting to learn it all though, and I am definitely more knowledgeable about the industry today than I was a few years ago. Most importantly, I am much happier working in my own space, with complete control over my environment from top to bottom. I never would have achieved this without taking the massive risk of betting on myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kelciespector.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kelcie.spector
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/crypticmoontattoo
- Other: https://instagram.com/crypticmoontattoo
Image Credits
Kelcie Spector
