Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Manfredi.
Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
While studying graphic design at Norwalk Community College in Connecticut, I began tattooing as a hobby in 2010. After a brief apprenticeship at a studio called Raven’s Nest in Norwalk, I moved back to my hometown of Orlando, FL, to expand my knowledge, craft, and clientele. I spent several years working for various studios around Orlando, eventually building an extensive enough clientele to become appointment-only at a private studio. After several months at that stage, I decided to open my studio. I partnered with a client/close friend, Robert Milligan, and we set out to open Homesick Tattoo Studio & Gallery in Oviedo, FL. Homesick opened on January 3rd, 2017. Within 2 years, we grew to house 5 artists, with several more asking to join the team. We saw a need to expand and reopen in a larger location in April 2019. This is the studio in which we operate now, with 8 artists. Around this time, Robert and my good friend Nik Najarian joined us in the ownership and operation of the daily studio responsibilities so that I could focus more on creating art, client relationships, marketing, and artist management. We have been open for 7 years and have become a staple in the Oviedo community.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
There have been many struggles along the road to building a business. To begin with, the studio opened and operated with only two artists, including myself, for many months before we could bring on additional hires. This meant long days and nights of tattooing and running the shop by myself at times, taking the overflow of walk-in clientele on top of my existing clients and the day-to-day management responsibilities. I had to overcome an unrealistic sense of perfectionism and learn to let go of control to grow and scale the business. Growth in and of itself was challenging. Growing pains, as people call it:
- Learning how to meditate and balance additional personalities in the studio simultaneously
- Ensuring everyone’s needs were met before my own.
- Keeping up with marketing to ensure everyone stayed busy.
It eventually led to a larger shop and more growth challenges. And then came Covid in 2020. Having the studio closed to the public for 2 months was extremely difficult financially and morally. Artists need to create, and homesickness is our home away from home. Not being able to do what we love for months and having to scrape by to pay the bills was one of the most stressful times we’ve met as a business. But we managed to pull through, and upon reopening to the public, we were met with the busiest 12-18 month period I’ve ever seen in the tattoo industry. These days, things are more smooth sailing. We’ve found our footing, established ourselves, and have a great team that is comfortable and familiar with each other.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have been tattooing for 13 years. Throughout my career, I have taken an interest in many different styles and have been able to take several years at a time to grow my skills in each. I have become proficient in Black and Grey Realism, Color American Traditional, and Neo-Traditional. I’m known for my photo-realistic portrait tattoos and bright, solid, bold color tattoos with clean lines. What sets me apart from other tattooers is the speed at which I can produce a solid tattoo. With my experience and repetition has come the ability to know exactly how I plan to do a tattoo before I start and move quickly through each stage of the tattoo without having to take the time to think through each stroke and movement of my hand. I am most proud of the studio we have built, the haven it has become for our motley crew of artists, the reputation we’ve gained for excellent service to our clients, and the comfort that lies in knowing it was all done in such a way that we will be able to continue to provide these things to the community for many more years to come.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Many of my childhood memories are based on artistic pursuits. Whether that was building spaceships out of Legos, writing poetry and songs for imaginary bands of mine that never came to exist, or trying to paint landscapes like the prolific Bob Ross, I always had a creative hand. Oddly enough, though, my favorite childhood memory is about baseball. My father, having grown up in the Bronx, was a die-hard New York Yankees fan. The Yankees played spring training games here in Central Florida, and we would see them play whenever we got the chance. One time in particular, we were seated behind 3rd base when Matsui caught a pop fly ball to end the inning. He then turned and lobbed the ball into the crowd. The ball was headed right toward us as my dad stood and reached out his hand to catch it. The ball bounced off of his hand and landed several rows down, leaving it to be caught by another fan. My dad was very disappointed in himself when he didn’t catch the ball because he wanted to be able to give it to me. Looking back on this now as an adult, it stands out to me so firmly because seeing his defeat showed me how strongly he desired to create a fond memory by catching the ball and handing it to me. This was one of those moments that truly defines “the thought that counts.” I hold this memory more fondly than I would have if he had caught it and given it to me.
Pricing:
- Please inquire about pricing and availability.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.homesicktattoo.com
- Instagram: @virgocreative
