Female Tattoo Artists are Becoming More Celebrated in the Tattoo Industry
Female Tattoo Artists are Becoming More Celebrated in the Tattoo Industry
It took quite some time before tattoos became accepted by mainstream America. This recent adoration has helped reshaped the body art industry. These days the tattoo industry is run in a more professional manner and with a lucrative business model in mind.
It began with the shops. Tattoo shops are now clean and inviting. They have moved from the sleazier part of town to locations in Las Vegas casinos and neighborhood strip malls. The onslaught of celebrities getting tattoos has also contributed to the legitimacy of the business and has opened the eyes of the public to this artistic aspect. Tattoo reality shows have also contributed to the tattoo industry's growth.
One area that is still growing and evolving is the role of females in the world of tattoo artists. It is an profession predominately populated with male artists. This almost seems to be a throwback from the days when tattoo parlors were primarily patronized by males. Getting apprenticeships can be difficult as more people show an interest in becoming tattoo artists and it may be more difficult for a woman to acquire an apprenticeship over a male.
There are signs this is turning around. Female artists are beginning to become more prevalent in the tattoo community and are even breaking into the business end by opening their own tattoo shops. Some of these shops are populated with all female artists. Female shop owners are supporting the movement of females in this profession.
In some cases, female tattoo artist are preferred by female clients. These clients prefer to have someone of the same sex working on them. They may shy about the location of the tattoo or just feel more at ease with a female. Perhaps they are more modest about showing skin.
Some individuals are not as comfortable and open about their bodies. Perhaps their reason for the tattoo is very personal or they prefer to only share it with their significant other. In this case, having someone of their own sex working on their bodies might make them feel more comfortable with the whole process.
So fortunately, a change is in the works. Female tattoo artists are beginning to break into the industry in a stronger way. There is even an annual convention which features only female tattoo artists from all over the country. A more public testament to this change in the tattoo industry is the popularity and talent of Kat Von D. Seeing a young female artist like Kat on a popular show like Miami Vice holding her own and even being a strong enough artist to get her own shop and show, helps the public awareness and acceptance of the female in the tattoo business world. She is also a role model for young artists that are thinking of breaking into the business.