We’re looking forward to introducing you to Amy Adams. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Amy, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: When was the last time you felt true joy?
I am happy to say I feel true joy nearly every day, and it’s almost always in the simplest things like a flower or the sound of the rain. It sounds cheesy but I find that joy is held in the present moment and abundant in nature if we can slow down enough to perceive it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey there! My name is Amy, I’m a tattoo artist of over 16 years now. I was born in the SF Bay Area and started my tattoo shop there over 10 years ago. My shop naturally grew to be a very queer space as many of my friends are trans and I’m bisexual myself. Organically the people drawn to work in the space and get tattooed in the space tend to be queer, trans, women, and or neurodivergent.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
Although it wasn’t the healthiest relationship, my ballet teacher really taught me the importance of punctuality, professionalism, and trying ones hardest. Showing up consistently and giving 100% while there will go really far, as most people don’t have that foundation. You don’t have to be the most talented person in the room, you just have to show up for yourself.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Im gonna sound like a crusty old tattooer here, but I’m glad to have really had to slog the first seven or so years of my career. I wasn’t making enough money to support myself. I had to ask my parents for money and I’m greatful they were willing to do that because I don’t know what else I could have done in those years. When I started tattooing the economy was crap, but I loved it. I was lucky to get a few 20$ walk ins some weeks and 1/3 of that went to the shop. I stuck around because I loved it. I also feel lucky to have started young enough that I was able to start supporting myself when I finally opened my own business and I was in my mid twenties at that point. I know I’m in it for the love of the craft, not the money. The economy isn’t doing great right now and I see newer Tattooers dropping out of the industry like flies. It will be really interested to see what the industry looks like on the other side of this.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is an aspect of me. I don’t think one can fully be themselves on social media, period, and that’s mostly how one’s public persona is formed these days. The other part is who I am with clients, which of course is the professional version of myself which is the most patient and polite but direct person I can be. Of course I am all of these things, but it’s a mask I show out of respect for my clients and because it’s what sells. I would argue no one’s public persona is the real them, though of course some people put on more of a character than others
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Oh gosh, I would like to say I would put aside worrying about all the little things that don’t matter but I don’t think this situation would really change that. It seems to be a part of human nature. I work on it but it’s stubborn! I’m happy to say my life would probably look pretty similar! I would travel a lot, and I would spend a lot of time in nature. I would make art for myself rather than other people. In this imaginary scenario presumably I still have bills to pay so I would need to stay somewhat grounded in reality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Underherskin.eu
- Instagram: Amisamil
- Other: Shop is prettyininkelectric.com and IG IS @prettyininkelectric
Image Credits
Portrait by Sloane Kanter
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