Meet Catherine Ayres

We were lucky to catch up with Catherine Ayres recently and have shared our conversation below.

Catherine, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from a lifetime of realizing things could be much, much worse than they seem at the moment. So in a way, it stems from gratitude for what I do have in that moment and knowing that I am capable of digging myself out of any bad moment to reach the light on the other side. Yesterday no longer exists, tomorrow is never promised, so be strong in the present, grateful for what is, and push through no matter the circumstance. This is learned from years of overcoming obstacles of all kinds and mostly all by myself with no help – until I had met my other half, but that’s another story, a very wonderful one. He contributes greatly my resilience nowadays.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a tattoo artist, and have been one for a decade now. Tattooing shaped my life in many ways, has become an integral part of my identity and has given me everything I have in life. I am beyond grateful to perform one of the most ancient forms of ritualistic art and look forward to many more decades of doing so.

The most special thing about tattooing is meeting people from all walks of life and weaving their stories into their skin permanently, marking milestones and memories into their bodies where they can remain forever in physical form. It’s been a great honor to hear their stories, hear their joys and sorrows, and sometimes be the ear they needed at that very moment. Along the way, amazing friendships have been formed that extend beyond the tattoo studio, and unbreakable bonds both between artist and client and even client to client.

Our brand at Iron Spade is fueled by commitment, integrity, honor, being fair and just, and always striving to do the best we can and serving our art to the community.

At this time we have no new expansion plans or events, just shirts and hoodies – we keep it small, family oriented, and serve each other with respect and honor. Quality over quantity for us.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I think the three most impactful things in my journey were determination, dedication and humility, and they continue to be. Those things will help all people from everywhere, get them ahead in their journeys. I think the best way to develop these things and bring them to the forefront is to have a foundation of grit and to truly want/love your focused skillset or career choice.
Don’t ever give up, even when things get tough, actually sticking it through when it gets tough is actually one of the most important things to see through.
Be humble, there is always someone greater than you at your craft, celebrate your wins but know that you can always do better and you should strive for it – that is how we grow and improve!

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

My husband has been the most helpful in helping me overcome absolutely everything and develop essential skills, qualities AND knowledge. Iron sharpens iron, and we are two fine blades. He has helped me shape myself into the best version of myself and continues to do so. Not only in my personal state of being but in my career.
As a 30+ year tattooer, he has gathered an immense amount of knowledge, wisdom, experience that he has shared with me. I owe everything to him, he’s helped me with customer relations, how to navigate tattoo business situations, knowledge on technique that I was able to apply to my art to really put my tattooing at that next level, inspiration, gentle reminders that reel me in, taught patience, and so much more.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @cattooer

Image Credits

True Perception Images