Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emily Paredes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Emily, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
It’s surreal to say I’ve found my purpose in tattooing given the number of years I spent trying to find what fulfills me creatively and professionally. Art has always been a central part of who I am. Starting at five years old, I grew up painting and drawing with a range of mediums. I knew from early on I wanted to work in the art field, but I wasn’t sure how that would look.
Thirteen years later I went on to pursue a fine art degree, but I was constantly second guessing myself. Was I good enough to “make it,” and even if I did, would it be a stable enough career? I decided to switch to a graphic design degree, it was a more practical and stable option, and I dabbled in it in high school. However, even in that field, imposter syndrome lingered. I landed myself a post-grad 9-5 job in the corporate fashion world. While glitzy, it was unfulfilling and creatively draining. In 2020 when I started working remotely, I finally had the time and energy to reflect on what I really wanted to do.
I always admired the few self-taught artists that decorated my arms with colorful and whimsical pieces. I found it so inspiring that they taught themselves this incredible craft, and while I believed I could do the same, it seemed like such a huge feat. However, after realizing the corporate world was not for me, I knew I owed it to myself to at least try. Over the next two years, I tattooed myself, trusting friends, family, and everyone willing to invest in me. I finally felt like I was doing something meaningful, something that genuinely made me happy and allowed me to connect with others in a creative way.
By 2022, I knew I couldn’t stay in the corporate world any longer, and in April of that year, I finally built up the courage to quit my job. Now, as a full-time tattoo artist in an incredible women-owned space, Obsessed Tattoo Collective, the fact that people want my artwork on their bodies is still something I can hardly believe.
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’ve always loved color tattoos, choosing to decorate my own skin with vibrant and whimsical designs. With a passion for color, I developed a style of tattooing that’s a blend of bold hues and intricate line work. I especially love my full color pieces that are often mistaken as stickers. My designs range from detailed florals and vibrant stained glass motifs, to expressive animals and illustrative landscapes. Although I love tattooing in color, I still do a lot of black work since everyone has their own preferences.
Throughout my practice, I’ve realized that a lot of people are apprehensive towards color tattoos due to misinformation, and my goal is to educate my clients. Many people fear they are allergic to color ink, but this is often due to the artist overworking the skin by repeatedly going over the same spot, causing the ink to be pushed out during healing. Another concern is that color ink won’t look good on them, especially people with darker skin tones, and I’m here to tell you that everyone can get a color tattoo! The reason color ink looks different on darker skin is because there is more melanin present which can alter the color. To make sure everyone is able to get a color tattoo that’s as vibrant as possible, I started offering free color tattoo tests for Black and Brown individuals. These dot-work tests determine which colors work best with a specific skin tone so we can confidently move forward with a full color tattoo.
What drives me as an artist is empowering my clients to decorate their bodies with the tattoos they’ve always dreamed of. Whether it’s telling them they can get a color tattoo they thought wasn’t possible, turning a childhood memory into a meaningful design, or seeing their joy after getting a new tattoo, those moments fuel my passion. I believe everyone should have the chance to wear the artwork they truly want, and I love guiding them through that process. Color tattoos are especially powerful—they’re vibrant, unique, and can be personalized with just a change of a color.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The main mindset that helped me build my tattooing business leans on self-trust, conviction in my craft, and willingness to learn.
When I left my corporate design job, I was losing financial stability, facing apprehension from my loved ones, and taking a chance on myself. It was a big risk, but one I put a lot of thought into. I had to trust myself, which I’ve noticed is such a common barrier for creatives. Remember, you’re not someone until you are. You’re not a tattoo artist until you are.
While I was building up my portfolio, I had to have strong conviction in my craft. Meaning: I had to “fake it till I made it” and push through periods of self doubt. I worked through bouts of imposter syndrome by focusing on my commitment to my dreams and reminding myself that those slumps are only temporary. So, I keep drawing, creating, and marketing myself on social media. I keep pushing myself to move forward, reminding myself that I’ve already made it this far.
When practicing any craft, mistakes are inevitable and humility is crucial. In tattooing specifically, making a mistake is terrifying. But, the best tattoo artists know how to fix their mistakes, both in technical skill and instilling client confidence. Embracing mistakes as opportunities to learn was key to my growth. Being open to feedback, trying new things, and owning up to my mistakes allowed me to pivot and improve quickly. This mindset of constant learning was essential to navigating the ups and downs of my journey.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My best friend and roommate, Sabrina, has been a constant support, especially in the beginning. She’s an artist that has worked in the corporate field as a social strategist, and eventually transitioned to a freelancer, so we have similar backgrounds. Sabrina is extremely knowledgeable, persistent, and reassuring. She ultimately gave me the confidence to quit my corporate job and pursue tattooing.
When I first started tattooing, I didn’t have the network and community within the tattoo world that I do now. Although Sabrina couldn’t help me with the technical skills, she was there giving me advice on anything she could. How I could improve my drawings, helping me price my work, and aiding in clients emails. She was also the voice of reason when I couldn’t be for myself. When my imposter syndrome crept in and I started spiraling, she would pull me out of those feelings with her levelheaded reasoning. She would tell me all art forms have a learning curve, no one is perfect when they first start anything, and I just had to keep going in order to improve.
As I grew as a tattoo artist, I started networking by reaching out to other tattoo artists to trade. It was not only a great way to get more tattoos, but to meet other artists, start building a community, and exchange information and skills. I was exposed to different styles, techniques, materials, and supplies. I got to understand how different artists ran their businesses, and realized others shared the same struggles I was experiencing.
When I eventually joined my studio, Obsessed Tattoo Collective, I immediately had a tight knit group of artists willing to support me in whatever way they could. We build each other up, reassure each other when we’re going through a rough time, and share our advice and knowledge so we can all improve as artists. I’ve been a part of Obsessed for over a year now, and since then my skills have improved significantly. They make me love my job even more, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilys_parade_tattoos/
- Other: Booking Form (located in my Instagram bio): https://form.jotform.com/233406627684159
Image Credits
Emily Paredes
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