We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emma Larkin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Emma, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I developed my confidence mostly by continuing to put myself in uncomfortable situations. As a child I was pretty shy, but my family moved around a fair amount and every couple of years I had to switch schools and navigate a whole new set of social interactions, and with practice it got easier. After finishing college I spent several years abroad and learned to tattoo while living in Istanbul, so I was learning a new language and a new skill at the same time. At first it was incredibly challenging and I struggled to even understand basic conversation, but with some persistence and practice I managed to master both. If you want to get good at something you have to challenge yourself and not be afraid to make mistakes. Just remember that even if you feel stupid in the moment, most everyone else won’t even remember it later, and you might learn something in the process.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
In addition to tattooing I also make large paintings, drawings, and multimedia works on panels. I decided to go into tattooing as a way to support and fund my artistic endeavors, but came to love it as it’s own art form. I believe that being tattooed helps people formulate their own identities, gain confidence in their bodies, and process important ideas or events in their lives, and the interactions associated with the process can be incredibly rewarding and informative for me as well. My other passion is making space for creative individuals to do what they love and build communities that are mutually beneficial to everyone involved. I’ve co-owned Painted Soul Arts, a tattoo studio and art gallery in Montclair, NJ for over four years now, and will be opening a sister-studio in Seattle, WA this fall. I’m excited for the opportunity to build another space and bring together more creative people who I’m sure will challenge and engage me in new and unexpected ways.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Firstly I think it’s incredibly important to be open-minded. Everyone is different and comes from a different set of situations, experiences, and challenges, and you can learn a lot by listening and paying attention without first formulating opinions or passing judgement on someone because they act or look differently than you. There are infinite ways to exist in this world and you’ll never know about many of them if you don’t listen with an open mind first. This leads into another important skill which is perception and awareness of your surroundings or context- this can mean physically, culturally, economically, or just about any other area of life. Nearly everything that we perceive is relative to something else. For example, even our vision relies on contrast of dark vs. light or motion vs. absence of motion to register a a form or an object in space. Our words and actions are taken in the context of our own personal history as well as our cultural history. what we say or do can have different meaning in different settings, so it’s important to pay attention to context. Third, I would say calculated risk taking and persistence. If you do not take risks and step outside your comfort zone, you will be very limited in what you can learn. This doesn’t mean jumping off a cliff with no parachute, it’s more like trying a food that is unfamiliar to you or maybe speaking your mind in front of an audience or signing up for music lessons or a sport you don’t know how to play. Controlled risk-taking and the ability to follow through on your commitments are some of the best ways to acquire new skills.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed or stuck on a problem, I generally do one of three things.
First, get physical exercise. There’s nothing like wearing out your body to clear your mind and it usually feels good to get out side and get the blood pumping.
Second, take a walk in a forest or near a body of water. A change of setting and some fresh air can make a world of difference. Plus, walking in a wooded area has been proven to lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and reduce anxiety. Iodine found in sea water and air near bodies of salt water can also boost your mood and immune system as well as increase certain brain functions.
Third, talk to your friends or seek advice from people you trust. Simply talking through problems can often bring clarity, and I find that getting a variety of opinions on a matter helps me gain perspective. Chances are you will hear something or learn something that you didn’t think of before, and maybe get some kind or calming words as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emma-larkin.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmagracetattoo/
- Other: NJ Studio website: https://www.paintedsoularts.com/
Image Credits
1st image (Emma in front of painting) is by Devin Bowes. All others are by myself (Emma Larkin)
