We recently connected with Hannah Oelz and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Hannah, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Honestly sometimes I still feel a bit of imposter syndrome sneaking through. But I believe that having a a strong community of artists around me is a reminder that we are all in this together! We support and encourage each other and this helps me feel more confident in my career and the body of work that I am constantly creating. Also giving myself daily positive affirmations and reflecting on how much I have grown as an artist is a great way to curb imposter syndrome!
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
For as long as I can remember I have always loved to draw. Whether it was with a paintbrush, a pen, or digitally- I have always wanted to create. A few years ago, a friend sparked an idea that I should turn my drawings into tattoos. I was hesitant at first- as my perception of the tattoo industry was so different to what it is now. In my mind it was a very intimidating practice, and I was scared to enter a very male-dominated industry. However, I took a risk and that little idea spiraled into what is now my career today, in an industry where the narrative is changing, and where artists (like myself and my studio mates) are creating safe spaces for clients to express themselves through the art of tattoos.
Bringing my illustrations to life has filled me with a joy that I haven’t experienced through other art mediums. My style is very whimsical and illustrative and I am heavily inspired by vintage children’s books. I love tattooing botanicals, little creatures and pet portraits filled with lots of little details. Tattooing is so precious to me and has become one of my favorite art forms. Having that personal client interaction and making someone so happy through my art is so rewarding. But it is about more than just art. I love creating work that makes people more comfortable in their skin and allows them to feel liberated through this tattoo experience. It is also about community, and I have had the chance to meet so many other talented artists. I am constantly in awe of what my fellow artists are making. It inspires me and fuels my creativity and I am constantly filled with gratitude for the direction that tattooing has taken me.
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?
Do not compare yourself to others, and don’t measure your success based on social media likes. Instagram is a really helpful tool to use as a tattoo artist to advertise your work. It can be so great, however, it can be so detrimental and destructive if you are constantly comparing yourself to other artist’s work. It is important to remind yourself that everyone’s journey is so different and everyone is going at their own pace. Progress is never linear.
Setting boundaries and having a healthy work/life balance is something else that is really important to uphold. As your own boss, it’s so easy to slip into checking emails and DMs late at night. It’s so easy to work beyond hours you have intended to work. Setting boundaries with yourself is so beneficial to one’s mental health and to prevent burnout! It’s obviously easier said than done but is something I’m constantly working on.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help and reach out to your community! Isolating yourself is never beneficial and can hinder your growth as an artist. Asking for advice, building friendships and growing your community as a business owner helps you realize you aren’t alone.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
I think my confidence is the biggest area of growth! Confidence in both myself and my artwork, as well as confidence in client interactions. This helps me be better at setting boundaries and not overcompensating to accommodate clients. I’ve also found that it helps me with communicating and making sure I feel good but my client feels comfortable too!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @mousetats
Image Credits
Portrait by Pablo Isaak Perez
