Meet Kristen Klepak

We recently connected with Kristen Klepak and have shared our conversation below.

Kristen, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

Creativity is a constant within us—it never truly dies. Like any muscle, it can grow weak if left untended, but with care and attention, it will always be revived. When life gets busy and our creative spark feels dim, it’s not gone, it’s only muffled by the noise of daily responsibilities. Just as we work out a muscle to strengthen it, we can nurture our creativity with time, patience, and practice. For those of us who live for creative expression, this practice becomes a form of self-care—a way to reconnect with our passions and recharge our spirit. The more we engage with it, the more vivid and expansive it becomes. Creativity is always there, waiting for us to nurture it and reignite that spark.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Kristen, and I’m a tattoo artist and owner of Ruby Tattoo in Marine City, Michigan—a space that’s deeply personal to me. From a young age, creativity has been a part of my spirit, my soul, and it has shaped who I am today.

Opening my own studio was a dream. I wanted a space where I could pour my love and energy into every corner, a place where my clients felt welcomed, comfortable, and excited to collaborate with me on their tattoo ideas. The name of the shop, Ruby Tattoo, holds a special place in my heart—My husband chose the name after our daughter, Ruby, who’s the light of our life. Every day I come to work, I’m reminded of the love that inspires this space.

What I love most about tattooing is the way it allows people to express themselves. Tattoos are like glimpses into our souls, snapshots of who we are and what we’ve experienced. They have the power to make us feel more like ourselves, to embrace our identity, and to wear our stories with pride. There’s something beautiful about the confidence a tattoo can give someone—it’s a physical manifestation of their spirit, their journey.

At Ruby Tattoo, I’m not only creating art on skin; I’m creating something that empowers, connects, and celebrates who we are as individuals. Every tattoo I do carries a piece of me and a piece of the person sitting in my chair, and that’s what makes this journey so incredibly special.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Over the years, tattooing has allowed me to strengthen my sense of empathy. When I sit with each person in my chair, I’m not only an artist, but a listener, someone they trust with a personal part of themselves. Every tattoo is a story, and I’ve had the privilege of hearing so many of them. It’s a beautiful thing that people trust me not only with their body but with their emotions and experiences. I’ve learned to be present in those moments, listening with my heart, because I know how powerful that trust is.

Drawing has always been my lifeline. It’s something I always turned to, my constant companion when words weren’t enough. When I couldn’t express my feelings or navigate my emotions, I’d pick up a pencil. Drawing became my escape, my release, and even my way of communicating. It’s something that never failed me. Through the years, I poured everything I had into it, and in return, it continued to give back to me—offering not just skills but a way of understanding and connecting to the world around me.

The relationship I have with art helped me navigate periods of creative block. There were times when I didn’t feel the spark of inspiration, but I learned that even in those moments, I could turn to art. It didn’t have to be about creating something monumental or groundbreaking; it was about expressing myself, however imperfectly. Art became a way to heal and keep moving forward. Even when I felt stuck creatively, I could still use it to release emotions, to connect with myself, and ultimately to rediscover my flow. It’s through these small acts of expression, when I didn’t “feel creative,” that I found my way back to my passion. And that’s the beauty of it—creativity never truly leaves. It’s always there, waiting to be rediscovered, healed, and nurtured.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I turn to art—though not always in the way people might expect. It’s not always about tattooing; sometimes it’s painting, using colored pencils, or creating crafts with my family and friends. There’s something about allowing myself to step away from the pressures of my work and immerse in a creative outlet that brings a sense of relief. It’s a way to reconnect with my joy and ground myself in the present moment.

Art, for me, isn’t confined to a single medium. Sometimes it’s about exploring the world with the people I love, experiencing life and art in different places and ways. Whether it’s a quiet walk, a shared meal, or simply observing the beauty around me, those moments of connection feel like art in their own right. I’ve learned that sometimes we don’t need to fix the feeling of being overwhelmed. We don’t always have to find a solution or have all the answers. Sometimes, we just need to stop, focus on what makes our hearts full in that moment, and let ourselves breathe. Whether it’s through creating or experiencing, those moments of release and joy help me reset and come back stronger. Art has the ability to give me clarity, and in those moments of surrender, I find the peace I need to move forward.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristen_x_tattoos?igsh=cTg5MWNvbWZlOGo5&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1672RF3syL/?mibextid=wwXIfr