We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Milla Petuskey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Milla below.
Milla, 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.
To keep my creativity alive, I view my relationship with it as I would with any important relationship in my life. Just like with a lover or close friend, creativity needs nurturing and care to thrive. There are times when creativity flows effortlessly for me, and other times when it feels distant or blocked, but that’s natural. I try in those moments to treat myself with kindness and patience. When I’m facing a session of creative block I seek out things that inspire me—whether that’s through art, music, video games or new experiences—and most importantly giving myself space to recharge. By showing up for myself with intention, staying curious, and being gentle with myself during quieter moments, I’m able to keep my creative energy strong and allow it to grow.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Hey, I’m Milla, though online I go by Guts or Princess Guts. I’m 26, an Aquarius, and I’ve been an artist my whole life. I’ve been tattooing for about four years and learned from my mentor, Michael Manarino. Right now, I tattoo full time at Nine Lives Tattoo in Chinatown, which is a beautiful studio with the best group of artists. I honestly wake up every day feeling grateful to have turned my passion into a career and be doing what I love. One of the best parts, though, is connecting with so many amazing people I wouldn’t have met otherwise and being able to help them express themselves through art—it’s such an incredible feeling to be part of their journey.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I think the three most impactful qualities on my journey have been patience, discipline with a strong work ethic, and staying true to myself.
1. Patience: I waited years for my apprenticeship, and then had to keep learning and waiting before I could start tattooing. It was a long process, but in the end, the patience paid off. My advice to those starting out would be to remember that growth takes time. Trust the process and don’t rush it.
2. Discipline and a strong work ethic: Consistency is key, especially when you’re just starting your career. Tattooing is an oversaturated industry, and it’s easy to get overlooked. To stand out, you need to be creating constantly—putting in the hours, practicing, and refining your craft. Developing discipline early on will help you stay focused and keep pushing forward, even when it feels tough.
3. Stay true to yourself: There will be moments when you’ll feel the urge to change who you are or what you do to fit in or get ahead. While that might help in the short term, I’ve learned that sticking to what you truly love and believe in will show through in your work and ultimately lead to success. My advice is to trust your own voice and keep it authentic; people will resonate with your unique style and passion.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I’m always up for collaborating with other artists. Whether it’s on a tattoo, creating an art piece, or even just trading work, I love the idea of blending different styles and seeing where our creativity takes us. My personal style leans toward gothic, traditional tattoos and animated art, but I’m always open to mixing things up with artists who have different tastes. I believe it’s essential for artists to support each other and create a strong community where we can all grow and inspire one another. If you’re interested in working together, don’t hesitate to reach out to me on Instagram @princess.guts or email me at [email protected]. I’d love to create something special with you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Princessguts.com
- Instagram: @princess.guts
Image Credits
Photo of myself: Juju Dawson
Instagram @Juju.psd_
All photos of tattoos taken by me
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
