We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ren Glass. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ren below.
Ren, thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
I am one of seven children, so I learned how to share early on. Before tattooing, I performed in theater and bands. Performance art requires collaborative skills for writing and rehearsing before ever hitting the stage. I really developed my generosity by being in community with other artists, creating music and drama – even comedy.
When I learned to tattoo, there weren’t many female artists. I was lucky to get into an exclusive group where the trade was kept a secret. They told me not to share information or the craft I was developing. There was a code of behavior, of ethics, established to protect the community and control who could survive, and thrive, in it.
The more I became a part of the tattooing world however, the more I wanted to expand beyond a protected group and welcome more women and queer folks in our field. The element of human connection was my favorite part of the work. By sharing, listening and learning, I created and curated a way of being with clients that was based in mutual respect. And, eventually, I decided to teach a more compassionate approach to tattooing.
Being generous is a form of connection and an invitation to others. I believe we are designed to make connections and, when we do, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction. In this time of so much division – here and across the planet – I am grateful to have, and to practice, intentional connections.
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 make custom botanical tattoos in a beautiful private studio in Brooklyn, NY. Initially a raw loft space, I built it to welcome other artists – an apprentice I can mentor, a local colleague and visiting tattooers from outside of the city. I aim to work where artistry and empathy meet.
I specialize in nature-based imagery. In my portfolio, you will find colorful designs of flowers, butterflies, birds and fruits. I am inspired by gardens, vintage botanical prints and traditional tattoos. I design custom pieces that flatter and flow with the body. My practice is not only about creating beautiful tattoos, but also about creating a peaceful, powerful experience for my clients.
Tattooing is so intimate and so permanent, it takes an immense amount of trust. When someone feels safe and respected in my studio, the relationship in our tattoo session is the foundation for an authentic connection, one not always easily achieved with someone you’ve just met. Working one-on-one for hours with my clients is when I hear people’s stories, really get to know and learn from them.
For some, getting a tattoo is an act of reclaiming and taking ownership of themselves. One tattoo that stands out for me was covering mastectomy scars. Her battle with cancer was successful but my client wasn’t able to have reconstruction and was unhappy with her body. A beautiful tattoo was a way for her to enhance and transform herself in a way that she could celebrate.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
#1. Work ethic within a healthy work / life balance is essential. When it comes to any form of art, nothing is going to happen if you don’t create it. No one else will hold you accountable for making your art everyday, so you have to be able to create some sort of structure or deadline for yourself. If you can build a practice of working on your craft, you’ll set yourself up for an artist’s life.
#2. How to have hard conversations / boundary setting / honoring your practice. At the beginning of an artist’s career, it’s typical to do some work for free, or low pay to help build connections and spread the word about who you are. However, making the step into a legitimate business requires having policies, fair rates and also knowing how to leave a toxic situation. I think it’s important not to burn bridges, even when you have to end a relationship with someone (unless it’s dangerous, of course). But learning how to advocate for yourself without destroying a relationship is an incredibly valuable skill. You never know when an old connection may be appropriate or needed years later.
#3. Don’t censor yourself. You can’t please them all. We all get good and bad advice. Decipher what works for you and leave the rest behind. The more successful you become, the more you’ll carve out your own audience. When people don’t like your work, it’s a great bit of insight. Knowing how to listen, without losing yourself, can allow for you to cater to those who really understand your creations. If what you’re making is authentic, don’t let yourself consider if it’s “good or bad”. Just make it!
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Meditation, exercise and spending time with people I love are my main tools for being grounded. I do a short meditation every morning. It helps me slow down and be less reactive. I have also been practicing karate for the past few years and it’s made me more well rounded. It’s been humbling to learn something new and it helps me balance my work life. It’s a great stress reliever – and It’s also really fun.
A quality one-on-one hang with a beloved friend can recharge me and give me perspective. And, what matters most is my family – original family and expanded family. I’m close with my siblings and what nourishes me most is my own little nest. My husband and my child are my rock, my source of commitment to everything else I do and learn and share – to building our community, to my tattoo practice and to my continued curiosity about this life. We three even study karate together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://renglasstattoo.com
- Instagram: @renglasstattoo
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/karenglasstattoo
Image Credits
The photos of me are by Jeanette Moses.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
