We recently connected with Tami Jo Urban and have shared our conversation below.
Tami Jo, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
I got my first tattoo and began my tattooing career when I was 18 years old. Tattooing was not the mainstream coveted industry it is today. I went on to earn my bachelors and masters degrees while maintaining a tattoo artist lifestyle. Once I graduated, I worked for such companies as General Motors and Campbell-Ewald. My body art was never a hinderance nor source of opposition. Maybe I’m fortunate in that regard, but I think when you’re in the design industry the rules are less strict, even then. I made Creative Director of Environmental Graphics at an Architectural Branding Firm when I was relatively young, and my appearance seemed to instill confidence in our clients. If you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you do good. My tattoos make me look, feel and do good.
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?
I am an artist to the core. I am driven by creating. My brand is The Urban Machine, Elegance Engineered. I am a very technical and quite literal person peppered with a bit of dark humor, dry wit, and playful sarcasm. The art I skates the line between speed and chaos. I am all over the place, that’s the blessing and the curse. I create art for your walls, your skin, your closet, your kitchen…just about everything and everywhere. If paint will stick to it, I will deface it. My website theurbanmachine.com is always current with my available works for sale, and I am always entertaining commissions. Right now I’m working on a new collection of drawings and paintings for a solo exhibition at the Delray Beach Public Library in February 2026.
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?
1) Practice nonstop. Whatever it is you’re trying to achieve, do it every day, even if it’s just a small amount of time. Go to war with your goal and don’t stop until you’ve won.
2) Set aside time for planning. Create with wild abandon, but at some point but your work in front of you chronologically and parse the direction. If you like what you see, keep going. If it feels off, pivot.
3) Have FUN! Do what you want, when you want, how you want. Stop putting chains on yourself. Find the place where focus and serendipity rendezvous then crash that party.
I’m guilty of dismissing all 3 of these points, that’s how I realized their importance. Just keep doing your best, and be honest with yourself about everything involved.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes! I would love to collaborate with like-minded creatives in all channels of the arts. Let’s come together and elevate the conversation. Please email me at [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theurbanmachine.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamijourban/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamijourban/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamijourban/
- Twitter: https://x.com/tamijourban
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tamijourban
- Other: https://tamijourban.com
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