Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Wise.
Hi Grace, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have been an artist my whole life. From an early age, I could always be found drawing, painting or creating something. As an adult, I was working in coffee shops and as a photographer. I always knew I wanted to work for myself in a creative field, but I had no idea what that would look like.
I came across the world of stick and poke tattoos through a colleague at the coffee shop and fell in love. My husband encouraged me to try it out for myself and I was hooked. After a couple of months of practicing tattooing on myself, close friends, relatives and coworkers, I travelled to Marfa for a birthday trip. On this trip, I connected with a woman who owned a stick and poke tattoo shop in an airstream trailer. We kept in touch and she ended up offering me a job at a tattoo shop they were opening up in Austin. I learned so much from my experience there and am so thankful that they decided to take a chance on me. I worked in Austin for almost a year before the drive from Schertz just became too much for me and my family.
That’s where Indie Ink came in.
My husband and I opened our shop, Indie ink, in New Braunfels in the fall of 2022. We have loved being a part of the local community and have had the pleasure of meeting so many amazing artists, business owners, and clients in our little studio. We currently have an all female shop, (with the exception of my husband who also tattoos every once in a while) that only tattoos by the handpoke method.
I can’t wait to see what else the future brings, but for now, I love getting to show people that there is another way to get tattooed.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I became a mother right around the same time we celebrated our first year in business. Juggling motherhood, owning a business and trying to remain a relevant tattoo artist has definitely had its ups and downs. Since our tattoo method is a little unconventional, we have also had the struggles that come along with trying to make a name for ourselves in a smaller market.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a handpoke tattoo artist who specializes in western, botanical and ornamental tattoos. My tattoos are semi-fine-lined and include stipple shading that creates a softer, handmade, artistic feel. I would say that my most popular pieces are my cowgirl tattoos or my critters-in-cowboy-hat tattoos.
I hand draw all of my own designs with pencil and paper and try to stay true to myself in my art. I want my tattoos to feel like handmade art that can’t be replicated. I do a lot of pre-drawn flash designs and try to come up with new ideas for people to book monthly.
I am most proud of the lovely clientele I have. There are quite a few people who have spent years with me, getting lots of work done or finishing sleeves together. I know that stick and poke tattoos can be a commitment (time-wise and financially) and I am so grateful for those who choose me as their artist over and over again.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If you have never had the pleasure of getting a stick and poke (or handpoked) tattoo, I highly suggest you get one! The number one comment that I receive is “I wish I had gotten a stick and poke tattoo sooner.”
Pricing:
- Pricing rates for flash can be found in my Flash Book.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://indieinknb.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spicy_pokes/
- Other: spicypokes@gmail.com
