Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Daugherty.
Hi Shannon, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I moved to Austin in July 2019, and since then it has been an awesome, humbling, and whirlwind experience. But I will get more to that a bit later. Right now, let’s dive into how the path to my career in tattooing began. I started working in tattoo shops when I was 18 years old. That was the same time that I moved to New York City to pursue a degree in Illustration at Pratt Institute (2002). Over the course of my four year college career I had jobs working in bars, restaurants, tattoo studios, and curating art shows. You will always meet someone, or someone that knows someone, and out of a conversation comes opportunity.
Once you open up to a stranger the events of your life always take on a new direction. In this instance, I had met one of the tattoo artists working at the shop across the street. He saw that I was heavily tattooed and said he would be happy to look over my portfolio with me. Two days later I was standing in front of a studio with my portfolio in tow facing a sign that said “closed” on the door. I was supposed to meet with one of the guys at noon. I waited across the street at my job looking out the window like a lost puppy. Eventually, around 2pm, the doors had opened and we chatted. The following day I had an official apprenticeship. My apprenticeship entailed all of the typical apprenticeship duties; greeting clients, cleaning, drawing, cleaning, scrubbing tubes, sweeping, mopping, and then some more drawing.
Eventually, I was able to start tattooing friends. It was exciting. What a time to be alive! By the time I graduated college, I had been an apprentice for a little over a year. Unfortunately for me, I had to quit. I was working seven days a week and had gotten severely ill and was not making enough money to support my health concerns. I didn’t say much about it to anyone, and, at the time, didn’t know how to. So when I left my job and apprenticeship, there were plenty of people that were upset with me without knowing the whole story. Eventually, I had to get my life together. After about two weeks I had applied for a job working at a tattoo supply warehouse in Chinatown. In its own way, it was like an extended apprenticeship. At that job I met tattooers from all over the world, learned about products, how to make, fix, find, whatever was necessary to make tattooing happen. Just by talking to other tattoo artists and listening to their perspectives, stories, methods, you name it, was its own education.
During my five year tenure, in a position that required “the wearing of many hats”, i.e. sales, warehouse, customer relations, tattoo conventions, graphic design, tuning up tattooers machines, and learning the occasional “hello, good morning” in Chinese and Spanish, I had lost all of my enthusiasm. It was time for me to move on. While I was working in the warehouse, afterhours I was working with local artist groups and non-profit organizations. I was busy every week curating shows, or doing some form of community service. I left the country to curate my first show in Portugal. The group I travelled with offered to send me NYU’s philanthropy certificate program to learn about non-profit organizations and the work involved. As my enthusiasm waned at my day job, and my excitement to start a nonprofit organization grew, it looked as if I was going to make an exit from the tattoo community. I had applied to a small nonprofit and was hired as an assistant on the spot. After I had put in my notice at the warehouse, the brand new job, you know the one that I had just been hired for? Didn’t happen. Of course, a freak accident would occur. I remember leaving the warehouse job, saying my goodbyes, and decided to go visit an event being held by what would be my new boss. I arrived shortly after the firemen left.
Apparently, there had been a workshop of a “matchstick” house making project. The matchstick houses spontaneously combusted and were the cause of the fire. Thankfully there wasn’t a whole lot of fire damage, but there was water damage. Everywhere. Books, expensive items, you name it, were in total ruin. I no longer had my new position. There was no room in the budget for me. So where do I go? Do I beg for my old job back? A girl got to eat! I didn’t know what to do, but I knew what community I could reach out to for help. This time I had gotten a job working the counter at a friend’s shop in Queens. I had worked there for a bit and absolutely loved it. The guys were great, like brothers from another mother.
The owner, whom I consider an absolute gem and think of him often, hired me for some light duties, but unfortunately I wasn’t exactly needed there. All of the guys had their own clientele, methods for booking, and cleaned up after themselves. One convention weekend, a long standing friend of mine, and who had tattooed my bodysuit asked me if I would manage his studio in Manhattan. I agreed and once again, very nervously said my goodbyes. It’s important to note, that in a good tattoo shop situation, these people are your family. You spend anywhere from 10-14 hours a day with them, love, cry, fight, hug, whatever, the point is that you get close with one another. When it’s time to leave, it’s almost like a divorce. People are upset that you go, but later love you all over again once they reflect on the good times. At least that’s been my experience. Most folks still get a Christmas card from me every year, and that’s got to say something! Anyways, I loved being back in the Lower East Side! My train ride was exceptionally long, but it was worth it. Anyone living in NYC knows that if you ride the G line, forget it. You’re going to have to wait a million years to get where you need to go. Either the train line is down and you have to walk in the dog-piss colored snow to a bus line that might pass in the direction you want to go, or a person can give up and spend the last of their lunch money to hail a cab. Despite the issues, I needed it.
On my way home from the city I’d always visit a friend at her studio that was relatively close to my house. As I got to know the folks of the Brooklyn studio more, the owner surprised me one day and asked me if I wanted to manage his shop. I was happy where I was, but I was still considering my life in the arts and non-profit realm. At this time, Citizens for the Arts, Inc. had been in full swing and I had travelled internationally to host community projects. Working for the tattoo studio in Brooklyn would afford me time and resources that I could devote to traveling and doing community work. Once again I was faced with an emotional decision. It was the last studio that I had managed. The one in Brooklyn. While I was there I continued to work with the community in the arts sector, but also missed tattooing.
A lot. Over the years I never abandoned it, and would take on projects here and there, but you can’t make tattooing a hobby. It’s a career, a dedicated craft, and one of the most difficult positions I’ve ever loved. From the history, to the technical aspects of a tattooist’s tools, to the imagination and meeting of minds; I could never get enough of it. While I was managing I talked to my boss and informed him of what I had wanted to do. A few months later I was back to tattooing, but decided it to be best that I tattoo at a studio where I could gain a fresh perspective. I continued to manage at one studio and tattoo at the other one in Queens. I worked six days/80 hours a week up until I left to pursue a life change in Austin. The gals in Queens were the proper NYC tattooing experience for me, and I cannot wait to go back for a visit with them. Since I was working at both studios, I got not only one, but two tearful, bowling party, goodbyes. June 1st, 2019 I hit the road and did a tattoo tour for a month. I worked as a guest artist at four different studios driving from New York to Texas. I slept in my truck, Air BnB’s, and some questionable hotels when I was too tired to drive. I’d do it all over again and for longer truth be told. When I finally made it to Austin, I stayed with family for maybe two weeks and got myself a job working downtown and an apartment in Riverside. I’m happy to say that I had a very warm reception at my first studio here in Austin and continue to be friends with the folks that work there. I moved over to Rose and Crown Tattoos in October 2019, and it feels like the home I’ve always wanted. That same sentiment applies to my feelings about Austin as a whole too. I’m miles closer to my family, I’ve met and adore the friends that I have made here, and for the first time in my life, I feel younger at 37 than I did at 18.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road, much like anything else in life there are bumps along the way. I appreciate the mistakes and even some of the more upsetting experiences, Sometimes learning what not to do is just as important as learning what should be done. If I could change anything in my past, I would do my best to avoid being so shy and timid in certain situations. Stand up and pursue what you are most passionate about. At the end of the day you have to live with decisions that you did- and did not- make!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
By trade I am a printmaker and work primarily in monoprint and relief cut mediums. As a tattoo artist I am often inspired by traditional Americana, Japanese tattooing, folk artistry, and Saturday morning cartoons. I work in a variety of styles and have a hard time nailing down what I love. Most projects that I take on vary from traditional color with bold lines, soft black and gray designs, tribal and lettering projects. I appreciate all tattoo ideas and love to customize a design made to fit.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
For more information about my tattoo work or print commissions, I invite folks to have a look at my Instagram (shannonmoxietattoos) or my website at: https://shannonmoxietattoos.com/ I’m always happy to arrange a consultation to discuss your ideas! If you are interested in my non-profit work, you can visit our Instagram page (citizens_for_the_arts) or our website at: https://www.citizensforthearts.com/
Contact Info:
- Email: shannonmoxietattoos@gmail.com
- Website: https://shannonmoxietattoos.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonmoxietattoos/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShannonMoxieTattoos
Image Credits
Tattoos & photos by Shannon Moxie Tattoos
