Today we’d like to introduce you to Cyd Precious
Hi Cyd, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story started back when I was young and I learned from my older brother about tattooing. I was about 15 then and granted, the way he learned was the “Jailhouse” way with a sewing needle and thread, but from that moment on I was hooked. It was about from then til I was roughly eighteen. I stopped for a while after that, because it got kind of difficult trying to meet the wants of my friends and the long nights.
It was in 2019 when I decided to pick it back up again, this time with a drive to commit and my best efforts.
Then the pandemic hit in 2020 and it was two steps back. I went back to tattooing friends, I began actually charging (mainly for cost of supplies). and doing what I could to build myself from the ground up.
From 2020-2023 was probably the most tumultuous time I had spent putting towards this. I had put in countless hours, my friends gave me birthday gifts in the form of tools, (a chair, stencil maker, lights, etc.)
I felt very blessed because of the unwavering support from my loved ones and strangers alike.
I was quite grateful for my partner at the time who introduced me to her friends, Mark and Courtney Strong, who own Studio Ink in East Austin. They welcomed me into their shop with open arms, and allowed a space for me to further expand my experience. I learned a lot from everyone at Studio Ink, including Lito Lundy and Levi Ruiz. They taught me what it meant to show up and be your own boss.
It was a really lovely time I spent there, but I began to find myself hitting a wall.
I wasn’t getting much traction after a while, and I spent much time second guessing myself wondering if what I was doing was right for me. I even considered changing paths.
Don’t get me wrong, I was grateful for the people at Studio Ink, but it got lonely at times. I felt like I was missing out on all the other parts of tattooing. The many artists, the art and the stories. Communing with other artists and machines, taking it all in is my JAM. It was never just about needles to the skin for me, and somehow that was all I was doing.
Summer 2024 I got an opportunity to do a tattoo pop up for Toy Joy in North Austin.
Thanks to one of the managers, and my dear friend, Shannon Hamilton, I would have never met Aaron Dor, my now mentor.
We had all introduced ourselves and were preparing for the event. Beforehand Aaron talked to me, got my story and the journey that led me there. The more we talked the more I realized we had in common about our views of tattooing, and a sense of humor.
I told him about how I was tinkering with a Coil Machine, and he invited me to his shop to further examine and help me understand the machine.
The time we spent was filled with exactly everything I had been looking for. The nerdy stuff.
Talking about needles, pigments, history, all the names and pieces. I felt like a kid in a candy store.
the more I came over the more I learned. I listened and watched, even took notes.
He saw this in me, and was happy to offer me bits here and there.
It was in passing that he had mentioned the idea of taking on an apprentice, not just anyone though.
I didn’t feel like Just Anyone, so I took that and ran. Literally, I ran home and stayed up all night to make a flash sheet worth showing, in hopes that it could spark something.
The next day I went up to the shop, and met with Aaron.
I told him how I felt and with a shaky voice how I wanted that role.
To which, he said no. It stung, but hey; at least I asked.
It didn’t stop me though, I still wanted it, and to be there.
He ended up changing his mind, considering I made it this far and would benefit greatly from the opportunity. November 2024 I officially began my apprenticeship alongside Aaron at Open Dor Tattoo.
Since then I’ve been able to really focus on my work, with actual moment to breathe. Its sometimes hard, it sometimes comes easy.
Overall, I feel more aligned with myself and my journey each day. Aaron has created an environment that not only is warm, welcoming and safe for our clients. But one that truly fosters authenticity, creativity and growth for me.
It isn’t always the case to be able to connect with a mentor so swiftly, so I understand how lucky I am to be in a position many dream of. The best part of tattooing is knowing the learning never ends, and that the journey goes on and I get to come along for the ride.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It wasn’t always smooth. 2021 I lost a “dream” job at a local print shop due to malpractice and was catapulted into starting my business. Ready or not.
Since I had little to no money and starting from the ground up, I had to work many odd jobs all while still committing to my craft.
I went through family problems, death, a major breakup and taking care of loved ones who’d gone through major surgery. The odds were stacked, I tell ya.
One of the biggest obstacles i found was learning how to take myself seriously in a Boss kind of way. It can be extremely difficult to create structure when you’ve never really known what that looks like, especially in a entrepreneur sense.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a multi-media artist who specializes in tattoo body art.
I am known for my illustrative, custom designs that are made just for my client, as well as my funky and punky flash designs. The work that I do in tattooing is all encompassing and what sets me a part is my passion for the craft. I love the process of creating a design with my client, to see a shared vision. From creating the design, to tattooing it, it is an experience.There is nothing quite like getting to hear about other people’s lives and how they move in the world. What is most important to me is how the client feels when they leave. My goal for each session is to create a space where my client feels seen, heard and taken care of. I wanna know that they leave feeling good in their new skin.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The quality that is most important to my success would be consistency. I don’t think it can ever be stressed enough how imperative it is to show up for yourself. No one is gonna make you do it, because this isn’t Their Dream. It’s yours. Stop waiting for permission, go for it. Do it messy, don’t announce it, just frickin’ do it.
Pricing:
- $100 minimum
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.opendortattoo.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/toughcookietattoo
Image Credits
Doro Robinson
