Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Powell.
Hi Kari, 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’ve been tattooing for three or four years, and I still have a lot to learn. I wanted to tattoo because it felt like the most relevant way I could make a living as an artist in today’s culture. I am not and still don’t feel like I “fit in” to the mold of what a tattooer is supposed to be like. I went to school and worked in the field of what I got my degree in a few years before. I had a very comfortable salaried job with benefits but it was soul-crushing because I did not feel like I was connecting to others through it or giving back anything meaningful to others.
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 hasn’t been smooth until very recently. The tattoo apprenticeship was difficult and demanding, if I had to do it over again I would. I’m grateful to the people who took the time and trouble to teach me and pass down their knowledge. I’m so thankful that I now own a private tattoo studio in addition to working at Common Difference Tattoo. I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned in my experience as a tattoo artist is to stand up for myself and stay true to my beliefs. I value cultivating a space where others feel comfortable and safe expressing themselves and their ideas.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love doing single needle and fine line tattooing as well as color tattoos. I don’t know what the style would be called; it’s detailed-oriented and delicate. I love tattooing things that carry significance to the person receiving them; I consider tattooing a spiritual practice and approach the process with sincerity and respect.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
There’s nothing really shocking about what I do or how I tattoo; it’s just putting a lot of time in and developing a consistent work ethic.
Contact Info:
- Email: karipowelltattoos@gmail.com
- Website: www.karipowell.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kari_powell
