Madz Hunt shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Madz , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Anytime I’m working I typically lose track of time, I get so immersed in the creative process and I find myself tuning out any (sometimes everything) around me. I tend to be an over-thinker in all other aspects of my life but my art is the one thing I don’t find myself doing that in.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Growing up, I was always pretty creative, but never actually thought I could make a living off of my art, so I pursued the college route straight out of high school. While I loved the college atmosphere and the challenges that came with learning in a classroom setting, I never quite felt like I fit in. I started to get back into drawing around this time to cope with anxiety and depression, and eventually found myself questioning if what I was studying was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Dropping out of school to pursue art full-time was the scariest thing I had ever done at the time; it was like leaping off a cliff with so many uncertainties and no safety net. I was either going to take it and run with it, or I was going to fall flat on my face, but it got to a point where not taking the risk was even more frightening. I feel as though choosing to learn tattooing is what saved me, and don’t get me wrong, it came with its challenges.
I knew early on in my career that I wanted to create a safe space for my clients. I feel there is a lot of vulnerability involved in the process, as well as collaboration that goes on behind the scenes between the artist and the client. You might start as strangers, but after (sometimes) spending hours together it doesn’t always stay that way.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I feel like Danny Mack, who owns the shop where I currently work, was one of the first people to see my potential in a time where I didn’t think so highly of myself. I had just moved out of a pretty crappy situation to move three hours back to my hometown. My self-worth was completely depleted, and I wasn’t even sure I was going to continue the career I had loved so much because I wasn’t sure I was capable. I remember walking into Black Heart Tattoo Collective with the mindset of ‘worst they can say is no’ or that ‘there’s nothing below rock bottom’.
After doing my audition tattoo, Danny offered me the job, including my own room and immediately started advertising my work as well as pushing clientele my way. Each of the artists at the studio was incredibly kind and always there with advice when I needed it. I don’t think I would have pushed through with nearly as much force if it hadn’t been for Danny and the whole team at Blackheart Tattoo Collective.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I have always and probably will always struggle with imposter syndrome. I am constantly striving to be better, whether it be in the quality of my work or the experiences I leave people with, and while I can acknowledge the growth I have made in the few years I’ve been doing this, I never quite feel like it’s enough. Sometimes I feel like a phony or a fraud in my industry, and that people are just waiting to call me out on it. Realistically, I know it’s not true, but sometimes I can be my own worst enemy.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I try to portray myself as the more confident and professional version of myself in public, but I’m always staying authentic to who I am. (even if that is awkward and goofy majority of the time)
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I’d stop making excuses for all of the habits that ultimately hold me back from taking risks. I’d love to travel and put myself and my work out there more, but I allow my anxiety to get in my way more times than not.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkedbymadz/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madison.hunt.5851/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@inkedbymadz
