Life and Work with Misshell Carter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Misshell Carter.

Misshell, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I went to college for Illustration and Fine Art at the start of that lovely economic crisis, it was already impossible to find “regular” jobs and there was a feeling that the stakes were high and I needed to figure my life out. What I thought I would do is concept art for CD covers (even now thats a dated statement), movies or video games. What happened was technology moved so fast that most people were using photography, photoshop, and digital outlets to create all this art, and guess who didn’t want to sit in front of a computer all day.

I began saying yes to all sorts of options and possible hands-on careers, I’ve done art galleries, commissions, a couple murals. My now business partner Fredd Cheetham had gone to the same college, we had one painting class together and I remembered him. Word got around he was looking for an apprentice and if you felt like you were up to the challenge you should contact him. Long story short I got the job, and then followed the most stressful year of my life, where I learned more than I had in any class.

Stakes felt high for me when I started tattooing, and the permanency of the artwork being done had caused some apprentices alongside me to have so much anxiety that they quit. After that, there’s a three year period where I hardly saw friends and just tattooed and designed. I became obsessed, grew fabulous relationships and started my own tattoo studio with Fredd. He had grown tired of being under someone else and had a vision. I wanted freedom and felt mistreated where we were, so in 2013, we took a leap of faith and started a business.

And so 1001 Troubles in Warren, RI is born, a place you can bring your dream tattoo ideas and have them become reality. We referred to ourselves as a studio to nix the vibe of “shop” while promoting our custom tattoo work. At the beginning we even had an art gallery, then we did so well we had to fill it with another artist, and then a manager. Since we set up in Warren we have grown, and I have never stopped overworking and obsessing about the art and the practice. In order to succeed at this craft, you must live it, it is not a thing that is left at the office, it becomes you, and you become it.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I feel like in the grand scheme of things my road was smoother than most. What I would recommend is not trusting anyone until you know that they are trustworthy.

I have been supremely talked down to by insecure men. I have worked where the women there told me “Oh it’s no big deal, he’s made all of us cry once”. Not normal.

I have worked with men before that have ass grabbed or slapped my chest, claiming it was because “you’re just like one of the guys, no big deal”. Don’t stand for anything, do not let people gaslight you, and if your upset be upset. There is this notion where if women are upset then they are blowing this out of proportion. Here’s a word of advice; if anything happens to you that makes you feel worse about being yourself say something. If you’re uncomfortable and laying in your bed playing an event over in your head wondering if you should do something, do it.

The largest internal struggle for me was feeling that I was worth it. To raise my hourly rate, or convince a customer I knew better than they did because I am the artist. It was difficult to feel confident and have faith in myself at first, but you really have to. I grew up where talking too much about yourself was braggadocious, so it took a while to stand firm and sell myself as a talented artist.

Right now, our shop is made up of five women and one man, and that is honestly not on purpose, that is just because those five people had the best personalities, worked the hardest and were talented well-spoken humans. So, be the best version of you and someone will notice.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with 1001 Troubles Tattoo Studio – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am a detail artist with an illustrative style, I LOVE playing with color because I love to paint. Some of my favorite pieces derive from folklore, fantasy, and surrealism. Mystical elements paired with medieval fantasy or beautiful botanical pieces, my interest have a wide net. Lately, I have been wanting to work on Goddesses, as well as depictions of strong women; Joan of Arc, Frida Kahlo, the trick is to find someone that loves the same things you do!

There is an Art Nouveau artist named Alphonse Mucha, I have done renditions of his prints, as well as Vincent Van Gough’s Starry Night, although these aren’t my personal designs I LOVE doing them, it’s a challenge and they come out beautifully as tattoos!

Who have you been inspired by?
It’s copped out to say my Mom but I’m doing it! My Mom genuinely doesn’t care if you like her, she has things to get done and you can get bent. That’s awesome, I am not that way, I am overly sensitive to other people’s feelings instead of my own. While I’m working towards putting myself first, it’s difficult for me, but I am making moves to get there.

I had Great Aunts that were twins, they set up a textile business on 5th Avenue in NewYork city around the 1950’s. Both of them had traveled around the world, doing business mostly in Japan and France. They had given my Nana decorative mementos when they traveled and now I have them in my Tattoo room to remind me that if they could run a business back then I can do it now.

Pricing:

• My tattoo rate is 120/ hour
• A deposit for a tattoo appointment is 60 and goes towards your first half hour.

Contact Info:

• Address: 512 Main Street, Warren, RI 02885
• Website: www.1001Troubles.com
• Phone: 401-289-0105
• Email: 1001Troubles@gmail.com
• Instagram: @MisshellCarter
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MCarterArt

Image Credit:
All Tattoos are done by Misshelle Carter at 1001 Troubles Tattoo studio in Warren, RI

Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.