July 9, 2018

Meet Trailblazer Tara Martin

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Martin.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Tara. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began my tattoo journey when I was 22. I was in college for illustration at Umass Dartmouth, and decided to get my first tattoo done at Pleasure in Pain Tattoo. Becoming a tattoo artist had crossed my mind, but after doing some research on how to get into the industry, I was intimidated and lacked the confidence to go around to shops asking to become their apprentice. After getting a few tattoos done at Pleasure in Pain, the artists that worked on me found out I was an artist, and introduced me to the owner Jeff Burt. At that time, Jeff been tattooing for 18 years. He asked to see some of my work, and since I wasn’t prepared, had to flip through some pictures on my phone. Jeff immediately offered me a chance to apprentice under him, and I took him up on his offer. Jeff provided me with all of the essential tattoo knowledge I needed, from the parts of a tattoo machine, to making designs fit the human body. I apprenticed under him for about a year before setting off on my own. From there I built upon the foundation he helped me set, and have since slowly evolved into the artist I am today.

Great, 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?
I feel every journey has its ups and downs, but I’ve been lucky so far in that it has been a pretty smooth ride. I am constantly working on and bettering my craft, gaining knowledge, and growing my clientele. I feel very fortunate about my experience thus far. Nothing beats pursuing your passion as your job.

I do have bad days, as we all do. Whether it’s internal struggles, like my own critiques in my art, or issues with difficult clients. I’ve even had people who don’t see me or respect me as a tattoo artist, solely for the fact that I am a female in a male dominated field. Us women can draw too!

If you are a young woman about to embark on an adventure, remember to never get discouraged by negative people or attitudes, and never doubt yourself. I’ve learned a lot over the last few years tattooing. Not everyone is going like you, or what you’re about, and that’s okay. Plenty of people are going to love you and what you are doing, so focus on the positives and positive people. Reflect on your experiences, whether they are good or bad. Listen to and accept criticism, and learn from your mistakes. Always try to improve, and always be willing to learn. Try new things, take chances and believe in yourself.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Tara Lynn Tattoo Artist , at Pleaure in Pain Taunton – what should we know?
I am currently a Tattoo artist at Pleasure in Pain Tattoo, and I am also an illustrator, painter, and crochet enthusiast. As a tattoo artist I’m known for my feminine illustrative and some times whimsical style. A lot of women seek me out for dainty, fine line tattoo work mostly done in black and gray. I love tattooing flowers, mandalas, illustrative portraits, and anything organic. But I do venture into other styles of tattooing as well, This keeps me on my toes, and allows me to continually evolve as an artist. The most notable other styles would be; traditional Japanese, American traditional, new traditional and realism. I love getting to switch it up from time to time and do things that I usually don’t get to, it helps keep the days interesting, fun, and challenging.

We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
From what Ive experienced, the biggest boundary for women in the world of tattooing, is not receiving the same respect as our male artist counterparts. Some clients don’t trust our abilities as artists because well, males are “better artists” or “better at drawing”. So woman seem to need to work twice as hard for the same respect of our male colleagues. It has definitely been changing for the better in my few years experience. Partly due to these tattoo competition tv shows and these kick ass girls dominating them. Keep at it fellow female artists that have had similar experiences. I do see the stigma changing!

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