Today we’d like to introduce you to Sadie Gabriella.
Hi Sadie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
If you ask any tattoo artist how they got their apprenticeship they’ll almost always say; “My apprenticeship was kinda different than most apprenticeships.”
My Name is Sadie, I’ve been an artist since I picked up my first crayon. I’m just about to make my way into my second year of being a professional artist. I am a single mother of two and have a hearty track record of working a month at a job and quickly moving on to better things; that is, until I made the decision to commit my life to learn the craft of tattooing.
Initially, I was hired at Painted Temple Tattoo as a receptionist however it wasn’t my intention at the time to become a tattoo artist. Being an artist myself and feeling unsatisfied with all other job opportunities I figured it would be a great place to get inspired and inspired I became. I don’t know if I would be tattooing if I didn’t come upon such an incredible shop. Not only are all the artists phenomenal they are all the kindest, most supportive people I’ve ever had the pleasure of learning from. I know from speaking to others in the industry how rare that can be and how tough of a time most newcomers have I knew I couldn’t afford to waste this opportunity.
After about a year of working the front end of the shop, I ended up being paired with my mentor and one of my now best friends Bonnie Seeley. Learning how to tattoo from one of the best, most accomplished female tattooists in Salt Lake City has been such a rewarding experience and has accelerated my career exponentially.
As of right now, I’m not technically an apprentice anymore but I still feel like one sometimes. I’m always trying to learn and try new things. Tattooing is a gargantuan craft and I feel I’ve barely scratched the surface.
To sum it up, I’m a female tattooist working out of Painted Temple Tattoo under Bonnie Seeley, I’ve been tattooing since October 2020 and am happily taking on new projects. My ideal style/ subject matter is black and grey, black work, illustrative & neo-traditional pieces. I love tattooing non-specific portraits, animals, insects & objects. I love my job!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say my biggest challenges stem from being a single mother of two while nurturing a new career. Being pregnant for nine months and then having to take three months off to adjust to motherhood with my second child in the middle of my first year of tattooing through a global pandemic, that was rough. The work/home balance has been extremely tricky to maintain and without the support of my family my mentor; Bonnie Seeley and shop owner; Oak Adams, it would not have been possible for me to continue my career. That along with being an up and coming female artist in a male-dominated industry has its own hardships. Sometimes I feel that I am both lucky and disadvantaged to work at such an elevated specialty shop, most of my co-workers have been tattooing for 10+ years and to be coming into the industry with no outside experience in “shop etiquette“ has been an adjustment however I wouldn’t choose to work at any other shop in Salt Lake.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Right now I am trying to reel in what sets me apart from the rest. Tattooing is a beautiful craft and culture that I’m so lucky to be a part of but it is incredibly challenging and I take it very seriously.
Salt Lake is becoming more and more saturated with extremely talented artists every day and it’s tremendously difficult to push your way to the top. As of now, I’m trying to just focus on my own individual progress, honestly, I’m not sure what I’m known for, it might be better to ask my clients that question! I love doing stylized, ornate, feminine designs & black and grey work I feel that’s what I excel in but I also feel like I’m always trying to evolve so that could change at any time!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
“Slow is smooth & smooth is fast.” – Tori Loke
Art for me is a deeply personal and almost spiritual journey; and it is just that, a constant journey with no beginning and no end. I think coming to terms with the fact that you can never know enough feels daunting at times but simultaneously incredibly inspiring. Knowing that you will never be good enough can be discouraging but also drives me to be the best that I can be with every project I take on and with the knowledge I have at the time. Every tattoo I do is the best tattoo I’ve ever done because every tattoo I do I get better and learn more than I knew before.
Tattooing has forced me to take my art seriously from the cleanliness of my work to client relationships to maintaining my own business. Tattooing took me from only ever completing messy sketches to committing myself to start and finish designs every time I begin a project. I have become more disciplined in every aspect of my life because tattooing is not just being a great artist.
Pricing:
- $120/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: Qrayons.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/qrayon.slc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qrayon.slc/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTdGE6rjf/
