Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Swank.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
3 years ago, I got an apprenticeship before I graduated high school. I wanted to further pursue my art as a career and honestly had no idea what I was getting into especially as a young female artist. I was in school, had a full time job along with a part time apprenticeship with little to no sleep.
After I graduated high school I then went full time into my apprenticeship alongside my full time job.
I finished my apprenticeship after about a year and became a full time tattoo artist.
6 months After finishing my apprenticeship, I went under a second apprenticeship. I wanted to push myself as I felt I still had so much to learn which is a never-ending feeling. That’s why we play this game. It’s impossible to be the best as you’re solely competing with yourself, that’s what matters.
After a couple of months, I had to leave due to some extremely negative conditions. But I don’t know many females who haven’t had toxic situations, especially during their apprenticeships.
From there, I opened up my own studio alongside my partner.
Being a young artist with your own space, is highly looked down upon. I understand why you need to work among many artists to improve your skillset and gain knowledge.
Yet I was terrified to find another shop to work out of as I felt like I needed to step back and do my own thing.
I took it upon myself to grow every day and study art, whether it was drawing, painting or tattooing.
Usually, all three in the same day.
In February 2022, I was invited to showcase my paintings in a gallery for an event at Campus Salt Lake///ATS (First time ever).
After having the shop for a year my partner and I decided we needed to work alongside more artists to gain further pursue our careers.
In Jun 2022, we started working at @alongthewaytattoo.
A couple of months ago, I reached out to sell my artwork such as prints in Second Skins Store front in SLC.
I can confidently say I’m a self-taught artist. Yes, I went through an apprenticeship and was given pointers yet If I didn’t have the ambition and motive that I have.. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today.
I’m extremely grateful to those who’ve gotten any work done by me whether it’s a tattoo or some form of art.
I’m especially grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve run into and for those who’ve stuck around to follow me on this life journey.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road. Personally…. Everything is a struggle but you get to choose what really gets to you.
Bottom line:
If you’re comfortable, you need to make yourself uncomfortable to grow.
You have to keep up with your health. Mentally, spiritually and physically.
You have to continuously want to learn.
You need to not forget what your motive is.. what’s your why?
You need to remember who you are to not lose sight of your reality.
Being an artist is a full time lifestyle. Taking breaks are needed yet its hard. To also keep on pushing yourself is hard.
It’s all a process and it’s a process you need to enjoy even during those hard moments.
Failures are very important. I believe that failure is a teacher and it asks us whether or not we want to keep going.
You wouldn’t know what success is without it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’d like to say I’m just an Artist with many mediums. I love to draw, paint and tattoo.
Tattooing is my main source of income and despite the money, I wouldn’t know a life without it.
Tattooing is what really pushed me as an artist and just simply who I am today.
I personally feel like you need to enjoy doing art on the side to grow with tattooing and vice versa.
I’m known for Illustrative Black and Grey.
I’m most proud of the artistic life I’ve created for myself.
What sets me apart is the love I have for art. It’s something I do almost every day.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
My childhood was really hard for me… From a very young age, I was always drawing. My mother actually kept a lot of my work in a portfolio which I still have.
I’ve always been art driven. I loved graffiti and anything I could get my hands on and just create.
I was very competitive in sports whether it was playing out in the field, skating, snowboarding, etc.
Skating and art were what honestly carried me through.
Despite how hard my life was for me, I was always inspired to do and want more. Which really pushed me to do the things I loved.
My art was how I expressed myself during times I couldn’t speak up or act upon.
My art was and always will be a reflection of me.
Art can be anything you simply want it to be.
It can be so raw and speak high volumes.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Swankytattoos
- Facebook: Swankytattoos
Image Credits
Jack Berry (@Bdgtl on IG)
