Alicia Port Huron, MI

I grew up in a small town in the thumb area of Michigan. I remember drawing at an extremely young age, maybe four or five years old. One of the first things I recall drawing was a cigarette lighter and a pack of Camels that were sitting on the kitchen table. Fast forward to high school, I was always taking some form of art class and went to tech school for Graphic Communications to learn digital art. Fast forward a few more years, I went to College for Creative Studies in Detroit for a year and a half before having to leave due to financial issues. But I took what I learned there and applied that knowledge to my personal art with drawing and photography. After a few years of working in retail, I decided I wanted to focus on a career that included being creative, which led me to tattooing! ⸺ Who/where do you get your inspiration from? Other women in the tattooing industry. Tine DeFiore has always been at the top of my list. Their dark yet whimsical and elegant style is just so beautiful ⸺ What advice would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo virgin) DO YOUR RESEARCH! Find an artist that can do the style you’re looking for, even if it’s just a small word. Meet your artist beforehand. This allows you to talk to your artist and scope out the shop to make sure it’s sanitary and an overall safe environment before committing to an appointment ⸺ What would you say is your favorite part of the job? The feeling after doing a small memorial tattoo (like a signature or note from a card). Most people just sit there and stare at it so lovingly and grateful that they get to keep a part of their loved one so close to them forever ⸺ Who are your favorite artists? I’d say my top three are Hailey Klar, Angelo Parente, and of course, Tine DeFiore ⸺ What do you think is in store for the future of tattooing? I think tattooing has come a long way in the last five to ten years, and I am excited to see where it goes in the future. When I started my apprenticeship, women in the industry were so rare, and I’m starting to notice more and more in what was once a very male-dominated trade. ✕

ALICIA