Being a woman in a male-dominated industry can feel intimidating, yet empowering. Despite facing challenges such as sexism and discrimination, women in the tattooing world are breaking barriers and making their mark. In this industry, women have to work twice as hard to prove themselves, but their determination and passion drive them forward. As a female tattoo artist in New York and experiencing the tattoo industry on an international, global scale, the challenges that I encounter, dive me even more to showcase my excellence in this craft.
I remember learning the craft of tattooing back in 2007. Being very intuitive myself, I immediately shifted any energy from being discouraged to inspired. I seeked out other artists who are open to share and pass on their learnings to me. Once I learned the fundamentals, I headed on out on my own to learn by doing.
One of the key emotions that women in tattooing may experience is resilience. You constantly have to push through societal norms and stereotypes to be taken seriously in a field dominated by men. However, this resilience only fuels your fire, making you even more determined to succeed. The constant struggle to prove your worth can be exhausting, but it also strengthens one’s resolve to shatter glass ceilings.
Having to undergo criticism because of my geneder seems unthinkable, however, this truly has made my heart stronger. I am ready to be of service for anyone looking for a tattoo studio near me, or a fine line tattoo shop near me, with custom tattoo designs and signature fine line tattoos.
There’s more…
In my particular experience, as one of the first female modern tattoo artists in Manila, I even had to develop my own techniques to be able to tattoo my specific style and signature fine line tattoo designs. At the time that I started tattooing in 2008, fine line tattoos were not even a thing to be considered by regular tattoo artists at the time. I remember my clients telling me that the tattoos they wanted of my design, were not accepted by the tattoo artists that they had gone to. This is what made me decide to become a tattoo artist, to be able to tattoo my signature fine line tattoo designs for people that needed to express themselves differently.
In a male-dominated industry like tattooing, women often find solidarity and support amongst each other. You form tight-knit communities where they can share experiences, offer advice, and lift each other up. This camaraderie creates a sense of sisterhood that helps women navigate the challenges they face in a predominantly male environment. When i first started tattooing, I was immediately featured in fashion magazines and publications in the Philippines. This actually inspired other women to try to explore this industry as well. I remember that some of my tattoo artist friends, told me that they first saw me in one of the magazines that i was featured in, and this inspired them to start. It’s amazing how we can encourage and lift others, in general, if you stay true to yourself and proceed with your art, even in a male dominated industry.
Despite the obstacles we face, women in tattooing also feel a sense of empowerment because you are able to express yourself creatively through your work and challenge societal expectations of what a tattoo artist should look like. By owning your craft and embracing femininity, women in tattooing are redefining the industry and paving the way for future generations of female artists.
Being a woman in a male-dominated industry like tattooing is a complex and multifaceted experience. It can be daunting and frustrating at times, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Women in this industry are not only breaking barriers but also reshaping the narrative of what it means to be a successful tattoo artist. Their resilience, solidarity, and empowerment make them forces to be reckoned with in a traditionally male-dominated field.
To any woman in a male-dominated industry, I hope this little blog post may inspire you to go after your passions regardless of gender bias, and the same goes for vice versa!
With Love, Sarah <3