Local tattoo artist Aly Fowler shares about her work at the all female Shades of Gray Studios, as well as some insider industry thoughts in a competitive and crowded local market. Fowler has been in the tattoo industry for about five years now, and as she continues to learn she also fosters a comforting environment.
Aly and I have been close friends since middle school, and I have watched her go from being a baby apprentice to a full fledged artist.
“Usually people come in and then I have them fill out all the paperwork and everything. We have to answer questions and stuff like that, about like their medical history and just, you know, basic stuff,” she explained.
“I am a tattoo artist, at an all female shop in Sparks. It's definitely difficult because I feel like it's a little oversaturated in the city, but at the same time, I feel like it helps me push myself to do better. But I think it's really neat having so many different artists and so many people, from different backgrounds to learn from and to look after.
I feel like myself, the people I work with and people that come here feel safer. Generally if it is a male dominated shop, I have heard some not so good experiences about it, especially if you are a young woman as well.
I just think people don't take us seriously because of the stigma around body modifications and tattoos.
And even in today's society, I guess it's more common, but the people who don't like you really let you know they don't like it.”