Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Bailey.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I began my tattoo career in San Diego in 2002 and it has led me up and down the California coast ever since. I grew up with a passion and talent for art, and through a stroke of fate ended up in a tattoo apprenticeship.
After completing my apprenticeship, I cut my teeth for several years in a street shop in the Bay Area. I was then offered a job back in San Diego, where I relocated and began taking my tattooing to a new level. The Bay Area beckoned me back in 2010 when I was invited to work at Spider Murphy’s. The time with the crew there raised my tattooing and painting to the level they are at today.
Tattooing has given me the opportunity to travel the world, and ultimately, the honor of practicing my craft alongside some of my favorite tattooers at the prestigious Black Heart Tattoo in San Francisco. I was there for three years until my recent relocation to Los Angeles.
Please tell us about your art.
Clients have described my tattoo style as “Gothic Traditional” which seems appropriate. I’d say that I do traditional tattooing with the non-traditional subject matter. I use a lot of black with a super muted color palette which is pretty identifiable.
I’m constantly inspired by music, the occult, history, fetish/alternative lifestyles and literature which are all very prevalent in my tattooing and painting. I, of course, have a wide array of clients who also inspire me to a degree. My most favorite clients are sex workers and queer/trans individuals. I absolutely love being able to provide a space for them to feel comfortable during an uncomfortable often vulnerable procedure.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
It’s really hard to say since every artist’s experience is completely different. I think for me it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to constantly come up with something original and exciting, especially in the fast-paced digital world we live in now. Everything is so easily accessible and sometimes it can be hard to find your own voice. Also with social media, it’s easy to have your work stolen or plagiarized which from my experience is so frustrating and discouraging. On the other hand, if your art is copied it means you’re doing something right I suppose!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My Instagram and Facebook page are the best ways to see my work as it’s the most up-to-date. I have an online store where I have merchandise as well as original paintings for sale. I not only do tattoos but I also am always open to commissions like paintings, logo designs, t-shirt designs, etc. I’ve started doing live tattooing at different events in LA, such as The Bitchcraft Winter Faire and a few events for the Tom of Finland Foundation.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.heatherxtattoo.bigcartel.com
- Email: heatherxtattoo@gmail.com
- Instagram: @cathedraloftears
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/heatherbaileytattoo
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