Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina (Kat Tat) Jackson.
Katrina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Most people know me as Kat Tat. I am a tattoo artist from Chicago, IL. I got my start at tattooing while studying math at the University of Missouri. After three years of struggling being a full-time student and aspiring tattoo artist, I made the decision to leave school to tattoo full time. I started working at a shop called 9mag in the heart of Chicago. We were soon discovered by the producers of VH1’s black ink crew and became the hit spinoff “black ink crew Chicago.” After three hit seasons on the show, I decided it was time for me to move on, so I moved to the beautiful city of Los Angeles and started my own tattoo shop “Enigma Tattoo”.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My journey has definitely not been a smooth road. I struggled along the entire way, from making the tough decision to drop out of a bit time university, to walking away from a hit tv show and starting all over in a new city so far away from home. I struggled mentally through filming and putting my life out there in the public eye for people to judge. I still struggle to this day with certain things but I make it a priority to focus, stay true to what I do, and practice self-care, meditation, and prayer.
Please tell us about Enigma Tattoo.
I am a tattoo artist and the founder of Enigma Tattoo. I think my clients come to me primarily for my attention to detail and creating the perfect piece for them based on their ideas. What I am most proud of is changing some of the stereotypes of tattoo artists and tattoo shops. I know first hand that when people think of Tattoo shops they think of “grit”, “toughness” or hole in the wall shops. I wanted my shop to be much different. All the artists in my shop are not only tattoo artists, but fine artists as well, and we are all brought together in a beautiful gallery style location in Beverly Hills.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I actually have a tattoo on my hip the reads “vivere senza rimpianti” which means “live with no regrets”. This statement couldn’t be more true to me, I have no regrets, I wouldn’t change a thing. Everything I have ever been through, every decision I have ever made has lead me to where I am now. And I am excited for the journey to continue.
Contact Info:
- Address: Enigma Tattoo
8760 W Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles 90035 - Website: Enigmatattoobevhills.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @kattatgirl
- Facebook: @kattatgirl
- Twitter: @kattatgirl
- Yelp: Enigma Tattoo Beverly Hills
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