Today we’d like to introduce you to Milena Mendes
Hi Milena , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Art has always been a massive part of my life. Whether it was sketching during class or drawing on myself and my friends whenever we were at recess. When I first picked up painting for the very first time at the age of 10 after being given a painting set for Christmas. Or all the years of begging my mom to buy me sketch books and more pencils every time we went to Walmart and Joann’s. Getting lost in the arts and crafts section.
I fell in love. Art was my escape and my peace.
I knew ever since the age of 12 that I wanted to be a tattoo artist after seeing a woman who was absolutely covered head to toe. I was mesmerized and in awe.
“Art can be permanent like that?! You can have a sick design in you FOR LIFE?!”
Growing up in Utah and in the Mormon religion it is very out of place to see someone so heavily covered and while I never knew who that stranger was. I knew I wanted to be just like her when I grew up.
I just never knew how exactly I was going to do it. Especially considering I grew up in a Mormon household. The idea of tattoos or being a tattoo artist much less wasn’t exactly a very popular choice within both my community and my family.
I remember when I first turned 18 I got my very first tattoo and that was it. I was obsessed!
I had to hide it from my parents for a solid four months before my mom caught me. (If I was able to I would’ve hid it for life)
She ripped me a new one about my body being a temple and how not ok that was! (Lol)
But all that I could think of in the back of my mind as she was lecturing me was how I had to figure out a way to be in the industry somehow.
It wasn’t until five years later at 23,I ended up getting accepted to be an apprentice for a shop all the way in California while I was still living in Utah that I picked up everything that I had and moved so I could pursue this as my career once and for all.
A month into being in California, and that apprenticeship fell through. (Just my luck)
I felt a little hopeless after that but I knew I just couldn’t give up.
I was in the city I’d longed to be in for years. In the same city as some of my biggest tattoo inspirations. I worked so hard to create a portfolio to show to the shops I wanted to try and get an apprenticeship at and reached out to just about every single artist I loved in this city seeing who wouldn’t me bug them and shadow at their shop.
It wasn’t until I met Lyn (my now mentor) who so graciously offered for me to come in and shadow her at her studio. And I basically just kept showing up every single opportunity I could and praying I wasn’t annoying her so much that she’d ban me.
Every single day off I had that she was there I asked to come in.
It wasn’t until she started having me work on fake skin instead of just watching her that I really saw the possibility of being an apprentice under her, under an artist that I had looked up to for so many years.
It felt incredibly surreal when I was offered the apprenticeship and I was so incredibly grateful that I had the chance to work under somebody so talented and ambitious in this field. I still can’t express how thankful I am to even have this opportunity.
It’s been a challenging and tough journey but such a rewarding one getting to do what I’m so passionate about.
Looking at it now, I know that younger me would be jumping with joy to know that I finally achieved my dream to be in the industry and get to do what I love.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not.
Apprenticeships are hard both physically, mentally, financially, and sometimes spiritually.
Having never had a traditional art background and having to push my artistic talents to levels I had never been pushed in before.
While having my own personal life matters that have affected me and working a whole other job while trying to take care of myself and learning tattooing has been a lot to juggle but I would not trade it for anything in the world.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and an incredibly fulfilling career if you’re truly passionate about it. Worth every ounce of hardship that comes with it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Tattoo artist
Still newer to the industry but I hope that with my hard work and drive in able to push through and make a name for myself in this industry full of big fish!
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I see a big change in the artistry that’s already happening.
So many artists now and days have a set
Style or technique in the type of art they do which differs greatly from when you could walk into any shop and your artist was a jack of all trades.
And some people may think that that’s a downfall. But I see that as a massive benefit.
The artistry has gotten so incredibly precise and intricate because people will take a specific concept or style and Perfect it for years and years until it’s impeccable.
I feel like some of the big dogs in the game now and days are true master of the style and technique that they do. So the quality of the art that you’re getting is just on another level.
Lately I have also noticed that the shift in the experience that you have while getting a tattoo, especially now in the age of social media. It has really changed up the game from what it was just five years ago.
I see the next five years being no different. Social media is so important and if you’re not willing to be a part time influencer it’s really difficult to get your name out there anymore if you don’t already have an established clientele or social media presence.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Inkedbymil
