Today we’d like to introduce you to Misha.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Misha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As a child growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, I always drew or created things. In Junior High I said I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. But people kept telling me Artist don’t make any money and I should look for a “regular” job and do art as a hobby.
In my senior year of High School I took an art class as a blow-off class. But what really happen is I re-found my love for Art. I went on and got an Associates Degree in Art from my local Community Collage, and soon after I took a job doing technical illustrations on Car Manuals for Chrysler at a job shop. During this time, I was also painting leather jackets for my friends in the Detroit Punk/Goth scene.
One day my boyfriend (now Husband) got a tattoo of one of my drawings. The guy didn’t do a good job copying it and my boyfriend said I could do better… That started me on my career as a tattoo artist that I still do 27 years later as my full-time job. Over the next few years together we bounced around the country together, from Detroit to Chicago to New Orleans finally ending up her in L.A in 2003. While in New Orleans I really dove into my artwork. I began creating graphic images of my art and designed stores front signs and interior art. I had my first solo art show there as well. My art started selling, but most of it was being sold to people from out of town, mostly to people from L.A. On a trip to California I walked into a gallery in L.A. and asked if they would be interested in showing my art. After a positive response, I knew I had to leave New Orleans and move out to Los Angeles. I’ve been creating art and tattooing here ever since.
Has it been a smooth road?
When I decided I wanted to become a tattoo artist in the early 1990’s, there were very few women in the business. It was very difficult to find someone who took me seriously and would even help me get the proper equipment. Remember this is before the internet. Tools of the trade where just that. Trade secrets. I even had a guy pat me on the head and say how cutie it was I wanted to learn how to tattoo. Luckily I had my boyfriend with me to encourage and keep telling me not to give up. After working two years in a street shop putting out so-so work, I knew I could do better. I found a female tattoo artist who was looking for an apprentice. I took a step back and began to learn the trade all over again. This time the right way.
After my apprenticeship, I moved to Chicago to hone my craft. I also started doing more of my art again. With a move to New Orleans to follow my boyfriend for his job, I landed in a tattoo shop just outside New Orleans. The boss was a nightmare. He would threaten the clients and staff alike. The Clients were usually drunk or high on pills. I finally had enough when my boss threaten to come back to the shop and kill us all. I hated tattooing at this point and never wanted to do it again. I found comfort in my art and began creating more and more.
After moving to Los Angeles, I found it more and more difficult to tattoo and create art. I was working in a shop down in Orange County and the drive, after working a 12 hour shift, was killing me. I could do it in my 20’s, but now in my mid 30’s, I was always exhausted all the time. It was always a battle over what got my time my Art or my Tattoos. I was asked to be is so many art shown I started to get burnt out and my Painting really suffered. I had to find a balance. I found a tattoo shop here in L.A. where I fell back in love with tattooing and my creativity flourished. I also cut back on the amount of Art shows I said yes too.
After several years my boss announced he and his wife were moving out of state. I really didn’t know if I could work for anyone else. My now husband was coming in and helping me during my shifts and we realized we could do this ourselves. It had been a dream of his for years to have our own studio and now was the right time. In January of 2015 we opened our own Private Tattoo Studio / Art Gallery.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Our main business ‘Tattoos by Misha’ is more of a salon than a regular tattoo shop. It’s a private studio so we don’t take any walking-ins. It’s all one on one, the Client and Me in a very relaxed atmosphere. We even serve tea! One of my nicknames and Instagram handles is: ‘The Countess of Cover-Ups’. I do specialize in the covering of old tattoos as well as scars, stretch marks, and burns. I’m very well known for this. I tend to look at cover-ups as a puzzle. Trying to figure out what will best cover the old tattoo or scar and make the client happy.
I would say our customer service is what sets us apart. We’re not your normal tattoo studio. Our studio is very chill. No loud music or distractions. Except for my art on the walls! A relaxed comfortable client is easier to tattoo than someone who is anxious or stressed. I also do a free consultation with a client to make sure we’re both on the same page. There are times it take two or even three consultations before we’re both happy with the results. During the consultation, I draw up the tattoo on my tablet with the client’s input so each tattoo is a one of a kind collaborative effort between Artist and Client.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
As an artist, Los Angels is a great place! There is so much inspiration everywhere you look! There is art everywhere, from Murals on Walls to Knitting on Trees! The Art scene I’m apart of is very supportive. Other artists are more than happy to pass your name on to galleries if they like your work, or just sit and talk art. As long as you’re willing to hustle a little, you can get your name out there and your art seen.
As for tattooing there are so many incredible tattoo artist here in L.A I couldn’t even come close to naming all of them. Everyone wants something from the best artists so starting out you’ll be working the tourist trade to hone your skills unless you can get an apprenticeship in a reputable well known shop.
Pricing:
- Tattooing is priced by the hour staring at $200 an hour with a one hour minimum.
Contact Info:
- Address: The Many Arms of Misha LLC / Tattoos by Misha
6370 Sunset Blvd
#705 L.A C A90028 - Website: misha-art.com
- Phone: 818-388-0369
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big_eyed_art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Misha-Painting-Tattoos-and-Graphic-Design-8588883137/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BigEyedMisha
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/thecountessofcoverups/
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
