Meet Trailblazer Miya Matsui

Today we’d like to introduce you to Miya Matsui.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Miya. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in a small farmhouse in Central Pennsylvania, with my amazing parents, Masaya and Susan, my older brother, Max, and my little sister, Mei. I have so many beautiful memories from my childhood filled with nature, gardens, animals, art, bugs, and a lot of love.

My first career dream was to become a professional ballet dancer. I held onto and worked towards that dream until I was nineteen years old. The intense focus I approached it with afforded me some incredible opportunities, but it also swept me into a place that was far away from my reality and my family, and a place of dishonesty with my mental health at the time. After experiencing multiple losses as a family, my brother, Max, passed away from suicide at eighteen years old—only a day before he was to graduate high school, and shortly before his birthday. Losing such a huge and special part of my life, and so many people’s lives, in this way was devastating to me and everyone who knew him.

Trying to move forward from that point, I believe healing from that loss has played a major role in my journey to tattooing. Attempting to heal by creating something… by pausing and listening and striving to express the power that each one of us have is a defining goal that guides my art. First dancing, then painting, gave me the space to work on this goal. When I began to consider tattooing as a career, it felt like the ultimate way to build on that, and it was an art form that could always be evolving. It felt (and still feels) like many leaps of faith, and I feel so lucky and so grateful to be where I am with the opportunity to explore and honor this special craft.

Has it been a smooth road?
Pushing myself to believe that I “deserve” (whatever that really means) a good future has been a confusing and constant challenge for me. I work daily on allowing myself to step forward into my potential and to remember it isn’t wrong to do so. Trusting yourself is, I think, bold and absolutely necessary… but challenging.

I also think finding mentors and finding a “tribe” is really important. I owe everything to the people I have in my life, and to those who have come in and out. Having strong female role models as mentors, family members, and friends has been especially significant to me. I really believe in the power of supporting others, and always trying to embolden yourself while also lifting those around you. I feel we do our absolute best when we also strive to empower others. It sounds cheesy, but I really believe in the romantic idea of trusting that if you are moving forward with love, you are moving forward in the best way.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am very new to tattooing. I was fortunate enough to be apprenticed under a magnificent woman, Nic Ferrante, at Energy Tattoo in downtown Santa Barbara. I am so grateful to the clients who have come to work with me, and I am so excited for the future people I will get to meet along the way.

I hope to stay open stylistically with my tattooing moving forward, as I don’t want to put myself into any boxes too early on. I especially love nature inspired subject matter, and love being able to prioritize the movement of a piece by the unique body shape it will be on.

I think it’s hard not to be honest in art. So, I hope to create tattoos with my clients that are honest to both of us involved in each piece.

My focus also lies in creating an environment that I feel good about participating in and fostering with others. Learning from everyone at Energy Tattoo, it has been so clear how powerful it can be to hold the responsibility of establishing a loving, expressive, truthful, and kind space with clients.

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Go in with the mentality of putting yourself forward 100% without doubts and hesitations but instead a willingness to learn. Every shop is different, but I believe that showing persistence and respect, working your hardest, and paying it forward goes a long way when trying to approach and find a mentor. Also, always working on one’s listening skills and holding space for the people you interact with can create so many beautiful opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Address: Energy Tattoo
  428 State St
  Santa Barbara, CA 93101
• Website: miyamatsui.com
• Email: miyamatsui.art@gmail.com
• Instagram: @miya_matsui

Image Credit:
Brigitte Park

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