Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Johnson.
Morgan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was always an artist. Since I was little, I can remember drawing anytime a paper and pencil were in front of me. I would get in trouble for drawing in class or during church. Every textbook I owned had my drawings in it. Everyone told me I should pursue art when I was older and, to that, my response was always a hard no. I always thought that I was going to be an actress and I would daydream about being in movies.
Once I graduated high school, I went to Biola University for a Bachelors degree in Communications with an emphasis in theatre arts. In order to pay for rent, I would paint and sell phone cases, paint murals back in my hometown (Jackson, CA), and in different restaurants or schools in Southern California. I graduated in 2016 and realized the whole acting venture may not be for me. I went through my first heartbreak that summer after college and it wrecked me in a way I am very thankful for.
All growing up, I was worried that, if art was my career, I would fall out of love with it. I thought that I would have no escape from the world cause that is what art was for me. It was my therapy. My assumptions were wrong. To escape from the heartache, I would paint and draw every day that summer. I couldn’t get enough of it. I finally saw the potential art had as a career and I went for it.
At first, I thought that my career in art would be teaching and so, I started to teach art at a small high school in Whittier, CA. I soon understood those teaching kids very close to my age might not be my calling. Little did I know, my art career would be taking quite a sharp turn. My roommates constantly urged me to try a little something called tattooing. So, naturally, I browsed Amazon for a machine and looked to YouTube to be my teacher. My roommates gave up their skin as well as many random people from coffee shops and I fell in love. I never thought falling out of love with someone would create such a spark for something else.
I started to get frustrated that I wasn’t learning fast enough and went looking for an apprenticeship. I went into over 10 parlors and interviewed at 8 in order to finally land on my decision to finish the apprenticeship in March of this year at True at Heart in Lake Forest, CA. I still currently work as an artist at True at Heart and am excited for the adventures ahead. I still paint murals, commissions, and more, but am loving being a full-time tattoo artist. Life sure takes you in interesting directions.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The tattoo industry is made up of predominantly men. In the parlor I first apprenticed at, I got let go of for being a woman. The words as I was being let go were “If you were fat and ugly, you could have your job back.” I tried to find understanding, but it ended up that I was just not meant to be there and life had even more in store. In the parlor I currently work at, there are 12 artists and I am the only female. I would get comments about how I don’t belong in this industry because I am a woman. My “kind” is too emotional and can’t hold their own in a parlor environment. So no, it has not been a smooth journey. All of the push-backs and comments have only fired me up to work harder and to be better at my job. I am only 8 months into tattooing and already have a full clientele, traveled to tattoo in Norcal and Florida, and can afford to paint on the side of it all. I am truly thankful for this journey and to where it has brought me today.
Someone told me once that “gratefulness is the key to joy.” This advice and my faith in God have both kept my spirits up. My advice to any women would be to always be grateful, even for the struggles, and to learn to lean on those around you. The hard times make you better and be okay with the fact that you can’t always do it on your own.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
I work full time as a tattoo artist. I specialize in fine line tattoo, but also love when I get to mix it up with realism here and there. I have found tattoos to be of dark and heavy line-weights, but I love being able to contribute to bringing a lighter, more delicate tattoo style to the table. I mainly work with florals at the moment and that’s what I am known for, but am trying to really find my niche within this industry. I am just starting out and am excited to see the direction I move in.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well-positioned for?
Well, when it comes to tattooing I feel as though female artists have the upper hand, especially when it comes to female clients. Female tattoo artists tend to have a lighter hand than men do, which means the tattoo can be a little less painful. I am always down for a little less pain. This fact isn’t true for every female artist but has a tendency to be the case. When it comes to my female clients, they have commented on liking having another female do their pieces because us artists get really up close and personal with the body.
Women are the minority in this industry and it gets looked up to. Yes, there are times when being a woman in this field can be difficult, but in the end, this industry is awesome with so much opportunity. It is all about mindset and how you make the choice to positively approach any situation.
Pricing:
- My hourly rate for tattoos is $120/hr.
- For painting or mural commissions, the price is TBD.
Contact Info:
- Address: True at Heart Tattoo24412 Muirlands Blvd B, Lake Forest, CA 92630
- Website: morgansierraart.com
- Email: morgansierratattoo@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgansierratattoo/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/morgansierraart/
Image Credit:
@morgansierraart
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