Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicki Yarwick.
Nicki, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’ve been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil, so art has always been a big part of my life. Before I graduated high school, I wanted to be a tattoo artist because I loved how tattoos had meaning behind them and could be used to tell a person’s story or get someone through a time in their life. I started my tattoo apprenticeship in 2013 and was at two other shops before finishing my apprenticeship at SD Tattoo. SD Tattoo has been one of the biggest blessings in my life, I was able to learn application and techniques from over a dozen talented and experienced artists. I wouldn’t be doing so well this early into my career if it wasn’t for this shop.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Tattooing is now my favorite medium and I get to make art that lasts a lifetime! I specialize in black and gray and dot work tattoos. My favorite subject matter to tattoo is anything floral or from nature. I also love doing tattoos that express one’s Faith. I’m a Christian, so I love being able to tattoo anything that honors God and I would never tattoo anything that goes against what I stand for as a believer. Tattoos can be used to cover scars, bring closure and healing to ones past, and make you feel beautiful in your own skin.
I finished my Bachelor’s with an emphasis in Studio Arts at San Diego State University in 2015. Having a degree isn’t required to tattoo but knowing the fundamentals of art and having that education has helped me a lot when it comes to tattooing. Before I was tattooing, I loved graphite and oil painting. I use to submit my paintings in local gallery exhibitions to sell. I, unfortunately, don’t have the time to paint like I use to but I still have a handful of paintings and prints for sale.
The sterotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
I never wanted to be a “starving artist,” which is why I chose a path that I knew I could make a living off of. It wasn’t easy at first when I was an apprentice I was working 30-40 hours a week in exchange for learning the trade, rather than for money. I had to work another job part-time for 3 years of my apprenticeship until I was making enough at the shop to work there full time.
My advice to those wanting to pursue being an artist for a career would be to focus on what kind of art there is a high demand for. Talk to artists who have experience working in the field you’re interested in and see what they did to get there. Don’t be afraid to find out what they’re making before you quit everything else and end up struggling financially because there isn’t enough work out there to pay the bills.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My portfolio can be found on my Instagram or on the SD Tattoo website.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3780 Hancock Street Suite E San Diego, CA 92110
- Website: www.sandiegotattooshop.com
- Phone: 858-740-0299
- Email: nicki@sandiegotattooshop.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/inknartbynicki
- Facebook: Facebook.com/nickiyarwick
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