Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenneth Doan
Hi Kenneth, 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?
My story is a long winded one so I’ll try to paraphrase as much as possible. My parents immigrated here after the Vietnam War and met in San Diego where me and my two sisters were born and raised. We grew up with the mindset that academics were the key to providing our family with a better life. Even when it got difficult, school was always a priority. I was fortunate enough to get admitted to UCSD where I quickly discovered that academics weren’t for me anymore. In the past, I worked so hard to keep up with the other students in high school that I got burnt out. I no longer yearned for the status of any one career. Rather, for the first time in my life I wanted to be passionate about what I decided to do, something I knew wasn’t possible for me in academia. I looked up to my dad, a hardworking, blue-collar mechanic, the sole provider for our family of five. One thing he always instilled in us was the concept of “perseverance.” No matter what situation he was presented with, he was going to figure it out, and I set out to do the same. I stumbled upon tattooing out of the blue. I don’t really remember how that thought even got planted in my mind, but the more I dismissed it, the more it intrigued me. Once the decision was made to go all in on it, I did what any broke college student would do and went on YouTube to watch drawing tutorials. Art classes were too intimidating and far beyond my budget. Upon graduating college in June of 2019, my parents finally found out the secret I’ve been hiding for two years, that I wasn’t going to medical school. But instead, going to take some time to refine my art until I can find an apprenticeship. Fast forward to December of 2019, I was able to find the apprenticeship I longed for, worked there for two and a half years, then finally launched my career as a full time tattoo artist in April of 2022. In July of 2023, my mentor and I decided to branch off and open our own private studio in San Diego where we’ve been ever since.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wish it was a smooth road! Tattooing had so many negative societal connotations in my parents’ minds, let alone being a viable career. Having been raised in an immigrant family, the concept of success is narrow minded, and rightfully so. Taking uncalculated risks isn’t ideal but “uncalculated” is the key word. When there’s a plan laid out in my brain then the task becomes much easier to digest, even if people on the outside don’t understand. Using the process of elimination was the only way I could figure out my life. During my time at UCSD, I tried every major that intrigued to me, seeing what profession it could lead to down the line. However, after losing interest in everything I tried, I knew it wasn’t sustainable no matter how “good” the career sounded. There were tons of people I met along the way who were genuinely happy doing what they do, and I wanted to become one of those people. Growing up as a STEM kid, you can imagine the internal struggle I had, to make the decision to do a complete 180° and pursue art, a realm I had no experience in.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I tattoo basically anything black and grey! Mainly fine line and realism: big portraits, small portraits, pets, animals, people, flowers, artifacts, old Renaissance paintings, etc. I love what I do so nearly any black and grey tattoo I’m game for! I’m proud of the fact that I stuck to my dream and did whatever it took to make it happen. There were a lot of sacrifices I had to make along the way but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. My main goal now is to be able to provide for my family, and tattooing has blessed me with the opportunity to do that. I think what sets me apart from others is the attention to details. I try to listen to my clients and their story in order to do my best to portray it on their skin. I’m also really competitive so I seize every opportunity to give people their best tattoo.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I learned not to take anything for granted. Even something as simple as a conversation with your neighbor or visiting your grandparents can be stripped from you in an instant. So whatever it is that you want to try or do, why not today? There’s no point in waiting because you’ll never feel fully ready anyways. And the worst thing that can happen is looking back years down the line and regretting not doing it sooner.
Pricing:
- $140 shop minimum
- $160/hr
- $1000 full day session (8hrs)
- $500 half day session (4hrs)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kenndoart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenndo.art/profilecard/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Image Credits
Chris Gardner
