Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Richter.
Hi Kelly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
At 16 years old I was already a senior in high school, since starting high school I was ready and eager to be done and start a career- a life for myself. It had just been my mom and me, and she was a very successful single parent, doing it all for us. That being so, most of my friends were older and had tattoos. Which piqued my interest in that form of art.
I have always been creative and expressive and that seemed like just another way to create. So, at 16 I bought a little tattoo machine and set and practiced and practiced on whatever I could.
It started with fruits and fake skin, then later it was those older friends I had that were thrilled at my newfound talent. I did that for a few years and the second I turned 18 I started as an apprentice at a tattoo shop to gain my license and really start my way into the industry. From there, I gained my license and have been creating art for people all around San Diego, and even some not from here. Then to further my expertise, I took a microblading course to add that to my repertoire. Now that brings us to today.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road here was quite bumpy, my biggest downfall being that I have always been too young for what I wished to achieve. Even starting college at 16 and having all these older friends, not wanting to be “the child” of the group, I said I was 18. Then when we all went to rent out textbooks for the semester, in front of everyone, I was told I couldn’t rent textbooks yet I had to buy them because I wasn’t 18 yet.
Even just counting down the days until I was 18 to start at the tattoo shop, I have always struggled with being too mature for my age, or some may view it as eager. The other more prominent problem I ran into was simply just being a woman. I was the only girl at my tattoo shop, and I didn’t receive the same amount of respect or credit as all my male coworkers.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a tattoo and microblading artist. I strive to create the image/ message my clients want to express with art on their bodies. I take pride in knowing they trust me to do this and make something amazing they are going to have them and remember for the rest of their lives.
I am known for and most proud of my ability to create this value for my clients. I am very creative and personable and I believe that’s what sets me apart from others.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is that everything takes time and that time is not to be rushed. I tried to race the clock my entire life and although I am grateful for where it brought me, I did miss out on some things I wish I could’ve experienced.
Those things are Prom, a normal graduation, being a kid and not working every day since the age of 14, and just being a kid.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kr.inks and @kr.brows
