Today we’d like to introduce you to Corinne Chapman
Hi Corinne, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I had the early 20’s panic that many of us know well. The “what am I doing with my life?” panic. It was self-induced while I was living abroad as an English teacher mid-pandemic. I had a growing collection of tattoos making me fear my eligibility for the “grown-up” job market. So I had to conclusively pin down the answer to the age old question: “what do you want to be when you grow up?””
So I did what I always do when stress builds: I made a list. The list consisted of everything I wanted out of a dream job. No detail was too ambitious. Among many other bullet points were things like be my own boss, work with people, travel with my job, and of course, be able to get as many tattoos as I want.
My subsequent list looked to find jobs that included some, most, or all of the points on my first list. I thought perhaps something in the digital-nomad field, maybe a personal chef, then it occurred to me. I almost laughed out loud at how obvious it seemed. The thing that had started this whole quest was the answer all along. I was supposed to be a tattoo artist.
Three years later my portfolio was complete and Nicki Ninteman (@tattoosbynicki) and I shook on it. She would be my mentor for the next year and a little bit, holding my hand through all the scary, mundane, and exciting parts of tattooing.
Then one day I woke up and I was a full time artist at Buju Tattoo, one of San Diego’s best collections of artists and kind people.
I wish I could tell little me how excited she would be for her future if she knew what was to come.
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?
Luckily for me, most of my road has been smooth. I never experienced any abuse or hazing coming up in the industry. My mentor and I always had mutual trust and respect for each other, something that not every tattoo artist or apprentice is fortune enough to say.
I haven’t always had respect or tolerance for the person that I am in the work space. There’s always someone who doesn’t think that you deserve the opportunities that you’ve been given or the success that you’ve seen. This experience isn’t unique to me or even to tattooing.
I’m happy to have been uplifted the whole way by the people and professionals around me. My road would have been much rockier without their support.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a tattooer that focuses mostly on black and gray illustrative pieces. I asked my friend what I’m most known for and she said “my delicate touch and attention to detail.” I’ll take that compliment any day.
I’m most proud of the look on my clients faces when they see themselves wearing their new art for the first time. I know that feeling well and I couldn’t be prouder to give that feeling to my sweet clients.
My tattoo experience sets me apart. I try to emphasize, to both old and new clients alike, that they are my co-pilots. I’ve had tattoo experiences where I’ve felt unseen or misunderstood by the tattooer and that really shows in the tattoo. My clients are my co-creators. With their vision, my professional expertise and mutual trust we can create some really rad forever art.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Don’t be afraid to be picky! Nobody has to feel pressured to accept the first apprenticeship that is offered to them because apprenticeships are hard to come by. I cannot emphasize enough how important that it is that new artists coming into the industry feel safe and supported by their mentor, shop, and coworkers. If your intuition ever tells you that the shop isn’t the right fit, listen to that!
Go get tattooed! Every tattooer has a different story and different things that worked for them while getting their apprenticeship or being self-taught. Pick their brains if they’re comfortable sharing their journey. Ask them about reputable shops in your city that have talented and kind tattooers working there. Tattooing is a small community so they’ll definitely have some names to drop.
Make your portfolio as close to perfect as possible. I spent 3 years on mine if that gives you any gauge. Show off your range and remember that quality is far more important that quantity.
Be the squeaky wheel. I dropped in for a quick hello a couple times a week for several weeks before I was able to get an appointment with my mentor. To the wrong person, you’ll be a nuisance, but to the right person, you’ll being showing your commitment.
Happy tattooing !
Pricing:
- $200/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bujutattoo.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kinny.collective/
