Today we’d like to introduce you to Ethan Ramsey.
Hi Ethan, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I was working a very thankless, part-time job as a pharmacy technician. I saw a post on Instagram that the tattoo shop was looking for part-time help on the weekends working the front counter, so I applied and got hired on the spot. I’ve always been kind of an art kid so I would sit at the front desk and start doodling more tattoo imagery and it got me interested. Seeing people leave the shop happy and excited with their new tattoo was something I wanted to provide. Three years later I finally got an apprenticeship with 540. I’ve been tattooing almost 4 years on my own and I’ve been with Infinite Art for almost 9 years.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been easy. I quit my pharmacy job during my apprenticeship to focus more on learning how to tattoo. You don’t get paid for apprenticing and I was sometimes making maybe $100.00 a week. I maxed out my credit card for groceries during this time period. During the apprenticeship, I had a lot of assignments to help sharpen my skills and I had to learn that it wasn’t just a party learning how to tattoo. I focused almost all of my time and energy into the apprenticeship and pushed people away. I’m still trying to learn how to balance life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love to tattoo colorful American traditional-style tattoos. That’s what I have the most fun with. Bright and bold! I’ll still do black and grey tattoos along with dainty, fine-line work. I just love tattooing. I’m proud of the relationships I can build with clients. I have the best job in the world and want everything to be fun. I want you to feel comfortable, get something you want, tell your friends, and come back for me. I’ve been pretty lucky so far.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory would probably have to be when I was a young teen and I found a dog roaming the streets. He was friendly so I took him in and set up a sleeping area in the garage for him. I tried finding the owners, but no one claimed him. He ended up being my best friend for about eleven years. His name was Roscoe.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Colournegative
