Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Sochor.
Hi Shelby, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always had a passion for art and have been drawing for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I wanted to do one of two things – work with animals or become a tattoo artist. I’ve been lucky enough to do both!
Originally from Arizona, I had graduated with an associate’s in art and a bachelor’s in biological sciences. Not sure what I wanted to do next, I ended up starting working at a vet clinic where I eventually got my veterinary technician license.
I moved to Ohio with my husband in 2020 for work and to be closer to family. I continued working as a vet tech, but was becoming burnt out, physically and emotionally worn out, and felt like I was losing my creativity and passion for art over the years. I started looking for an apprenticeship, stopping by multiple shops with my portfolio. I was lucky enough to find one, and completed my apprenticeship in 2023. Through my apprenticeship, I feel like my art skills quickly and greatly improved due to my wonderful mentors. Today, I still work alongside them and several other amazing artists. I’m still learning and improving every day, and hope to continue doing so!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s definitely been a bumpy road between transitioning to a new career, working 7 days a week during that transition, and building clientelle in a new place that I recently moved to. But I’m very happy to say that everything has led me to where I am today – creating art everyday and loving my career!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I tattoo in a variety of styles, but I would say color tattoos are what I do best. I love tattooing animals, cartoons/video games, neo-traditional, and illustrative designs. I’m proud of being able to work on so many fun projects, ranging from black and gray to full color and coverups. I really try to make the tattooing experience as comfortable as possible for my clients, and I give back to my community by running fundraisers every so often.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I absolutely would not be where I’m at today without the people in my life cheering me on along the way. My husband has always been my biggest supporter. He pushed me to chase my dream, and was there for me through the entire journey. I can also thank my friends for helping me learn and improve my skill. They volunteered to get tattooed by me during my apprenticeship (and don’t want me to touch up their tattoos because of the memories), and nowadays they bring me lots of fun ideas to tattoo for them. My mentors taught me the skills I needed to tattoo, but have also made sure I have a safe and comfortable place to work. Working alongside them and the other artists at the shop is working with friends who always have each other’s backs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shelbystattoos.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/shelbystattoos
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/shelbystattoos
