Meet Alexis Haskett

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Haskett. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my apprenticeship in 2007 at the age of 16. It pretty much included cleaning and making errand runs for the artists. My apprenticeship was not declared compete until 2011 after I had already been working on being a tattoo artist for about 4 years. Shortly thereafter, I got my hands tattooed as a way to symbolize to myself I have no choice but to succeed in this field. After a quick change of environment, making Cincinnati Tattoo & Piercing my home studio, I started really pushing myself and my art because I have everyone there supporting me to be the best version of myself I can be. When I started, there weren’t a lot of people in the city doing anime and cartoons as tattoos and that’s what I personally wanted on my own body; so, I decided to become that tattoo artist. 

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?
Tattooing is a constant struggle with yourself. A big problem a lot of us run into is, “Do I do what people will want more often, or do I do what will make me happy?” I chose to do what makes me happy-and with that came a lot of fluctuations in my financial status, along with people not understanding and taking my telling them no to their idea as an insult. Currently, I am fortunate that people do want what I have to offer and continue to support the growth of my art. Alternatively, the style in which I tattoo was made fun of by other tattoo artists in my area for a long time. You can imagine how difficult it is to hear from your peers that your work ‘looks like a child drew it’ or you’re not ‘versatile’. I did let this bother me for a long time and made a lot of changes to my art to try to be more of what others in my field were striving for in themselves before I realized that wasn’t what made me happy. And before I am a tattoo artist, I’m just an artist; and my art has to make me happy first before I can worry about how others perceive me. 

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’m an artist that does tattoos, among other mediums of art. I specialize in pop culture traditional style tattoos; mainly anime, cartoons, kawaii, and bright colors. Most people who get tattooed from me or purchase my art know me for the bright colors I try to incorporate in all my pieces. I’m very proud of the fact I’m able to put original designs from not-so-original concepts on people every day and have lots of support to continue my growth. I’ve been told my use of variations in line weight, color theory, design, and bright colors are what make me stand out from others. 

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
That’s something I can’t really say as I try to be as authentically and unapologetically myself at all times. I don’t hide anything about myself from anyone at any given point. 

Contact Info:

• Email: Kawaiitattoo@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kawaii_tattoo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anarchy.alex.tattoos/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/Kawaii_tattoo