Daily Inspiration: Meet Alexis Wolfe

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

Hi Alexis, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I actually decided I wanted to tattoo when I was in high school and I was just relentless about it until I finally got into the industry. I got my first tattoo apprenticeship in 2017, which ultimately didn’t work out. I was super discouraged after that, but I ended up getting another apprenticeship almost immediately after that one fell through and that shop was a much better fit for me. I apprenticed at that shop for about 2 years, finished my apprenticeship at a 3rd shop and have just been working hard to grow in my craft ever since. I’m incredibly grateful for all of the people who have taught me and all of the clients who have supported me along the way, and continue to do so.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Learning to tattoo, for me personally, was not a smooth road at first. While I was searching for apprenticeships before I landed one, I was unfortunately met with a lot of sexism. People would tell me that women were drama and they didn’t want to deal with it, that they already had a female artist at their shop and more than one female creates problems, or that tattooing is too rough of an industry for women and they were doing me a favor by not taking me in. It was very disheartening, but I knew for a fact I wanted to tattoo so I just kept looking and looking until I got my foot in the door and then kept going until I found a shop that was the best fit for myself and what I wanted in a workplace.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What do you specialize in?
As far as what I specialize in, that’s a tough one for me. I love tattooing in so many different styles and I love trying new things when it comes to my art, I feel like artistically I don’t stay in one place for very long. I’m not sure if that is what necessarily sets me apart from others, but I am proud of it. My goal is to always take an idea a client gives me for a tattoo, nail it and give them a product they’re happy with. So if I have a different style tattoo every day of the week, I don’t let it shake me and my clients leave the shop stoked on their tattoos.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’m very fortunate to say I’ve had loads and loads of support along the way. There are almost too many to name, but I had a few tattoo mentors that each taught me valuable lessons, useful information and gave me opportunities little teenage I never thought I would get and I’ll always be grateful for. I have met and worked with some amazing artists that I’m also lucky enough to call my friends that have supported me in so many ways, they’ve also taught me so many valuable lessons. I’ve had countless clients that have supported me from my very first tattoo to now and have followed me even when I’ve moved shops and always let me do cool tattoos for them. My family has also been an incredible support system. They never once discouraged me from wanting to learn to tattoo and have supported me and my art for literally as long as I can remember. I also have an amazing boyfriend who supports me and encourages me to grow as an artist as well as a person. And I can’t forget my dogs, after a hard day’s work they’re always there for me to bother and pester to melt away the day’s stress.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/TattoosByGerty

Image Credits
Nick Williams