Today we’d like to introduce you to Carson McCullers.
Hi Carson, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As an artist, I’ve really been this way all my life! Most of my childhood memories involve art. Through all my stages of life, I’ve always been creating in many capacities. As far as tattooing, I started in 2019 but became a professional artist in 2021. I actually got started because my best friends got tattooed by someone we went to high school with and I was like uhmmm.. I never really knew this guy to be an artist so I figured if he’s doing it I could be too. I literally ordered cheap things online that night and was tattooing my sister and friends the next day (I don’t recommend to new artists at all haha!). At the time I was going to school at Columbus College of Art & Design for graphic design and was honestly really bored with it, I still got my degree but I’m so grateful I found tattooing during this time or I have no clue where I’d be! When the pandemic happened in 2020 and we started online school, I figured it would be the perfect time to go through an official tattoo apprenticeship. From here my world changed, I feel like I found my purpose in life through tattooing and I have been on the most beautiful journey since. It’s interesting because I actually went through 2 apprenticeships, both were not great at all and I mostly feel self taught. But even through the chaos of what I’ve experienced in the tattoo industry, I always felt my path was cleared in divine ways and timing. I’m so genuinely grateful for my whole journey as a tattoo artist so far and so happy with where I am today. I’m now at the Parlor Suites in Olde Town East. The tattoo community there is wonderful and I’m excited to grow with them.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey has been what I would describe as a beautifully challenging hike. For starters, I kind of struggled as an artist all my life up until finding tattooing. I didn’t know my place, struggled with creative blocks and motivation, had teachers guide me in misleading ways so I wouldn’t be a ‘struggling artist’. I have so much to say about that struggle as an artist and just a human trying to figure it out. Thankfully I feel like everything clicked into place for me when I started tattooing. I faced so many struggles as a tattoo apprentice and working in tattoo shops. Nothing too traumatic but definitely things nobody should have to deal with. My brain honestly kind of blocks it all out but I have a handful stories that are just crazy!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I like to just say I’m an artist because I enjoy so many different creative fields. I specialize and am mostly known for my tattoo work. I think what sets me apart from other artists is I’m really open to most tattoo styles and think I’m pretty decent at whatever is thrown my way. However, I think I’m mostly known for my work regarding nature and animals (which I love!!) I’m also known for my paintings and drawings of portraits. I really want to get into more portrait and realism work with tattooing. I’m really proud of my multifaceted artistic ways, I do cool art things and projects everyday. I just feel so grateful. I’m just really proud of the person I am today and all the decisions I made to get me here.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
This is a hard question because I feel like I’m such an open book! One thing is I do love painting but it’s really hard for me to actually sit down and paint for some reason. I have paintings unfinished from high school, paintings hung up in my studio that are half finished, paintings in my head I’d love to do but want to finish the other ones first. It’s a terribly stressful thing that happens in my mind! Now being in my new studio at the parlor suites, I finally have the perfect space to create so I’m getting into it again and it’s been making me super excited to paint.
Pricing:
- $100 minimum
- $150 hourly
- I accept commissions for fine art work like prints, paintings and drawings and am open to working within people’s budget.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.carsonmccullers.com
- Instagram: carsytat or carsonmccullers
