Daily Inspiration: Meet Lindsay Burke

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Burke.

Hi Lindsay, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I got an early start in the arts through my dad, who is an artist/illustrator, and from time to time I still get the opportunity to learn from his years of experience. My journey in tattooing began with curiosity after getting my first when I was 22- a marking of an important rite of passage in my life. I was hooked but I didn’t know it yet. Three years later a friend invited me to her appointment with local legend, Tony Siemer, and blurted out that I was interested in an apprenticeship. Tony gave me an opportunity and the space to learn in an environment that was uncharacteristically egalitarian for the industry. Without him I wouldn’t be here, and for that I will be forever grateful. Seven or so years later I opened up my own shop with a few friends in Yellow Springs- three weeks before the pandemic shuttered tattoo shops in Ohio. It was a grueling way to start out; one of the best and worst times of my life. I stayed in that location for three years before a number of factors signaled a time for change which eventually brought me and my shop mate to Front Street.
Being in community with creatives is energizing in so many ways! While I love working with and around fellow artists, I have found that having a boss and a set schedule is just not for me.
Self-employment is not for the faint of heart! The entrepreneur life has a very different set of joys and stressors that may not fit every person or lifestyle, but it’s the one that fits for me.
As of the writing of this article I am mom to a teenager and a toddler, and have a fiancé who is also a business owner in Dayton. As individuals and as a family we have worked out a balance that lets us pursue creativity and passion and we have been fortunate enough to sustain ourselves and contribute to the community that supports us.
I appreciate every single one of my clients; many of whom have been with me from my very early learning days and who continue to support me on this journey. I specialize in creating a customized experience for my clients- that includes the art, the atmosphere, the music, pain management preferences, privacy, sometimes even sound and aroma therapy. All kinds of people get tattooed for all kinds of reasons. Because the art of tattooing is so personal and permanent, it’s absolutely critical for me to give my clients the attention and intention they deserve. Sometimes the tattoos are decorative or silly, but more often they are deeply emotional or meaningful- the sacredness of the tattoo tradition requires a deep respect for the experience my client has while they are in my space and the energy they walk out into the world with. That was the heart and thought behind the naming of the studio, and the direction I am heading with my future in tattooing.
I am where I am thanks in large part to the generosity and support of my community. I aspire to pay it forward as I learn and grow.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh gosh no! I have had some smoother points along the way but the challenges spring ever anew! The learning curve of entrepreneurship, work life balance, wearing many hats, the pandemic, friendships and business relations, imposter syndrome, overcoming insecurities- all of it from the nuts and bolts to the inner work of personal growth- it’s all hard. But it’s *mostly* worth it.

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?
Client-centered work is my sweet spot- I love creating custom pieces directly onto the body. More and more I am moving toward larger scale freehand pieces where the story inspires the artwork.
My favorite subject matters are Ohio native flora and fauna, indigenous/pagan/metaphysical compositions, art and music themes, custom made sigils, and fantasy.
My proudest moments happen when my clients feels safe and comfortable enough to open up, to feel calm, to process and release what they are going through, and when the tattoo is finished they feel more like themselves.
I’m in it for the connection and the experience- not just the buck.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
For me the first priority is always making my client feel safe, comfortable, and confident. That means I show up as my best self, ready to give them my undivided attention. Personal growth and development are a must in this industry. There is always more to learn. Tattoos are an all or nothing business- you get one shot to do it right and it’s permanent. I think the continuous demand for focus and technique is what makes it so engaging to me as the artist. That constant challenge to do better and be better for me clients is what keeps me locked in.

Pricing:

• Pricing for a tattoo is highly variable depending on your design and your artist. In the Dayton area at the moment, a reasonable rate is going to be somewhere between $100-$200 an hour. You’ll find cheaper and you’ll find more expensive too. My advice is to do your research in your artist, ask lots of questions, and don’t be afraid to say what you want, need, and expect.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lindsayburke.glossgenius.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacredritestudios