Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirstie Greco.
Hi Kirstie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
So, starting from the very beginning, I graduated from The University of Akron with a B.S. in Food and Environmental Nutrition and worked corporate roles in the food industry for about three and a half years. I enjoyed my work; it was a unique field to be in, but I knew it wasn’t my forever career. I had a fire in me that wanted to do something more meaningful and creative, although being a full-time artist wasn’t on my radar at the time. When I left corporate, I picked up an in-between job as a bartender until I started tattoo apprenticing; then, I eventually left bartending to dedicate 100% of my time to my apprenticeship and focus on my art. It was a huge risk! I doubted myself so much throughout, but I made it through. It’s been a journey, but I believe you always end up where you’re meant to be.
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?
It hasn’t been! In a traditional apprenticeship, you exchange nearly all of your time to pay your dues and learn the craft with little to no income. I mentioned it was a huge risk for me because I was 30 years old with responsibilities where most tattooers start very young in the industry. I knew it would be a hard road with a lot of sacrifices if I was going to go all in, but I didn’t care. I knew this is what I was meant to do, and I was willing to do whatever it takes. The hardship is only a season, and there’s a lot to learn about yourself with infinite opportunities to grow in the thick of it all. It’s all about perspective.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a tattooer specializing in fine-line black and gray work. I have grown to become super intentional in my work and the way I design my tattoos. Most of my clients come to me with concepts that hold meaning to them in one way or another, and I want to give them a finished piece that represents this part of who they are. I do my best to make sure my clients are heard throughout the design process and best represent their idea in a design that translates well to skin so that they can be confident in knowing they will have a piece of forever art that represents them fully and authentically.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the COVID-19 crisis?
The Covid-19 shut down inspired me to dive further into my creativity, being at home with not much to do. I have always been an artist as a hobby, and I was able to dedicate months of being consistent in creating my own personal artwork, something I rarely made time to do at this point. Life gets busy and prior to COVID-19, I didn’t realize just how much joy creating brought me because it was always on the back burner. The lesson for me was: always make time for your passions or hobbies, because they could take you somewhere you never thought was possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.guidedbythemoon.co
- Instagram: @guidedbythemoon.co
