Today we’d like to introduce you to Janice Komar.
Hi Janice, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hello, I am Janice. Owner and tattoo artist at Opal Lotus Tattoo, located in the Houston and Katy area. My life has led me to this point of entrepreneurship, where I can truly express myself. Painting was passed on to me by my mother and grandmother. I was homeschooled by them up until high school. My curriculum was heavily based in the arts as well as animal husbandry and small business management. Involvement with the local 4-H began to build my management skills in a methodic and holistic way. I had many different side hustles as a kid, ranging from house cleaning, pie baking, fruit picking, commissioned painting, as well as raising and selling meat animals at auction.
At age 16, I was able to start working in retail while going to community college. Some companies I worked for are BCBG, Bombay Co., and Kenneth Cole. At the age of 18, I was named the youngest assistant manager in Kenneth Cole’s company history.
Eventually, I made it to San Jose State University, where I studied undergraduate fine art. It was around this time that tattooing caught my eye, and I started my tattooing career at Players Ink in San Jose, CA. I was fortunate to begin learning the skill of tattooing there and stopped going to college all together.
Fast forward through years of traveling, living overseas tattooing in many different shops since 2008. I am overly happy that my skills have come together to make my dream of owning a tattoo studio come to reality.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The public often thinks when viewing an artist’s work that they are seeing a talent we were born with, but that just isn’t the case. An artist’s finished piece of artwork is a result of practice, discipline, and tons of repetition executed over a lifetime. I found working for tattoo businesses where the owner didn’t tattoo created a disconnect in this understanding. Therefore, unrealistic and unsensitive demands were often placed on me by non-artist tattoo shop owners.
As creatives, we need to protect our rights in labor laws, health/safety, and fair rent/compensation. The terrible truth is these are things that many tattoo shop owners fail to comply with. There is a sense of bullying that “old school” tattoo shop owners feel they have the right to. I can see this attitude beginning to fade in the industry which is a benefit to artists and shop owners who actually conduct their business properly and legally.
The presence of sexism in the tattoo industry is rampant. I was blatantly told by many shop owners that my chances of working at their establishment was lowered due to the fact I am female. I was even told by a female shop owner that “female tattoo artists are crazy, but you seem normal.” The reality of this stigma was soul-crushing. I decided not to focus on this but on my professionalism, work ethic, and skill.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Opal Lotus Tattoo?
My studio, Opal Lotus, opened its doors at 1718 Fry Rd. #315, HTX 77084, in June of 2021. It continues to become all of the good things I liked about retail while supporting local art.
Having a long professional career, I understand the importance of upward mobility. I do my best to provide positive reinforcement, mentorship of younger artists, and, most importantly leading by example. I am blind to race, color, creed, and gender. These are things I didn’t often receive myself while performing in the working world. Having the ability to offer this now to others is an incredible honor.
Opal Lotus is a collective of tattoo artists who have been carefully vetted for professionalism, skill, and positive attitude. The studio is set up to support the artists under its roof with an ultra-clean, bright, and peaceful environment. This allows the professionals to focus on their art and clients a place to feel safe and at ease. Each artist rents their own booth and is free to manage their own hours, clients, and workflow. Artists are able to earn their income without shoveling copious amounts of commission to the shop.
We offer a wide range of styles from American Traditional, Asian styles, Neo-traditional, Geometric, Cover up, Anime, Cartoon, and more. If you are unsure of what style you like, email us at info@opallotus.com, and we will help direct you to the artist best suited for you.
My hope is to continue to grow by adding more room for artists to call Opal Lotus home. I forever wish to become a better leader, one who values humility and supports others in their growth.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
While I do think most of my success has been the result of a deliberate battle. It’s the people who take the time out of their day to share knowledge and encouragement that make up the magic we call luck. I’m not sure how the friendly folks at Voyage found me, but I am truly grateful. I am lucky to have such supportive clientele, colleagues, and community. I am lucky to have found a home in Houston, Texas, a place where I am accepted amongst my peers and can see a brighter future in the art of tattooing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://opallotus.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opallotus/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/opallotustattoo?mibextid=2JQ9oc
- Yelp: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HugoVtRVanvzDeVv7?g_st=ic
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HugoVtRVanvzDeVv7?g_st=ic
Image Credits
Janice Komar
