Today we’d like to introduce you to Frandy Voltaire, The Fran Fine.
Hi Frandy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Art has always intrigued me. Especially art that told a story. Raised in a religious and Haitian household who would ever think that I would be a tattoo artist? It goes against the values of my upbringing. I sought to pave my own road and be resilient to do what made me happy. As a young girl my mother would say “I could draw as soon as I could hold a pencil.”
I attended Florida State University and double majored in Studio Art and Business. The business of art was introduced to me during an apprenticeship I sought at a tattoo studio during my freshman year of college in 2015.
My apprenticeship was far from ideal. Being that I didn’t have proper instruction in my work environment. I had to forced my hand to draw roses, scripts, and portraits every chance I got. I studied the work of artists I admired and watched countless YouTube videos. That married with my FSU curriculum where I studied various art styles and color theory to make me a better artist.
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?
My apprenticeship was mentally and physically draining for not only a freshman in college but for anyone. At one point, I thought I had to deal with it all in order to be in the industry. The called it “paying your dues.”
I’ll never forget that owner telling me that “as a black female artist, no one is going to hire me and that I shouldn’t even bother leaving because I would come crawling back in 24 hours.”
I really feel as if that all made me impatient at first. Being there made me feel like a person shouting with no voice. Like “how can you STILL not see me? I’m talented too!”
I work in a male-dominated industry and I get overlooked for reasons I can’t explain but that has also taught me that I don’t owe anyone but myself anything and that the highest form of recognition comes from myself. It taught me to be great for myself and for those who are paying attention. As an artist, you want your recognition. It’s natural. I am compared every single day and I am questioned far more because I am female in this industry but that doesn’t bother me because being a female tattoo artist has also gained me a lot of respect.
Although that apprenticeship made me feel less than every day, it taught me a lot about myself and about the environment and teacher I do/don’t want to be for when it is my time lead someone else into the industry.
I was blessed enough to find a place and mentor that made it so much easier for me to find my place and comfort in the industry. Under the direction of my mentor and now brother, Ace (@ace_no_buggy), I really grew as a tattoo artist. He always told me that at best, he would teach me how to use my tools but I was always an artist. That made me feel seen.
I am a free-hand tattoo artist and that alone sets me apart from most. I often hear from new followers or clients that that’s something they’ve never seen.
I favor imagery that proposes a creative challenge for me. Focusing on drawing and making each piece original for the individual client, while executing it in a way that withstands the test of time. Making both bright and smooth tattoos; big, bold and clean.
I am most proud of my ability to create unique pieces for my client based off of the elements no matter how few or many they present to me. They bring me ideas and I am able to create artwork for them that’s their own story by drawing it directly onto their skin with a few pens and sharpies.
I specialize in bold and colorful pieces. With a majority of my clientele being Black or people of color, I focus on creating tattoos that complement our skin by using bold lines then having an understanding of color theory in order to tattoo color on dark skin. I am very proud of that because many of my clients come to me and tell me that they didn’t even know that their skin was capable of color.
What matters most to you? Why?
I want to open doors. If that means doing the work and fighting battles so that those that come after don’t have to, so be it. I want to be an example for my people, my community. What I want is to prove to myself and to anyone that sees me that anything is possible. You can be anything you want to be. You can truly create the life that you want by tapping into your purpose and your passion. Even if someone doesn’t want to follow the path I took, I want it to be there as an example. I want young creatives to be inspired to follow their hearts.
I work diligently to get better. I work to make every tattoo better than the last. I feel like I have a lot to prove to myself, Ace, my mentor, for believing in me, the first shop owner who said I wouldn’t amount to much and to every young Black female artist/creative trying to make her way.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.thefranfine.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefranfine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theFranFineLLC
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/theFranFine_
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