Today we’d like to introduce you to Judith Thielen.
Hi Judith, 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 have always been interested in Art and working with different mediums to create art. In high school I gained interest in tattoos and even got a few underage. A handful of friends kept saying i should learn how to tattoo and then one day in like 2008 an old friend asked me “if I buy you a tattoo machine and you start tattooing, you have to tattoo me for free for the rest of your tattoo career. Deal?” And Of course your girl said “DEAL”
He bought me a whole “tattoo kit” from Traders Village! And that’s when I started scratching on friends and pig skin in the middle bedroom of my mom’s house.
After months of not learning anything on my own I decided I would try and look for an apprenticeship. One of my friends recommended Houston ink society. So I sent a message, was told to come in for an interview and got a position as an apprentice with now retired artist Brandon Tripocchio
I completed my apprenticeship in 2009.
While tattooing I was also attending the Art Institute and graduated with an Associates in Graphic Design in 2011.
After 8 years at Houston ink, I decided I was ready to move on. I moved and while at this new studio I started to think about the possibilities of opening my own studio. After about a year at the other shop I left and ended up back at Houston ink society but at the Milby street location in EADO. In 2018 I was told Houston Ink would be closing and I was given the opportunity to open my own studio in the milby location. That is when I opened up White Hart Tattoo with a little help from my dad. I opened with 3 tattoo artist and now I have a talented crew of seven.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My personal journey as a tattoo artist has had it’s ups and downs. From other artists telling me I wouldn’t make it as a tattoo artist. spending a lot of time away from family and friends. Even losing a few friends along the way. Not to mention being a small business owner during covid and just going through the ups and downs of the economy and the effects it has on the industry.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I like to stay pretty versatile with my work. My pallet is full color 95% of the time. I love floral, neotraditional, traditional, geometric, “stylized realism, cover ups, fineline big tattoos small tatttoos I love them all. The only style I really don’t mess around with is photo realism and portraits. However, I do like tattooing animal portraits.
I also enjoy creating art in my free time. I work with acrylic, oils, watercolors, prismacolor pencil and marker.
How do you think about luck?
The role of luck?…..I guess you can say I am pretty lucky to have a family, a partner and friends that support everything I do. I am lucky to have an amazing crew at White Hart and to still be open after Covid. And I am eternally grateful for all of my clients who have trusted me with their tattoos. It is an absolute honor to be able to create permanent art on your bodies.
Pricing:
- I require a non refundable deposit to book an appointment and charge an hourly rate
- Working in sessions is always an option.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Https://www.instagram.com/tattoos.by.judith?igsh=MXZ3ZDE5bnFodzVpcg==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BjJis68yv/
