Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Hernandez.
Hi Natalie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I had what some would consider an unconventional entry into the tattoo world starting with I had actually never met my mentor until our first meeting. Between the 5 years of coffee gigs, I was participating in local art shows. Art had always been the first love, just never knew how to turn it into a career… the collage route was definitely not for me. I finally got to the point of burn out and knew something needed to change. I’ve always been drawn to tattoos and caught the bug as soon as I turned 18. They started small and now everything pretty much connects to make one big one. Aside from the imagery, I was hooked on the feeling I got afterwards. There was confidence in how I looked and a feeling of accomplishment getting something that physically demanding done. I wanted to do that for others. I did what most people did and started getting together a portfolio. The funny thing is, that’s not what got my foot in the door at all. I was getting my hair done professionally for the first time since I was a teen and that’s where I met my angel Katee. I was selling art to the girls at the salon and she happen to buy a print. Shortly after she sent me that message that changed everything. Her husband recently opened a private studio and he wasn’t openly seeking help but she told me to shoot my shot. That’s when I sent the most formal email to The Fat Dragon himself, Waylon Hart. We scheduled an in person meeting; I showed up with a Frankenstein 91 Chevy, no ac, mullet, rocking a dangly. First part of the conversation basically went “ Hope you like being poor for the first couple of years because it’s going to take a bit before you’re in the green”. Little did he know I was already poor and was miserable at my job so being poor and getting to make art every day was a big step up. Spent 7 days a week split between managing a coffee shop and apprenticing at the tattoo shop. Since then my career has been able to survive through covid ; my first client on skin was a week before shut down: and my first kid. Managing family life and work is the biggest hurdle but with a shop like Fat Dragon Tattoo, I can’t be any happier.
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?
The beginning of Covid was the first big hurdle. First client a week before shit down? Shortest career ever. I was told to pack what I could because there was no telling if we’d ever be able to come back. I was still working at the coffee shop at the time and even that was starting to look a bit uncertain. The best I could do was keep pushing keep pushing and act like everything would go back to normal the next day.
Starting a family really shook up my career. Unplanned, just about 2 years in ; that’s pretty early in tattoo years. I was still learning the craft as well as the business side. Tattooing through my pregnancy wasn’t the hard part, I tattooed up till the week before and would have till the day before if I knew the hospital didn’t have room yet. It was the post birth that hit the hardest. I was in love with my job and now out comes this small human I love even more. Postpartum depression was rough and the time off of work made me feel like I wasn’t progressing fast enough or like I was going to be forgotten by clients. It felt career ending but I’ve learned it’s the best thing that could have happened. My kid has given me the drive to want to do better both in my career and life. And my clients, most have been here since the beginning and have watched her grow.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a tattoo artist at Waylon Harts Fat Dragon Tattoo, specializing in American Traditional. You may have certain imagery in mind when I say American traditional but as long as it has a bold line and black shading, I’m game. Over the years I’ve developed a sort of bright folky style mixed with the traditional imagery everyone knows and loves. I’m most proud of where I am 6 years into my career and family life in my late 20s. It’s easy to feel like I’m behind in the moment but when I look at the bigger picture I’m like dang I did that… and continue to do THAT.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Shoot your shot and keep on pushing!
Also… it’s never too late to get that tattoo!
Pricing:
- Flat rate pricing based on size and design for both small and session work
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fatdragontattoo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natsradtatts/
