Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandler Steele.
Chandler, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Before I could even walk, my grandmother had a paintbrush in my hand. She has always painted elaborate oil canvas paintings and even illustrated some children’s books. I fell in love with art as soon as my brush touched the canvas. In high school, I would come home with full sharpie sleeves drawn on myself. My dream job was to become a tattoo artist. It was only a dream though. I never thought I could pursue it. So, I decided to pursue sports (soccer) rather than focus on art. I ended up getting a full scholarship to OC in Edmond, OK. And I moved 18 hours away from my home. I majored in Fine Arts and two years in, I realized college wasn’t for me. It’s not easy. It was very hard for me. Being away from home. Knowing I wasn’t pursuing what I wholeheartedly wanted to do. I finished out my last semester at OC and chose to move home. The day I arrived back home, I went to Underground Ink in Oakwood, Ga. and asked if they were hiring for an apprenticeship. All I had was my portfolio from my college classes. But luckily, the owner saw something special in me and asked me to start working for her the following Monday. I was overjoyed. Overwhelmed, but in all the best ways. I WAS BEGINNING MY DREAM JOB! I fit in with my Underground family almost immediately. I drew every day while I was in the shop. I tattooed grapefruits for about a week and my boss thought I was ready to tattoo my own skin. I got licensed and the same day, I tattooed myself. I fell in love instantly & never looked back. About two months into tattooing, I quit telling people I was an apprentice because my work, according to my boss, wasn’t at an apprentice level. Sometimes it was hard to be humble at times but I never lost my head. It got stressful at times but I pushed myself. I wanted to master what most artists struggle with so I strictly focused online work. And I’m so glad I did. I tell all the artists I teach the same thing. Linework is key.
So two years passed at Underground and my mom had to quit her cleaning business due to some severe back issues. She asked me if I would come work for her if she decided to open a studio. And of course, I couldn’t pass that offer up. We opened Steele Ink Studios July 2018 and it has been nothing but a blessing. I have amazing clients. I’ve made some of my best friends by doing what I do. I love going to work every day. I hardly even want to call it “work”. I tell my clients all the time if I could work for free, I would. Not a day goes by that I don’t thank God for what he has blessed me with. My work family, an amazing steady studio. My home life. When you love what you have, you truly have everything that you need. It’s been an awesome journey and I will tattoo until my hands are out of commission.
Great, 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?
Ah. In the world of tattooing, it’s NEVER a smooth road. It’s got all it’s speed bumps, potholes, roadblocks, you name it. Just like any job, it comes with its ups and downs. Being a female artist in an all-female studio, it’s a little harder to have a big rep, which is okay. We do get judged a little more than most studios but it’s because we’re not like MOST studios nor do we want to be.
Sometimes, clients have a hard time seeing things the way we do in an artistic standpoint. And sometimes you just don’t click with people, but you just have to try your best to make it work. This job requires a lot of trust since it’s a very permanent decision. I’ve had to turn some people down, and I’ve unfortunately had some clients turn me down. But if it wasn’t for the struggles I’ve faced, I wouldn’t be the artist I am today so I’m very thankful for every struggle I’ve faced.
Please tell us about Steele Ink Studios.
My personal business began last year. I have 3 AMAZING co-artists that work beside me every day. I really don’t have a specific style I specialize in. I love it all. Black & grey, color, realism, watercolor whatever it is, I love it. But I’d have to say. People come to me most for my watercolor. And anything Disney (I’m obsessed). I’m most proud of Steele Ink because we are SO family-oriented. And we absolutely love our clients. Old and new. We always welcome with arms, ears, hearts, and tattoo machines wide open! It’s hardly even work because we are all so passionate about what we do. I had mentioned previously that we are an ALL female studio. And that’s not by choice. If the right guy comes along for our tattoo family, we’d gladly open the door for them. It’s just ironically the way things worked out. I feel like that sets our studio apart from all the others because it’s a rare thing to see, and most people seem to love that about us.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory is spending long hours in my grandmother’s studio. Watching her paint, her teaching me all the things I know today. Without her, I don’t believe I would be where I am today since she is the only other artist in the family. She had the best constructive criticism and I’m SO thankful for that. She didn’t praise everything I did. She helped me learn from that. And she still helps me learn new painting/drawing techniques today.
Contact Info:
- Address: 578 Braselton Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
- Phone: (678) 731-7968
- Email: steeleinkstudios@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @tantan821 @__prettyinink__ @steeleinkstudios
- Facebook: @steeleinktattoostudio
Image Credit:
Morgan Long Photography
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