Conversations with Blake Hebert

Today we’d like to introduce you to Blake Hebert.

Hi Blake, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began drawing since I was five years old; I was mainly captivated by animation motion pictures such as Disney movies,looney tunes,etc. In grade school I would draw during class and would start getting the attention of students and even teachers and began my first art business at 12 selling drawings and took up requests which led me to explore and expand my drawing techniques that produced quality. In highschool I would design clothes and hats and began selling art and custom apparel to students throughout the school year; a popular television show aired around that time called “Miami ink” and immediately I was drawn to the art of tattooing and fascinated at the process of the craft itself. I decided to take up tattooing in my senior year and began practicing on my friends that supported me even though I was not experienced or advanced I still had people that were willing to be my practice canvas and I accepted their requests. As I continued to practice more, and more, I started to realize that I was lacking in many areas and eventually met a friend of mine that was an apprentice for a studio and would give me advice and tips on progressing in tattooing. Eventually I began to see a huge difference in someone trained in the art compared to someone who just practices without the sterilization and the basics; I decided to look for a studio that would apprentice me and that was a painstakingly journey in itself. I was turned down by several shops and was feeling hopeless that I would never advance in my passion,and finally after 2 years a studio contacted me and a artist agreed to apprentice me,and so began my journey in apprenticeship. As time went by I was able to perform the basics and the proper sterilization needed to practice thoroughly on clientele; however, during the apprenticeship the artist I was under was experiencing difficulties and hard times and eventually had to put everything to a halt; due to unfortunate circumstances that led him to quit the studio and relocate to another state, and so I was left with what learned to continue on my path of being a tattoo artist. A year passed since the incident and my life started taking unexpected turns,I was now a father working a 9 to 5 retail store; stressed each day trying to provide for my son. Struggling financially daily; I decided to take back up tattooing and eventually went back to practicing tattooing on friends of mine using what I learned during my apprenticeship. The practices and the skill was more noticeable and had people started paying me cash for my designs and gradually started charging people that had requests. As years went by my skill grew and so did the quality of the work I was producing. I was growing as a person as well and realizing my mistakes and errors I decided to start taking accountability and realize I couldn’t do it on my own; I spiraled into depression,and eventually became a drug addict and realized my life was going no where,I wanted more than what I was becoming; I wanted to change for the better and for my children. It was then I realized I needed purpose driving power behind my decisions and this began my journey with my faith in Jesus Christ. Eventually I was offered a building by one of my reoccurring clients and accepted the offer to open up my own personal studio and so I began purchasing equipment, and supplies to prepare me for business. I personally learned the value and the leadership qualities it takes to hold the iron and forge it into success through trials and hardships ranging from: dealing with the health department,the state,the city,and lastly the county regarding the laws and regulations to body modification and permanent make up. and after had experienced the minor set backs,the financial pressures,and the patience it took to get me established I can honestly say it was very well worth it in the end. Knowing what I learned I took the craft and formed it into to my passions when I was a child and became a freehand tattoo artist; understanding I had competition in a demanding industry; I realized the process involved stencils and time consuming client rants and disagreements over the designs that were not to their satisfaction; after experiencing these events over the years in the industry, I took what I learned and combined it with my passion and i transformed myself into an artist of many styles doing freehand work meeting the clients desires in one session and have been triumphing one client after the other and I stand before you today a man of ambition, integrity,faith,and perseverance,and driven by purpose. I consider myself anointed and set apart from the rest; and I encourage anyone who wants to follow their passion; to turn your pain into purpose,turn your wounds into wisdom and set your sights on GOD and you will succeed because HE cannot fail.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No it has not been a smooth road at all lol but I’m glad it wasn’t because of the challenges and obstacles I developed a business mind set, perseverance,and leadership qualities, that I never could have gained if it had not been for the storms and the hardships during the process. Most of the struggles I faced were financial, learning the requirements to be an established professional body modification artist and just dealing with waiting periods that can last up to months,even years.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I dabble In many mediums of art but I mainly focus on oils/acrylics on canvas, and charcoal sketches that have developed my appreciation in gradients and saturation.

I specialize in freehand tattoos resulting in the many mediums ranging from watercolor, contemporary,to brush stroke like paintings.

I am known for freehand tattoos and family style portraits drawn on canvas, and the most popular are my watercolor designs; they are the most requested.

I am proud of my wife standing by me and supporting me throughout every hardship and trial and every decision concerning business or life changing events.

What sets me apart from the rest is that my passion is rooted in my faith and I channel that gift through my skills as a freehand artist.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
No luck has played a role in my life or business. I personally believe that it was all orchestrated and predestined for me to get me to where I am today. I’m grateful and thankful for the clients that have stuck with me and represented me throughout the years including the ones that just happen to show up out of nowhere randomly.

Pricing:

• Pricing ranges and varies by the piece requested

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Anointedcanvas.com
• Instagram: Anointed_canvas
• Facebook: Anointed canvas
• Yelp: Anointed canvas