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Meet Ashley Paige of Artizmylov LLC in Downtown

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Paige.

Ashley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m the eldest child of my Jamaican parents. My parents came to the United States of America to go to the University of the District of Columbia. They are both the first of their parent’s children to earn degrees, my mother, her Master’s Degree in Business Management. They raised an ambitious Maryland girl but there was a lot of pressure. Growing up, art helped me cope with anxiety and depression. When I graduated from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland with my Bachelor’s Degree in Painting, I needed a way to make art and money every day. I loved making Art too much not to take a leap of faith on love.

I decided that I wanted to be the black Kat Von D, googled which cities in the country had the biggest tattoo industries and decided to move to California. Once my job transferred me to another location, I found a same sex couple on Craigslist to live with, shipped my car, and moved to San Diego, CA. Though I’d never been to San Diego and didn’t know anyone there I went door to door until I found a tattoo shop, Island TAT, that loved my portfolio enough to allow me as an apprentice for free.

I studied Polynesian Tribal first, then realism, then color. Eventually, I made my way back to the East Coast to start my LLC. Now, I travel nationwide for tattoo conventions and run a private tattoo studio in Riverdale, Maryland.

Has it been a smooth road?
The tattoo industry has toughened me up a bit and I had to grow out of being so trusting and naïve. The first struggle that comes to mind is the idea that “Black women, especially, can’t tattoo as well as men.” I see it in the surprised looks I get at conventions when someone finds out my assistant, a man, isn’t the artist behind the work they’re admiring. I combat these stigmas by working really hard to grow as an artist in every way.

The lack of representation and lack of products catering specifically to our skin tones are common hurdles. We’re in a beautiful time right now, I’ve met other really dope black women who tattoo and it’s so reaffirming every time but even as old as the tattoo industry is, I’m amazed when I’m at a tattoo convention and out of thousands of artists, I am the only black woman tattooing. It has happened before. I’m also surprised, there isn’t a brand of color ink designed specifically for people of color yet.

Artizmylov LLC – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Artizmylov, pronounced “Art is my love” is so much more than a company, it is a way of life for me. I have to make art to survive, literally, due to depression and anxiety. I am so grateful to be able to thrive by making art. That is every artist’s dream, to make art and eat. I treat every client with the utmost customer service, I am professional, and try to give each client my best work. I am too grateful for the life I live to allow this opportunity to slip through my grasp. I am most excited by works of realism and portraiture. I love the details and I love that you can be objective. The work either resembles the reference, and you’ve succeeded. Or it doesn’t.

I am most proud of being published by Universal Studios Hollywood. I drew an image of the promotional art for the movie ‘GET OUT’. Jordan Peele reposted the artwork on his social media and a few months later, I signed a release form to have my work put in a book.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I am and would like to be a part of the evolution of the tattoo industry by providing true and permanent works of art to people who look like me. I want to be a household name for my work, graciousness, work ethic, innovation, and growth within the tattoo industry. I want my work to help change what the culture expects a high caliber artist to look like.

I’m looking forward to more people who look like me, mastering this trade, and becoming influencers to the tattoo culture. With that power, we can help create products specifically made to open up the possibilities for people of color interested in a new tattoo. We have come a long way and more than ever there are black people walking around with some really phenomenal work.

Pricing:

  • Tattoo Services starting at $120/hr
  • Commissioned Fine Art starting at $450

Contact Info:

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