Meet Buckhead Tattoo Artist: Nicole Willingham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Willingham.

Nicole, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I sort of just fell into the industry. I started piercing at a tattoo shop in Ohio while I was in college as a part-time job. When my boss had found out I was an art major he quickly offered me a tattoo apprenticeship, which at the time just sounded fun! I had no idea that taking that apprenticeship would actually end up being the start of my career and completely changing my direction in life. After years of trial and error jumping shop to shop I met my husband, Ryan Willingham, who owns the shop I’m at now Apocalypse Tattoo Co. Which is where I’ll be for the rest of my career.

Has it been a smooth road?
It was pretty bumpy. The shop I started in was essentially a hole in the wall, putting it nicely. I ended up being apprenticed by probably 6 different artists at the same shop because they were being hired and fired left and right and every new artist would start to teach me over again. Which left me pretty confused and overwhelmed through most of the process. When I moved to Georgia I had a small portfolio of these skills I had been taught, but not impressive enough to get into a shop without starting over it seemed. After spending some time in more low-end shops I eventually found some amazing artists that saw my potential and gave me a safe, clean, professional shop to further my practice and really broaden my skill set.

When you look back, what are you most proud of?
Finding out my father is proud of me and what I do. My mom has always been my biggest fan at anything I do, but I’ve worked so hard for my father’s approval most of my life and tattooing is easily the last thing he ever wanted me to do. He hated it and basically lived in denial that I chose this career path, but my skill set continued to rise with the help of my husband’s guidance and my fathers finally proud of what I’ve accomplished. He even brags about my work and shows it off to people now! It may sound a bit silly, but it is just such a huge win for me.

Were there moments when you had to struggle?
I don’t think there is any phrase more true than “starving artist”. We’ve all been there, either when it’s the slow season and you’re lucky to see one tattoo walk in all week, or it’s so early in your career you’re basically only doing free tattoos. It’s really hard to keep your head above water when there’s hardly any income coming out of it. But I think it’s apart of the journey. You end up learning to sacrifice a lot of luxuriates simply for the growth of your artistry. Aside from that, being a female in the industry and dealing with sexual harassment or simply no one taking you seriously was a harder battle for me. I’ve met men who thought they could convince me to sleep with them to “better my tattooing”, a mentor who would whip me or make inappropriate comments when he wasn’t getting enough attention, and a man who tried to rob a shop I was at once I was alone since I’m less a threat. I’m very thankful to see the large uprising of girl power in the industry these days, though! It’s very comforting and gives me hope that the sexism in the field is nearing an end.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Absolutely! I can confidently say that if I never moved here my abilities would be significantly inferior. Atlanta is really unique. It’s such a huge melting pot of people and artists and so inspiring to see all the different kinds of art being created all over the place. As for tattooing specifically, there’s practically a shop on every block. Which can create some issues with supply and demand in certain areas, but it can also mean a lot of opportunity for a starting artist.

Pricing:

• $300 minimum
• $120 an hour

Contact Info:

• Website: www.apocalypsetattooco.com
• Phone: 404-842-0505
• Email: nnedley410@gmail.com
• Instagram: @nicolenedley
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/apocalypsetattoocompany/
• Other: Shop instagram: @apocalypsetattooco