Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles Whitfield.
Charles, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was laying down one day thinking like I always do. I was imagining crafting a tattoo machine. I pretty much came up with a rough design in my head and the next day, I made it out of an old pair of clippers. The next day my friend asked for a tattoo. I declined because it was a very crude machine lol. After a week of begging me, I finally gave in and did it. I never wanted to be a tattoo artist but the feeling I got knowing it was permanent and that he was so happy was a feeling I had never felt before. The next day I spent my last 300 dollars on a tattoo kit and never stopped tattooing and chasing that feeling
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been a very trying road for me. To start off, black tattoo artists aren’t treated fairly. I sound like I’m salty but I’m not. It just meant I had to work harder. I’ve been denied jobs at shops before in situations where I knew it was because of my race. I remember one shop I tried working at straight up told me that he liked me and my enthusiasm but people worked there that didn’t like black people and he didn’t want to shake up the chemistry they had already built up. On top of that, I have what they call Tourette’s syndrome. I don’t yell things but I have motor ticks. Having Tourette’s is something I’ve had to deal with my whole life. I don’t complain though I just battle through it. I can say that when I’m in the zone tattooing, my symptoms go away and the time that I am in the skin is really the only time I’m almost symptom-free.
Tattoocharles – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m a tattoo artist. I don’t specialize in anything. I am an all-around artist that views specializations as barriers and restraints. I’m most known for my realism and my ability to create great details. I’m proud that I’m able to provide for my family comfortably and be able to help other tattoo artists that are up and coming
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is being able to die as an Old person And being able to look back and have no regrets. No thoughts of I should of did this and that. Being happy and really enjoying what I’m doing and be able to live a life that allows me to do the things I want to do and have hobbies etc. and also being able to pass down wealth to my kids.
Pricing:
- $100 minimum
- $100 non refundable deposits
- free consultations
Contact Info:
- Phone: 8506124408
- Email: tattoocharles@gmail.com
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/tattoocharles
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
