Today we’d like to introduce you to Darian Macleod
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
So from a young age I was an artist. I didn’t play with dolls I wanted prismacolor pencils and fancy paints. I knew I wanted to be an artist. I was surrounded by tattoos at a very young age and something clicked when I was about 15. 18 came around and I had my portfolio ready to go. I walked into what I thought was the best shop in the area All or Nothing. Now, I didn’t know what I was in for but my apprenticeship was a hell of a ride. I went through 3 separate ones before I officially started tattooing as a full time licensed artist. There’s a lot of toxic characters that are just waiting to take advantage of the young and naive and I was just that.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Haha definitely far from it, being a femme person with health problems has been at the forefront of my challenges and I realize that now but didn’t the first few years. Even just last year I was targeted by a really well known shop I was working at because of my health issues. Demanding of me making them $10k (amongst other demands) in 30 days or my position would be up for termination basically. I walked away rather quickly but I was paralyzed that it was happening (again) being singled out in this industry is absolutely a tatic that’s still in use today. The struggles continue for me but I keep finding my own way! Not the way some man tells me, fuck em.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I don’t believe I could pin one thing I specialize in, I’m all over the place with style and subject matter and even medias. I tattoo sure but I also paint murals, fabricate my own props for my big Halloween parties I throw, costuming etc. I just love creating, it’s me at my core. Most everything has some sort of fantasy aspect to it but not always. I grew up with a mom who loved unicorns and fairies and that hasn’t left me. I couldn’t say what sets me apart when it comes to my art but I know my perseverance as a person and the determination I have to make things work really inspires my clientele. Most clients can look at my work and they know it’s me, I definitely leave a trace.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I’m a huge Disney fan! I’m from Florida originally and although I didn’t get to go a whole bunch as a kid because my family is poor we managed to go twice and it’s something I’ll never forget. I still go to this day, the “Disney adult” insult doesn’t bother me. I’m happy when I get to visit and that’s the point!
Pricing:
- 100 is my minimum!
Contact Info:
