Today we’d like to introduce you to Gnat Green
Hi Gnat, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Creating has always been second nature to me. As a kid, I spent nearly every day drawing, entering competitions, taking traditional art classes, and showcasing my work in art shows. Cartoons, video games, and comic books were my biggest inspirations, and I mimicked different styles until I developed my own. School environments were difficult for me, but drawing provided a much-needed distraction, allowing me to focus my energy on something positive. Being born and raised in Midtown Atlanta, I was fortunate to connect with many other creatives like myself.
Over the years, I experimented with different mediums, but I have always been interested in tattooing and animation. When I was younger, my father told me we were related to animator Tex Avery, and I held onto that as motivation to pursue an art career. In high school, I had the opportunity to shadow Ted Murphy (Spooky Toons) through a local art program, which gave me my first real insight into freelancing. I later attended a design trade school for about a year, but dropped out due to my health becoming worse. So, instead, I focused on my personal life while juggling various side jobs: bartending, assisting at salons, designing for film, and creating merch for small businesses and bands.
During this time, I rebranded myself from Nat Green Avery to “Gnat Green,” a nickname given to me by a close friend. It stuck and became an integral part of my identity.
It hasn’t been easy. Many people discouraged my artistic pursuits, pushing me toward a more conventional career path and questioning my self-expression. As a woman in the tattoo/art industry, I often have to fight to be taken seriously. Sometimes, I stepped away from drawing, but every time I did, I felt lost. I knew I had to make a change.
By 2023, I was ready to fully commit. Determined to break into tattooing, I printed my portfolio and went directly to local shops, seeking an apprenticeship. My goal was to support myself entirely through my artwork. I secured an apprenticeship and trained under skilled artists who helped me grow tremendously as a tattooer and an illustrator.
In 2024, after 15 years of battling severe endometriosis and other health conditions, my body could no longer keep up. I made the difficult decision to undergo a hysterectomy, an event that forced me to step back and prioritize my recovery. Thanks to the support of my friends, family, and coworkers, I was able to raise funds for the procedure, heal, and eventually return to tattooing.
I’m back at a studio in Atlanta, continuing to evolve as an artist. It has its challenges, but every step has reinforced why I keep moving forward.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s never been a smooth road—more like a constant rollercoaster. One of the biggest struggles has been dealing with imposter syndrome. It often makes me feel like I don’t deserve the success I’ve worked so hard for, overshadowing my accomplishments and sometimes leaving me feeling jaded.
Learning to properly discipline myself has been another huge challenge. Sometimes, I’d work nonstop, pushing my body beyond its limits without realizing it until it was too late. I had to figure out how to set better boundaries for myself—reminding myself that it’s okay to rest and not feel guilty. It’s taken time to understand that I don’t always have to be at 100% constantly. Chronic illness has held me back from pursuing many things, so I had to learn how to navigate that alongside my work.
I undervalued my art for a long time, underpricing myself because I could do things quickly. I had to accept that just because I can complete something fast doesn’t mean it should be cheaper. My work has value *because* I do it well and efficiently.
A lot of my decisions to get to where I am today have been total risks. For instance, if I hadn’t reached out to the right people when I applied for an apprenticeship, I might not be where I am now. Taking those chances has been key in getting me to this point.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in character design and illustration, drawing heavy inspiration from animated shows and video games. Recently, I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for realism, and I love creating tattoo pieces featuring monsters, creatures, people, or anything fantasy, sci-fi, or dark. If you’re familiar with my work, it’s probably because of my black and grey realism portraits or my women and animal drawings. I taught myself how to draw early on by watching animators like James Baxter from Cartoon Network and Disney, and I’m proud of my ability to work in multiple styles, which allows me to create unique and personal pieces for each client.
My background in graphic design has also been a huge asset to my tattoos, particularly in how I approach composition, detail, and visual impact. Moving forward, I’d love to explore more neo-traditional styles and work with color to expand my range even further.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The tattoo industry has become more challenging for artists recently. Many people are trying to save their money and aren’t spending it as much on tattoos, hair, nails or other similar services. For some, making a living in this field is harder now because of the constant pressure to build a brand and rely on social media, which can be exhausting.
Despite these challenges, there’s a lot of positive change happening. I’m seeing a growing number of younger artists, particularly femmes and women, making their mark. The tattoo industry used to feel overwhelmingly male-dominated, but seeing more diversity and progress now is great.
Tattooing has given me the chance to meet some incredibly talented artists, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the industry continues to evolve in the years ahead.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gnatgreen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gnatgreen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gnatavery/
Image Credits
Killian Moon
