Todaydad’d like to introduce you to Malia Sioux.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Malia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My dad was a professional artist and single father, I grew up completely influenced by art. When I was 15, I dropped out of school to apprentice under my pops as a muralist. We worked on a few walls together in San Francisco and did a couple of years of life drawing classes. Eventually, I moved away and started my family.
After years in the workforce, I knew that I needed to find a way as an artist. I started my tattoo apprenticeship in 2008 at Magnetic Tattoo in Loveland, Colorado. And I have been tattooing ever since. I have been at Black Lotus Tattoo Gallery in Columbus, GA for five years. It is great to work in a town with such rich tattoo history! Last June my dad passed away leaving over 500 original masterpieces behind! I am now trying to share and show his work to the world! I have made it my life’s goal to make Tony Machado a household name.
Has it been a smooth road?
I started my tattoo apprenticeship at a pretty shady shop. I came to realize that they were hiring “apprentices” often to do free labor with no intention of teaching them. I spent nine months there working 40-50 hours a week for free. However, that opened the door for me and gained respect from my mentor at Magnetic where I was able to get a proper apprenticeship.
Then last year when my dad passed away, it was completely devastating. I have been all over the country twice gathering his life’s work. Investing my time and love and energy into sharing his work is something I wish had done while he was still here.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Black Lotus Tattoo Gallery /Tony Machado Art story. Tell us more about the business.
As far as tattooing goes, I honestly just want to do my best and constantly challenge what my “best” is. I was trained as a traditional tattooer but I have always been fond of putting an illustrator twist on my drawings and tattoos. I have been blessed with outstanding influencers when it comes to allegory and I really try to hold on to that.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Tattooing is tattooing and no matter the newest gimmick or trend it’s always going to be what it is. I do hope the FDA stays out of it.
Contact Info:
- Address: 7401 Fortson Ave Columbus Georgia
- Phone: 706 507 4704
- Email: siouxdeep@hotmail.com
- Instagram: @maliasioux @tonymachadoart
Image Credit:
The paintings are some of my dads original art captured and prepped by Master Craft Printers Columbus GA.
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.
