Story & Lesson Highlights with Courtnie Heller of Atlanta

We recently had the chance to connect with Courtnie Heller and have shared our conversation below.

Courtnie, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A “normal” day for me probably looks a lot like anyone else’s. I get up, go to work, take care of my responsibilities, and try to show up for the people I love. I make time for family and friends, and I try to create memories whenever life gives me a little space. But within that everyday routine, there’s also the rhythm of being an artist—one that keeps my days full, busy, and meaningful.
Most mornings start around 6 AM, before the world gets loud. I make myself a warm cup of coffee and settle into designing. Those quiet early hours are my creative reset. It’s when I can let ideas flow without pressure, design for clients, and mentally prepare for the day ahead. It’s honestly one of my favorite parts of my routine.
By 10 AM, I’m fully set up in the shop and ready for my first appointment. From there, it becomes a steady flow of tattooing—focusing on detail, connecting with clients, and bringing their ideas to life. That usually takes me until about 5 or 6 in the evening, and right as I wrap up, I’m shifting into my next consultation at 6:30.
It’s a long day, and the grind definitely doesn’t slow down. But I’m genuinely grateful for it. Being an artist still feels like a privilege. It’s not glamorous every day, but there’s something special about waking up and getting to create for a living—about seeing someone wear your artwork for the rest of their life. That never stops feeling surreal.
And even with the long hours, my mind is always spinning with ways to grow. What’s my next move? How can I improve? What’s the next creative step? That constant drive has been with me for years, and after three consistent years of putting in the work day after day, I can really see how much it’s shaped me.
At the end of the day, I’m just a woman who wakes up early, works hard, shows up for her family, and keeps pushing herself to get better. My life is busy, yes—but it’s full of purpose, creativity, and the motivation to keep leveling up every single day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Courtnie Heller, a tattoo artist based right here in the heart of Atlanta at JP Alfonso Studios and the woman behind Odd Devotion. I love playing with color—pushing contrast, mixing bold tones with softness, and really capturing those tiny details that make a piece feel alive. Whether it’s realism in black and gray or vibrant color that jumps off the skin, I’m always chasing that perfect balance of art and emotion.
I specialize in black and gray realism, color floral realism, and color fusion—styles that let me blend technical precision with creativity. I’ve fallen in love with the way realistic tattoos can hold a story, a memory, or a feeling in such a powerful and personal way.
But honestly, what makes my work my work goes beyond just style. Every tattoo starts with a conversation. I love hearing someone’s story, learning the meaning behind their idea, and slowly shaping their vision into something that feels uniquely theirs. I’m very detail-driven, but I’m just as focused on connection. When someone trusts me with their skin and their story, that means the world.
And if there’s one thing I truly believe sets me apart, it’s how deeply I care about my clients. Customer care is a huge part of my brand. I try to be as flexible as possible during the design process—always listening, always adjusting—because the experience matters. Getting a tattoo can be exciting and emotional all at once, so I do everything I can to make the studio feel safe, welcoming, and comfortable. I want people to feel seen and taken care of from the moment we meet to the moment they walk out the door.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Honestly, the person who saw me clearly before I ever could was a younger version of myself. Not teenage me or adult me—but that little girl who dreamed without limits, before the world started telling her what life is “supposed” to look like. She’s the one who really knew me.
Back then, my dreams were simple but powerful: be an artist, be happy doing what I love, and surround myself with people who felt like home. I didn’t worry about expectations or timelines or whether something was “realistic.” I just wanted to create, to feel joy, and to build a life full of love and community.
And looking back now, it almost feels like she saw the path long before I did. She believed in this version of me when I couldn’t quite see it yet. She held onto the things that truly mattered—creativity, connection, passion—and she never let those dreams fade, even as life tried to complicate them.
So in a way, I feel like I’m just trying to honor her. That younger me saw the artist I could become, the life I could build, and the happiness I deserved. And every day, I’m grateful I finally caught up to her vision.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
I’d say the last time I changed my mind about something truly important was in 2020. That was the year everything shifted for me. I had already earned my bachelor’s degree in photography and even spent time building a career in the corporate world—trying to do what I thought was the “responsible” next step. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t the right move for me. I felt disconnected from myself, from my creativity, and from what I truly wanted my life to look like.

Growing up as a military child, I was raised with structure, stability, and a very clear idea of what “security” meant. So for me to walk away from a steady corporate job and the degree I invested years into… it felt like breaking every rule I had ever known. Choosing a path with no guaranteed stability was the exact opposite of everything I grew up around. It was uncomfortable, overwhelming, and honestly a little scary.

One thing I really hope readers understand is that feeling out of alignment with life’s “expectations” was a huge, personal struggle for me. For a long time, I carried this heavy guilt—like I was letting people down or somehow failing because I wasn’t following the path I thought I should be on. I worried I was falling behind, not doing things in the “right” order, or wasting the degree and stability I worked so hard for. As someone who grew up in a military family where structure and security weren’t just values but a way of life, stepping into a future with so much uncertainty felt almost rebellious.

It took a lot of self-reflection—and honestly, a lot of courage—to let go of those expectations. And it wasn’t an overnight shift. I had to relearn what success meant to me, not what it was supposed to look like on paper. I had to give myself permission to change direction without feeling ashamed of it. And through that process, I realized just how common these feelings actually are. So many people quietly struggle with the pressure to “have it all figured out,” when in reality, nobody really does.
But choosing to step away from the path I once thought was meant for me opened the door to something so much better. Leaving photography and the corporate world wasn’t me throwing anything away—it was me choosing myself for the first time. It was me choosing a career that makes me excited to wake up, a craft that challenges me in all the right ways, and a life that feels like it finally fits.

Tattooing didn’t just become a job—it became my purpose, my passion, and the thing that reminded me I’m allowed to rewrite my story at any age. And when I look at where I am now, how fulfilled and grounded I feel, I’m honestly so grateful that 26-year-old me was brave enough to change her mind.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
When it comes to ideas that aren’t my own, I really rely on the people I choose to surround myself with. I’m a big believer in the power of community and the energy you let into your life. I try to keep myself close to people I genuinely look up to—people who challenge me, inspire me, and push me to grow in ways I might not have discovered on my own. Their experiences, their perspectives, even the way they move through the world… all of that feeds into how I think and make decisions.
And honestly, my partner plays a huge role in that as well. They’re the person I turn to when I’m unsure, overwhelmed, or just need an honest outside perspective. Sometimes they see things in me that I haven’t even recognized yet. Their support, advice, and grounding energy help me stay balanced and confident, especially when I’m navigating big decisions or moments of self-doubt.
So even though I’m constantly working on trusting my own voice, the guidance and wisdom of the people around me—my mentors, my friends, my partner—are the ideas I lean on just as much. I don’t think any of us grow completely on our own, and I’m really grateful for the minds and hearts that help shape mine.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I can honestly say I’m doing what I was born to do. It just took me a little while to find my way here and with the help of amazing people around me.
Growing up as a military child, my life was built on structure, predictability, and a sense of security that never wavered. Everything had a plan, a backup plan, and a step-by-step outline. So choosing a career as a self-employed artist—where nothing is guaranteed and everything depends on trusting myself—was the complete opposite of what I was raised to believe was “safe.”
But that’s exactly why it feels so meaningful.
Stepping into this life felt like finally listening to a voice inside me that had been whispering since I was young. Even though it was unfamiliar and sometimes scary, it also felt like coming home to myself. Every time I create a piece that connects with someone, every time I see a client light up, every time I realize I get to make art for a living… I’m reminded that this was always the path meant for me.
It hasn’t been the easy path, or the obvious one, but it’s the one that feels the most like me. And even with all the challenges, I would make this choice a hundred times over, because it led me to a life filled with purpose, creativity, and a version of myself I’m proud of.
So no, I’m not doing what I was told to do—
I’m doing what my heart always hoped I’d be brave enough to choose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.odddevotion.com
• Instagram: @odd.devotion