Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Ward.
Hi Amber, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hey everyone, Amber here! I am an artist with 14 years of experience in the tattoo industry, specializing mostly in colorful illustrative designs. My journey has most recently landed me at Sparrows Nest in Grand Rapids after owning a studio called Portfolio Ink in Three Rivers for eight years. Developing a chronic illness in 2023 strong armed me into reevaluating my path, and I officially sold my shop in 2024 to prioritize my health and focus solely on my art. Moving to Grand Rapids has given me the incredible opportunity to work in an artsy, inclusive area that perfectly aligns with my creative style and my future as an artist. When I am not tattooing, I am busy being a mom to my four kids, playing my keyboard, or rolling dice in a game of Dungeons and Dragons. I love talking about books with my clients and my current obsession has been the Dungeon Crawler Carl book series. I am always itching to create a book themed design.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Navigating a chronic illness while continuing to pursue my artistic growth has definitely been the biggest challenge of my career. The limitations it placed on my life were life-changing, forcing me to adjust every single aspect of my daily existence.
Everything about how I manage my day had to change. Having to close my studio was an incredibly difficult chapter in my journey, but moving to Grand Rapids was the best decision for my career and my health.
Art has truly been my solace and a crucial part of my healing process. The more I am in tune with my creative self, the better I feel. I am happy to be returning to that central passion and focusing entirely on growing in my craft. I will not let my illness keep me from that growth.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am most known for my colorful, illustrative tattoos. Grand Rapids is an extremely diverse city with hundreds of talented tattoo artists. I think that being expressive and confident with color definitely helps me stand out. I am especially proud of creating complex, multi layered illustrative pieces. Bold, saturated use of color and linework is my signature, but I believe the true distinction in my work comes from the collaborative process with each client. Translating their personal stories into a definitive, vibrant design that is uniquely theirs is my specialty. I pride myself on creating tattoos where the emotional connection to the piece is just as strong as the final visual result.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have to give a massive amount of credit to an incredible rotating group of friends who stepped up in a huge way when I was first diagnosed with my chronic illness. They not only helped me take care of my four kids during such an overwhelming transition, but they also stepped in to help me keep the shop that I had owned at the time running. I will be honest and say that not everything went perfectly smoothly. There were absolutely challenges on all sides as we tried to navigate that new reality together. However, without their unwavering support and their willingness to help carry that heavy load when I needed it most, I would not be where I am at all today.
Pricing:
- I charge $180/hr
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/amber.alayna.tattooer
- Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/amber.alayna.tattooer
