Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Felczak.
Hi Danielle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I studied Fine Art in College years ago, and became interested in tattoo at a time when fine artists were just emerging in the the industry. The idea of not just recreating flash art chosen off walls was the thing that gave me a glimmer of inspiration.in this field.
It was extremely challenging at the time, as women were not in the industry and maybe comprised under 10% of the people making tattoos at the time.
I persisted and began my journey in August of 2004. By end of that year I had secured my first studio job here in Michigan. I knew from the moment I picked up a machine and put it to skin that this was a different art form, gripping ahold of my soul; something I would never put down. I had found my purpose
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?
Nothing about being a career artist is smooth. You have to have self motivation, grit, and the ability to pick yourself up every time you fail. Nothing is handed to you on a silver platter in tattooing, every bit of the journey is earned.
I’ve had huge success and equally had huge failures. As is life, being an independent contractor, self employed artist, or business owner always has its struggles. I’ve been grateful to always have been surrounded by encouraging and uplifting peers along the way, people I’ve looked to for guidance in business and in art.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a tattooer, I came into tattooing during a time when being taught to become well rounded as an artist was the foundation. I’m no one trick pony, and have a very diverse style. There’s not much a client can put in front of me that I can’t tattoo for them. Tattoo has always been a service industry, it’s isn’t so much about what I want to create as an artist, but what my clients and collectors want. I’ve prided myself on listening, brining my years of expertise and understanding of what makes a good piece of art in the skin, taking the time to educate and have conversations with clients so they have an understanding about what is possible to achieve with their ideas.
What sets me apart today is, I freehand draw 80% of my work, drawing directly on the skin, collaborating with my clients to make them apart of the process. I love that this allows them to all have a uniquely individual piece of art, and relieves the pressure of saying yes to a predrawn tattoo. They get to be apart of the the drawing process start to finish.
Over the last 2 decades I’ve dove deeply into the roots of tattooing and have connected and resonated with traditional forms of tattoo such as hand poke and skin stitching. These traditions are as old as humanity and I’ve come to understand the depth of meaning and intention behind marking the skin. I tattoo at The Indigenous Tattoo Gathering, on sacred land, and in spiritual ceremonies today, and am so honored to be apart of the work and revitalization of old ways of marking the skin.
It’s a coming full circle moment to why I do what I do and having a connection to why this work had gripped to tightly to my soul from the very beginning.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t know that I place luck (good or bad) into the equation of my career. Everything unfolds as it’s meant to, opportunity is presented, pitfalls unfold, and how I choose to navigate any of it is ultimately on me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danitattooart.com
- Instagram: @danielletattooart
- Facebook: Dani Felczak Tattoo
