Conversations with Sarah Grossman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Grossman. 

Hi Sarah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I was an artsy kid and came from a very creative family. It always seemed written in my stars that I would become some sort of creative professional. Tattooing came up frequently growing up, my parents were very 60’s counter-culture, and art was everywhere in our house. I went to art school, then ran away to the east coast. Had my fill after a few years then skipped to the west coast. 

And as the Baz Lurhman sunscreen song goes, I left both and then came home to Michigan. 

After working 15yrs now in the business, tattooing is part of who I am. 

Making quality tattoos has become the best way for me to share my art and knowledge with people, and I have developed a skill set within the business that is unique and client-focused. I make tattoos that help people feel at ease with their bodies–ex: mastectomy/breast cancer survivors, people healing trauma, body dysmorphia, etc. 

Tattooing can be a place to heal and mark life accomplishments. 

It’s the most analog, most visceral thing a person can do in an increasingly digital world. 

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 a rough business to get into. Tattooing was an underground fringe industry until the 1990’s really. Part of its identity is rooted in circus, punk, and criminal culture. So, until recently, if you got in pre-2010, you went through all sorts of chutes and ladders to get here. Especially as a woman, the industry was/is very male-dominated. But a lot of those things are changing. It’s become a trillion-dollar above-board beauty industry now. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work in both tattooing and a number of other fine art media. Primarily painting and stained glass at this time. Archetypes in my work focus on goddess/global religion and nature. All sorts of flora and fauna. 

What I’ve become known for is creating a healing space with my tattoo clients, regardless of what they are getting tattooed. Sometimes the most ridiculous and funny tattoos can help you laugh the rest of your life. 

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
So many thanks have to be given to the crew I work with here in Ypsilanti. Brite Idea is a special shop where I’ve had the space to grow and really find my place in the business. My family and longtime friends as well. I had people that told me in high school that I was going to tattoo them someday, and now, 20+yrs later, I have the privilege of completing that loop. Life is an incredible ride. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: sgrossman_ink