The female tattoo artist is still a rare breed.
In fact, there is only 1 female tattoo artist for every 5 male artists, but, according to a 2012 poll, there are now more U.S. women than men getting inked up.
The industry is clearly still primarily populated by male artists, but the possibility of finding a female tattoo artist is increasing.
Times, and the industry, are slowly changing!
The First American Female Tattoo Artist
Here’s a little history lesson on how women got involved in the art of tattooing in the U.S.
The first well known female tattoo artist was Maud Wagner, born in Kansas in 1877. She was originally a circus acrobat and contortionist.
After marrying a tattoo artist, she began to learn the craft herself, and even practice on herself. She later became a circus sideshow attraction — an inked woman was not something you’d see often in the 1920’s and 1930’s.
As time passes, Maud and her husband slipped away from the circus tour and caught on at vaudeville houses and local fairs across the interior of the United States, bringing the art inland from the coastal port cities.
The Challenges Faced by a Female Tattoo Artist
There are certainly challenges that go along with being a woman in this industry.
Female tattoo artists run into a lot of assumptions, the most obvious being that tattoo artists are automatically men. Think back to doctors in the 1950s — most people immediately and automatically picture a man in a white lab coat. We deal with that type of reflexive reaction from people.
Further evidence of this assumption is that people often unintentionally refer to us with male pronouns in online forums or on social media.
Sometimes people assume that the only role a woman would fill in the tattoo industry would be running the shop’s cash register and keeping up with reservations — admin work.
People sometimes incorrectly believe that women would only work as models — using our bodies and our sexuality to gain Instagram popularity or advertising gigs, rather than utilizing our talents to make a living creating art.
That is most definitely not the case, but bias and perception are usually tough to overcome. It can be difficult for a female tattoo artist to be just an artist. There always seems to be a little slant or a little extra stigma attached.
Why You Might Consider a Female Tattoo Artist
There’s no doubt that being comfortable with the environment is important when getting a tattoo.
A shop staffed entirely by men might be an uncomfortable atmosphere for some women.
The vibe of a male-dominated space could leave some women feeling a lack of control over their environment and their bodies, potentially a deal-breaker for some women when the nature of getting a tattoo means leaving their body and skin exposed for lengthy periods of time.
In short, women may feel more comfortable working with another woman in such vulnerable circumstances.
The best artist in your area, overall, might just be a woman.
(Click here to learn about getting your first tattoo.)
Progress Within the Industry
The balance between artists based on gender is beginning to shift.
There are now conventions dedicated entirely to women working as tattoo artists, which signals increasing numbers and acceptance.
In the most significant development, many shops have recognized that making their atmosphere welcoming to women customers is to their advantage. Some have made it a point to employ at least one female artist, and, besides, there’s a lot of talent out there in both genders.
Choosing the Best Tattoo Artist for You
Whether a male artist is a good choice, or you’d prefer to work with a female artist, or whether it’s a non-issue for you, the decision is really a personal one in the final analysis.
If going through this experience with a female artist makes you more comfortable, then you should go with your gut feeling on that — what qualifies as the best situation is up to you.
The lucky thing is that, while it’s still a male-dominated industry, the chances of locating a female tattoo artist are on the rise!
If you’re wondering how to find the best tattoo artist in Austin, click here to find out more.