Howie Has A Rocky Start In Tattooing Fireside Tattoo Network

Howie Has A Rocky Start In Tattooing

[06:17] “[At] the time that I learned, tattooing wasn’t where it is now. So, a lot of us were content to tattoo ‘Cherry Creek’ stuff, tribals, and kanji all day. And, you could phone-it-in and have it look good. As I became more involved in the industry it, kind of, influenced me and [I felt] like I was able to get away with cheeseballing my way through a lot of stuff.”

— Howie Horowitz

Early in our careers, we tend to focus on building relationships and acquiring new clients. However, this mentality can sometimes lead to complacency - the thief of joy. If you're not careful, eventually things that brought you joy become a chore and you feel stagnation in your creativity. We might even find ourselves neglecting potential improvements because "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" or believing that making any changes could possibly ruin what's already been successful for us financially.

Stay relentless in your pursuit of growth as an artist! Allowing yourself to be overcome with complacency and a lack of motivation could potentially undo all the progress you've made, making it feel ultimately pointless.Reinvigorate your passion for art by taking extracurricular classes and experimenting with other creative mediums. With a little inspiration, you can break free from the monotony of everyday life and rediscover what sparked your creativity in the first place.

Could it be that the customers you are targeting aren't interested in your type of art? Take Teresa Sharpe for example, who creates lists of potential projects for clients to choose from, and goals to focus on her creative pursuits. Other artists have taken steps such as announcing they no longer take certain types of requests, so they can concentrate their energy onto projects they feel passionate about. Consider reviewing which clients align best with what drives you creatively.

Watch the full episode:

Howie Makes Awesome Tattoos...But It Wasn't Always That Way | Howie Horowitz