Check Out Analyn’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Analyn.

Hi Analyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am from a small town in Georgia where you typically grew up to become either a farmer or a nurse. I was always fascinated by drawing and art from the time I could pick up a pencil. I never even knew I would be able to pursue a career in arts, being the area I came up in didn’t have a lot to offer due to its small size. I had always dreamed of moving to the city and chasing my artistic dreams. I didn’t know what or where, but I knew something was out there for me. I did not see many good tattoos growing up and was mostly taught that tattoos make you look like a ruffian or criminal. I was taught they were basically trash. Then as I got older I started traveling around the state and started seeing more and more tattooed people. I fell in love with how cool people who had them looked. A way to express yourself and be different. I immediately fell in love and got my first tattoo which led me to want to know everything I could find out about them and start to learn how to do it myself.
I got my first job tattooing/apprenticing in Georgia but wasn’t learning at the pace I wanted to be taught. I needed to know more. So I went off to chase tattooing; how to improve my skill more, what more there was to it, and I essentially haven’t stopped since. It’s the love of my life and my whole world. You eat, sleep, and breathe tattooing. I found out it was so much more than just tattoos. The community I fell into feels like one giant family that I am more than grateful I get to be a part of.
After leaving Georgia, I moved to Minnesota to work at The Aloha Monkey Tattoo which was originally opened by Mike Malone “Rollo” in 1999. I was surrounded by so much rich tattoo history that I just could not stop soaking it up everywhere I turned! Got to make lots of new friends who are all so talented and amazing people. Being there was a great experience that I’m delighted I got to do. I worked there for a while until moving to Colorado where I work at Think Tank Tattoo on Broadway in Denver. Everywhere I look everyone is tattooed! Almost like no other place I’ve ever been. The tattoo community here is lovely, and I love being in Colorado!

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?
Every step of the way it has been a struggle in one way or the other. I don’t believe anything good comes easy and every journey has its obstacles. I don’t believe that ever ends. You can control your reactions and that’s what matters. I’ve definitely gone through times tougher than most, but it never stops me nor slows me down. Finding a place where I fit in and am inspired to create and work hard is one of the more difficult parts when moving. I think I have a pretty great sense of following my gut feelings and trusting the path. Just take the cards you’re dealt and keep on keeping on.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I learned most of what I know in a traditionally rooted shop surrounded by legends who are exceptional at tattooing. I studied many of the great tattooers and books they have made and practiced under someone who was very experienced and taught me many different styles so that I could go on to be a well-rounded tattooer.
I fell in love with black and grey tattooing almost immediately. All throughout my life I was always interested in drawing people, objects, animals, and landscapes. It was no surprise to me when I took to black and grey pretty quickly. I enjoy tattooing floral subjects, detailed pieces such as animals, handwritten script, and any classic tattoo imagery. I enjoy tattooing pretty much anything black and grey in general. I do a lot of floral work and animals for the most part though. I love to tattoo from my flash more than anything! I try to merge the rules of traditional tattooing with detailed realism to make for a great long-lasting tattoo whenever I can. It is definitely challenging but I am always learning! You never really stop learning. I try my best to take what the customer is looking for and give them the best results I am capable of offering so they walk out happy with a nice new tattoo they will love for life.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I believe that if you are good to tattooing then tattooing will be good to you. I think that can apply to anything in life, really. I do my best to keep a strong work ethic and give everything I can to tattooing. Showing up, doing tattoos, and creating art/flash are all very important to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thinktanktattoo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/analyntattoos/
• Other: analyntattoos@gmail.com

Image Credits
Analyn