Life & Work with Amanda Nunes of Colorado Springs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Nunes.

Hi Amanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started with accounting. Thrilling, I know. Back then, I was working on my associate degree, just me, a calculator, and the dream of stable employment. Then came a surprise twist: a required basic art class. I picked realistic drawing with charcoal, figuring it would be a nice break from numbers. Plot twist, I absolutely loved it. Five hour classes felt like five minutes, and I ended up being the best in my class (humble brag). That’s when I thought, “What if I actually did something I enjoy… and got paid for it?” A radical concept for someone knee deep in spreadsheets. Not long after, I went to get a tattoo. I got talking with the artist, who showed me some of the tools, and that was it, I was hooked. I ordered fake skin, binge watched every online course I could find, and turned my apartment into a makeshift studio. My best friend (brave soul) offered up his skin for my first real attempt. Miraculously, he survived, and so did our friendship. From there, it snowballed. Friends, friends of friends, then real clients. Six years later, I’m still tattooing, and still head over heels in love with it. These days, I specialize in black and grey, florals and pet portraits, but my favorite is pet portrait because what’s better than immortalizing someone’s furry soulmate in ink? I will be graduating this August with my bachelor’s in business, focused in accounting, but between you and me, tattoos are the real passion that stuck.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth? HA! Not even close. More like a bumpy rollercoaster driven by GPS chaos and fueled by caffeine.
I’m originally from Brazil, and when I moved to the U.S., I came alone, no family, no backup plan, just vibes and ambition. I always had to work a regular job just to pay the bills while chasing my desire to become a tattoo artist. Imagine juggling school, bills, charcoal covered hands, and fake skin tattoos… all while pretending I had it together. Spoiler: I didn’t. But I looked convincing. Then came the great American road trip, from New York, to California, and now Colorado. Each time I moved, I had to start over completely: new city, new clients, and a new favorite Brazilian restaurant. There’s always a sad part, when you create beautiful connections with people and then have to move away. But they’re still there, and hopefully, I will get to go back for a couple weeks soon.
San Diego was my breakthrough. A few months after arriving, I opened my own tattoo shop and finally lived off tattooing full time, no more side jobs, just pure ink and freedom. That moment was everything.
Now I’m in Colorado, rebuilding once again. It’s exhausting, sure, but I’ve learned to treat every restart like a dramatic plot twist in my origin story. And let’s be honest, it’s made me tougher, funnier, and way more resourceful than I ever thought I could be. So no, it hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been wildly worth it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a tattoo artist specializing in black and grey, fine line work, and pet portraits. I love creating detailed art, delicate designs that capture the essence of my clients’ stories, and especially when it comes to their beloved pets.
I’m known for the deep connections I build with my clients. Tattooing isn’t just about ink on skin—it’s about sharing moments. I’ve cried with clients, laughed with them, and shared some truly meaningful experiences. That trust and vulnerability make every tattoo so much more special.
I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built and the way my work has touched people’s lives. It’s incredibly rewarding when clients return or recommend me to their friends because they trust me to tell their story through my art.
I believe that what sets me apart is the way I combine technical skill with genuine human connection. My focus on black and grey, fine line, and pet portraits allows me to create detailed and timeless pieces, but it’s the trust and shared stories with my clients that truly bring each tattoo to life. Every session is more than just ink; it’s a meaningful experience that I’m honored to be part of.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe the first secret to career is doing great work that truly makes the client happy. To achieve that, you have to be a good listener, really understanding what the client wants, and never stop learning new skills and techniques. This combination that helps me create tattoos my clients love and keeps me growing as an artist.

Pricing:

• Minimum charge $100
• Day session $1000
• Half Session $600

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amandanunestattoo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandanunestattoo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandanunestattoo1
• Other: https://g.co/kgs/ecZdyrS