Meet Sky Gibson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sky Gibson.

Hi Sky, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started pursuing tattooing as a career, as soon as it was possible. I started apprenticing at 18, began full-time at 18, and have now been tattooing for 6 years. I began by just pushing myself, looking into shops, and figuring out that I needed to make tattooing my entire life.

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?
Of course, it hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s the most important thing in my life. I think anyone who has pursued a career that’s not necessarily “standard” would say the same. The biggest struggle with becoming a tattoo artist I think, for me personally at least, has just been not doubting yourself.

It’s a dog-eat-dog industry, and you have to always be willing to learn. Being a woman in what (was) a male-dominated industry, makes it all more difficult to make it. I think now days though, in the 6 years I’ve been tattooing, the world of tattooing is much more accepting and diverse.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I do traditional, and neo-traditional tattoos. I’m also a painter, but not so much anymore. I try to focus on tattooing full-color demons, skulls, plants, and animals. I definitely prefer to tattoo demons and dead things, but really just enjoy doing whatever people trust me to make for them.

I don’t know what I’m known for really, but I hope I’m known for my color work and my style of demons and whatnot. I’m most proud of my growth, I think out of the 6 years I’ve been tattooing, the last 2 years have been the most growth-filled. I’m always critiquing my work and finding ways to improve.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest piece of advice for anyone who wants to get into tattooing would be, don’t tattoo outside of a shop. Get a good portfolio together, learn as much as you can about tattooing, and wait till you’re in a sterile and professional shop before trying to tattoo someone (or yourself).

I think everything is too accessible, and it’s so risky tattooing outside of the right environment. If I could go back in time, and stop the younger me from tattooing in my dad’s kitchen for a couple of weeks, I would. Just be safe, educate yourself, respect the craft, stay humble, and know your worth.

Contact Info:

• Website: skygibsontatoos.com
• Instagram: @Slygibson