Today we’d like to introduce you to Will Carver.
Will, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up bouncing around from small town to small town in rural Missouri. My life seemed to always be changing, but the one constant I can remember was my love of drawing. I was always drawing as a kid all the way through school. I was so excited in high school because I had the opportunity to take a formal art class and two years of graphic design through a vocational school in my small town.
I knew I absolutely loved drawing, but like many kids growing up in the rural south, I was always steered in the direction of what many called “real jobs”. So, I immediately found myself working in many trades like metalwork and construction. When I was 18, I decided to get my first tattoo. I immediately fell in love with the art form. A few months later, I met a gentleman who showed me how to make a “homemade” tattoo machine. I started practicing on myself and close friends. Looking back, I wish I would have gotten my start in an apprenticeship at a professional shop.
In 2000, I moved to Colorado from Missouri. In 2007, I finally found a shop that would give me a chance to take an apprenticeship. That shop was A to Z Masters Tattoo in Colorado Springs owned by Jimmy and Tammy Stone along with Leon Miller. After my apprenticeship, I found myself with three kids and a wife. I was the sole breadwinner for the family. I felt that I had to work a day job and decided to open an appointment only studio in the basement of my home. This is when I coined the business name Dark Angel Tattoo.
In 2015, I got divorced and moved my little tattoo studio to a spare room in my apartment. I still didn’t believe that I could make a living doing tattoos and I had never had anyone in my life that supported my dreams. During the day, I worked various construction and factory jobs while moonlighting as a tattoo artist any chance I got.
In 2019, I met my current girlfriend, Carla. She convinced me that I should follow my dreams and passion. It definitely took a lot of convincing, but it was so nice and amazing to have someone support my vision and long time dream. In June of 2020, I opened my very own studio in Arvada in a private suite just down the street from Olde Town Arvada. I have loved every minute of it, and I’m proud that I finally am able to pursue my passion for art and tattoos full time. I have met a lot of amazing people and had the honor of sharing a bit of my soul through ink and art with them.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
After 11 years of working as a self-taught tattoo artist, I decided it was time to seek out a professional apprenticeship to expand my knowledge and skills. I quickly learned that almost every studio I contacted was not willing to take on a self-taught artist. I felt so honored to be taken on as an apprentice by A to Z Masters Tattoo.
Although it took me many years, I am very proud to be the owner of Dark Angel Tattoo & Gallery. It seems ironic that once I finally had the opportunity to open my own shop the entire world was struck by the COVID-19 virus. This has made it a bit challenging, as the entire world has gone into a recession. This means that people don’t really have the extra cash to spend on services like tattoos. The silver lining is that my studio is a private suite and I am a 100% disposable studio, making my space completely COVID-19.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Dark Angel Tattoo & Gallery story. Tell us more about the business.
I pride myself on offering excellent customer service. I’m not happy until my clients are happy. I also believe that tattoo artists can be a hard to approach bunch as they tend to take on a rock star attitude. I make sure to be kind and help all of my clients feel comfortable. I have always been attracted the dark and macabre. I am known for my spooky and goth renderings of skulls and spooky creatures. I absolutely love to tattoo in the new school style with bold lines and color. I have been pushing myself as an artist to master many different styles and always learning new techniques.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I am always an optimist and a hard worker. I believe that as long as I believe in myself and get up every day excited to create art and excellent quality tattoos for my awesome clientele, I am successful.
Pricing:
- My minimum is $50
- For large scale tattoos my hourly fee is $100 (ex. sleeves, back pieces, etc.).
Contact Info:
- Address: 6350 Wadsworth Blvd. Unit C
Arvada, CO 80004 - Phone: 719-761-4569
- Email: wcarver719@gmail.com
- Instagram: dark_angel_tattoo_gallery
- Facebook: Dark Angel Tattoo & Gallery
- Yelp: Dark Angel Tattoo & Gallery
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