Meet Madeline Sutton | Tattoo Artist and Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Madeline Sutton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Madeline, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It has been a dream of mine since I was 18 years old to become a business owner. I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I have been a caregiver, housekeeper, professional house painter, I have worked in retail, restaurants, gas stations and factory work. On that journey I met a few very successful women business owners and leaders. I thought to myself “Maybe this was the path I was meant to take.” Along the journey of finding my career I decided it would be a cool opportunity to apprentice in a studio. I visited every day with a portfolio and the tasks he provided. (Drawing, tracing, etc.) It took off from there. I became a sub-contractor and realized quickly that the lines of work I was in didn’t pay like tattooing did. It was high risk, but also high reward. Working with incredible artists helped me push my art further. Recently the tattoo industry shifted along with all of the other service industry workers. Everything got more expensive and luxuries were harder to pay for due to necessities.
Frustrated and ready to quit tattooing, I was driving home one day and I noticed a “Permanent Makeup” flag next to a home I thought, “How did she do that?” My boyfriend had the idea of a home studio. We just had to figure out how and if it was even possible. We went through the process of obtaining my home studio. I do not have an overhead other than the supplies I need to buy. I am able to have a lower hourly rate. I am able to work a little longer if I would like to make more money, keeping my rate. My clients have a private area where they don’t feel like people are watching them. You would be surprised at how many people actually hate when other artists ask if they can see what you’re working on. They say yes to be non-confrontational.
It is a quiet, cozy atmosphere with plants, low lights and ceiling fans to give you a nice breeze while you get tattooed. I provide robes for clients who may have come dressed unprepared for certain tattoo placements on the body. I provide non-alcoholic beverages, candy and snacks for my clients also and (most of the time) a calming, fun playlist to jam to and they can join My Jam on Spotify if there’s something they would like to listen to. Being a business owner has allowed me to provide my clients with the best service imaginable. I wouldn’t change it for anything!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think the thing that sets me apart from others is my style! It’s a little different than most blackwork out there. I am most proud of my ability to stick with tattooing even through the challenges of everything becoming more expensive so there is less for people to spend on “luxury items,” such as salon and shop services. Professionally I got here by being persistent and stubborn. I never gave up on myself or what I wanted to do. If it weren’t for tattooing I don’t know if I would be so fulfilled. It has allowed me to become independent and strong, I couldn’t ask for a better cereer. I learned a lot of lessons. The tattoo industry is forever changing. Tattooing has become a fine art. Every piece has a story and a flow that fits with the body. I asked a tattoo artist named Dan Dringenberg what advice he could give me as an artist. He said, “If you think you know it all, it’s time to quit. Art in itself is a never ending learning experience.” I have also learned staying humble is an important part of the industry and life in general. Stay thankful because your life can change in an instant! I think about this every day. I just want people to know that if you stay with something, in the end it could be absolutely life changing, Tattooing was that career for me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is a tough one because I don’t go out! Honestly my home is my favorite place to spend time with my friends, where we can relax and there are guest rooms so no one has to worry about driving home! My boyfriend and I have a lot of different hobbies so we could be cooking dinner, making coffee and breakfast, painting, watching a show or movie, or playing some games like Mario Kart and Golf With Friends. It’s nice getting people together in a more private scenario for myself! If we did go anywhere it would probably be to downtown Kent. There are endless shops and restaurants. You can walk down main street and literally choose a place and you will have a great time!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have been lucky enough to experience working for small businesses that were woman owned. It gave me confidence that maybe one day if I worked hard enough I could do the same thing! My mentor Rich Griggs at Assassin Tattoo studio was awesome. He taught me a lot while I was under his wing. Doing tattoo conventions was probably my favorite memory with Assassin. As I grew as an artist, I moved to a few different shops, the vibe just never quite “fitting.” I ended up at Bespoke Tattoo Studio, under the Owner Logan Bramlett. Being at Bespoke really opened my eyes. Everyone in the studio is not only kind, but they are talented, humble and respect and help each other. The atmosphere and vibes there were UNMATCHED. I truly had finally found my tattoo family. If I didn’t open my own private studio, I would be there still! My boyfriend had a huge part in all of this, he is the brains of the operation and I couldn’t have done this without him either!!!

Website: https://flora-and-fauna-artistry.square.site/

Instagram: @flora_and_fauna_tattoos

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089193424825