Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Chevalier
Hi Lindsey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been drawing and sketching as long as I can remember, and spent a lot of time drawing with my dad as a child. He would critique my work in detail, pointing out my composition and anatomy flaws. In school, I was that kid doodling and sketching on my worksheets when I should have been paying more attention to my teacher’s lessons. For years I drew and eventually those in my classes noticed, some of them complimenting my work and others even asking me to draw for them. Eventually one of my classmates asked me to draw them a tattoo. That was a huge moment. It was as if a light bulb flicked on that I never considered possible. The thought of drawing for a living seemed so out of reach, let alone drawing on people. My parents were supportive of my art interests but cautioned me against a job in art in fear of becoming a starving artist. That, and they knew virtually nothing about the tattoo world, no idea if it could be a financially secure job. But the idea of drawing for a living, doing something I loved was something I couldn’t ignore. So I immediately dove into researching everything I could about tattooing. I researched the artists that began tattooing, and the traditions tied to it. I spent hours upon hours googling pictures of tattoos. I couldn’t believe what people were able to create on skin. Despite the uncertainties, I knew I wanted to tattoo but I needed to step into the world of it. So I got my first tattoo. I sketched a small design and took it to one of the first established shops in Kansas City, Illustrated Man tattoo off of North Oak, owned by Jack Cox. I gave him my drawing, he made some modifications, and tattooed it on me. That was it. I knew I would dedicate myself to tattooing no matter what it took. I made my first portfolio of hand drawn designs and started going to every shop I could in KC. Over the next 4 years I searched for an apprenticeship. Making and remaking my portfolio after each artist critiqued it until I finally had a strong enough portfolio to finally get my apprenticeship. I apprenticed for roughly a year and a half and received my license, later moving on to the shop I’m at currently; Golden Stag Tattoo. I’ve been at Golden Stag for 5 years and tattooing for almost 7.
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?
In the beginning the road felt like it didn’t exist and when it finally did… it was long. When I first decided to pursue tattooing in 2014 I was met with some resistance from my family due to the uncertainties it came with. Was tattooing going to pay the bills? Keep food on the table? What about health insurance? Because of this, I promised my family I’d look into another career before fully committing myself to my inevitable dream. For 4 years I worked in a vet clinic. I loved animals and helping them, but tattooing was still on my mind. While I worked at the clinic I made my portfolios and searched for an apprenticeship. Finally, in October of 2017 I found a shop that took me on. Not long after getting my apprenticeship I also found out that I was pregnant! This was a whole new world of uncertainty. Could I provide for myself AND a child with tattooing? I was terrified. But I knew in that moment I had to choose. I could either give up my passion and sacrifice my dream for a job I wouldn’t enjoy but knew would be secure. Or…commit every bit of myself to tattooing and building a strong clientele so that we could make it.. I was the first one in the shop and last to leave. Most days working from 10am to 10pm, sometimes 1 in the morning. I swept, mopped, took out trash, ran errands for all the artists in the shop, drew every single day. Until I finally started tattooing under the guidance of my mentor. Then I had my beautiful baby boy in September of 2018. Took my maternity leave, and promptly got back to work. With the help of my loving family and partner I was able to keep pursuing tattooing. Then the long days finally paid off! After my mentor decided I was skilled enough with the tattoos I was doing as an apprentice, I got my license after roughly a year and a half. I made the first milestone. Since that time, I am now almost 7 years into tattooing with two wonderful children and an extremely supportive husband and family.
The challenges now are different. It’s the balance of work, home life, school and daycare schedules, and spending time with my family. Work always comes home with me. Drawing designs for the week, answering emails, trying to stay relevant on social media to continue to grow my clientele. It’s a beast that always needs fed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a tattoo artist, I believe it’s important to be well rounded in all styles and subject matter of tattooing and to regularly step outside of the bubble of comfort. Each style has a specific skill set required to execute it. All together these skills make an artist stronger and give a better understanding of how to create not only a good tattoo, but a piece that will age well over time. I believe this sets me apart from other artists who may specialize in just one subject matter. However, I still have my favorites. If I’m being specific to styles, I would say that I’m most known for my illustrative and color realism work along with my pet portraits. I have a strong passion for traditional style tattoos as well. I love to tattoo all things nature related with touches of whimsy and magic. It’s a passion that stems from growing up in a family that was always outside, hunting, camping, fishing, you name it. I love looking for the overlooked details in nature, the spiral of a snail shell tucked in the moss, mushrooms growing from the decaying trunks of proud oak trees.. The bones of a buck who died last winter, found in spring with white flowers stretching forth from the promise of life in the newfound season. The branches of elderberry bushes, heavy with their shiny, black medicinal fruit. I love being able to design tattoos related to those subjects, that resonate with others who share my passions for the outdoors. Overall, I’m proud and honored to give people beautiful artwork that they love, and inspires them to love themselves just a little bit more.
What matters most to you?
Learning. Learning never stops in tattooing. There is always a way to make the next tattoo better than the last. The second you stop trying to learn the passion is lost, the meaning is lost. I’m very fortunate to be in a shop that has like-minded artists, hungry to grow. We all learn from each other and motivate one another. Whether it’s by watching each other tattoo, or paint, we encourage one another to create. Along with learning, the experience of permanently marking one’s skin is important to me. Tattooing is something that you can find in practically every culture. Regardless if the tattoo has meaning or not, the marking of one’s body is a spiritual experience. I feel it’s my job to guide people through it the best I can. You can receive a good tattoo, but not have the best experience dulling the memory and lessening their desire to return. My goal is for people to walk in the door and feel comfortable, like they’re visiting a friend. Many of my clients become just that, good friends that I can’t wait to reminisce and share stories of life with.
Pricing:
- Shop minimum $80
- Hourly rate $150
- Deposits for appointments are $100
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Goldenstagtattoo.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/foxfiretattoos
- Other: https://linktr.ee/foxfiretattoos
