Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Young.
Hi Shannon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My artistic journey is a little different than most. I didn’t grow up drawing from the moment I could hold a pencil. I didn’t take a single memorable art class in my youth. So often people say, “you’re so lucky to be born so talented,” to which I laugh! I don’t believe I was born with intrinsic artistic skills, but I do believe that anything you passionately dream to do you can achieve with enough information, drive, practice, and determination.
I was a competitive dancer throughout my very young childhood and into my teens until my back quite literally gave out at 19 years old. I was forced to shift my focus, got a job as an insurance agent, and spent ten years working in offices. I cried for ages before deciding that I had to take a chance and make a change or I would never forgive myself. I could no longer physically endure the intense performance art of dancing, so I switched my attention to visual art.
I was always a generally creative child and that side of me was nurtured a lot by my grandparents. However, my artistic journey truly didn’t begin until I decided to go back to college in my mid-20s. At the time all I knew is that I couldn’t be in an office environment anymore but I had no idea what that meant for my future. I took some art classes as electives and had a few incredible professors who called me out and encouraged me to peruse art as a career. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art and going through an internship at Master Craftsman Studios at Florida State University, I went on to complete an apprenticeship at Fine Art For Life Tattoos in Tallahassee, Florida.
I studied with artist Mike Tuten, traveling all over the United States and tattooing under his guidance within 3 years of learning. I opened my first tattoo shop in 2011 called Forever Young Tattoo in Tallahassee, Florida. I tattooed there for a few more years all while selling paintings, making handmade fine jewelry, doing live wedding painting performances, painting murals at local restaurants, etc. I took on every artistic opportunity I could get. During this time I also started traveling internationally and working.
Mike and I are eventually married. After about 5 years of tattooing in Florida, I felt the need to expand my horizons and we relocated to a small city in the mountains outside Los Angeles where we opened another tattoo shop called Fine Art For Life. During these years I had many incredible artistic opportunities working all over LA and other states and countries. We eventually expanded on a handmade artist’s pigment business we created called Rock of Ages.
Recently, I relocated to Columbia, SC for a change in scenery and to be closer to my family. The west coast was fun, but I am a southern girl at heart! I’m currently loving working with the amazing artists at Devine Street Tattoo in Columbia all while still having the opportunity to travel and create internationally. I’m excited and grateful to be here continuing on my artistic journey where my family and my heart are.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely NOT been a smooth journey! The road has been littered with a multitude of difficulties, failures, and tragedies along the way. One of the hardest things was quitting my full-time job where I had benefits and a 401(k). I was so broke and everything felt like a struggle.
I went from being comfortable to having no idea where I was going to get my next dollar from. It was an extremely stressful transition in my life. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without a few people who really pushed me to persevere. All I wanted to do was make and sell art, but I wasn’t good at it for a long long time. Fortunately, I was just crazy and dedicated enough to push on.
Honestly, I’m a firm believer that whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. If you want something bad enough then you’ll do whatever it takes to get there.
My hardest struggle to date has been losing my partner of eleven years, Mike Tuten, to cancer in 2020. He was an incredible artist, husband, and teacher. I dedicate every day now to continuing to create art in his honor. It’s what he would have wanted and what drives me forward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve created and sold a variety of different types of art over the years but for the last five or so I’ve been dedicated to watercolor painting and tattooing.
As far as tattooing, I specialize in American Traditional tattoos. This means bold lines and bright colors. I also do a lot of fine lines and black/grey tattoos. Usually, we stay pretty booked up at work, but I was taught to be a walk-in tattooer so I love making whatever walks through the door when I have time. It keeps tattooing exciting and challenges me to stay on my toes since you never know what will come in and a lot of times those are the most fun and ridiculous.
When it comes to painting, I thrive on painting flowers and wedding scenes. I specialize in watercolor painting but I will also paint with acrylic and oil. I typically use a particular three-color spontaneous method when watercolor painting. It involves kind of throwing the pigments on the paper initially, letting the paint do some of the work. It keeps the paintings loose and gives them movement. Over the years I’ve been fortunate to study with a number of incredible watercolor painters.
One of my favorite things I’ve ever created was a deck of roller derby playing cards that have 17 original watercolor paintings of roller derby girls illustrated in traditional tattoo style. So it kind of combines my love of watercolor painting, roller derby, and tattoos. I was an avid roller derby player and coach for about ten years so I drew a lot of inspiration from women I skated with over the years. A group of about 8 other people commissioned me for the job. We had a successful GoFundMe where we were able to produce them through Bicycle Card Company. The graphic designer, Steve Leacock, and I won an American Advertising Award for deck illustration and design in 2016. They are still available online.
I’d say one of the things that set me apart in tattooing is a simple fact that I’m a woman. There are a lot of women in tattooing these days but still not nearly as many women as there are men. A lot of clients specifically are interested in being tattooed by a female, so I have that to my advantage. I also have an art degree which isn’t really that common for a tattooer.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
Let’s chat! Do you have an idea for an art project? A tattoo? A commission? I love taking on all kinds of new artistic endeavors. I’ve made art for weddings, musicians, restaurants, businesses, invitations, etc. I am always open to collaborating and nurturing ideas to fruition.
To book a tattoo you can contact Devine Street Tattoo or email me.
I also have a website with paintings and other art available for sale.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.foreveryoungtattoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonyoungtattoo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonyoungtattoo
- Other: https://shannonyoungtattoo.bigcartel.com/
