Today we’d like to introduce you to Faith Hudgens.
Hi Faith, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in a single-family home it was hard for my dad to find healthy ways to entertain my siblings and I. One of the ways he did so was by buying markers and blank paper for us to color. This is where my love for art began. As a student in public school art was always my first elective which led to me wanting to attend art school full time. Although I was denied I did not give up on my passion and I continued working on my craft. I started teaching art classes at local children’s shelters paying for all of the supplies out of pocket. This led to art gigs such as sip and paints, live paintings at weddings and parties. Today I am a full-time visual artist creating luxury oil paintings recognized for vibrant colors and cultural influence. In 2017 I began my apprenticeship as a tattoo artist and in 2018 I became the first licensed African American female to be licensed in the upstate of South Carolina. Today I am the first African American female in South Carolina as a whole to own a licensed tattoo facility by the name of Black Swan Tattoo Studios. Black Swan Tattoo Studios is an all-female creative arts and tattoo studio.
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?
It has not been an easy road but it has been worth every bit of the journey. Being an African American Female Artist in a male-dominated industry, IN THE SOUTH, of course, there will be challenges. I just remember to continue to practice gratitude for the things that I do have and for the things that are going in my favor. One of my biggest challenges is moving past the roadblocks. I feel all too often we get so stuck on those things that it distracts us from moving forward. With that being said I am thankful for my determination, my support system, and the resources that I do have to get me to where I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a full-time artist specializing in body art and visual art. My mediums include tattooing, oil paintings, and mixed media paintings. My creativity translates fluently from the canvas to skin. I have been painting since 2013 and I specialize in soft, powerful, vibrant, cultured oil paintings. My signature is the “honeycomb” in all of my paintings you will see a golden honeycomb pattern. Painting is my outlet, it’s my passion, my lifeline. As a self-taught artist, I am so proud of the progress that I have made during this time period. In tattooing am known for my vibrant, bold, moving colors on brown skin. Not many artist believe that color belongs on brown skin however I enjoy the “challenge”. My clientele is majority women and to know that I hold the magical power of restoring someone’s confidence, make someone feel sexy, or simply making someone love the skin that they are in all over again is one of the best superpowers in the world. I love being an artist and I am very passionate about what I do wholeheartedly.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
DON’T GIVE UP! It is not easy to step out on Faith and pursue your dreams. Things are NOT going to go as planned but you have stay focused, dedicated and passionate about your “why”. When you know your “why” then you will find your purpose, and once you know your purpose and work towards it you will be unstoppable. DO NOT give up if a door closes or if the answer is no, that just means it wasn’t for you. Trust me there is always another door and another answer that IS for you.
Secondly you can never have too many mentors unless they’re the wrong mentor. Never stop learning and always be a student and share the knowledge that you’ve gained with others. I believe we live to inspire and to be inspired. Take every chance you can get to network you never know who you will meet or how you both can help each other.
Contact Info:
- Email: thebigmamaink@gmail.com
- Website: https://black-swan-tattoo-studios.square.site
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigmama.ink/
