PROFILE: Sweet Lil Carrie Artist and Tattoo Apprentice

I met Carrie at an Artifact Tattoo party at a dive bar. I went that night because I heard that there were free shots of Sailor Jerry Rum Sailor Jerry Rum. I like rum.

You met Carrie here Wearing This Corset Takes Balls - one of the most viewed posts on Slinky-Like Stealth Blog.

Sweet Lil' Carrie's Corset Piercing

If you look closely enough, Carrie's corset is comprised of: multiple back piercings, a white ribbon and a touch of fresh blood.

Carrie, an artist and tattoo apprentice, has bigger balls than most. Plus, she is cute as hell. I decided to see if she would let me interview her to see what life is like as an artist and tattoo apprentice. She said YES! 

Carrie's dermal anchors-cuz she's that bad-ass

I will admit there are a few places where I feel a wee bit nerdy and my self-image of 'pseudo-cool' is challenged. A tattoo shop is one of them. Plus, this was my first real interview!

I interviewed Carrie at Artifact Tattoo in Santa Clarita-a Los Angeles suburb-the shop where she practically lives at. No one yelled at me and said: "Who is that person? She is NOT cool enough to be here! Get out!" Instead, everyone was friendly and I was escorted to a quiet room blasting the soothing sounds of Tool. Ahhhhh, home!

my super cool shoes and socks

Carrie: Tell me about the corset piercing you were wearing the first time I met you

 Chris pierced me. He has been piercing for 6 years, so it took him only 5 minutes. Getting pierced didn't hurt. Very few people can do a corset piercing right, but Chris is an expert. I was really excited to be able to wear it that night! My biggest fear was that I would accidentally get caught on somebody and accidentally rip out the piercing. 

How long did you keep it in?

I had them removed that same night. Your body reject piercings in your back very quickly. Getting them removed was painful. It felt like when you take off a sweaty sports bra*.

*I take off sweaty sports bras all the time. They never hurt, although sometimes they suction themselves to my boobs, which is annoying, but not painful. I suspect that Carrie's tolerance for pain is a wee bit different than mine. Anyone up for me removing their sweaty sports bra to test pain level?

Do you have any scars from the corset piercing?

Nah. It looked like I had been stapled on my back for awhile though.

Would you do it again?

Definitely!

Have you always been an artist?

Yes! I have been drawing forever, my grandmother taught me.

Painting by Carrie Cameron

When did you decide that flesh was your medium?

I was attracted to the idea that my art could live on a person rather than be framed in a canvas. As an artist, I made al living working retail and hated it. I wanted to be a tattoo artist. I bought myself a tattoo kit online and tattooed myself when I was 18. After going balls-out on my own thighs, I decided that this was the career for me and that I needed to go pro. I had to find myself a mentor.

One of Carrie's first tattoos

How long have you been a tattoo apprentice?

I apprenticed for 4 months. I am working on my final piece and continue to work under my mentor, Justin Lewis. Technically, I am now a working tattoo artist. I have been for a month. 

Carrie working on her 'final'

What inspires you as an artist?

My mentor, Justin. He is amazing, he has been a tattoo artist for, like, 20 years.

How do you feel about Reality shows like LA Ink ?

I feel that it has made this art form accepted by more people and accessible to many.

What are some things that you don't like about tattooing?

People have the opportunity to be creative, yet many go to a shop and point at a picture on the wall. Millions of people are walking around with the same exact tattoo. They wasted an opportunity to carry a unique piece of art with them for the rest of their lives. Or some people just want some really stupid things like "Skeet Skeet" tattooed on their lips. Some people can get pretty nasty and forget that this is art that they will have for the rest of their lives. 

I've noticed most tattoo artists are men. As a woman, does that mean you have to work harder to prove yourself?

There is a stigma against female artists. It's perceived that a woman in a shop will be drama. Tattoo artists  mean business. There isn't time for drama. For me, it just means that I need to continue learn and strive to be better and I need to work hard to prove myself, regardless of my gender.

To Carrie's career, I *bow* and say, "I wish you success."And I have this tattoo that needs to get fixed!

Respect!

Raquel