Meet Katie Walker And Nate Gray N/a | Tattoo Artists

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Walker And Nate Gray N/a and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie Walker and Nate Gray, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
We became really close friends and agreed a lot about the tattoo experience and what it can/should be, so we wanted to create our own environment that brought out the best in ourselves and our clients’ experiences.

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.
Nate – I’ve been tattooing for 4 years and the hardest decision I’ve had to make was deciding to go all in as a tattoo artist. It took a lot of late nights and overcoming self doubt in the early days that got me to where I am now. I’ve learned that this is a very cutthroat industry with no guarantees.

Katie – I am most proud of the clientele we have built and the environment of our shop. It’s a unique experience that makes tattooing special and just awesome. Taking the jump of learning a new skill at 27 & deciding to go all in on myself while leaving the stability of corporate America is the hardest decision I’ve ever made. I want the world to remember us for changing tattooing for the better.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
You can’t visit Colorado without getting some good Mountain Views! I’d take them to do a sunrise hike at chief mountain, followed by coffee at the muddy buck in evergreen. we would probably hit edgewater public market after to see my favorite florist, landfall floral co, and then do late lunch at el taco de Mexico (best tamales in denver). No sense in living in championship city if you aren’t going to see a sports game, and end the night at icehouse tavern, where we would cross our fingers that our favorite bartender victoria was working.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Nate- a huge shoutout goes to my dad. He was a high school art teacher with crazy talent, he introduced me to art at such a young age and I would not be where I am without him. I’d also like to shoutout my wife Morgan. She’s my biggest supporter and has stuck by my side throughout my entire career and has believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

Katie – I wouldn’t be tattooing today if I didn’t have the support system behind me that I have. My brother is my favorite human on earth and has always been my biggest cheerleader. He also stuck by my side when everyone in my family thought I was insane for trying to learn how to tattoo. Taylor, who I met in highschool gym class, is the best demonstration of unconditional love I think you can find in the world. She encouraged me to follow this dream and spoke endless words of encouragement to me when I wanted to give up because it was so hard, she used to come be my assistant at flash events, and has helped me drag my tattoo stuff all around denver for a year after I got in a car accident and was scared to drive. Alejandro Lovera, has been my sounding board everytime I have needed to brainstorm an idea or think through a business plan & has always made me feel like I’m a big deal even when I was a nobody. I wouldn’t have had the courage to start our studio without the unwavering confidence of people like my brother, Taylor & Alejandro.

Instagram: @kateinkorporated & @nategraytattoos

Image Credits
Chip Rodgers