Meet Kayla Lowman | Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kayla Lowman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayla, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had a retail job prior, that came with benefits and set hours. It also came with a lot of unhappiness. As a creative person, I felt suffocated by not getting to use my creativity in my career. I had a lot of self doubt about being able to start a career let alone survive off of being a self employed artist. My family also struggled with the thought of me leaving my job “security”. I got to a point where I was so miserable that I just took the leap.

Now I’m a few years in to being a full time tattoo artist. Hands down, the best thing I could have ever done. I took a chance, and now I have the best (and most rewarding) job. Despite the doubt from family, loved ones, and mostly myself, I really feel like my life choices worked out for me. Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work is based around helping to make others feel happy, secure, or confident with themselves. I mean, I love having creative freedom with designs and tattoos, but I also love something as simple as tattooing a grandparent’s handwriting as a memorial. I get to mark people forever, and that’s especially meaningful to me if that brings some emotional support or healing aspect to my clients.

Where I am today honestly did come easy. Tattoo apprenticeships are hard. Hard to find, hard to get, and hard to complete. However, my high school art teacher was also a tattoo artist and tattoo shop owner. He saw potential in me, gave me an opportunity, and gave me a spot. I had minimal challenges compared to others.

I had a coworker at that shop, who even though he wasn’t the owner, took it upon himself to try to teach me what he knew, even though it had no personal benefit to him. I still work with him today, and I’ll always credit any of my success to him. Tattoo history, machine knowledge, and any tattoo application.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If we are staying in a 10 minute circumference of my house, I’d take them to our local bar, Rascal’s Pub. Good food, good drinks, and the best people. Keokuk, IA is also located right by the Mississippi River, so we’d have to go to the park and also our bridge to get some great views. Say we go from about a 20-30 minute circumference? I’d say we’d go to Fat Jimmy’s BBQ in Montrose, IA. Good food, beautiful bar, and also great people. An hour circumference? We’d go to Burlington, IA and hit up Bent River Brewery for food… and beer, followed by Valley Monster Pub for drinks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Chris Hall is the reason that I have any knowledge whatsoever about anything related to the tattoo industry. He seriously taught me everything I know today. Tattoo application to machine parts.

Toby Davis gave me a new job opportunity a little over 3 years ago. That came along with him sharing his expertise and knowledge of the craft and history. It’s a beautiful culture, and he has welcomed me into it. I’ll be forever grateful for that.

I get to work next to both of these incredibly talented guys every day, they constantly make me want to be better and do better. They are the best.

Website: kaylalowmanart.com

Instagram: @kaylalowmanart

Facebook: Kayla Lowman