Meet Tamara Keeler

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Tamara Keeler again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Tamara, thanks for joining us again. Just to level set a bit for folks who may have missed our last interview together, can you briefly introduce yourself?
Hello!

My name is Tamara Jade, and I am a 31-year-old Colorado Native raising two beautiful sons. I have been an artist my entire life and I’ve been a tattoo artist for over nine years. I opened the only black owned tattoo shop, EXtra Ink, almost four years ago to raise my children as a single mother, while still doing what I love in my hometown community! Nothing in my life has come to me easy. I have had to make sacrifices and work VERY hard to be the mother and artist I am today. From sleepless nights drawing for projects and clients, to taking care of my children around the clock, I’m determined to be the best mother and tattoo artist I can be!

Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
Since the last time I spoke to you guys, I have competed and won awards at conventions, I’ve created some paintings that I am excited to make a series out of, I have even made some incredible strides in setting personal boundaries and have learned a lot about being a business owner. I have had artists in my shop come and go, but at the same time, I have recently had the opportunity to teach another and mentor her into hopefully becoming a tattoo artist a year from now herself. I received my first paid modeling gig to San Diego, CA for a swimwear edition and that really was one of the highlights of my year last year. It’s been a dream of mine for years to be a paid model and I just know I will get there one day! I took my dream vacation to Bali, Indonesia in November for twelve days and that experience ALONE has changed my life! From hiking up a volcano to watch the sunrise, to making lifelong friends from all over the world, to standing under giant waterfalls…Bali will forever hold a special place in my heart and the inspiration I gained from this experience I plan to extend into my artwork and daily life! Alot has changed for me, a lot of things are new, but I am HAPPY, focused, and determined to expand my business and continue to build a wonderful life for my sons and me!

We also want to give folks a chance to get to know you a bit better so we’ve prepared a fun lightning round of questions. Ready?

Favorite Movie: Evil Dead

Favorite Book: The Celestine Prophecy

Favorite TV Show: It’s Sunny in Philadelphia

Favorite Band or Artist: Windwalkers/Jidenna

Sweet or Savory: Sweet

Mountains or Beach: Beach

Favorite Sport (to watch): Football

Favorite Sport (to play): Soccer

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Soccer and Volleyball

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: An Austronaut

French Fries or Onion Rings: French Fries

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Bobby Axelrod

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Tom and Jerry

Favorite Childhood movie: ANTZ

Favorite Breakfast Food: Bacon

What would the perfect day look like for you? Please give us as many details as possible.
The perfect day for me could start off with a bird’s beautiful song waking me or sweet hugs and kisses from my boys. I do a nice yoga session and have a cold shower to get the body going. I would wake up my house by opening the curtains to a lovely summer day, maybe even on our beach house, and enjoy a nice breakfast with my boys while we share gratitude and talk about the day. Maybe I have a tattoo to prep for at the shop or a photoshoot to pack for after the boys head off to school. On one hand, I could be enjoying conversating with my client, afterwards taking a lovely photo of the finished tattoo in the photo room at the shop, feeling proud of my work today. Or maybe I’m getting my boys, and I packed for our weekend flight to Bora Bora for a photoshoot, making sure to pack their homework and get babysitting for our animals. After getting situated, depending which scenario, I have a lovely dinner with my boys, and we enjoy a nice soak in the hot tub with a cucumber water and the glow of the fire setting the tone for a relaxing night. Later, I would partake in a bedtime yoga session before laying my head on satin sheets for the night.

Website: https://extra-inktattoo.com

Instagram: tamarajadekeeler

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569109226487

Image Credits
Headshot Credit:
After Six Photography
Chazz Wheeler