Today we’d like to introduce you to Darla Ouellette.
Hi Darla, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I began my tattooing journey after I became injured in the Army. I was left in a position of being incapable of performing laborious tasks that I was used to. I attended a few semesters of miscellaneous schooling; I soon learned that school was not necessarily where I wanted to be. Being unable to use my body the way I used to pulled me away from previous interests. Being a stay-at-home mom had kind of been a role that I began to love, the amount of time I got with my son Silas was just something that was difficult to sacrifice.
Luckily, I was in a position to be able to stay home. During this time, I used art as a hobby a lot more than I had allowed myself to. It had not only been a big way for my son and I to connect, but for me to reconnect to myself and still is. I received an iPad during this time; this led me to creating things I thought would make good tattoo designs. I had believed that it was an impossible industry to get into (little did I know) so a lot of these designs were used for making stickers. I found a way for art to start to be profitable, even if it wasn’t tattooing. I was then very lucky to run into an old classmate who had since taken on the tattooing herself, she saw the artwork I had been doing and made me an offer right there in Target – we love a small town! I spent the first half of my apprenticeship at this shop and moved to another studio up until after being licensed. Things had to be rearranged in my life (the next answer explains, don’t worry!) The rest as they say is history.
I’m in the process of moving my studio into a new area, It’s just my partner and I in my current space. His name is Zachary; he can be found at the front desk where handles stencil placing, communications, and most importantly my taxes. Come in on a flash day and you’ll probably get to see my kiddo at the front desk too. He’s got his mind set on becoming my young padawan. He uses every opportunity he’s given to learn and to make sure the vibe is where it needs to be. We have so many projects we’re working on and I cannot wait to share them!
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 been a very unpredictable road. My first apprenticeship lasted for 6 months before I transferred to another studio. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the foundation of the basics that she was kind enough to gift me; I just needed a different teacher to guide me with the more advanced techniques.
I was accepted into a more established studio – my first day was on a Friday the 13th flash day (It was insanity). This space taught me so much about the industry as a whole. The 10 months I spent getting licensed will always be a whirlwind of a time to look back on.
Unfortunately, my personal life took a lot of unexpected turns. I personally withdrew from everything to do with art and tattooing. While this was understood and supported, it did come to a point where it wasn’t fair in a business numbers way, and I had to leave my space. This happened sooner than I would have liked it to, and I was crushed at the idea of closing this chapter of my life. However, I would be lying if I said I had any regret for the time I was able to take for myself and my family.
“To live life, you need problems. If you get everything you want the minute you want it, what’s the point of living?” Jake The Dog
I couldn’t tell you why all of these figurative brick walls didn’t stop me from continuing this journey. I instead decided to reshape them into what I have been needing for myself. I don’t like the phrase “burning bridges” but this process has unfortunately had restructures. Everyone who has helped me get to where I am hold their own valued place in what makes me, me. I am thankful for every lesson I have learned.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I strive to be able to bring a different vibe to tattooing as a whole.
I believe that tattoos should be accessible to everyone. I have been a lifelong advocate for mental health, and I try to bring the same comfort you get when you’re lying on your therapist’s comfortably uncomfortable sofa.
We put a lot of thought into ensuring the space is inviting enough that you feel in control. You are able to choose everything from the music, what’s on the tv, lighting, and even how much you want me to talk to you. I also try to provide comfort items such as fidgets, stress balls, and most importantly the availability to bring support humans along.
I also try my best to run monthly flash days, and I love when clients give me direct budgets. I don’t have a set hourly rate; I charge based on a variety of factors, so money isn’t something that prevents anyone from getting a tattoo.
I most enjoy doing colorful tattoo pieces, especially if they’re cartoonish designs. I also enjoy scar and tattoo coverups! I would love to get more experimental styles in. I have had a lot of fun going out of my comfort zone to try something different. Pixels, stickers, patches, hand drawings, etc. I don’t want to limit the number of skills I am or am not allowed to have.
I’m most proud of the life I am building around something that doesn’t necessarily feel like a job. Being able to provide for my business while not placing my personal self on the back burner. Which i wouldn’t have the freedom to do without my wonderful clientele. I have an insane amount of gratefulness to all of my canvases. I will never take for granted the time, money, trust, and skin that I am given and trusted with. I have had a passion for tattooing since I took on my apprenticeship – but this last year has made me fall in love with it. I have begun the process of getting my bachelor’s in art therapy, with the end goal of being able to Do Ink Therapy.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Trust the process.
An artist is their own worst critic. Add the neurodivergent spice that I’m guilty of having, and this job doesn’t necessarily dissuade negative self-talk. It is very easy to get lost in it all. These last two(ish) years have helped me practice radical acceptance. I take appreciation in reality as it is, without resistance. I believe that everything, good or bad comes into your life with reason. There have been several times that I have questioned whether to continue. Recently I’ve had to unexpectedly move studio spaces, I had thought about not even continuing – I couldn’t even find a leasable space.
Then I got the email for this interview, within the same week my partner and I found where I will be moving in the near future. I trusted the process, and not the self-doubt.
What’s meant to be, will be.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d.o._ink_therapy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094322086390
