Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley Corinne.
Hi Haley, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
The universe has a brilliant way of working. Truly something I can’t begin to describe other than its incessant need for polarity.
Starting at the innocent age of 2, I began to experience traumatic events of sexual abuse. Emotional and Mental abuse started having an impact around age 5. Considering I was surrounded by people who didn’t have any healthy coping skills themselves, it left me with me.
Somehow, I found that music and especially art kept my mind away from racing or worrying and allowed me to escape into my own realm of peace. That’s where I was safest, after all. Around the age of 6 or 7, I would just hide away for hours, creating. Later on (around age 11-12), I’d sometimes stay up till 3-5 am in my artistic madness. No one was awake. No one was yelling. It was just me and art. Bliss.
This, of course, created a problem for me in school. Such a stressful place for an overwhelmed kiddo, starting in elementary all through high school, I drew on everything. From my desks, journals, homework, tests, myself, and other students, I built up quite a reputation in my classes. I would arrive and have 2 or 3 students in a few of my classes, sharpies ready, asking me to give them a Sharpie tattoo. Not having any clue that being a Professional Tattoo Artist would end up being my career, although those kids said I should be when I “grow up”.
In high school, I competed in many state-level competitions. My art was skyrocketing because I finally had experienced mentors showing me how to grow. With things still rough at home, I’d use my lunch period to go to the art room and continue to work on my assignments. Sometimes begging to stay at school longer to have a place to safely “fly.”
A good percentage of weekends, my custodial parent at the time would throw parties at our home. Lucky for me, I would sometimes make $80-$100 a night doing henna tattoos on their friends. This started truly making me contemplate on if tattooing was something I could do. I had more people, now adults saying I should become a tattoo artist.
Fast forward to college, I wanted to become an Art Therapist. Art Therapy is a creative method of expression through visual art, making it easier to communicate. Therapists and Psychiatrists use this as a tool to address emotional issues that may be confusing or overwhelming to patience. I needed this growing up. Somehow used it without knowing it for most of my life. I wanted to give people the guidance and safe space I didn’t feel like I had through a healthy and creative way of expression. Using this gift to help others in need of it.
During my first 2 years at Richland Community College, I was scheduled to get my first tattoo with Jason Call, owner of Pristine Ink in Dallas off Parkhouse St. Knowing it was a long shot, I created a portfolio to present to him in hopes I could snag an apprenticeship under this artist whose work so many, and I admire. With clammy hands and all the courage I could muster up, I asked him if the position was open. Unfortunately, it was already filled by another apprentice, but he encouraged me to keep looking for a mentor cause he saw the potential in my work. During our session, I decided that tattooing was the direction I could 100% see myself going in. After all, creating art on people was something I had been accustom for years before this direction in life had presented itself. I didn’t stay in college long after that cause it was a waste of my time. Considering the direction I wanted my career to go in was one that didn’t require a degree, nor did the classes provide me with anything else I needed to become a tattoo artist.
For 3 years, I began my apprenticeship journey. With the loving support of my partner at the time and his family, I didn’t work for 1.5 years of my apprenticeship career. I did what I could by doing commission work (which got me by), but I couldn’t have done it without that support system I had. After those 3 years had passed at 3 different shops, It was finally time to tattoo a close family member.
Smack dab in the middle of this man’s chest was a massive 8″x10″ line workpiece. Smashed it! With the surprise my mentor had, he gave me full rain as long as I was confident, I could accomplish it. My second project was a quarter sleeve that was a tribute to 1986 film “The Labyrinth” on an old high school friend of mine. One after the other, some of my old grade school buddies that I sharpied on were now getting permanent work from me years down the road. Majority of them mentioned, ” I remember when you were drawing on kids in class.” With smiles across our faces, I would continue to work.
Now being a year into my career, Pristine Ink had made a post announcing they were looking for a new resident artist. Without hesitation, I immediately sent my application to the shop I’ve been chasing for 4.5 years at this point. The owner of the shop and I sat down to have a meeting about my potential residency at Pristine, and soon enough, January 1st of, 2022 was my first day at Pristine Ink. Not only working beside an idol of mine (Jason Call) but another amazing artist who was Jason’s apprentice when I originally asked about the position years ago.
I’ve now been happily at Pristine for 1.5 years and don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. Like I mentioned, the universe and its polarity is a beautifully brilliant marvel. One I cannot explain.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Unfortunately, in the tattoo industry, there are a lot of places that will take advantage of free help. Considering apprentices don’t get paid for their time at the shop, some shops will hire an “Apprentice” but are more so looking for Janitors and people who can work a receptionist position.
Apprenticeships can also be very demanding. There were many holidays, family get-togethers, birthdays, events that I couldn’t make because I was required to be at the shop. I lost a good sum of friends because of their lack of understanding and support for my dedication and focus to my goal. When it comes to my interior struggle, battling with depression and anxiety already and being unmedicated around that time my sleep deprivation only made things more stressful for me. Don’t get me wrong, I pushed through all of it. However, some mornings I’d open my eyes to wake up and immediately start crying, knowing I had to get to the shop.
This all showed me though how capable I was on little to no sleep. I’m grateful for those difficult moments cause I’m so much more grateful for it in the present.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Professional tattoo Artist and I specialize in Neotraditional and Ornamental/geometric work.
I’m known for my snakes, flowers, and mandalas, and my Sunshine personality. I try my hardest to give my clients a comfortable and safe space to be in. You could say I’m doing Art Therapy, just my way. I have many Google reviews on the Pristine Ink page that describes my attention to details that my clients are wanting and creating an original and unique piece of art for them. Most times I get off-the-wall requests. Visions people have presented to other artists, and they are told, “This is not possible” or “Good luck finding an artist to do that”… So discouraging for the client!
Where there is a will, there is a way. Where there is no way, there is a lack of will.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Sharing my work on social media @corinne_originals and spreading the word works WONDERS in this industry. If anyone is ever interested in contacting me for some work, email me at Corinne.originals@gmail.com to book an appointment. Best way to go about it is to present an idea with some reference photos and let the artist be an artist! I promise you will get a one-of-a-kind piece by letting your artist run with your vision!
Pricing:
- Minimum is $150
- $200 hourly
- Deposits range from $80-$300 depending on project.
- Day rate is $1,400 for what you want tattooed, $1,100 for a full-day session of my designs.
- Smiles, Laughter, and tips are always welcomed!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corinne_originals/
Image Credits
Hadyn Medina
