Today we’d like to introduce you to Aeriel Vanderburg.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Getting my foot in the door of the tattoo industry was the hardest part, especially as a young woman in a small town, Texarkana. I made a portfolio of drawings to show my versatility and skill to a potential mentor. My apprenticeship led me to black and grey surrealism like my mentor, Quinn. I finally left texarkana and moved to Nashville, Tn and worked at a shop in east nashville for awhile. I decided to move to Dallas, Texas in October 2024 and Ive been here ever since. I won an award, worked with amazing artists, and met incredible people through my career.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Tattooing was never promised to be easy but it was a better option than what I had before it. As fortunate as I am to work with amazing people I have been unfortunate to cross some bad apples as well. Women are shut out from the boys club. We make our community work and stick together, and there are amazing men who support us as well. Long hours and late nights sometimes reaching to 1am tattooing instead of enjoying the weekends out with loved ones is a huge sacrifice not many are willing to make. But it was necessary and im grateful I was hungry and didnt think twice because it payed off.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Im a black and grey surrealism tattoo artist. My style is done in a stipple like technique. Im probably known for the painterly portraits with a double exposure or phasing effect. I tend to lean into Gothic art for inspiration. I am most proud of the progress I have made in the 3.5 years ive been tattooing, some people act very surprised so I guess its a good thing. Im really proud of how tattooing has also made me a better artist away from the chair as well. I believe ive developed a style that is very distinct, you can see a tattoo ive done and say thats an Aeriel piece.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
As much as I have worked hard I wouldn’t be here if there wasnt serendipitous moments that really pushed me to the next level. I didnt expect to get accepted into an apprenticeship the first time I walked into a shop, and the nicest shop in my hometown at that. It just so happened to work out and that they really saw potential in me. Much of the luck I have had was just me taking every opportunity that was presented, I said yes to everything.
Pricing:
- My hourly rate is $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Aerielvanderburgtattoos.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aerieltattoo
