Today we’d like to introduce you to Allyson Dean.
Hi Allyson, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil and I don’t remember a time I wasn’t designing something! I started making stuffed animals when I was 9 years old after my mom told me I wasn’t allowed to buy any more. From there, I went on to design and sell stuffed animals and later became an aerialist and made costumes for myself and other performers! I became interested in getting tattoos and ended up designing the first few I got and had so many more ideas. But in 2020, when COVID-19 hit, I had to put much of this on hold. It was in early 2021 that I began searching for tattoo apprenticeships in the DFW area. This was a new adventure that could combine my previous experience as a medical assistant and artistic interests into a single focus. The first couple months of my journey, I apprenticed at a shop that I quickly learned wasn’t the right fit for me, so I transferred to Valkyrie Tattoo Gallery. Shortly thereafter, I did my first tattoo on human skin (my own leg!) – a tattoo of the first stuffed animal I ever made! I’ve been apprenticing at Valkyrie for the past 10 months and I absolutely love it!
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?
The road to our passions is never a smooth one!
The tattoo industry is no different. It’s been a long and windy path to where I am today, from finding a first apprenticeship and figuring it out it was not the right fit for me, to landing a second apprenticeship that was 100% where I should be, to learning everything I need to know to safely put a permanent piece of art onto someone’s skin. It’s been a crazy journey, but a fun one, and learning never stops!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a clown and I specialize in nostalgia- primarily vintage toys, stuffed animals, and Clown dolls! My absolute favorite things to tattoo are people’s childhood toys. I’ve always loved stuffed animals more than anything, and am still so happy that I get to share my love with other people. I work in both black&grey and full color.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be an artist. Finding a good apprenticeship is hard, but don’t get discouraged. As long as you are willing to work hard and learn, you can do it. Get tattoos, talk to people, learn about the industry, and most importantly- Never stop drawing!
Contact Info:
- Email: littlestbigtop@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.valkyriedallas.com/allyson
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlestbigtop/
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