Today we’d like to introduce you to Candra Wyatt.
Hi Candra, 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?
I’ve been a visual artist for as long as I can remember. I was born just across the red river and spent my teen years in the city of San Antonio, in my early twenties I headed back to North East Texas to take care of my grandparents and explore my art in the airy country side. Paris Texas has been fairly supportive of my artistic endeavors. I am part of the Paris Artist Alliance, which take part in community based projects to beautify the area and support scholarships for budding artist. I support the Artist Guild local gallery, and am an alumni from Paris Jr College where I teach a yearly workshop for potential new students. I am privileged to be a judge for the Visual Arts Scholastic Event for high schoolers and volunteer for our downtown Main street board over art projects. I always envisioned myself as a painter, but with a legacy of female tattooers it wasn’t far fetched to walk in the foot steps of my great aunt Abby who worked at Bongos tattoo shop in Paris Texas for near three decades and so I took an apprenticeship with a local tattoo shop at 26 years old. Ten Years later I run my own shop and have a great relationship with my community breaking the old stigma of tattoo industry. My past time of fashion, love of thrifting and growing up as a kid in an antique store while my mother ran the first ” Curious Goods” only led me to have a great idea to combine my career of decorating the skin with art to also styling the clothes that cover them. People love it. Not everyone wants tattoos, but everyone can find something to highlight who they are in my store. With the vintage industry booming its really been a blessing to bring something unique to the little town of Paris Texas by combining both tattoos and vintage in one brick and mortar. I opened my doors five years ago in the historic downtown and have been a staple ever since, people from all over come to me for tattoos and vintage goods. I named the store after the rumor Paris Texas was originally named Pinhooks, which also has a slang meaning of buying thrifted clothes and “ Curious Goods”in honor my mothers antique store. I could not imagine a better name and so my little store was born. Tattoos and Vintage, what more could you want?
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Struggles. Darlings. Nothing is paved in gold, and with the tattoo industry it might as well be walking on fire. As big as vintage clothes has gotten, you’re drowning in competition with everyone eyeballing their grandmas closet thinking they have a gold mine. So its a dumpster fire of running a business legally, sterile, with grace and good customer service, from making sure tattoos are great designs and live healthy on the skin while helping the client tell their story, to staying on top of buying trends and styles with the vintage and having the resources to keep a good supply. The tattoo industry though has been more of a head ache, dealing with other artist and the areas expectations of what tattoos should be in terms of quality and what they should cost. Drama with other shops trying to run you out of town, I had another tattoo shop open literally right next door, and others try to mock the store, even going as far as placing derogatory stickers defacing properties all over town directed at “thrifty Pinhooks”. Gossip and drama are so prevalent in a small town and with about nine other shops and thirty something other tattooers and apprentices in the same town, it’s an epidemic. Everyone is trying to convince the same people of “ use me!” I am the only legal female tattooer with my own shop and if you know anything about the tattoo industry it’s a cut throat business. I got into tattoos for art, a legacy and a way to continue a career working for myself as an independent artist. I face the challenge too of the ever closing businesses and the downtown buildings losing retail space due to buy outs and offices, I’ve lost neighbors who really supported the vision of Paris downtown making it a destination for people to support small businesses. But, like waves things come and go and time keeps moving forward. I just keep my head up, keep working and stay on top of my skills and style. I know my business model works and I am excited to see it grow and move to bigger locations. I love my customers, clients, friends and family and they certainly keep the dream alive and thriving even during the adversity every small business can face and the double industry I work in. I’ve learned so very much from walking through fire and drowning, someone always has a fire extinguisher or a life raft and I am grateful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a visual artist and with a focus on tattoos I am known for just that. Being an ARTIST first. It sets me apart in the tattoo industry because people tend to trust me more with styling and envisioning the story or visual impact the tattoo needs. My clients allow me to experiment with all styles and to play with finding new ways to express tattoos. It can be a challenge certainly, because I have to use all my art skills to pull off a painterly style tattoo or my illustration hand to really give bold lines to a traditional piece and smooth contrast for realism. In an area like Paris, there isn’t enough people to really focus on one style of tattooing, so I learn all of them. I would love one day to focus on my own designs and style, but I am still growing as an artist and certainly as a tattoo artist. I am also told my customer service skills really set me apart and make clients feel comfortable and at home in my chair, I offer private appointments for those who want more safety and my shop is a Safe place FOR ALL PEOPLE. When often the idea of a tattoo shop can make them feel pressure or intimidation , I break down the wall and offer personal one on one, no idea is ridiculous and you can move that stencil darling. I want you to have the best and the best from me. Same goes for the vintage clothes I offer, I do it from the ground up, I source, mend, clean, study and research, I have a back stock of over ten thousand pieces and I can tell you the story of just about every piece. I adore the light in people’s faces when they find the absolute best piece of vintage for them. I love seeing people all over wear the clothes I brought back to life and see as stylish, timeless or even kitsch. At Pinhooks I stay on top of all the trends from y2k to workwear classics and let’s not forget iconic band tees to 70s polyester. Cowboys to goths can find something at Pinhooks Tattoos & Curious Goods and feel great about the way they look.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I took the leap of faith. Even if it fails, I still tried and still do. So I am successful.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Pillsea_art @Pinhookscuriousgoods
- Facebook: Pinhooks Tattoos & Curious Goods
