Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Mobley.
Samantha, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in North Texas. I’ve been an artist since I was a little girl, I would draw on anything I could get my hands on. Being a quiet and sensitive child, art was a perfect outlet for me, and it took up most of my time growing up, as well as having a love of music since I was little. I received my first guitar at age eight and a cherry red electric guitar at age 10. I would listen to the radio, record it on a tape player, and teach myself how to play.
I was always placed in advanced art classes in which I excelled. Although being mostly self-taught in every facet, these were the only formal classes that allowed me to have structure and taught me technique. I have done freelance photography, logos, artwork and graphic design since I was a teenager. I’ve become proficient in digital media, watercolor, oils, graphite, charcoal, acrylic, clay, and now, putting designs on skin. Although my tattooing career is in its infancy (9 months), I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. It’s a very rewarding feeling when I can put my artwork on someone’s skin, knowing it will be there forever. I am in a flourishing death metal band called FROZEN SOUL, in which I play bass guitar. We have been a band for exactly one year. Before FROZEN SOUL came to be, I was in a black metal band and cut my teeth playing bass for them. I recorded for the first time in September 2018, which was a monumental and rewarding experience.
Fortunately, when that band dissolved, I was able to focus my energy and passion into FROZEN SOUL. We have gone on three tours, sold out of most of the pressings of physical media, and been nominated for multiple local awards in the last year. I am very thankful for my wonderful support system through all these years of trials and tribulations. I look forward to progressing in both of my passions in the years to come, and I’m eternally grateful that I have had the opportunity to do pursue my dreams.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, it has not always been smooth. It’s been pretty rough to be quite honest. Without going into too much detail, I did struggle from the age of 15 up until about two years ago with a mental illness misdiagnosis that deeply affected my life. It caused me so many hardships, damaged relationships, setbacks, trauma, and ultimately, it caused me a lot of grief with the time lost in my late teens and all through my twenties. Now that I am in my early thirties, things have gotten much better for me because, honestly, I stopped being afraid of everything. I was too scared to go out of my comfort zone for too long and that squandered my potential because of it.
I am in two professions that are male-dominated. My advice is to study hard, work your ass off, and don’t take anyone’s shit. Do everything with your whole heart because anything less is not worth doing. My advice for other women and younger women especially would be to just figure out what means the most to you and just go for your dreams. The worst that can happen is that you fail. And even failure is not an excuse to give up. Keep trying, learn from your setbacks, because sometimes wonderful opportunities will present themselves as a result.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a professional tattoo artist and signed musician. I do custom artwork, tattoos, band logos and graphic design, among other things. I specialize in traditional/neo traditional tattooing, but I hope to soon be well versed in other styles. I think what people know me for is my eye for designing a tattoo and clever touches that suit the customer’s personality while not compromising mine. My intuitive nature, compassion and the love for my craft has brought me some amazing clientele, and I feel like that shows through my work. I’m proud of how far I’ve come as a tattoo artist. My one year anniversary of tattooing is in May of this year.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Do your research. Don’t just learn from anyone…learn from someone you look up to. I haven’t really had a mentor in tattooing…all of my prior apprenticeships fell through because of my mentor’s shortcomings, and ultimately were a waste of time.
Everything so far has been trial and error for tattooing. I’ve picked up pieces here and there from friends/coworkers, but for the most part I’ve been on my own while I’ve been learning, which has been what I’m accustomed to and honestly, I just prefer it at this point. Studying, watching videos and asking older tattooers about their techniques has helped me, but everyone tattoos differently. It’s a fickle mistress.
Networking is a newer thing to me as of this past year…I’m pretty introverted. I’ve found Instagram to be the best for showcasing your work and gaining new clientele. Tattooing my friends that are also musicians or heavily involved in the local music scene has been very helpful too.
Pricing:
- Deposits are required,$50-100 is for drawing and designing/reserving your appointment time, and goes towards the cost of the tattoo.
- For larger pieces, like half sleeves or sleeves it is at an hourly rate of $100-120
Contact Info:
- Address: North Texas Tattoo Co
325 West Bedford Euless Road
Hurst TX, 76053 - Website: www.samanthamobley.com
- Phone: 8179445775
- Email: samxmob@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/samxmob/
- Facebook: facebook.com/samxmobtattoos
Image Credit:
Samantha Mobley
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
