Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarai Williams.
Hi Sarai, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hello, my name is Sarai Williams. I started tattooing back in September of 2019 in my college dorm rooms. Probably not the best place to start, but that’s where my tattooing and business was birthed. I’m a creative in general and when I got to college, I knew I wanted to pursue some type of art. I’ve always wanted to do different things as a child from special effects makeup to sculpting, cooking, movie directing, and painting. I originally didn’t expect to take tattooing this far or this seriously. Most of the encouragement came from my roommates and friends, who were probably the reason I allowed myself to explore tattooing in the first place. My father also tattooed in the past so I felt like if I had any questions, he could give me a tip or two and I kind of just dove in completely. I’m the type of person that once I find something I love or am passionate about there really is no going backwards, despite all the difficulties I’ve set my goals, and this is the path I’ve chosen to live by. It’s honestly the only thing I care to do in the long run, which is to be free to create and express myself how I choose, and I honestly haven’t looked back since. I quickly fell in love with tattooing and decided I was going to take it all the way. It wasn’t easy in the slightest bit and still isn’t necessarily easy, but it is absolutely worth it. I want to sharpen my skills and continue to grow as a tattoo artist, and it will always be my first priority, but I don’t want to limit myself to tattooing only. I believe in perfecting your craft, but I also believe that we are the only ones who can put boundaries on ourselves or what we create and that we shouldn’t tie or limit ourselves to one title or thing. Art is in everything we see whether we know it or not and there really is no limit to creation or art. I have passion for art as a whole so I still allow myself to create in ways outside of tattooing. This is where my brand “Infinite Artistry” was born.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest struggles starting was finding a space where I could learn and grow in a professional environment where I could be taken more seriously as an artist. Finding the time, energy, and especially money to maintain my own business was especially hard as well. I think people underestimate genuinely what it takes to start and try and run your own business from the ground up along with balancing all of what life brings you on the day to day. I can’t say I did it all entirely on my own, especially starting off, but when it comes to the ins and outs of my business, how I run it, how I maintain it, and much more, I do it by myself. This is of course what I signed up for but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. I try my best to get help and outside support as much as I can though! I think another thing that was hard for me, and I even still struggle with it to this day is the emotional weight that creating art puts on a person, as well as the weight of monetizing off of your art puts on you. This can take the joy and the fun out of expression and creating and turn it into something that is done for profit, likes, engagement, etc. Of course I want my clients and anyone who sees my art to enjoy it, love it, or support it as much as do, and the vulnerability of creating plus sharing your art for other people’s perceptions and opinions can feel like a lot of pressure, but I think it’s important to understand that profit does not equal talent or skills. It’s a lot deeper than that so i’m learning to just create for the sake of creation and expression. Sadly, there is plenty of natural talent and potential in this world that deserves recognition and support but may never get it if they’re not in a space that allows them to nurture and explore those talents. Obstacles are everywhere and endless honestly but at the end of the day all you can really do is bounce back and learn from those hard times. Its been difficult for me but with my passion and persistence I’ve been able to make it to where I am now and I know I can take my career much further.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an artist/creative who specializes in tattooing but am not limited to tattooing only. Most of my following and most of what I’m known for is my tattoos! My main style I enjoy to do is Anime, Horror, and pop culture. There is A LOT that falls under the category of pop culture and honestly if I think it’s a cool idea or concept, I’m more than happy to work with it. I’m still growing and expanding when it comes to my tattoos as well, so I try to allow room for change and wherever that growth takes me, but I prefer to stick with my main styles and grow off of that. I also want to start doing more chrome tattoos so I can add that onto my list of tattoo styles as well. One of my biggest accomplishments as a tattoo artist and things I’m most proud of is reaching one of my goals to tattoo the singer/Artist Kaash Paige! When I first started tattooing that was a huge goal of mine, so it was really dope to manifest that and have it actually come into fruition. I think being able to put my art on bigger artists and it being something that they literally have on them forever, wherever they go is a huge accomplishment. Somehow a piece of my art or creation is traveling with people and leaving a permanent mark wherever they go. Tattooing is a very intimate thing and one day I hope I can reach other large artists that I love and just being able to share that type of one on one experience with them and leave them with something meaningful or just something to love the same way they leave others with their own art. Fingers crossed I get to tattoo Isaiah Rashad, Smino, or JID one day next!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’d just say I hope to inspire others to search for freedom and passion no matter what that looks like to them. Trust your vision and even if that vision changes, trust your path and know that you are exactly where you need to be. Even when you’re doubtful, even when you feel like it’s you and your dreams against the world, or sometimes feeling like it’s you against yourself, learn yourself, trust yourself, and follow through no matter what it takes and know that you are very well capable of anything you put your mind to genuinely. The only obstacles or limits that can completely throw you off your purpose are the limits you place on yourself.
Pricing:
- There is at the very least a $150 minimum on tattoos that goes up based off of size, placement, detail, etc!
- There is a non-refundable deposit required upon booking to secure appointment dates and times that comes off the overall price of your tattoo.
Contact Info:
- Website: Inkdbysarai.com
- Instagram: Inkdbysa.rai_
- Twitter: Inkdbysa.rai_
- Other: TikTok: @ Inkdbysa.rai_
