Meet Elizabeth Kosto | Tattoo Artist & Shop Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Kosto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am originally from Anchorage, Alaska! I moved here nearly a decade ago due to my father being in the Air Force. Having spent a good portion of my life up North, I knew I had to keep it with me- which is why my “artist alias” is Desert Moose! Also, being surrounded by the nature that’s abundant in Alaska, I bring a lot of nature influenced ideas into my artwork!

Being an Air Force brat, I was raised with the idea that “If you’re not learning, you’re not living”- each day I try something new with my artwork and business. It’s an internal pressure I value tremendously as it really keeps me focused on how I can improve technically as an artist and as a business owner!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been drawing since I could hold a crayon and not try to eat it- art has been with me through everything. It’s been the most consistent thing in my life.

My artwork has had many transitions- early on, it was for fun. It evolved to help me grief, laugh, smile, think, and even cry. My traditional paintings and colored pencil illustrations hold more of a “what’s going on in my head”.
My tattoos are an ever evolving form of art with the main idea that I’m translating “what’s going on in SOMEONE ELSES head”, I love making things custom and allowing my canvases to be able to express themselves on their sleeves..

Being in this industry is tough, but I knew since I was little and saw my heavily tattooed parents that I wanted to decorate peoples skin. Before being in a shop I’ve spent hours upon hours, between two jobs and college, researching and learning at home. I was committed to this career before I had my foot in the door- which I think helped me more than anything.

Opening shop with my good friend, Danny Matlock (@the_mad_matlock) has been one of the greatest challenges- but it’s all so worth it! There is a huge transition from being an artist in a shop to owning a shop.
With Dante Adams and Ronnie Woods allowing us to work with them at Hath No Fury Tattoo while we open Duality Tattoo, it’s made the transition smooth!
Find your people! A challenge is far less of a challenge when your working with like minded people who genuinely care about your success too!

The biggest lesson I’ve learnt is to just be present. Make your move, don’t succumb to a plateau because it’s too hard or no one is there with you. If you want it, get it. It’s so worth the challenge and you’ll be so happy with the reward!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh shoot- Tucson has so many great little spots! And I’m always finding new spaces too!

Most definitely would be going downtown to Bison Witches to grab a bite. Can never go wrong with their giant and fat sandwiches with a bread bowl of soup.
Then since we’re downtown, creep over to Surly Wench Pub to grab a drink or two because the bartenders are always so great!

I’m also a plant fiend so maybe a nursery or two- Mesquite Valley Growers for sure, grab them and myself a little cactus!

The Desert Museum is also a must as it’s possibly the best way to be introduced to all of Tucson/Arizona’s wildlife without risking anything!

At some point, we’d end up at the 22nd Street Antique Mall- because if they’re my friend they like weird old stuff!

The views are something other worldy- Definitely go up to Mt. Lemmon and Star over Tucson. It’s such a grounding place!

There’s so many little places that even I still want to check out!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Major shout out to my biggest support system; my mother, my father, and my little brother.

My family has fed so much into my art career- buying me the supplies I wanted, encouraging me to pursue art as a career, and challenging me to do bigger and better things.
They have also helped me through some of the most challenging parts of my life, not just career wise, but the hardcore mental struggles of just being human- without my little family, I wouldn’t be here in a multitude of ways.

Website: Desertmoosetattoo.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desert_moose/

Other: Shop Instagram – @dualitytattoo_az

Image Credits
Darian Lauer – (First Image)