We had the good fortune of connecting with Melanie Benoit and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Melanie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When Covid hit in 2020, I, as many others, was furloughed and then laid off from the company I worked for. I started to think that this was the perfect time to focus on myself and hopefully start a new career/business. I was tired of working for someone else after having done that for 13 years as a fashion designer. I wasn’t sure at first what my new career was going to be, but I knew that I had to think of something fast as life had given me the opportunity to have the time to do so. Prior to graduating as a designer, I studied fine arts in college for a few years so I always contemplated going into arts, but it takes time to get recognized as an artist, to paint, get paid etc. My husband is a tattoo artist, and even though this was “his thing” I was always interested in the craft. I never really thought about pursuing tattooing as I had a career or my own, but I eventually told him about my desire to learn. I felt like this is something I could be good at, so he helped me with the basics. I learned about machines, needles and the more physical part of tattooing from him, and all else was me using my fine art background and practicing. I sketched, posted those on Instagram, tattooed myself and posted those and started to get requests. So my goal to work for myself slowly started to take shape then!
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I focus on fine line botanical tattoos. We all do it a bit different, so I guess what sets me apart is my own style/ way to tattoo. I do a lot of custom larger pieces, sleeves for example, so clients who have seen my work know what to expect when they come to me. My background in fashion helps me design pieces that fit and flow on my clients body. I also do a lot of freehand and part stencil half freehand etc. It was not necessarily easy for me to get into tattooing, as it is a very guarded craft. I am lucky that my husband thought me how to use the tools, but I didn’t have the opportunity to work at a shop and to learn from other artists. I tried and asked around, but no one was interested to take me under their wing. I started to work on my own, with the trust from my clients who had seen my work on Instagram which is pretty special. Most artists learned doing an apprenticeship, and I didn’t go through this process. Parts of me wishes I did as I would have learned much faster, but I also feel like my process lead me to where I am today. After I started to tattoo myself, I started to get requests on Instagram so I knew I could do it on others. It took me some time to find the right tools to achieve the esthetic I was looking for, but after doing more tattoos, and looking at other artists work that I admire I started to get closer to the look I am looking for. Each day is a new day though, and I’m still learning so this is a long time process in my opinion. To keep practicing and to keep evolving is very important in arts. I love my tattoos and I always have, but I also know that I am better than I used to be, and probably will be better in 5 years from now!
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.
I just moved to Gilbert early January from Los Angeles so I am not familiar with that many places in my neighborhood yet unfortunately. I love to go the the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert! It has a few lakes, wild life (ducks and other migrant birds, bunnies, turtles etc) and it’s super peaceful. I also went to the aquarium in Scottsdale which was awesome.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Jason Craig. Without his help it would have been very difficult for me to start learning how to tattoo. Also Instagram, which has been an amazing tool for me to get recognized as I have always worked at a private studio, so that’s definitely amazing. I also learn and am inspired by many artists, some who have paved the way to what tattooing is today,
Instagram: @melbtattoos
Linkedin: Melanie Benoit
Image Credits
I took the photos.