In this episode, our guest is the talented queer hand poke tattoo artist Nicole of inktothewoods_! We talk about the nitty gritty parts of making a living as an artist and the pitfalls of romanticizing this creative path and career. Dreaming big comes at a price -- and most of the time, that entails wearing too many hats. This episode is for you if you are 1. someone who wants to want to earn a living with art or 2. someone who is curious about the behind the scenes in the life of an artist in this day and age. Enjoy!

This ep covers:

- Demystifying the life of an artist, response to the romanticization of this path

- How dreaming big has a price

- inktothewoods handpoke tattooing origin story and evolution

- Nicole's art journey from childhood, college life, to adult working life (traditional & digital drawing, comics, zines, poetry, stickers, handpoke tattooing etc.)

- form corporate, freelance, side gig work timeline, wearing several hats at multiple roles/work/day job, resigning from day job to being full time artist, to returning to the workforce while tattooing

- "Talking Bodies" signature ornamental abstract handpoke tattooing by inktothewoods

- Rewarding part of being a tattoo artist

- Dealing with burnout

- 2025 as the crash out year for artists

- Returning to full time job while doing art

- Expensive life lessons

- Reality of being an artist who earns a living from art

- Taking care of your mental health

- Delulu vs Seeing Life for What it Is

- Being okay with your dream transforming into something else

- Nicole's advice for young artists, creatives, and tattoo artists

If you appreciate this work, you can send tips here: Buy Me A Coffee

About our guest:

Nicole is a Marikina-based non-binary creative whose works focus on mental health awareness and body love. She is a resident artist at Tusok Studios (Manila) and Plyful Inks (Makati). She incorporates the gentle method of handpoke tattooing with meditation and inviting good energy. Her abstract ornamental pieces, which she fondly calls ‘talking bodies’, only ever aim to help folks feel more at home in their skin. On other days, she is an outdoor experience facilitator and hobby collector.

Instagram: @inktothewoods_

About the host:

Anna Dominique Santos (she/they) is a queer visual artist, art workshop facilitator, therapeutic art life coach, energy worker, Reiki and Akashic Records Reading & Healing practitioner, and meditation teacher from Bulacan, Philippines. She is also the creator of the Creative Portal Empowerment™ healing modality - made by an artist-healer, for artists, creatives, and those who need some creative push in their lives. For Anna, creation is a sacred act. She is passionate about inspiring others to explore this sacredness in their own unique journeys. Weaving together her spiritual practice into her art practice, she believes in the power of keeping our dreams and imagination alive to shape a better world. You can check out her energy-infused artworks, meditative art & painting workshops, and book your energetic consultations through these platforms:

@artbyannadominiquesantos

https://artbyannadominiquesantos.com/