KATIE MCGOWAN
Tattoo Artist & Studio Owner
Little Rock, Arkansas
ARTIST INTRODUCTION
STYLE & WORK
TIPS FROM THE ARTIST
FIRST-TIMERS
ARTIST INTRODUCTION
How long have you been a tattoo artist?
This is my eleventh year of tattooing!
What tattoo shop do you work at?
I work at Love Spell Tattoo in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Why did you start working in the industry/where does your passion for tattooing come from?
I grew up enjoying to draw. When I was a kid, I would draw popular cartoon characters over and over again. I loved activity books that included the grids where you would redraw various cartoon characters from provided references. Once I got into high school, I became more “serious” with my art (lol) and started to draw black and grey portraits of my friends using pencils and charcoal. I started hanging out at the local tattoo shop in my home town when I was 18 and absolutely adored the environment. I thought being a tattoo artist would be an absolute dream job. Getting to draw and make permanent art for rad people all day...sign me up! I begged for an apprenticeship and eventually got hired, and the rest is history.
What are your passions outside of tattooing?
My passions outside of tattooing include: 1.) Hanging out with my sweet, giggly 7 month old baby Zeke and my loving baby daddy Norman. 2.) Cooking! I love exploring new recipes on food blogs. I try to cook fairly healthy, which can be a challenge at times! My favorite recipes that I’ve collected and perfected are the ones that are super tasty and healthy too. 3.) Exercising — currently my favorite form is taking walks or hiking with the fam. 4.) Traveling — I love exploring and learning about other places, cultures, and food.
STYLE & WORK
What type of tattoos do you specialize in?
I tattoo colorful “neo traditional” style tattoos. I love using multiple lines weights, black shading and interesting color palettes. I frequently tattoo flowers, pet portraits, mandalas, food, gemstones, landscapes, and other rad things of the like!
What makes a tattoo truly beautiful?
What truly makes a tattoo beautiful is when the client feels like their tattoo has gone above and beyond their original idea or concept. When a client looooves their tattoo and feels super proud of it, it’s a beautiful thing.
Are there specific tattoos that you are really proud of?
I am the most proud of the tattoos that I’ve done for people that help them heal. Whether the tattoos helped them heal from body image issues, loss, trauma, or other issues that were possibly causing them pain. Sometimes tattoos can be so therapeutic and can help people close certain chapters of their lives and feel a sense of peace.
TIPS FROM THE ARTIST
Why is aftercare important to you and your clients?
I can not stress how important tattoo aftercare is!! Many of my clients consider their tattoos to be lifelong investments. When you are waiting many months for your tattoo appointment to arrive, you’re spending a good bit of money on said tattoo, you’re toughing it out through the tattoo process even when the pain gets a bit spicy, the FINAL and most CRUCIAL step is taking superior care of your tattoo, even after it’s all healed up!
Are there certain types of tattoos where aftercare is even more important (e.g., level of detail, certain types of inks/colors?)
There are some parts of the body that require a little bit more TLC when healing at tattoo. Usually parts of the body that bend (knees and elbows) will experience more swelling and require a bit more gentleness when healing. Hands and feet are typically a bit dryer than other parts of the body, so they made need a bit more moisturizing.
What type of product and or brand do you currently recommend to clients for aftercare?
Right now I recommend A+D ointment.
FIRST-TIMERS
What advice do you give to first time tattoo getters who are hesitant/nervous?
My advice to first-timers is to “just relax,” if they can. Your first tattoo is the hardest one you’ll ever get because of all the unknown factors. The pain, considering the permanence, trusting your artist. All of these elements can bring a bit of anxiety or nervousness, which is totally normal. Usually after the first few seconds of tattoo being done, the nerves settle down. Then you start thinking about what your second tattoo will be!
KATIE'S WORK





