Meet Carly Vorndran

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carly Vorndran.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I always enjoyed drawing or anything artistic, especially as a kid. I think I always liked tattoos but tattooing/getting tattooed started appealing to me more around the time I was in middle school. It was actually one of my first “dreams jobs” but I did not take any action toward it until quite some time after that. A couple of years, after I finished high school, I ended up approaching a shop with some of my drawings and they said “Well, looks like you can draw a straight line. Why don’t you hang out for a couple of weeks and if we all get along then you can apprentice here.” And I said “Okay.” I began my apprenticeship shortly afterwards.

At the time, I really did not have much knowledge as far as art goes. I had, of course, taken some art classes throughout high school and I had even taken a couple at Pima Community College but the knowledge I had about drawing, art in general, or even tattoos coming into tattooing was very minimal. Luckily enough for me I worked, and continue to work, with people who truly care about tattooing and the art that goes into each tattoo. During my apprenticeship I was able to learn a lot about design and composition of tattoos and, eventually, how to tattoo them. At the shop I work at now, I still get to learn about just about anything and everything related to tattooing and I love that. It has now been about three and a half years since I did my first tattoo and I am continuing work to develop my tattoo and art skills. I think it will always be a work in progress.

Please tell us about your art.
I make tattoos at Metro Tattoo in Tucson. Come see us, we are the coolest! I also make controlled watercolor paintings but I spend most of my time tattooing and preparing for tattoos. I just love tattooing because I get to be constantly creating. That can be overwhelming sometimes but it’s nice to get to work in an environment that allows me to totally be myself. I enjoy tattooing even more than I enjoy drawing or painting although I love them all. Permanently marking people’s bodies is a huge responsibility and that also makes it such an honor. I put my best into every tattoo and I just hope that anyone who has a Carly tattoo knows that and is happy with their tattoo.

We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
The tattoo community is huge here in Tucson. I honestly do not get lonely. I can barely escape these people as it is. I kid! In all seriousness, though, I know there are a lot of different types of artists, classes, shows, and studios here in town. I am not familiar with most of them but I bet a quick google search would show plenty.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Anyone who wants to see my work better get on Instagram or get down to the shop because, as of now, those are the only places you can find it. My Instagram handle is @carlytattoos and it is the most current version of my portfolio. At the shop I have paintings, stickers, some shirts, and designs I made that are just waiting to be tattooed. Buying things from me will always support me… But seriously even just telling a friend about my work is support!

Contact Info:

• Address: Metro Tattoo
  5838 E Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85712
• Phone: (520) 747-0031
• Email: carlytattoos@yahoo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlytattoos/

Image Credit:
Richard Nielson.

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