Meet Missy Mahan of Missy Mahan Tattoos & Art at Iron Key Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Missy Mahan.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was interested in tattooing at fourteen. I was introduced to a homemade machine at that age haha, I then started drawing my own type of flash and mimicking the current style of tattoo art at the time. Since then it was my passion and Dream to pursue tattooing and here I am today fulfilling that passion!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
At first it wasn’t as soon as I turned eighteen I inquired wherever I could about becoming an apprentice. I showed my drawings to whom would take the time to look. Some establishments mentioned I was “too young” or they “wouldn’t do me justice” or they charged thousands of dollars for my time. I was also denied once because I was female. So I gave up for several years but at the end of the day timing is everything and I’m glad to say I’m now surrounded by like-minded creative people with a passion for art as well!

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a Native American, Female Tattoo artist and Painter. As a tattoo artist I’m fond of exploring different techniques of tattoo art and styles I may have never done or am not used to but I mostly enjoy realism with my own take on the subject. As a painter I grew up drawing portraits and focused more on realism of female faces, form and the 50’s pinup genre, so I take pride in taking the time to put that extra detail in a face or eyes to tell more of a story within a painting.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was ridiculously shy and still am at times. In fourth grade kids thought I was deaf because I rarely spoke Haha! From a young age I always remember drawing and exploring with graphite to colored pencil then on to paints which I mainly work with today. Every summer my mother would always enter my work into the Heard Museum Student art Show in High school that experience would lead me to selling my art and partake in rare workshops with other Native American artists and students. I also would then get the Amazing opportunity to be featured on the cover of Native Peoples magazine for my pencil drawings when I was seventeen.

Pricing:

• Art Prints $15

Contact Info:

• Address: Iron Key Studio
  9210 W Peoria Ave
  Peoria, AZ 85345
• Website: www.missymahantattoosllc.com
• Phone: 602 904 3245
• Email: missymahanart@gmail.com
• Instagram: missymahanart

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