Rising Stars: Meet Madison Westfall

Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Westfall.

Hi Madison, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My name is Maddie. When I was 17 my cousin passed in a car accident, she inspired me to pursue my passion for art which I’ve always carried on through school, I didn’t want to have my art in a museum and I loved tattoos so I called local tattoo shops and I went in person with 3 drawings that weren’t finished and asked for them to teach me how to tattoo, they hired me on and in trade, for teaching me, I was to clean the entire shop every night, grab there breakfast lunch and dinner, and get any supplies they need outside of the shop.

About 4 months in my family and friends started to show me that there was some mental abuse going on in the shop and it didn’t feel like I was getting much in return, after completing my apprenticeship I finally graduated at 18 I was a tattoo artist! After going through probably the hardest months mentally and I was just glad I was able to pursue my dream. I was assaulted by another artist and I knew then and there it was time to get out and start my career somewhere else. After a couple of months of being on my own not sure of where to go, I see this course that offers to teach fine line, these were the programs I was trained to hate in my apprenticeship and it almost backfired because I saw that as an opportunity to further my education and get experience from other artist and I could ask advice on what to do next. The program I went through was amazing and it made my path so much more clear. After I received my certification in fine line I worked for another tattoo artist in a suite, it just didn’t feel like a big enough push for me so I decide to suite share so k just rented the space from another person, my sister boss has a friend who was looking for the same thing, I made a great connection with her and I really gained a lot more confidence from her and helping me step more into the business side and really develop a blueprint for my career.

After working by Nicole’s side for a couple of months I went to look at a suite to get an idea of pricing and immediately I was just so grateful and excited to take this next step that I did just that. It was very hard leaving Nicole but I leave still close to her and am forever grateful for her help with making my career into my business. At 19 I got my LLC and business license and that is scary there were days I wasn’t sure if this was for me. The day my license was approved (I had to get special approval because the city of Glendale doesn’t allow tattoos) I cried out of pure joy and it became very clear that I am on the right path, continuing that forward movement was very quick, it is exactly how I would’ve dreamed it to be and I’m so incredibly grateful for anything and anyone who helped me get here. I can’t wait to watch my business grow and dedicate my love and energy to this.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My apprenticeship was very rocky it was a love-hate relationship, the original owner was very much a dad figure for me, he has a big heart and wants to give everyone a chance including some interesting people with the manners of Snakes, they “teach” me on n off it really depended on how they felt about themselves and with me. When I was being tough it was mostly by this girl until she quit she was very talented.

The rest of my apprenticeship felt very much self-taught until right when I graduated the new owner came in and wanted to teach me new ways right when I thought they start treated me like a normal artist they took that power away and the toxic environment was at full power and when one of the artists put his hands on me that was it of me and I left.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am in Glendale Arizona. I have been tattooing for a year and I am specialized in fine-line, traditional and Tiny tattoos.

I’ve always been proud that I’ve kept my passion for art alive and I actually found a way to make a living by doing something I love most, I am extremely light handed and I am one of the few artists in the state who are trained to do extremely delicate single needle tattoos. My space is a safe space for any person and everyone is welcome.

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I took a risk by staying at my apprenticeship for so long after being denied to be fought to tattoo any sooner, I was having a really hard time financially and had to receive help for many months to be able to eat and or have gas to get to my apprenticeship.

I had to be there 5 days a week open to close. I took a risk leaving my apprenticeship I was so scared I would be blacklisted because the owner is very big in the traditional community and could impact my next job. I took a risk opening my own suite

Pricing:

• 100 minimum for custom tattoos
• $65,$75,$85 flash sheet tattoos
• $35 for touch-ups (my work)
• $55 touch-ups (not my work)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://justpermanentthingsllc.square.site/
• Instagram: @Justpermanentthingsllc
• Tiktok: @justpermanentthings