Crisp lines, comfy feet, & creativity

How tattooing taught Stevie McCool to trace a creative path through life

 

“I was always very artistic growing up,” Stevie states, “I took a lot of art classes and I always enjoyed drawing and painting. When I was fifteen, my brother went to design school in Savannah, and while I was visiting, he went and got his first tattoo--a winged foot that symbolized his love for running.”

That’s when it all clicked for tattoo artist Stevie McCool. 

She continues, “I don’t know why they let me in the shop that evening, because I was a kid, but as I watched Dillan get inked up, I thought that it was the coolest thing ever. Not just because he was getting this awesome piece of art that was so representative of him, permanently etched on his body, but also because the artist was right there, creating a career just from being an artist.”

After that trip, Stevie started bugging her dad about tattooing; and after a couple of years of her persistence, he finally relented and got her a machine, some ink, and practice pads.

STEVIE'S Journey

By the time Stevie turned eighteen and was ready to start apprenticing, her dad had opened a tattoo shop in their hometown; she began to study under their artist, Jeremiah Johnson.

One day, a client went into their shop to get a large, geometrically-shaped patterned tattoo. The design was intricate with perfectly straight lines. Stevie reflects that it looked really difficult and intimidating to do--but ultimately, JJ completed it effortlessly, with clean, precise lines.

That was a moment of clarity for her; from that point forward, she knew that she wanted to specialize in sharp lines.

“Linework is the foundation of a tattoo,” Stevie describes, “so it has to be solid. Clean. It’s just so imperative. I remember at that moment, my mission as a tattoo artist came into focus: to make the cleanest lines I could. I worked really hard to get there, and for years--but I feel confident that I did!”

Stevie is an embodiment of the possibilities that can occur when purpose, path, and profession align. “There’s nothing that I don’t enjoy about being a tattooer,” she professes, “I don’t think that there’s any job in the world that I would actually enjoy as much as I do tattooing.”

“If I’m feeling stuck in my personal life, or stagnant in my art; and I’m unsure of what I want to put my energy into, having specific things that I need to work on for my job forces me to find a flow;” she says, “and once I start that, everything else comes easier.”

“I work at a studio in Estes Park, Colorado right now. It’s a little mountain town and we get lots of groups of tourists who just want little mountain tattoos or native flowers,” she says. “I’ve probably done a hundred mountain tattoos at this point and every one is an opportunity to be creative.”

 

 A Woman Draws Her Lines

Stevie knows exactly what it is to be a woman in a male-dominated industry—however, she transforms each instance where she feels that reality into an opportunity for positive growth.

“I definitely struggled with how to navigate it at first—not only because I’m a woman, but also because I started very young, and I still look young,” Stevie declares.

“Regardless of how much knowledge I have, or how much experience I have, I’ve definitely been treated very differently. I’ve also been paid less than men at shops, despite doing the same work.”

“However, I’ve learned to let my work speak for itself,” she says, “That has helped me a lot, especially in developing confidence as a person and as an artist.”
“I’ve also learned how to set better boundaries; and have empowered myself to speak up when I feel like I’m not being treated well. Creating those boundaries and holding people accountable to them is the only way I’ve been able to navigate this industry while keeping my self-respect and my sanity,” she professes.

Those lessons learned from working in her chosen industry have helped her to navigate personal relationships with equal parts confidence and grace.

 

Creative Expression—in Tattoos & in Shoes

Also helpful in maintaining Stevie’s mental health is working so close to the mountains, and taking advantage of that proximity whenever she can. “I get so much inspiration from going on a hike in the mountains with my dog Bear,” she says. “Seeing the wildflowers or sitting next to an alpine lake brings me so much peace and joy.”

Working in a mountain town, especially as the seasons change from summer to the colder months, comes with true consequential clothing considerations. “I really love the Duckfeet Skanderborg,” Stevie states. “Living in Colorado, and especially working in Estes Park, which is at a pretty high elevation and nestled between really big peaks, the winters here get really cold--and I’m already inevitably always cold.” 
She loves the Skanderborg’s super cozy shearling lining, and how comfortable Duckfeet are when she’s working.

Stevie loves Duckfeet’s quirky colors, too. “I always dress kind of muted and I don’t have a lot of colors in my wardrobe, but I do like to have some strong accent pieces, like a stylish hat or a cool pair of boots. The Granate Skanderborg are so bold and bright--they’re perfect!”

Personal, creative expression is something that Stevie thinks about quite a lot as a tattoo artist; after all, it’s her job to help people convey their own style and imagination with permanent ink on the body’s canvas. She offers some helpful insights for anyone considering a tattoo, whether it’s their first or their fortieth.

Tattoo Tips from Stevie

Placement is crucial.

A lot of people, even tattoo artists, don’t consider placement, but it’s one of the easiest ways to elevate your ink. Consider how the artwork relates to your anatomy. Does it flow well with your muscles? Can it mimic the curvature of your ribcage? Skin isn’t stationary, so how will it morph if, say, a piece on your arm is relaxed compared to if it flexes or rotates? Good tattoo design will consider placement and take advantage of the body’s inherent dynamism.

The experience matters.

While it’s important to look at a tattooer’s portfolio of healed artwork to find an artist whose quality and style resonate with you, it’s just as important to consider who is giving the tattoo, so talk with the artist before you commit. Schedule a consultation. Make sure that you get along well with them, whether that’s over the phone or in-person.

Get a vibe check to ensure that they’re going to be receptive to your desires and respectful of your opinions. Make sure that they are excited about doing your tattoo, too, because that’s going to come through in not just the artwork, but in how you perceive it afterwards--and you’re going to have to live with those memories. Forever.

Experience is key for Stevie. As a tattooer, she cares not just about creating really cool, clean artwork with her clients, but she also values connecting with them as people, with the hopes that their tattoo session will ultimately be a really positive experience for them.

In that way, Stevie makes the world a brighter, more stylish place and leaves her own mark… literally.

 

Shop Stevie's Style:

 

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Stevie McCool is a Boulder, Colorado based tattoo artist who currently works at Driftwood Tattoo Studio in Estes Park. Follow her on Instagram; and use the link or email on her profile to set up a consultation.

Duckfeature & photography by Chris Brinlee Jr.