Side Quests
I have been sketching my idea to get a custom piece from the new tattoo shop down the street but a different opportunity arose! My sister in law texted me that Milwaukee was hosting a tattoo festival!
We toured around on Friday evening and checked out booths, books, and chatted with artists. I gathered so many business cards and stickers. I saw a beautiful booth with an artist whose work resonated so much that I almost got tattooed by her then and there but I hadn’t even seen a third of the convention yet! So I held off and we continued looking. By the time we’d done a full round and thought it over we knew we’d be coming back on Sunday. I had to get this tattoo I’d found.
Back on Sunday, my boyfriend Finn was available to come too and he got tattooed! I went to Sierra Eagleson (@fly.creek.ink) and got the cutest little jackalope in blue ink. Her style is this beautiful combination of delicate motifs and blues like fine China mixed with this folk art subject matter. Her instagram shows so much range, exactly like I want to do. I felt so inspired and she was so sweet and fun! I’m so glad I got tattooed by her and attended the festival. I needed to be surrounded by all that artistic energy. The new job isn’t terrible but it’s definitely not what I want to be doing. I needed a breath of fresh air desperately and didn’t realize it until I was walking around all these tattoo booths with a big goofy smile on my face.
Admittedly I now need to wait a few more paychecks before checking out the tattoo place down the street from me but I am so happy for this little twist of fate. This was my fourth one I’ve attended and my third one getting a tattoo. These cons always have a few different shows as well as tattoo competitions. Milwaukee had sword swallowing. Indianapolis had a live band. Most of them seem to have that performance where a woman is suspended on ropes attached to rings through her skin. Chicago had a guy selling jerky from all different types of meat and a guy selling honey and hot sauce. I encourage folks of all interests to check out tattoo conventions honestly because you never know what you’ll find.
My takeaway from all this is that side quests make up a life worth living. While I continue to pursue my dreams, I do not subscribe to hustle culture. It will take longer I’m sure but I am not willing to sacrifice a life well lived to doggedly obsess over my goals. This side quest in particular somewhat aligned with my goals but did derail some financial aspects of my current steps. I’m cool with that. I got to hang out with my loved ones and take in art as a client.
XOXO,
SJ
