We had the good fortune of connecting with Dontrail Giddens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dontrail, how do you think about risk?
I think taking risks are necessary if you want to grow. Taking risk honestly helped me become who I am today, they all broaden my horizons. If I didn’t I would have still been in a job that I hated and, dissatisfied with myself.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Well I’m a tattoo artist. I think what sets me apart is my drive for growth and my willingness to test out my theories. It been a long road for years for me to get were I’m at today. When I graduated high school I knew I wanted to be a tattoo artist I just didn’t know how yet. I knew I had to develop my artistic skill set so I devoted hours everyday to drawing. I stopped by countless shops and spoken to a lot of people just for advice and for a apprenticeship. I even moved all the way to Florida from New Jersey for one. There has definitely been a ton of challenges along the way but honestly the biggest one I had was getting my foot in the door. There are a lot of places that will try to scam you or use for free help during a apprenticeship. I learned to fully evaluate the situation and see people for who they are. What I want the world to know about my story is to just never give up on your dreams if your determined it will come true.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would first take them to the botanical garden down the street from me I go there all the time. After that we could go to the nature preserves in the area.

And I love kayaking in weeki wachee. Honestly I’m still learning the area so I don’t know much about out here.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to a shoutout to my mother Carmen Perez, Ron Thornton, my best friend Misty Mercedes and Nicolaes, also my family.

Instagram: trippytrails_ink

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