Tatt2honey (Bella Jaramillo) Interview | Respect the Dreamer
My name is Bella, aka Tatt2honey. I’m many things at once and I love wearing many different hats as far as creativity is concerned—but first and foremost, I’m a mother and a visual artist. Recently I had the fortune of tapping into tattooing and body piercing, and I have fallen in love with these body modification arts and ancient crafts. I’m someone who’s always looking to learn, create, and share that passion with others who are looking to do the same.
Outside of visual arts and motherhood, I’m a huge bookworm and foodie—feel free to send me a message anytime to talk about these topics! I love meeting like-minded people.
What inspired you to pursue your dream, and how did it all begin?
Seeing other people, especially women who I felt represented my identity, achieve their dreams against all odds in male-dominated industries. I remember watching tattoo artists such as Kat Von D and Tatubaby (literally my artist name inspiration) on TV and thinking to myself, this is a dream I can achieve.
My visual arts dream started in early childhood. My aunt and grandma are natural-born artists—always creating all sorts of beautiful things such as embroidery, knitting, and crafting all the favors for my first communion. They were monumental in my early developmental years and instilled a love for all things art in me since I was very young. There are a lot of artists in my family, not by profession, but by being born with that burning desire to express themselves through all sorts of art mediums. I like to think it’s in my DNA.
I would ask for and receive art supplies as birthday presents, and finally, in high school, I had the privilege of attending a performing arts school (shout out to my fellow OCSA alumni!).
As an adult, I was also fortunate enough to find an amazing tattoo mentor, Artsy Ashlee, owner of Artsy Ink. After many trials and tribulations in the industry, she opened doors for me I never thought possible at this point in time.
Can you share a defining moment in your journey that shaped your perspective and fueled your passion?
Being let go or having to leave several tattoo shops before landing at Artsy Ink. The first two years of my apprenticeship were rough—I had to hop around for a while looking for a mentor who truly cared about artistry and not just making money, as well as someone who could teach me while respecting me and caring for me as a person. This was challenging and time-consuming, and I felt like quitting many times—but I never did. Despite the setbacks, I kept going, and I was rewarded for it. This fueled my passion more than anything else because it wasn’t easily handed to me. I had to work hard and experience a lot of unfair situations to get to where I am today.
How do you handle setbacks and keep pushing forward in the pursuit of your dreams?
I’m going to be very honest—I don’t always handle setbacks the way I wish I did. But I’m working very hard to correct that aspect. I’m slowing down, being more mindful of the moment, and extending more grace to myself and others than I ever have before. I’m really prioritizing myself and my development as an artist and as a person in order to be at my best and continue pushing forward.
I truly believe the key is self-reflection, and then taking action based on those insights.
Are there specific individuals who have inspired you along the journey?
Many. I would not be here without the artists and people who paved the way and showed me this is possible. The first people that come to mind are my aunt, my grandma, several female tattoo artists such as Kat Von D and Tatubaby, my mentor Artsy Ashlee, and my best friends Janelle R. and Adriana R. (both amazing visual artists—check out @jay.k47 and @spicykewpiee on Instagram to see their art). I also have to thank my art teachers from childhood through high school—Luchi in Colombia and Mrs. Calderon here in the USA.
How do you maintain a balance between pursuing your dreams and handling everyday responsibilities?
This is a work in progress. I’m constantly trying different daily routines and strategies, but it’s not easy when you have so many responsibilities to others and yourself. Currently, I’m focusing on strategies that work for people like myself who have trouble staying on task (thanks ADHD). I’m making lots of lists and utilizing tools such as calendars, notes, and various software to help me keep track of everything.
How do you overcome self-doubt and stay confident in your abilities?
I remember—everything I have already achieved and every time in my life when I thought something was impossible, but I locked in and did it anyway. That hunger is in me and it’s never going away. Even on bad days, she’s there reminding me that I’ve overcome obstacles hard to imagine for most people, and I’m still here learning and growing every single day.
Can you share a memorable success story or achievement that resulted from your determination?
I’ve attended two tattoo conventions as an artist: the Villain Arts Meadowlands Festival in NJ and the Tattoos, Booze & Tacos Festival in Monroeville, PA. I was booked and busy for both, which is hard to achieve these days—even for more tenured artists.
I have to acknowledge that these are both personal achievements and the result of teamwork. They wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my mentor, coworkers, family, friends, and fellow artists. It truly takes a village.
In what ways do you stay motivated during challenging times?
Even though I get down and have bad days, during challenging times I lean into my passions and the things I love—drawing, painting, sculpting, reading, and watching movies. I surround myself with friends, family, and other like-minded creatives. Usually, just a conversation with any of them refuels my tank when it’s feeling empty.
What dream are you living right now?
I’m a tattoo artist and body piercer at one of the best shops in Staten Island! I’m making a living from my art and passions. I’m starting to travel to other states and attend conventions I never thought would be within my grasp at this point.
You can stay up to date on my progress and events on my Instagram page @tatt2honey. One of my next goals is to build a website where people can access all my work and an events calendar—please keep an eye out for that if you’re interested!
What advice would you give to someone with a dream?
Do not give up! Do the research, find your community, and use all your available resources to get there. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If someone refuses to help you, do not be discouraged—someone else will, and it might just be even better than you envisioned!
Photography Credit
Myself
Website: Venue.ink/tatt2honey
Instagram: @tatt2honey
TikTok: @tatt2honey
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