Help Malika pay for Tattoo School

Hello! My name is Malika and I’m a 26 year old woman living in North Portland. I have been making art and music my entire life and I love creating as a way of connecting to my community. 

I have dreamed of tattooing since I was 16 and now, 10 years later, I am so close to having the ability to create the way I was meant to. The tattoo world is one that is very difficult to step into without help and to be a Queer, Fat, Black, Woman, not to mention poor-in a predominantly white and male dominated industry only adds to the struggle.

I would love to bring some diversity into the Portland tattoo community and connect with other people who love art but don’t see themselves represented in either the industry. I was scared to start getting tattooed because of the sexism and fatphobia I experienced at the hands of bad artists, and over the years others have shared similar stories. 

Oregon mandates all aspiring tattoo artists must attend school and my fundraising goal is to cover the cost of tuition, supplies/machines, and study materials. None of these items are cheap, which is another hurdle to becoming a licensed artist-it takes some investments.

Tattooing has given me a greater capacity for self expression has helped me to feel connected to and empowered by my body. It’s allowed me to reinvestigate art and how I create, helping me get out of creative ruts that have lasted years. Becoming a tattoo artist would mean that I could finally put my artistic talents to use instead of only doing crafts on the weekend or finding bursts of energy between exams and work. Tattooing means freedom and flexibility when those things are hard to come by. 

So, I’ve come to ask for help from my community. I have my own fears about being vulnerable in this way, but if this last year has taught me anything it’s that it never hurts to ask! 

Any and all help is so greatly appreciated! Much love to you and yours.