Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Stampfly
Hi Amanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My interest of things related to tattooing began around six or seven years old. My dad decided to get a tattoo and took the family to a Nashville studio, either in 1996 or 1997. I remember walking into the studio, seeing the flash racks and art everywhere on the walls, and feeling a fascination with the idea of being an artist when I grew up. At that time, I was already passionate about drawing, often spending hours drawing Pokémon cards and cats, which clearly reflected my interests.
As I grew older, my love for art continued to deepen and had been the only thing to ever make sense to me. When I turned 18 , I was so far behind in school from being transferred around, sent away momentarily on a long term “vacation”, being kicked out of one school, and school just never really clicking with me. I made the decision to dropout without a clear plan for how to start my tattoo career. My dad’s only condition for my decision was that I needed to have a job lined up, because he would not have a dropout just sitting at home doing nothing with their life. I remember the day I signed my withdrawal papers, the guidance counselor looked at me and said in the most condescending of tones “goodluck on your life.”
For the next 2 to 2.5 years, I focused on building a portfolio of my drawings. One night at a party, someone overheard me discussing me wanting to become a tattoo artist. This person, who was planning to get tattooed the next day, invited me to go with him to meet his tattoo artist. I jumped on the opportunity.
During my visit, I spoke with the tattoo artist, though my memory of the conversation is somewhat hazy since it was so long ago. The artist asked me to return with my portfolio a few days later. When I did, he looked at my work and then asked me to draw a traditional rose over at the light table. At that moment, I felt like I had blown the whole thing, as I let him know I was unfamiliar with the term “traditional rose” or really any art term if I was being honest. The artist advised me to look at the flash on the walls and replicate what I saw.
Despite my anxiety and the thoughts that I should just walk out and not embarrass myself further, I decided to see it through. I finished the drawing and handed it to him. He said he would contact me in a few days, and sure enough he did. He gave me the news he would take me on as his apprentice. That was back in late February of 2011.
I don’t have an extensive story about my apprenticeship. I showed up, did my job, and managed to balance a full-time job and full-time apprenticeship. It was challenging—there were months when I had to prioritize which bills to pay. Despite the difficulties, the experience was invaluable. I didn’t encounter the dramatic hazing or horror stories that some people do, and honestly, I’m grateful for that. I believe the journey was worth the effort and the few struggles, and I wouldn’t have wanted it to be any other way. If it had been, I don’t know if I would’ve appreciated it the same.
Many years after completing my apprenticeship, I had the opportunity to mentor Sarah Marxx. She has made me very proud to see her work, dedication, and progress. She doesn’t let anything stop her, any challenge that arises, she gets through it. That girl is a force. Sarah proved to be an exceptional apprentice and has since become a dear friend. She may get tired of hearing me brag on her, but I don’t care. She even signed as one of the witnesses at my wedding. Speaking of weddings, my husband James and I were married in one of the shops where he worked. Also his own piercing journey is remarkable, and I deeply admire his dedication and effort in everything he pursues.
I went through quite a few studios over the years while trying to find that one that felt like home, I landed at one named Tempest in Dickson, Tn. where I absolutely loved it and everyone in there. I was there for I believe 3 years, then had an opportunity for a home in Nashville so I moved to Nashville and had went through a few shops until I had found one that happened to actually not even be in that city, but in Gallatin at Grimoire Ink. My husband and I had plans of moving towards that direction, we just never did. My vehicle did not do well with that kind of drive after 3.5 years (she’s tired and I relate to that truck), so then it was on to relocating again. Where I have now had the wonderful opportunity to be part of Icon Tattoo and Body Piercing. I absolutely love this studio, it is beautiful and can definitely say this shop does indeed feel like home. Everyone there has been welcoming and so nice to me from the first day I came in there. I did feel like a new kid in a new school the first couple of weeks I started there. That was the first time in all my years of tattooing I went somewhere I did not have a previous friendship with anyone. As I stated before though, everyone was very nice and quite honestly just treated me as if I had been there all along.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While my journey into tattooing has not been without its challenges, I wouldn’t describe it as the roughest road. Instead, it has been a journey filled with valuable lessons and growth, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Every setback has served as a lesson, teaching me what I will and will not accept (whether that be with myself or other people) and how I want my professional life to be structured. These difficult moments have often been necessary for my development, helping me evolve into a better version of myself.
My parents were not thrilled with the path, but I was legally an adult so they couldn’t tell me no. My mom tried to make me promise to not get heavily tattooed, and my dad was concerned that I would become that term of “starving artist”. They didn’t know anything about tattooing. I believe at the time there were only three shops in the town I was in, which was considered a lot at the time.
In the early years, I faced significant struggles, particularly dealing with the slow seasons and learning to manage my finances at a young age. There were many occasions where ramen meals were not a choice but a necessity. I experienced numerous moments of frustration and doubt about myself. Fog brain from quite honestly going down a dark path of drinking far too much. Night life at that time frame of existing started out as new and quickly turned to normal for me. Only I was taking it too far, it was my only social time. Drinks came nearly free, so I didn’t really have to budget that in because I was a young pretty girl. The drinking part of my life was most definitely a dark ugly time that I will never live again. It was normal for me in my early life. It’s not a subject I really speak on too often anymore. I’m not going to sit here and say I’m proud of that portion of my life because I’m not, but we are supposed to be honest in these interview things right? Despite these mostly self inflicting challenges, that I was too dumb to put two and two together at the time, I refused to give up. I had to eventually give up that life style for multiple of reasons and learn that being a tattoo artist is a real job if you treat it as such, along with I just needed to get my life in order and grow up so I would not become another statistic. I knew if I continued that kind of life style, that I would never progress as an artist and remain stunted as a person. The passion for tattooing was my sole focus, and it was the only path that made sense to me.
I still remember the words that my mentor told me. They have stuck with me all of these years and I held them a certain way at one point that made sense at the time of how my life was, but now that I’m older and in a healthy place in life it is held so much different in a more positive light. He told me “The life of an artist is a lonely life, it gives you everything and takes everything away. It won’t make sense to you right now, but years down the road you’ll understand.” I think at my low point, during my struggles it made sense in the most negative comforting of ways. However, in my later life I agree, it does give you everything, and if you treat it right it takes away the things you don’t need, and sets you on the path that you need to be on. My mentor and I do not talk anymore, we haven’t for many years, but out of all the things I remember most are those words.
Ultimately, all of the experiences I had made me fix myself and take a long hard look at my life. Everything I made it through to be where I am, showed me anything I want is possible, it all just depended on me and how much did I want it. This journey has taught me personal growth, self love, and to not give up on dreams. My drive made my dream a reality.
There is so much that I didn’t place in here because it’s over a decade of story time, and the interviews are not meant to be novels. There are also certain parts of my personal life I do not place online. I’ll talk about them in person, but not everything in one’s life is meant for the world to know, as I still like to keep my personal life fairly private.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a tattoo artist at Icon Tattoo and Body Piercing in Nashville, TN, and I also create wall art during my downtime. My specialties include designs featuring mushrooms, bells, Hollow Knight, and NSFW tattoos. Due to previous issues with account suspensions, I do not publicly share photos of NSFW tattoos. I don’t know that you would call it known for, but I have people that come to me specifically for Hollow Knight designs as we share the same love and appreciation for the game.
I am particularly proud of the personal growth I have experienced through my work in tattooing. I often reflect on how different my life might have been if I hadn’t found my way into this field. Tattooing has provided me with a sense of purpose and direction, potentially steering me away from a series of poor choices I might have otherwise made.
The journey has allowed me to travel, meet incredible people, and build meaningful connections. Most notably, it led me to my husband, James Stampfly. This profession has profoundly shaped my life in ways I never could have anticipated, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
What sets me apart? I don’t ever want to sit stagnant. As every year passes the way things are done and the way people are will constantly evolve, you have to move forward with the changes or you get left behind and become lost. I maintain a straightforward and focused approach to my work and personal life. Outside of the studio, I enjoy spending time at home with my husband and cats and playing on my Nintendo Switch. While I may be a bit of a homebody, I believe this lifestyle allows me to remain grounded and dedicated to my craft.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is the opportunity to create, the chance to live comfortably, embrace life, and cherish the opportunities I’ve had. I strive to work towards my goals while savoring the small moments, all alongside the people I care about. I feel like most of that is what most people want.
I find contentment in needing less to be happy and fulfilled, rather than constantly seeking more and never finding satisfaction.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stampflytattoos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stampflytattoos
Image Credits
Amanda Stampfly
