Meet Carolina Voldt | Tattoo Artist & Fashion Designer

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

Hi Carolina, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

It’s funny, but I’ve never considered myself to be much of a risk taker. That said, I find now that taking risks and risking failure is a part of life, so I feel it’s worth it in order to succeed. In my professional life, I treat taking risks as new opportunities. I wouldn’t be where I am today, doing what I do, without them. Going to Catholic school and wanting to be an artist was, at the time, a risk. Deciding to halt my education after I was rejected three times from an LA design school was a risk. Switching career paths at 23 to pursue a tattoo apprenticeship was a risk. Life is full of them, and there’s many more to come. I think at the end of the day, it’s all about mindset. It can be scary not knowing if or when taking a risk will pay off in the end, but risks don’t mean shit if you’re determined. I have no idea where my path will go, but I’m determined to do whatever I can to make the most of my life doing what I love.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a very visual person and I love working with my hands to bring all kinds of random ideas to life. I’ve always been artistic, drawing since I was a toddler, but fashion design was the first outlet I was able to find after I was struck down with a few health issues in my teens. My creativity really started to intensify thereafter and it became clear to me then that I had to turn my passion to create into a career. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it, but figured I’d just learn as I go. I realized a long time ago that nothing worth doing in life is easy, however, maintaining gratitude through challenging times is a testament to your growth and character. And when you hit a wall and feel stuck, you gotta pivot and adjust yourself or your surroundings to keep moving forward. I learned that during the pandemic of 2020 when I was at (what felt like) a dead end with my fashion design career. I had only been working with Donatella Azygous for about 4/5 months when she offered to mentor me in tattooing.I had quickly fallen in love with tattooing soon there after and I’ve only grown more respect and appreciation for this craft. Whether it’s tattooing, drawing, or creating a garment, there is no better feeling than seeing an idea in your head become reality. I hope that the world knows every piece of work that comes from me only became a reality because I had the passion and determination to make it happen.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a new DTLA resident, I’m still getting the lay of the land, but so far there’s been a few staples that I go to on a monthly or weekly basis. Aside from my tattoo clients, Holbox has been one of the best referrals I’ve gotten from my mentor. If you like seafood, it’s a must-have. Breakfast at Verve In the Arts District, is a weekly occurrence. As for city views, having a drink at the Proper Hotel’s Cara Cara is amazing. Any type of evening that finds you in downtown LA late at night should end with Ave 26 for 2 am tacos. Lastly, the best food truck ever has to be Vuger Guys. Their “vurgers” are so good that it’s suspicious whether they are truly plant-based. I’m also a big fan of second-hand / vintage goods, so I’d take a trip to my friends at Chance Vintage in Burbank, grab a Cuban sandwich from Porto’s Bakery, which is conveniently right next door. Down the Alley (DTA) is also a fun time if you like doing thrifting at night. but if you’re more of a daytime person, going to the Topanga Vintage Fair in Woodland Hills has been a highlight of my life since moving to LA in 2007.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I say this almost weekly, but I truly and wholeheartedly would not be the woman I am without my family and close friends. I am so lucky and so thankful to have two parents who that have done nothing but support and encourage me my whole life. I owe so much to them as they are my biggest fans. And a big shoutout to my two amazing older sisters, Lauren and Katie. I am so inspired and proud of them as they are of me. My close friends, some of whom I’ve known for 15-20 years, have been through every stage of my life and have believed in me even when I didn’t. Lastly, I have to give it to my mentor, Donatella Azygous, who has taken on many other roles like friend, sister, mother, coach, body guard, etc. My life changed for the better when I started working for her, then with her, almost 4 years ago, and I can’t thank her enough.

Instagram: CarolinaVoldt

Image Credits
Baz Kathryn Caudle