Meet Robin Embry | Independent Artist & Tattoo Artist

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

Hi Robin, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born and raised in a very small rural town in Illinois. I grew up often being alienated and misunderstood. I am multiracial, and the small rural environment I was brought up in created many challenges for me. I often found myself alone trying to navigate through the concepts of racism and sexism. My family loved me, but they could not relate to or understand what it was like to be me. I would say my struggles of my upbringing taught me to be resistant. I had to be strong, and that strength continues to show itself within my day to day life. I push boundaries both in my normal life as well as for my business.

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.
My brand is Art By Rembry. It encompasses a lot of different art styles that I am passionate about. I focus on mixed media sculptures, illustrations, paintings, and tattoos. My style is unique and it sets me apart from other art. My personality as well sets me apart from other artists as I do my best to be down to earth.

I have always drawn and created pieces of art, but my humble beginnings start on Etsy as well as doing very small outside art shows. The come up was definitely a challenge. I researched and taught myself a lot about the trade. I struggled through shows where I made no money or had to survive thunderstorms or intense heat. Trust me, I have spent a few nights after doing vendor shows crying in bed from how difficult it can be.

I learned a lot through the struggles. I learned how to rely on myself and slowly learned how to rely on others for that support I needed. I think what I have learned thus far is it definitely takes a community. I am more successful now because I have found love and support through my family, and they do their best to do whatever they can to encourage me. My brand isn’t just me; it’s all my struggles and all my learning to get through. My family are much my brand as I am, and that makes me proud.

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?
For any city I live in, travel to, or sell product at, I look for a couple of things. Is there a beach or nature preserve? Where are the art museums? And where is the best food? Typically, I take my friends out for a day or two at the beach or one of the nature preserves. Typically a day or two of hitting up the museums or any interactive art exhibits going on at the time. And each day is definitely ended with a meal at one of the many local restaurants.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family has been a driving force for my success and they deserve recognition as well. From my grandparents, to my aunt, to my loving partner, and my kiddos, they all have encouraged me to keep going with my business.

Website: etsy.com/shop/ArtByRembry

Instagram: instagram.com/artbyrembry

Facebook: facebook.com/ArtByRembry

Other: TikTok: tiktok.com/@artbyrembry

Image Credits
Robin Embry