Meet Shannon M | Paramedical Tattooer

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

Hi Shannon, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Success is such an open ended word. Everyone has different definition of the what it is to be successful. Some might be finances, others it might be notoriety. I would say what has made me feel successful in my career is being able to execute my vision, and having people come to me for the reason of why I do what I do.
When people book with me I want them to know I’m going to take the time to get to know you as person and a client. And when you leave I want you to feel seen and enhanced! So when I get an email saying “I love your work it’s the most natural I’ve seen” or just general thank you about our conversations. It’s like cool! The vision is coming together!

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.
I’ve always had a hyper fixation on human anatomy and behaviors. I think as an artist it plays out strongly in how I approach my craft and clients features. But also in the bigger picture how this experience with me, will affect them. I want people to feel like a human before they feel like they’re paying for a service.
I grew up in NYC so I was exposed to all forms for art. When I didn’t know how to emotionally articulate how I was feeling I always had art to help me find the emotions I wanted to express.
I was inspired from graffiti art, classical work like renaissance paintings, medical illustrations, album art work, performance art like drag! Anything visual that inspire any type of feeling. I drank it up as a kid and teen. Basically I didn’t want to hear people talk, talk is cheap. If I am able to look at something and really be moved by it. That’s what I wanted, and wanted to do when I grew up!

When I got into tattooing I was little more playful then most of my peers at the time. I was there to really leave an impression on people, I really liked getting to know clients. I don’t care how far apart someone can be from your lifestyle, there’s something so beautiful about finding commonality from unexpected places. Learning someone’s life, how they think, why they think that way. I genuinely mean it when I tell my clients all my work feels like I get paid to just talk to friends.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh I don’t know if I’m the right person to ask for this. I go to bed at 8pm most nights and keep to myself.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My friend Braja Holiday of Purnam Wellness is an incredible somatic healing massage therapist based in Long Beach. I think with me talking about my tattooing helping people re-acclimate to their bodies, Braja does that with her unique take on massage therapy. Beautiful person providing beautiful healing services.

Website: https://www.memoirtattoo.com/artists#/shannon-m

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/TheBrowRecluse

Image Credits
Personal photo (1st one)
Is photographed of me by
Alexandra Kacha Photography