Tonya Martines shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Tonya, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I do both at the same time. You can never truly know a straight path, so there’s always some wandering involved, even as you walk along it. That wandering is what makes the path itself more interesting. Instead of always going the regular way, you start thinking about other routes to reach your destination, discovering new places, making connections, and trying new things. I think a certain kind of wandering— in a good sense— is essential to staying in the right state as an artist, because we are always searching for ourselves.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Tonya, an artist and tattooer originally from Ukraine, now based in Tampa Bay, Florida. I started my journey as a tattoo artist around three years ago, and I’m absolutely in love with my job! In the local tattoo industry, I’m known as the “Mother of Dragons” because of the signature dragons I create in my tattoo designs. They’re a mix of fine and bold lines. I didn’t want them to look like the typical dragons you see on the internet, so I made them more feminine and truly unique—reflecting my own style. My dragons have been featured in several international tattoo magazines over the past year. Besides dragons, my favorite things to draw and tattoo are cartoony animals, pets, and mythical creatures.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I know this question might have a deeper meaning, but I have a fun story about it. In 8th grade, my classmate told me I was going to be covered in tattoos, create art, and drive a red convertible. She was some sort of witch, and that was one of her predictions. Everything she said came true—I have tattoos, I’m an artist deeply obsessed with all kinds of art, and I do have a red convertible 🙂
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You’re doing great—it just takes time! Stop underrating yourself or thinking you’re not good enough. There’s nothing wrong with being a perfectionist; it helps you reach higher levels in what you do. But remember, it can also hold you back from amazing opportunities. Believe in yourself, keep moving forward, and trust that you’re on the right path!
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That if you’re a highly skilled tattoo artist, you’ll automatically be successful and famous. It’s not true. There are so many incredibly talented artists whose work is mind-blowingly good but nobody knows about them. The tattoo industry is a market. Being a great artist is important, but it’s not enough. You also have to work on many other things, including how to present yourself in a way that people will remember. Anyone can create something good, but not everyone can captivate others with their energy and personality. Building a personal brand is especially important in the tattoo industry—and, honestly, in any art field.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
For many years, I was doing what I was told, and it was ruining my inner spark. It went so deep that, at some point, I couldn’t even tell whether my wishes and interests were truly mine or if society had imposed them on me. Society dictates the norms of who you should be—especially as a woman, there are so many ‘musts,’ even down to what profession you should choose. This is very common in Slavic countries, where I’m from. I spent years chasing fake goals before I finally listened to myself and realized what I was truly born to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/inkedwolfie
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkedwolfie
