by Sylvia Hagar Photos by Janette Valentine
From the February 2007 issue of PRICK Magazine.
Who wouldn’t want to be in Maytee’s shoes? It seems like this sunshine
state girl has got it all. Her modern day pin up girl looks speak for themselves
and she’s also got a rising career as a respected tattoo artist in
one of Florida’s biggest tattoo parlors under her belt. When she's not busy doing tattoos
she's got a long list of hobbies and even designs her own tattoo flash shirts and
totes. Maytee recently made some time in her busy schedule to sit down with PRICK
to chat about her life and how she became a successful female tattoo artist.
"I was introduced to tattoos at
the age of 15. My sister’s friends
had tattoos, and I thought they
looked so cool. I always wanted
one, but I never had the courage
until I was 22 years old." Although
her first tattoo did not turn out
the way she had hoped and is now
covered up, Maytee didn’t lose
interest in the art.
While working as a bartender
at a local bar Maytee met tattoo
artist Phat Joe.“I had been thinking
of getting another tattoo, so I took
a trip to the shop he was working
at. The day I got my tattoo [of a
lotus flower] sparks flew between Joe and I so he asked me out,” and the two started
spending a lot more time together.“After hanging out at Joe's shop all day and night,
it began to sink in. I wanted to tattoo. At first Joe wasn’t too fond about the idea of
working together, but I was so persistent that he gave me a chance to prove to him
that I could do it and at the same time not drive him
crazy. I tattooed many friends and I love them for helping
me out, by donating some skin.”
"In February of 2005 my husband and I exchanged
vows in The Little White Chapel in Vegas. He had Elvis
sing to us “Can’t help falling in love” and I thought I was
going to drown in my own tears. I was shaking in my
shoes. It was the best birthday wish and Valentine’s Day
present any woman could have. I will love him forever. It’s
been almost nine years since that day. We have two boys
six and fourteen years old and live in a beautiful home in southwest
Miami."
Although working under the supervision of her husband,
Maytee is proud to say that she did not get any
special treatment. “I made needles from scratch, swept,
mopped, cleaned the bathrooms, scrubbed tubes, set-up
for him, answered phones and made stencils for him. He
wanted me to learn the way he was taught, by busting
your ass. I worked six days a week.”
Life as a female artist is not always as rosy and fun as
it might seem. "When I started tattooing, I got a lot of "you tattoo?" with amazed faces
or when I offered help and advice they'd say "no, I need to speak to a tattoo artist".That
was a reality check about how people think. I was feeling very proud to be in a position
not many women have been in the past. It makes me so proud to represent women in
an industry that a lot would think is only for men. I still have customers tell me "You're
the first woman to tattoo me, are you good?” People its 2007!"
"Hard work and determination is what has brought me where I am today. I was determined
to learn new techniques and I still am striving to this day.You never stop learning
in this industry. I’ve been tattooing for about five years now and I love working with
color. My inspiration comes from pin-up art, fantasy art; American traditional tattoos—
anything girly and colorful.Vargas is one of my favorite painters; his paintings are such an
inspiration. I also admire Vince Ray’s art and Coop. I am a fanatic of Sanrio art, a Japanese
cartoon world of characters since I was a child.”
Besides the love for tattooing, this doll has a passion for “fashion, art and music, especially
of the ‘40s and ‘50s era. I love sewing and fashion in general. I make stylish handbags
and clutch purses in my spare time. I also make jewelry, one of a kind charms and
earrings. One of my goals for the future is to experiment more with color theory and
oil paintings so that I can apply those effects to my tattooing.”
