Today we’d like to introduce you to Cassandra Knox.
Cassandra, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I grew up in Long Island New York born to my mother a talented writer and artist, my father a skilled carpenter and photographer. The oldest of three, my siblings and I were always encouraged to create. Making art and writing helped me through many rough times in my early adolescence and teenage years. Art helped me keep focus, rather than be consumed by anything chaotic happening around me.
I remember being fascinated by tattoos at a very early age and started buying tattoo magazines as a young teenager, exploring and copying images from them unto paper.
I gave myself my first tattoo at 13 while at summer camp with a sewing needle and India ink that myself and some of the other girls I bunked with “borrowed “from the arts and craft center. I hand poked a small cross on my ankle (which is probably hilarious to anyone who knows me now) it is still there and I have no intention of ever covering it up, as it might have been the first spark to ignite future intention.
When I was 16 years old, as a birthday present my father took me to Jim Thorpe PA, to get my first real tattoo in a shop as he could sign for me there. NY at the time had the same laws as Illinois that prevented minor’s form being tattooed regardless of parental consent. I had a Celtic knot tattooed onto my lower back and then waited until I turned 18 to start getting more visible tattoos on my own. By then we had moved to Rochester NY and I spent a lot of time in local tattoo shops and got tattooed when I could afford it. I eventually started working in a shop as a counter person and was able to apprentice shortly after when my mentor realized that I had a strong desire to become a tattooer. I moved to Chicago in 2009 following a close friend that had moved here a few months prior. I fell in love with the city upon my first visit. I was introduced to a very talented female tattooer, who took me under her wing and offered to continue teaching me and refine what I had already learned. So I basically did a second apprenticeship under the tutelage of this person that I greatly admired, who showed me so much more about tattooing and gave me a solid foundation to start my career. I stayed at that shop for a few years and then moved on when I felt I needed a new environment in order to learn more, I worked for Bob Jones at Insight studios in Noble Square, which is a beautiful shop with many talented artists that find time to give back to the community through fundraisers for local animal shelters. They also offer laser tattoo removal performed by a licensed doctor, which was very interesting to learn more about. From Insight, I went to Taylor Street and Brown Brothers Tattoo working at both shops, to pick up a broad spectrum of traditional tattooing from artists that I respected at both places. I currently work at Deluxe Tattoo up North for the last two years and could not be more happy as it is one of the best known shops in Chicago and has had some of the very best tattoo artists in the industry come through. In addition to working full time at Deluxe I try to keep as much in the Chicago art community as possible, participating in group art shows, fundraisers, music events etc. We currently have a truly amazing event coming up in June that I have been working on organizing that will be a fundraiser for a local non-profit organization called RVA or “Rape Victim Advocates” they do truly amazing work in the treatment and assisted recovery of victims of sexual assault. In addition to that they also offer education and training to the institutions and people that respond to such emergencies. In the past I have held events, or made merchandise to benefit certain groups or organizations such as Planned Parenthood. Giving back is something that I am tremendously passionate about as tattooing and art have given me everything. I know this may sound cliché/overused etc. but art literally has saved my life on so many levels. Without being able to create I would have nothing. I feel so fortunate to be able to do what I do and make a living at it. My job allows me to travel, meet amazing people and make something new every day. I feel like the luckiest woman on the planet and try my best to give back whenever I am able. I have wonderful friends, clients and coworkers, not to mention some really crazy stories. I would not trade what I have today for anything.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I love beautiful things, but I also focus on darker parts of my own mind and human nature.
I enjoy provocation. I like to make images that might startle or confuse. I also like to create things that are beautiful or funny and don’t require much thought or explanation.
I think that my art is can be subversive, but also holds a certain duplicity where it can be opposite and almost silly much like my own personality and brain.
I think my writing tends to be much darker in subject than my visual art and I do not share it with a lot of people, as I view writing to be more private and cathartic for me.
I try to keep my visual art, whether it be tattoos, ink illustrations, or acrylic paintings more diverse so that there are bright colors and happy things peppered in between black work and pieces carrying more menacing undertones.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
I have found that the best way to secure financial stability is to work as hard as you can and the money will follow. You have to hustle. You have to participate, network, get yourself out there and never give up your dreams.
Set goals for yourself, and tackle them with ferocity.
Don’t let anyone tell you that you won’t make it and don’t allow yourself to be unhappy.
Artists often thrive in chaos, but it is much easier when you are content and coming from a place of confidence. Don’t ever compromise your vision or stay in situations that you feel are not right for you. It is better to struggle here and there, than work for someone you hate or break your back for something you do not believe in.
There are so many really great ways to make money as an artist these days, you just have to keep pushing, creating and searching. If you work hard you at something you love, you make it so that it’s no longer work.
If you do it right, one day you can be your own boss and not have to worry about money as much or pleasing others.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I participate in most art shows put on by my good friends Cheri Basek and Anne Elliot who co-own Sideshow Gallery in Logan Square. www.sideshowgallerychicago.com
They have a truly lovely space and also sells some really amazing curiosities and oddities, in addition to holding tarot classes, and other really cool events. They also currently carry some of my merchandise.
I sell artwork and merchandise of both mine and my partner Sanford Parker who is a local music producer and in a few bands at www.ritualpunishment.bigcartel.com it is a way for us to combine both our creative efforts and it has been really fun so far.
I have my own website for tattoo work at cknoxtattoo.com as well as my Instagram account @cknoxtattoo and my personal Instagram @ritualpunishment, which is where people can find more of my personal life, photography and art events.
Then of course I can be found at Deluxe Tattoo 1461 W Irving Park Rd. Wed-Sun every week from 12-8pm, I am currently by appointment only but am always happy to take on new clients. www.deluxetattoo.com
Contact Info:
- Address: Deluxe Tattoo
1461 W. Irving Park Rd.
Chicago Il, 60613 - Website: cknoxtattoo.com ritualpunishment.bigcartel.com
- Phone: (773) 549-1594
- Email: cknoxtattoo@gmail.com
- Instagram: @cknoxtattoo @ritualpunishment
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ritualpunishment
Image Credit:
All property of myself Cassandra Knox
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