Today we’d like to introduce you to Peyton Stewart.
Peyton, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in a creative household, and was really lucky to have a family that was supportive and encouraging of everything I wanted to try my hand at. I’ve always drawn and painted, but when I was younger, and all through high school, I was much more focused on sculpture, writing, and music. It wasn’t until leaving SAIC, where I graduated with my BFA in 2016, that I started to focus back on my 2D practice. I travel a lot, and because of the portability of drawing materials I started drawing and sketching constantly. That eventually graduated into experimenting with tattooing, a curiosity I’ve had since I was really young. It’s been satisfying to watch one practice grow into another.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course it’s been challenging; I struggle with my happiness every day, which can affect the quality and general production of my work. Sometimes I’m too anxious to focus or make anything, or when I do, I become overly critical of my own work and give up on a piece or a sketch before it’s even close to being finished. However, I make a good portion of my work about happiness, and about freedom. I feel that if I can make things that are fun and silly and can give someone just a little brightness in their day that I’ve been successful. So in these bleak moments, I like to think about how my work can do these little things for viewers. I think that it’s important to remind yourself that your voice and your work matters, and will make changes in the world, even if they’re incredibly small. And when you’re feeling overly critical of your own creative process, remind yourself that nobody will ever see the “error” in your work, the way you are seeing it. So make freely, and don’t critique harshly as you go. It’s a surefire way to block your own energy!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about @tatu_peypey – what should we know?
I’m primarily focused in tattooing, drawing, and painting. But recently I’ve begun making sculptures and music again- those projects are still under wraps though. I think that my most recognizable work would be my drawings and tattoos of skulls, butterflies, and flowers. I use a lot of repetitive imagery in my work, and these are some of my favorite motifs to draw, and tattoo. People come to me a lot for butterfly tattoos, which is a very special image for me because of what they symbolize. Freedom and beauty of course, but more interesting to me is transformation, and eternal life… I explore death and loss in my practice, and these images are little reminders to me that death is a transformation, a natural part of life, and will always be as inconclusive as it is interesting. It’s comforting to me.
I should also note that I’m lucky enough to tattoo a ton of women, femmes, and queer folks. I strive to provide a safe and comfortable space for people to be tattooed in, and to give people artwork they will love as well as a cool experience while being tattooed. I want everyone to feel valid, safe, and in charge of their bodies. And I feel so lucky to be able to meet and tattoo so many cool people every week!
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
My parents were really creative, and I was really lucky to have their support and encouragement when I was growing up, especially in the arts. I was always taking different kinds of art classes, and I was really shy when I was younger so I read a lot of books and was always making stuff. I’m still pretty introverted, I really like being in small groups of people and I need a little bit of alone time every day, which has definitely contributed to a productive art making practice. If I don’t take time every day to make stuff or just collect my thoughts, I feel really out of whack and not like myself.
Pricing:
- Tattoos are a flat rate, usually prices from $60 to $150. I try to keep with my work as accessible I can.
- Drawings and paintings are often priced $60 to $200.
Contact Info:
- Email: peytonleighstewart@gmail.com
- Instagram: @tatu_peypey
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