Meet CeeJ The Artist | Creative, Licensed Tattoo Artist & Mental Health Counselor

We had the good fortune of connecting with CeeJ The Artist and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi CeeJ, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
My end goal is to create Tattoo Therapy as an actual practice and combine tattoo sessions with therapy sessions. I don’t think people realize how much they use tattoos to cope with the daily stressors and demands of life, to cope with physical and emotional loss, to express themselves in ways they may not have been able to do so verbally, to mark a milestone, to commemorate, to memorialize, etc. Tattoos are more than adornment, I believe they can be used to examine the mental health status of the wearer and another method of navigating the mental health industry,

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Art had always been a lifelong passion of mine. I can fondly remember my. family buying me art supplies like those mega paint kits with the pencils, crayons, paint, pastels, etc. for gifts but never something I pursued seriously until after I got my heart broken for the first time in my undergraduate year of college at FAMU lol. I immersed myself into painting with acrylics. I started doing commission pieces for students on campus as well as customizing graduation caps and stoles. But something called me to take my painting to the next level but I didn’t know how. Throughout college, I’ve had so many people tell I should be a tattoo artist or I should get into tattoos. So me being the spiritual girlie that I am, I felt like the Universe was trying to tell me something so I looked into it and the rest was history.

I started my career as tattoo artist, with a specialty in cover ups and enhancements, towards the end of 2014 and this craft has truly shifted my life in some unthinkable ways. In the midst of that, I was able to graduate with my Bachelors in Psychology and my Masters in Therapy from the illustrious FAMU and I never realized how much my interests in mental health and tattoos correspond with each other. While doing tattoos, I’ve noticed that most of my tattoo clients use tattoos to cope with their daily stressors, to communicate in ways they’re not able to verbally, to commemorate special moments, to memorialize loved ones, as a rite of passage, etc. In other words, tattoos are deeper than just adornment, people are using tattoos as therapy. So, I created this concept of “Tattoo Therapy”; I’d like to create a form of therapy that combines tattoo sessions with therapy sessions, maybe even get to a point where we can train tattoo artist to counsel their clients. I feel that is my ultimate purpose in life. To heal people through art.

It definitely wasn’t easy to get to this point lol. Lord…there’s so many days I just wanted to give up and just do something else or something that didn’t challenge me as much. But one of my life mottos is “you don’t grow from being comfortable, you grow from being uncomfortable”. So I got out of my comfort zone, I humbled myself and I became a student of my crafts and of life, I became more consistent and worked at my crafts everyday, I rid myself of things and people that no longer served me, and I didn’t quit even when I felt like it and I still have a long way to go. I will say, one of the most challenging things about being a Black female tattoo artist is navigating and taking up in a male-dominated industry. I’ve had so many people, mostly men, sexualize me, try to dim my light or water me down to be more digestible for them. I have a pretty strong personality (I’m a Leo lol), I’m very outspoken, and I DON’T play the radio! So that can be and has been problematic in an industry that isn’t so as woman-forward as others. But I take up space anyway! I continue to grow, be myself and be the best version of myself everyday, with understanding that some days are going to look different from others and I extend myself grace and softness when needed.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ok so I’m still fairly new to Atlanta but we definitely getting some food first and foremost! from where specifically? anywhere! lol. The options are really overwhelming. Next (in no particular order), I love a cute roof top lounge/bar situation like Rose and Rye or Spaceman. Also, we have to check out the art scene, which never disappoints. There’s always some type of art exhibition, workshop, or pop up event going on that is always fun. You can always catch me at the High Museum perusing through the historical artwork or a the local art show silently studying the masterpieces and networking in the function. We have to take a hike at some point, some fresh air in nature does the body and mind a lot of good. the Bamboo Forest in Smyrna is one of my favorite places to duck off and unwind as well as Stone Mountain and Piedmont Park. I’ve never been super big into the party scene. I love create new experiences and participating in things where I can be inspired, network or I can actually hear and have a conversation with whoever I came with.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d definitely like to shoutout my family, especially my Mom & little sister, Kayla. They motivate me everyday to follow my dreams and to never stop being myself. My best friends Chattam, Jade, Shayla, and Robert for always loving me, keeping me grounded and growing with me on my journey. My FAMU family for standing in for my real family at times. My clients, for I wouldn’t be CeeJ the Artist if it wasn’t for their faith, trust, support, they are at the center of everything I do. & really anyone who has wished me well and authentically supported me on my journey. My heart is indeed full!

& read the book, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This book changed my life and pushed me to follow my dreams. I know it will do the same for others.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceejtheartist/?igsh=MW9ydzkxcnczYjYxbw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ceejtheartist

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ceejsclvtchcreations

Image Credits
@realinklord for the personal picture