Meet Dre Gilly | Tattoo artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dre Gilly and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dre, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind success is consistency, focus, and passion. Being an artist we are filled with passion but being focused and consistent is just as important.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My artistry is worth a lifetime. That’s what I love about being a tattoo artist. However I’m not just a tattoo artist. I’m an artist. I also paint and have done fashion design for celebrities such as Teyanna Taylor and Michael Beasley. I have done many art projects with many different mediums for many different purposes and I’m still expanding. Getting to where I am today was not an easy task. Long story short, I’ve had good days and bad days to get here but it’s all been worth it. I started tattooing in LA then went to Minnesota, New York, and Atlanta. Throughout the process I’ve been homeless sleeping on couches, I struggled with people actually seeing my worth. Hell, I struggled with knowing my own worth. But I was determined to be the Goat. Ive put money, time, tears, and much more into my brand and business. Ive worked for major chains like black ink but there is nothing like living out your own vision. Throughout this process Ive learned that you have to believe in you in order for someone else to, and not only that you have to believe in you even when they don’t. I haven’t had a easy life, I haven’t accomplished all that I want to accomplish and it’s okay. This artist life has taught me to accept the good with the bad the “critic”. Without the opinion of others art means nothing. Art has taught me to accept judgement and keep going. Thats the difference in me and a lot of other people. I never gave up.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I could take a week trip we would have to hit up all the poppin spots with the least travel. So we would have to hit up Vegas for the day party Drias vibe. Then we hit LA the next day (short trip) and eat, shop, kick it, then of to Hawaii for a little rest and relaxation. After 2 days in Hawaii we would go to Portland to the Nike headquarters to shop again. Lastly we would have to hit the bay and fly back on the PJ with all the weed back to Atlanta 😂

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
If I had to accredit my success to anyone, I would have to shoutout my daughter and my first born Talei. She gave me the motivation to and courage to step out of the norm and bet on myself.

Website: Info@inkbydregilly.com

Instagram: @inkbydregilly

Twitter: Dregilly_esf

Facebook: Inkbydregilly