Taking Care of Yourself as an Artist—So You Can Take Care of Your Clients
Let’s be real: tattooing isn’t exactly easy on the body. If you’ve ever spent eight or more hours in a chair, hunched over someone’s skin, pouring all your focus into every line and every shade, you already know what it does to you. Neck tight. Lower back screaming. Wrist on fire. And that’s just Monday.
But here’s the thing: if we’re in this for the long haul—and a lot of us are—we’ve got to start treating our bodies like they matter. Because they do. Not just for us, but for the people who trust us to bring their visions to life. Clients come to us expecting quality. Energy. Focus. Presence. That’s hard to deliver if you’re running on nothing but caffeine, nicotine, and whatever you grabbed from a gas station on the way in.
At Social Graces Tattoo Studio, we’ve been talking a lot lately about what it really means to be a professional artist. Sure, it’s the technical stuff—clean lines, good healing, a solid portfolio. But it’s also how we take care of ourselves outside of tattooing. It’s the food we eat, the way we move (or don’t), the sleep we get, and the vices we allow to linger.
From Vices to Vitality
Owner and artist Hip, recently shared something pretty personal in this Instagram video. He’s been making some serious changes—cutting out every vice in his life, including vaping, and focusing more on eating better, staying active, and making moves toward long-term health. Not just for his own sake, but because, as he put it:
"I’m doing it so that I have longevity for my clients that I tattoo. As well as being a good ‘stewardess’ when people walk in for their first time experience at Social Graces."
That hits hard. Because if you know Hip, you know this studio isn’t just about art—it’s about experience, connection, and community. He’s not just trying to be here next year; he’s trying to be here in ten, still going strong, still showing up for his people. That kind of longevity takes more than talent. It takes discipline. And it takes self-respect.
Hip & family & friends, running The Buck Fifty - Southern Ohio's Premier 150 Mile Relay Race
Why Movement Matters
Tattooing is like drawing with your whole body—and that can wear you down fast if you're not careful. A lot of seasoned artists deal with chronic back pain, stiff shoulders, carpal tunnel... you name it. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
A consistent exercise routine, even just a few days a week, can help loosen those tight areas, strengthen your core, and improve your posture so that long sessions don’t wreck you. Stretching before and after appointments? Game changer. And no, you don’t have to become a gym rat or start running marathons. Just move more. Even walking counts.
Fuel Matters Too
What you put in your body is just as important as how you move it. Junk food might get you through the day, but it’s not going to sustain you. Try swapping out one fast food meal for something home-cooked. Drink water. Eat some greens. Your brain works better, your mood improves, and your endurance goes up.
Setting the Standard
At Social Graces, we believe that taking care of yourself is taking care of your clients. When you walk through our doors, we want you to feel like you’re in the hands of professionals who show up not just with skill, but with intention. Every artist here—Hip included—is working toward that standard.
We’re not saying it’s easy. It’s not. Change is hard. But it’s worth it. Because when you’re healthy, clear-headed, and strong, you create better art. Period.
And if you want to hear more about Hip’s journey and the philosophy behind the studio, check out the Social Graces Tattoo Studio blog. There’s a lot more going on here than ink and machines—this is about building a culture where artists thrive and clients feel it.
So wherever you are in your own journey—starting out, burning out, or somewhere in between—just know it’s not too late to start showing up for yourself.
Your future self (and your body & mind) will thank you.
