Soon to be opening a new studio in the heart of New York City, 23-year-old tattoo artist Kate McDuffie, aka The Ghost Kat, is starting off her career strong. By creating beautiful pieces through intimate work, Kate’s portfolio is full of one of a kind detailed masterpieces. With an interesting start to her career and plenty more success to come, Kate is soon to be the tattoo artist everyone is raving about.
Sheesh Magazine was lucky enough to sit down and chat with Kate about her journey, inspiration, personal tattoos and more.
When did you start tattooing?
THE GHOST KAT: I started tattooing about 2 years ago! I had a very gradual start to it all, as I was just tattooing friends in my home for the first year or so!
How did you get into tattooing?
THE GHOST KAT: In full honesty tattooing found me. I tagged along with my boyfriend at the time when he was getting tattooed by an artist in LA who we had some mutual friends with. I was intrigued by the craft because I am an artist myself and thought it would be incredible to learn how to apply my drawings to skin. As the day went on we talked a lot about the art of tattooing and I showed the artist some of my work. That day he even let me use the machine and try it out myself. We stayed in touch for the next 6 months and he helped guide me in ordering all of the equipment with the idea of me going out to LA to work with him. He gave me one lesson over FaceTime and I basically taught myself everything else from there, I didn’t even end up working for him in the end, and then I kept practicing on my own and it quickly turned into my job from there.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
THE GHOST KAT: My favorite thing about my job is the people I get to meet and interact with. Tattooing is a very intimate job and getting to connect with someone and apply art to their body that will last forever is a really incredible experience.
Do you have a favorite tattoo piece you have done?
THE GHOST KAT: I would say my favorite piece right now is a recent one I did of a girl kneeling with a swan just because of the meaning and connection that I have to this piece, but my favorites are constantly changing as I grow as an artist and young adult.
Is there anything you won’t tattoo?
THE GHOST KAT: There are actually a lot of things I won’t tattoo. I really like to connect with the piece and feel passionate about the art, so if it’s something I don’t like I try to steer clear from tattooing it. I want to stay true to myself as an artist and not sell things that I don’t feel passionate about.
Who or what influences you?
THE GHOST KAT: Influence is a broad question but overall I think I was influenced and drawn to things that I wasn’t surrounded by growing up. I basically pulled influence from a lack thereof. I didn’t grow up in a place with much art or culture and I had always craved it so so badly. I used to make mood boards and collages with images pulled from tumblr of what I wanted my life to be like. I am constantly pulling influence from timeless imagery and have also always been drawn to French culture.
How many tattoos do you have? Do you have a favorite?
THE GHOST KAT: I have 11 tattoos. My favorite is the teacup on my wrist because of what it means to me.
What are you looking forward to in your career? Anything exciting coming up?
THE GHOST KAT: I’m looking forward to every day in my career! I just moved to NYC five weeks ago so everything is so new and exciting for me right now. I will be having a grand opening at my studio as soon as it’s ready! This is the first time I’ve lived in a place that I feel like truly accepts me and allows me to progress as a human and artist each day.
Make sure to follow Kate on her socials and stop by her studio if you’re looking to get inked!
