Maverick ZINE — Tattoo Culture, Art & Artist Stories

Natasha Erickson

📍 La Luz Tattoo, Arroyo Grande, CA @laluztattoo

It's so awesome to introduce you to Natasha Erickson, an artist whose journey into tattooing was a beautiful surprise. Natasha was always passionate about art, but she never imagined it would lead to a career in tattooing. When she was just 14, she had a feeling she was destined to be very tattooed one day, and that quiet curiosity eventually led her to a career she absolutely loves.

Today, Natasha is an incredibly talented artist at La Luz Tattoo in Arroyo Grande, California. We're excited to share her story and the moments that have shaped her as an artist.

What made you realize you wanted to be a tattoo artist?

I never would have thought I’d be a tattoo artist when I was growing up. Art was my passion, and I really wanted a career as an artist, but had no idea what it would be. Tattoos weren’t ever talked about in my home but, when I was about 14, I knew I would be very tattooed when I grew up. Didn’t know where that idea came from, just that it would happen.

Skip forward to college, and my boyfriend (now husband) had me draw up what I thought I wanted and introduced me to Freddy, who, after we talked for close to an hour, asked me if I’d ever considered tattooing. There were a lot of ups and downs since that moment, but that’s where it started.

Most meaningful tattoo story you've helped create?

I’ve had the honor of doing a lot of incredibly meaningful tattoos for a lot of clients. It’s hard to pick only one, as they’re all special and it means a lot to me that I was trusted with them. One that does stand out does so because it was just a little piece, and her first tattoo. The whole thing could almost be covered with a quarter. My client had been assaulted years before, and her attacker had a knife. She had a small scar from the weapon on her chest, and never wore  any tops that might show it. Every time she saw it, she was reminded of that night. We decided on a simple piece that incorporated her faith, and it covered that scar completely. Afterwards, it was no longer a bad memory, but a reminder of her faith. Her tattoo helped her heal, and it shows that even the smallest tattoos can mean so much to the people who get them.

One challenge you've had to overcome in the industry and how it has impacted you?

There have been a lot, for sure, but I think dealing with social media has been my biggest hurdle. I really feel like an old dog trying to learn new tricks there. Every time I think I’m getting a little traction it seems something changes. I also feel awkward in front of a camera, so selfies or talking in a video are hard for me. I can’t say social media is a challenge I’ve overcome yet, but I’m working on it. I’ve been able to reach a lot of new clients, found a lot of inspirations, and follow a lot of artists whose work I may have not seen as much of otherwise, which is all worth it.

I love this industry. It’s given me a lot, and I’ve never worked harder at any job. I’ve seen a lot of changes. When I started in 2001, there weren’t a lot of women tattooing, and now there are so many talented ladies out there! Some of the equipment has changed, tattoo styles have evolved, and yet so much is still the same. I hope to be tattooing for a long time to come.

The Small Detail That Makes a Big Difference

In the world of tattooing, artists pay attention to every detail—from the crispness of a line to the saturation of color. But there's one small, yet incredibly important, component that often goes unnoticed: the silicone membrane inside a tattoo cartridge. At Maverick Supply Co., we believe that understanding every part of your equipment is key to creating "Ice Cold Quality Goods." That’s why we’re breaking down the crucial role of this tiny but mighty barrier.

What is a Tattoo Cartridge Silicone Membrane?

Simply put, a tattoo cartridge membrane is a flexible, medical-grade barrier located at the base of the needle. Its primary job is to act as a one-way valve. As the needle moves, this membrane allows ink to flow out and into the skin, but it creates a tight seal that prevents any fluids—ink, blood, or other bodily fluids—from flowing back up into your tattoo machine.

The Two Critical Functions of the Membrane

A high-quality silicone membrane serves two vital purposes for every tattoo artist:

1. Unmatched Hygiene and Safety: This is the most important function. By preventing backflow, the membrane ensures that your machine and grip remain completely free from contamination. This is paramount for preventing cross-contamination between clients and protecting both the artist and the client from blood-borne pathogens and infections. Using disposable, pre-sterilized cartridges with a reliable membrane, like those from Maverick, eliminates the risks associated with cleaning and re-sterilizing traditional needles and tubes.

2. Enhanced Performance and Control: Beyond safety, the membrane also plays a key role in the tattooing experience. It provides a subtle, smooth tension on the needle, which contributes to better control and stability. This means:

   • Consistent Needle Action: The membrane ensures the needle retracts smoothly and consistently.

   • Less Vibration: A well-designed membrane can help reduce noise and machine vibration, leading to a more comfortable and precise tattooing process.

   • Optimized Ink Flow: The tension helps with ink flow, ensuring you get cleaner lines and more even color saturation.

     
     

Why Maverick Cartridges? The Difference is in the Details

At Maverick Tattoo Mercantile, we're tattooers ourselves, and we know that the tools you use directly impact the art you create. That’s why we specialize in precision tattoo cartridges built with a state-of-the-art silicone membrane.

Our cartridges are designed to deliver:

• Reliable Backflow Prevention: Our protective silicone membrane is engineered to protect your machine and your clients, every single time.

• Guaranteed Sterilization: Each of our cartridges is individually blister packed and sterilized using Ethylene Oxide (E.O.) gas, the industry gold standard for medical device sterilization. This process effectively kills all microorganisms, ensuring a 100% sterile product straight out of the package.

• Smooth, Responsive Tension: Our cartridges provide consistent performance across all groupings, allowing you to focus on your art without worrying about your equipment.

• Safety and Durability: We use medical-grade plastic and stainless steel to create a product that is reliable, safe, and sharp as hell.

The best tools are the ones you don’t have to think about. By choosing a high-quality cartridge with a dependable silicone membrane and guaranteed sterilization, you can spend less time on setup and cleanup, and more time creating stunning, safe tattoos.

Browse our selection of tattoo cartridges today and experience the Maverick difference for yourself.

As artists, we know the hustle. We know the long hours, the late-night sessions, and the search for the perfect cartridge. We also know what it's like to wish a supply company would just get it.

That's because Maverick Supply Co. isn't run by suits in a boardroom. It was started by Austin Spencer, who has been tattooing most of his life. He's been in your chair, he's used the same supplies, and he’s experienced the same challenges.

This is why your feedback isn't just a suggestion box to us, it's a direct line.

GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK HERE

Your Feedback is Our Blueprint

Every great piece of art starts with a vision, and for our business, that vision comes from you. We want to be the best possible partner for you, and that means we need to listen.

Your feedback helps us:

• Find the Right Gear: Tell us about the carts you love or the items you wish we carried. Your requests guide our inventory, ensuring we stock the supplies you actually need.

• Improve the Experience: Whether it's the website, the shipping, or the way we handle customer service, your insights help us refine our process to make your life easier.

• Support the Community: When you share what's working and what's not, you’re not just helping us, you're helping every other tattoo artist who relies on our supplies.

We’re a small business, and that means we’re agile. We can actually implement your ideas. When you talk, we listen, and we work to make changes that directly support the tattoo community.

The Power of a Few Minutes

We get it-you’re busy. Your time is valuable. But a few minutes of your time can create a ripple effect that benefits you and the entire Maverick fam.

To say thanks for helping us grow, we're giving you a reward.

Fill out our quick feedback form today and a special discount code will pop up on your screen as soon as you hit submit.

Your thoughts are the most valuable currency we have. Thank you for helping us be the best supply company we can be.

Fill out the form here : (FEEDBACK FORM)

Tired of rising shipping costs eating into your profits? At Maverick Tattoo Mercantile, we understand every dollar counts. That's why we're proud to offer free shipping on all orders, giving tattooers a real savings on the high-quality gear they need. As a tattooer-owned business, we're built from the chair out to deliver top-notch supplies without the surprise fees.

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Michelle Stecker

📍 Naugatuck, CT

@rightinthetrash

Get ready to meet Michelle Stecker, an artist whose journey into tattooing began with a twist of fate! Unlike many who "fall into" the industry, Michelle's path started with a school personality test that suggested she become an accountant. Thankfully, her sister had a much better idea, and from that moment on, tattooing was the only thing Michelle ever wanted to do. Now, a talented artist in Naugatuck, CT, Michelle has turned her childhood dream into a rewarding career. One of her most meaningful experiences was tattooing her very first pet portrait—a memorial piece for a client's beloved dog. This pivotal moment set her on a new path, leading her to become the shop's go-to artist for pet portraits, a specialization she absolutely loves. Her immense love and devotion to her craft shine through in every piece, making her journey from a childhood dream to a fulfilling career an inspiring one.

What made you realize you wanted to be a tattoo artist?

When I was 11 or 12 I had to take a personality test in school where you find out your "ideal career" at the end (mine was like accounting or something haha so don’t trust those tests). I hated the idea of having a normal job and I’ve been into art as long as I can remember, so my sister was helping me brainstorm some better options and suggested tattooing. It’s been the only thing I’ve wanted to do ever since then!

That’s such a hard question! If I had to pick just one it would probably be the first pet portrait I ever did. I was about 5 months into tattooing at the time, and my client knew it was going to be a first but still decided to trust me with a memorial portrait of her dog. I was so nervous, I remember massively over preparing for the appointment (even made a color coded version of the line drawing where each color was a different line weight - luckily I don’t do it like that anymore!). It came out alright all things considered, and my client was really happy with it which felt rewarding because I knew it meant a lot to her. I didn’t know it at the time but that tattoo was a big step for me, I never set out to have a "thing" but I’m the pet portrait person at the shop now, and I’m a huge animal lover so I’m pretty happy about that!

One challenge you've had to overcome in the industry and how it has impacted you?

I’m an introvert, so it’s always been sort of hard for me to put myself out there and talk to people or post on social media. I wouldn’t say it’s something that I’ve overcome but it’s definitely gotten easier over time. I’m more used to talking to people since tattooing is such a one on one thing, I have some clients who feel more like friends at this point. And I feel very at home at the shop where I work so that helps a lot too!