Meet Sarah Genereux | Tattoo Artist, Surfer, & Fine Artist

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

Hi Sarah, how do you think about risk?
Well I went to college for graphic design which I thought was the smarter career choice since it seemed to be more of a “real job” with art but soon after I started my classes for actual graphic design I realized this was definitely not my calling and not what I wanted to do for a career. I felt myself taking the easy way out of all my assignments instead of going above and beyond which I typically would do with the more fine art classes. So I dropped out of college to figure out what I really wanted to do. I didn’t want to major in a fine art because I didn’t really expect to make enough money with that to even pay off my college. So I started tattooing. I had already had an interest in tattoos since I had turned 18 (I already had two half sleeves by then) but didn’t originally go that route because I was trying to find a job with benefits and retirement and whatnot. But around that same time when I was 19 is when I started surfing also. At that time I realized what I wanted with my life. I wanted the more flexible schedule and working more for myself. I liked the more relaxed hours and the ability to travel and surf. So I took the risk of dropping out of college to pursue tattooing at age 19/20. I finished my apprenticeship at age 21 and ended up moving across the country by myself to San Diego from New Jersey at age 24 which was also another risk but just felt right so I went with it. I believe in pushing yourself and your limits in order to grow as a person. I feel it’s really important. A lot of people thought I wouldn’t be able to make it out here because of how many great artists there are out here and I had only been tattooing a little over 2-3 years at that time. But I made it. It was hard and I had some rough patches but I grew so much as a person and an artist.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I guess a lot of my art is illustrative, and realistic. I love nature and the ocean so I definitely love working with those subjects. I do a lot of realistic flower tattoos but I have interest in lots of different styles. I don’t like limiting myself to a specific subject and like to do a variety of different things. I’ve always tried to be well-versed. I’m pretty proud that I’m a mom of 3 kids now. I find my career and art so much more gratifying now that I have children of my own. It definitely makes it a little harder to create art sometimes because of how young they are but I know they grow up fast and I’ll get that time again soon. Well I grew up in New Jersey right by the beach. I was living in Long Beach Island right before I moved out here. I was always an artist for as long as I can remember. I won my first drawing contest in preschool so I’ve always had a passion for art. I started going to college at Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia straight out of high school. I knew I wanted a career with art but I know there aren’t a lot of “real jobs” in that field so I went for graphic design because it seemed like the most “real job”. I loved my first year there doing all my foundation classes which were all fine art. It was amazing. The second year is when I started the graphic design classes and quickly realized it was not for me. At that time is when I had started surfing and realized that I didn’t care as much about the money I just wanted to do something that I loved and made me happy and also allowed for me to surf. I had already thought about tattooing but didn’t go that route originally because of the no benefits and retirement thing but I knew I wouldn’t be happy in graphic design. That’s when I decided to pursue tattooing again. I apprenticed for about a year and a half or so. In New Jersey you were required to apprentice for 2,000 hours as well as have 10 photos of tattoos you had done along with testimonials from people you had tattooed. I ended up getting an apprenticeship at Eternal Images under Stephanie Schmelter. It was a really great experience to apprentice under another girl which there weren’t as many female tattoo artists back then. The owner of the shop also owned a tattoo supply company called Dermagraphics. As part of my apprenticeship they hired me to draw flash and work a little in every department of the company. I had to make 50 perfect needles of every needle grouping, solder and wire power supplies, put together tattoo machines, and finally answer phones for the sales department which was by far my least favorite position. So I would work there from 9-5 and then 5-10 apprentice at the shop. After a few years Stephanie decided to leave the shop and out of loyalty to her I left with her. That’s when I decided to move cross country to San Diego by myself. I ended up getting a job out here while I was visiting a friend so I packed up, sold my car, and came out here. It was definitely rough at the beginning but I made it work. Now I’ve worked at 8 or so different shops in the 17 years I’ve lived out here. I’ve definitely been through some stuff but I believe in always pushing yourself and pursuing what you love. I’ve never worked a job more than 3 months besides tattooing. I love my job and the people I meet doing it. I love to hear people’s stories and I love doing art on people. What other art is appreciated as much as something permanently etched on your skin. It’s a complete honor to tattoo and I’ve loved everything about it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well this is a hard question since I have three kids now! I don’t get out as much as I used to! Well I would definitely head to the beach either in Encinitas or down here in Mission Beach or La Jolla. I would tell them to get dinner at my friend’s restaurant Warung Rie-Rie for authentic Indonesian food and amazing experience. I’d definitely hit up Balboa Park and see some of the museums. Maybe take a hike up Cowles mountain or Torrey Pines by the beach. Maybe go snorkeling in La Jolla. I’d see a show at the Belly Up in Solana beach or the Casbah downtown. And of course go get a tattoo at Remington Tattoo in North Park!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Well I definitely wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my mentor who I apprenticed under Stephanie Schmelter. She owns a shop now in Forked River, New Jersey called Art Gallery Tattoo. At the time of my apprenticeship the owner of the shop she worked at, Eternal Images, owned Dermagraphics a tattoo supply company. As part of my apprenticeship they hired me to draw flash and work in every department of the company which was an incredible experience. I had to learn how to make 50 perfect needles of every needle grouping, I had to dip the needles in paraffin wax for the packaging and shipping, solder and wire power supplies, stamp out springs, stamp the needle bars flat, make mag tubes, put tattoo machines together, and even work answering phones in the sales department. I am so grateful to have had that experience. I’d also like to give a shout out to Terry Ribera owner of Remington Tattoo. He’s been a great boss and always willing to offer advice and help with anything tattoo related.

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