ABOUT
Mimzi
“I started drawing on everything, including myself, as soon as I could hold a pen.
Mimzi Po’Alima Makana Awtry (née Muñoz)
I was born into a family of creatives. So naturally, I started drawing on everything, including myself, as soon as I could hold a pen.
As far back as I can remember, I have been fascinated with tattoos. I never saw people with lots of tattoos, or any tattoos at all, really. My grandfather had a couple sailor tattoos which he rarely ever showed. But uncle was covered head to toe in body art. In the fifth grade, I got in trouble at school for showing up with a full “sleeve” I had sharpied onto my entire left arm.
When I wasn’t with my brothers adventuring the five acres my family and I lived on, I was encouraged by my parents to pursue any creative outlet I liked. The things that sparked my interest most were painting, sketching, photographt, and music, to name a few.
Fast forward to the day I turned 18 and for my birthday, my mom took me to get my first tattoo. That settled it. A few days later I got my first tattoo machine (Rest in Peace London Rock!) and began practicing on myself, my brothers, and our friends.
2009 was my last year of highschool. I started working a retail job at the mall and it was there that I met my future husband, Will. It was basically love at first sight, as we started dating two weeks later, dated for two years, got married in 2011 and now have two little boys!
Will is my biggest fan and has encouraged my art since the day we met. He has most of my OG pre-apprentice tattoos and is now my manager and business partner as well. I would not be where I am without him!
ABOUT
Mimzi
“I started drawing on everything, including myself, as soon as I could hold a pen.
As far back as I can remember, I have been fascinated with tattoos. I never saw people with lots of tattoos, or any tattoos at all really. But my uncle was covered head to toe in body art. In the fifth grade, I got in trouble at school for showing up with a full “sleeve” I had sharpied onto my entire left arm.
When I wasn’t with my brothers adventuring the five acres my family and I lived on, I was encouraged by my parents to pursue any creative outlet I liked. The things that sparked my interest most were painting, sketching, photography, and music, to name a few.
Fast forward to the day I turned 18. For my birthday my mom took me to get my first tattoo. And that settled it. Days later, I got my first tattoo machine (Rest in Peace London Rock!) and began practicing on myself, my brothers, and our friends.
2009 was my last year of highschool. I started working a retail job at the mall and it was there that I met my future husband, Will. It was basically love at first sight, as we started dating two weeks later, dated for two years, got married in 2011 and now have two little boys!
Will is my biggest fan and has encouraged my art since the day we met. He has most of my OG pre-apprentice tattoos and is now my manager and business partner as well. I would not be where I am without him!
In 2014 we moved to Bend, Oregon for a few years and there I landed my first traditional tattoo apprenticeship at Iron Elephant.
My mentors, Andrew and Chris, taught me the history and foundation of tattooing. I got to scrub tubes, clean and set up each station, make needles, make my own clip chords, tune and rebuild my coil machines, and design a good tattoo. After a year I started making my first apprentice tattoos.
During this time, I discovered that it’s not only talent, but hard work and perseverance needed in order to become a successful tattoo artist. Literal blood, sweat, and tears. And ink.
In 2014 we moved to Bend, Oregon for a few years and there I landed my first traditional tattoo apprenticeship at Iron Elephant.
My mentors, Andrew and Chris, taught me the history and foundation of tattooing. I got to scrub tubes, clean and set up each station, make needles, make my own clip chords, tune and rebuild my coil machines, and design a good tattoo. After a year I started making my first apprentice tattoos.
During this time, I discovered that it’s not only talent, but hard work and perseverance needed in order to become a successful tattoo artist. Literal blood, sweat, and tears. And ink.
“Literal blood, sweat, and tears… And ink.
We eventually moved back to California and in 2018, I officially became a California Body Art Practitioner. In Sacramento I met Benji Wilson. He is an amazing tattooer, and the best American Traditional tattooer in the city of Sacramento. He owned Boxcar Tattoo Company and gave me the opportunity to jumpstart my career as a tattooer.
In the year 2020, I had a creative vision to open my own private studio in Old Roseville, just before having mine and Wills first baby, Owen.
In late 2021 after some time off to adjust to life as a new mom, Nic Westfall brought me in at The Skull Museum. The talent at this shop is incredible and I’ve had the honor of working with some of the greatest black and grey realism artists you can find.
I am forever grateful to my mentors, coworkers, and clients for teaching me and trusting me. I have learned so much from my (both good and bad) experiences that have led me to this point in my life and career.
I was on maternity leave for half of 2023 with our newest son, Otto, but now I’m back and I have more motivation than ever to push my art and tattooing to the next level.
Subscribe to my newsletter to stay in the loop for the launch of my YouTube channel, podcast, and products in the very near future!
“Literal blood, sweat, and tears… And ink.
We eventually moved back to California and in 2018, I officially became a California Body Art Practitioner. In Sacramento I met Benji Wilson. He is an amazing tattooer, and the best American Traditional tattooer in the city of Sacramento. He owned Boxcar Tattoo Company and gave me the opportunity to jumpstart my career as a tattooer.
In the year 2020, I had a creative vision to open my own private studio in Old Roseville, just before having mine and Wills first baby, Owen.
In late 2021 after some time off to adjust to life as a new mom, Nic Westfall brought me in at The Skull Museum. The talent at this shop is incredible and I’ve had the honor of working with some of the greatest black and grey realism artists you can find.
I am forever grateful to my mentors, coworkers, and clients for teaching me and trusting me. I have learned so much from my (both good and bad) experiences that have led me to this point in my life and career.
I was on maternity leave for half of 2023 with our newest son, Otto, but now I’m back and I have more motivation than ever to push my art and tattooing to the next level.
Subscribe to my newsletter to stay in the loop for the launch of my YouTube channel, podcast, and products in the very near future!