Convention Connection: Emily Elegado on Ink Master Pressure and 20 Years of Tattooing
What did Emily Elegado learn from competing on Ink Master? “I learned that I have a really short fuse,” she says with a laugh. “That’s why I go to therapy now.” Joking aside, Emily says the real competition wasn’t against the other Tattoo Artists. It was against herself. With about 20 years of tattooing behind her, Emily competed on Ink Master Season 5, both Redemption seasons, and the Sirens of Ink special.
Host Vany Vicious caught up with Emily at the Tattoo Socialite Festival in Sebring, Florida, an all-women tattoo convention, for Convention Connection.
Key Takeaways
Ink Master was “me vs. me”: Emily says being cut off from family and friends left her alone in her own head, and production used that.
A traditional start: She did a traditional tattoo apprenticeship, building her own machines and needles from the ground up.
Women in tattooing: When she started, women in the industry were questioned and not as supported. Her Mentor only cared about her work.
Protecting creativity: She’s open about how mental health affects creativity, and she encourages anyone struggling to talk to a therapist.
Her favorite work: She lives for cover-ups and wants clients to fall in love with their bodies again.
Who is Emily Elegado?
Emily Elegado is a Tattoo Artist with about 20 years of experience. She works at Foolish Pride 2 Tattoo Co. in Clearwater, Florida, where she’s about to celebrate her 12-year anniversary. She works for her best friend, Brian.
“I love my shop,” she says. “I’m so happy in Clearwater.” No matter where she goes, Florida will always be home.
She’s also known for her time on Ink Master. She competed on Season 5, then returned for Redemption Season 1 and Redemption Season 2, where she got a full episode to herself. She’s proud of that one. She also competed in Sirens of Ink, a four-way battle among women who had been on the show before.
What is the pressure behind a show like Ink Master?
Emily says the biggest pressure on Ink Master came from inside her own head.
The show was nonstop: talking to people, getting into arguments, tattooing. But it was also a lot of time alone with her thoughts. Contestants were away from family and friends, and back then, production took their cell phones. There was no checking Instagram or calling a friend. As she puts it, they were in a void of communication.
That led to a lot of self-reflection. She learned she really could do it. She could act like an adult, get out of her own head, and work hard toward something she wanted.
When Vany asked if the competition was really “you vs. you,” Emily agreed. “There wasn’t anybody else in that competition. It was me, myself, and I.” She knows that might sound selfish, but she explains that the show wants contestants in their own heads. The more you’re in your head, the more you can be manipulated from the outside by the other contestants and production.
Mentor Tip: Emily’s experience shows that skill isn’t the only thing tested under pressure. Your mindset matters, too.
What does 20 years of tattooing actually teach you?
For Emily, it’s taught her how much the industry has changed, especially for women.
Being a woman in tattooing
When she started, women in tattooing were questioned. She says it wasn’t exactly frowned upon, but it wasn’t supported the way it is now.
She feels lucky. Her Mentor didn’t care about her gender. He only cared about what she was holding in her hand and what she was doing on people’s skin.
A traditional tattoo apprenticeship
Emily also had a very traditional tattoo apprenticeship. She did all the grunt work and built her own machines and needles. She learned everything from the ground up.
Back then, she says, there were only a handful of places to buy tattoo machines, and they were strict. They wanted to know who you were and who you worked for. She compares it to being in a gang.
Today, she says, you can watch a few YouTube videos, buy a machine and inks online, and start practicing on a friend. It’s not that tattooing is easier. It’s just more accessible. Now, all you need is a credit card and an internet connection.
She’s happy to see new Tattoo Artists coming up and doing cool work. Time will tell what the next evolution of the industry will look like for women.
Why do conventions matter for aspiring Tattoo Artists?
At the Tattoo Socialite Festival, Emily saw something special: an entire convention of women Tattoo Artists.
She’s proud of the range there. Some women have been in the industry since the very beginning, like Jackie and Liz Cook. Others are what Emily lovingly calls “tattoo toddlers,” just two years in and ready to own a tattoo shop. Her response: “God bless you. Own that shop.”
Conventions like this bring generations of Tattoo Artists together. That kind of community helps newer Tattoo Artists see what’s possible.
How do you build a tattoo career that lasts decades?
Emily’s career offers a few lessons.
Step 1: Start with real training. Emily learned from the ground up, building machines and needles during her tattoo apprenticeship.
Step 2: Find a Mentor who cares about your work. Her Mentor judged her by her skill, nothing else.
Step 3: Protect your mental health. Emily says life gets in the way of creativity, and mental health affects it, too. Her household has been through major changes recently. “If you’re not feeling good, go seek help,” she says. “Talk to a therapist. Everybody should. It’s a healthy thing to do.”
Step 4: Look outside tattooing for inspiration. Emily doesn’t make sculpture or pottery, but she studies them. Something in them makes ideas click for her next project.
Step 5: Learn safety. Every Tattoo Artist must follow the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard.
Step 6: Get licensed. Learn your state’s requirements, like how to get your tattoo license in Texas.
Before you start, read about the mistakes aspiring tattoo apprentices should avoid.
How can you start your own tattoo journey?
Start with a structured tattoo apprenticeship and a love for problem-solving, the part of tattooing Emily enjoys most.
Why Emily lives for cover-ups
Emily calls cover-ups the ultimate creative process. She gets to tattoo and be creative, and she also gets to solve a problem. She loves puzzles, which she says she got from her grandfather. Her goal is simple: the client won’t leave with that old tattoo anymore, and they’ll leave with a smile.
Helping people love their bodies
Emily wants people to fall in love with their bodies again. She hated her legs in her 20s and wore pants all the time. Then she got one leg tattoo. After that, she wore the tiniest shorts for years, because she was finally proud of her legs.
She believes many people struggle with body dysmorphia, whether it’s about their natural body, a tattoo they got, or a tattoo they’re just not excited about anymore. She wants everyone to feel the way she did.
Tattooing is a deeply human craft, which is why Tattoo Artists are still essential.
What is the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship?
Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is an 18 to 24 month, four-phase tattoo apprenticeship that takes beginners to job-ready Tattoo Artists.
Four-phase structure: Skills build on each other, from fundamentals to supervised client work.
Hands-on mentorship: You learn in person from experienced Mentors inside a working tattoo studio.
Beginner-friendly: No prior experience required.
Licensing support: Guidance through your state’s requirements.
A guaranteed job offer: You’ll receive a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios.
This is a career that comes with confidence. You’ll finish with job-ready skills, licensing support, and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios. The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is available at 60+ tattoo studios nationwide.
Ink Different has trained Tattoo Artists for 15 years, with a “Good Humans” culture at its core. Seats are limited, with only two apprentices per tattoo studio per Mentor.
What is Master Mentorship?
Once you’ve built your foundation, Ink Different’s Master Mentorship connects you with Master Mentors, including Al Fliction, Liz Cook, Kyle Dunbar, Boneface, Jordi Pla, Marcel Oliveira, and Kara Gutierrez. It’s where Tattoo Artists go deeper into a specialty, like Emily’s love of cover-ups.
Ink Different also offers Spanish-speaking locations in Denver, Orange County, NYC, Miami, San Antonio, and San Diego.
Ready to Become a Tattoo Artist?
Emily Elegado has spent about 20 years building a career she loves, from her traditional tattoo apprenticeship to Ink Master to almost 12 years at Foolish Pride 2. Her advice is to protect your mental health, keep finding inspiration, and help people feel good in their skin.
Ready to become a Tattoo Artist? Apply now to Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship and start building an AI-proof career with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios. Prefer to test the waters first? Fill out our quick questionnaire to see if it’s right for you.
To book with Emily, visit Foolish Pride 2 Tattoo Co. in Clearwater, open six days a week, or follow her on Instagram at @emilyelegado. Follow Vany at @officialvanyvicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ink Master seasons was Emily Elegado on?
Season 5, Redemption Season 1, Redemption Season 2, and the Sirens of Ink special.
What did Emily learn from Ink Master?
That the real competition was against herself. Being isolated from family, friends, and phones led to a lot of self-reflection.
Where does Emily Elegado tattoo?
At Foolish Pride 2 Tattoo Co. in Clearwater, Florida, where she’s worked for almost 12 years.
Why does Emily love cover-ups?
She loves the problem-solving and wants clients to leave with a smile and feel proud of their bodies again.
How long does the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship take?
Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months across four phases, with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s own tattoo studios.
Do I need prior experience to start?
No. The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is built for beginners.
