The Artist Altar

In this episode, I’m breaking down the nine different ways you can learn tattooing. What each path really looks like, the pros and cons, the hidden costs and the outcomes you can realistically expect. I wanted to make this because so many aspiring tattoo artists feel overwhelmed trying to figure out where to begin. Apprenticeships can feel mysterious, gatekept, or confusing, and I want to lay ever...

In this episode, I sit down with tattoo artist Alexandra Husmann and Joy Practitioner Thea Monyee to reflect on a deeply collaborative, intuitive tattooing journey we’ve been creating together over time. What began as a subtle, gentle first layer evolved into a living, breathing practice of trust, improvisation, and shared authorship where skin became a canvas for “jazz,” duality and embodied trut...

In this episode, I’m sharing what it’s been like to step away from my personal art practice and what it means to come back. After two years focused on building a tattoo education system with my husband, Luis, I reflect on the sacrifices, growth, and clarity that came from putting my own painting on pause. We created an in-person, curriculum-based apprenticeship model that honors tattooing as a ser...

Hi, I’m Justine Almaraz , and I’m so glad you’re here! This podcast is a safe space for artists who want to grow, thrive, and develop their unique creative voice all while building a fulfilling, sustainable career. In this teaser episode, I share a bit about myself and what this podcast is all about: pulling back the curtain on the world of fine art tattooing, creative entrepreneurship, and develo...

In the Finale episode, I reflect on the powerful closing of Season One of Her Ink Empire and the deeply transformative new season I’m stepping into. Turning 40, moving to a new city, and redefining what creativity, health, and balance mean to me, I open up about releasing old patterns, healing my nervous system, and creating from a place of calm and clarity. From revisiting body image and self-wor...

In this episode, I sit down with Jamie, a maker, healer, and founder of The Everyday Empathecary , whose journey bridges art, energy work, and plant medicine. From her early experiments blending oils and herbs for friends, to creating the Magic Salve and tattoo care line that’s become a staple in our community, Jamie’s story is one of devotion, intuition, and deep reverence for the healing power o...

In this episode, I sit down with Krista Roodzant, founder of SuiteStyle OC, a sanctuary for women tattooers and independent artists in Orange County. What started as an unexpected leap into entrepreneurship has grown into a thriving haven, reshaping what safety, beauty, and community can mean in the tattoo world. Krista’s path has been anything but conventional, from years as a registered nurse an...

In this episode, I sit down with Mari, a pioneering fine-line tattoo artist from Brazil whose creative journey now expands into painting, visionary art, and live performance. From her early days of breaking barriers as one of the first recognized women tattooers in her area, to painting alongside world-renowned artists at COSM and Burning Man, Mari’s story is one of devotion, reinvention, and deep...

In this episode, I’m joined by Danielle, a fellow tattoo artist whose creative journey is deeply intertwined with her faith and her art. Danielle shares how following God led her into tattooing, how her apprenticeship began in the most unexpected way, and how her spiritual life continues to shape her practice in the studio. We talk about her move from Northern California back to Orange County, wha...

In this episode, I’m joined by Sammi Lee, a multi-passionate artist whose creative path has unfolded through design, illustration, photography, and now tattooing. Sammi shares how stepping into this craft of learning to tattoo brought together all of her artistic skills, and how saying yes to the process of a tattoo apprenticeship with me at Earth Altar reshaped her sense of self and her future. W...

In this episode, I’m joined by Erica, a therapist, mother, and longtime seeker whose tattoos have become sacred markers of her healing journey. What began as an intention to honor her late father has transformed into a deeply intuitive collaboration where art, spirit, and embodiment meet. We talk about how tattoos can become more than adornment: they can serve as love letters to the self, reminder...

In this episode, I’m joined by a somatic healing guide and intuitive artist who helps others reconnect with their creativity through body-based modalities like sound healing, breathwork, and yoga. We talk about what it means to reclaim your identity as an artist even when trauma, perfectionism, or self-doubt try to tell you otherwise. From a childhood shaped by addiction and poverty, to the grief...

In this episode, I’m joined by Alexandra Husmann, a member of Earth Altar Tattoo Collective and a former tattoo apprentice of mine. Alex shares what it means to carve out a path that reflects her values and honors her nervous system. We talk about the quiet unraveling that led her away from conventional tattoo culture, and the thoughtful rebuilding that followed the moments of burnout, the desire...

In this episode I sit down with Mary Campbell, a former apprentice turned full-time tattoo artist who shares how her path unfolded from photographing weddings to creating sacred tattoo experiences from her private studio in San Diego. Mary talks about learning to tattoo on a sailboat in Seattle, working in multiple studios, and eventually creating a home and studio space that’s both a sanctuary an...

In this episode, I’m joined by Kathryn Eipl, Emotional Strategy Coach, Reiki Master, Sound Therapist, Yoga and Meditation Guide, and a truly multi-dimensional human. Kathryn’s story is one of deep transformation, moving from a high-stress career in entertainment management to finding her purpose through healing work, one brave, intuitive step at a time. We talk about how she developed her Neuro Re...

In this episode I sit down with Sergio Gomez, an artist, curator, and coach who shares how he sees his art career as all one thing, the studio, the gallery, the education, the coaching, and the curation. Sergio talks about recently returning from Chicago, where he was one of 33 artists invited to paint replicas of the ancient Olmec heads as part of a public art project celebrating Mexican heritage...

In this episode, I sit down with Kristine Schomaker—artist, mentor, and the founder of Shoebox Arts, Art and Cake, and the new nonprofit January Arts. Kristine shares how her journey as an artist and leader has evolved and how building community, offering resources, and creating space for artists has shaped her career. We talk about her nonprofit launching this fall, her long-running Perceive Me p...

In this episode I sit down with Ray Beldner, an artist, educator, and longtime mentor who shares his journey through the art world and how building community, mentorship, and practical knowledge have shaped his career. Ray opens up about moving from San Francisco to the Sierra foothills and now to Dallas and how those changes impacted his life and work. We talk about what’s missing from traditiona...

In today’s episode, I got to sit down with Kelsey Harper. Kelsey is a clinical psychologist, a writer, a little witchy, and a survivor herself. She offers virtual therapy for folks with trauma, complex trauma, and borderline personality disorder across different states. She also hosts the Initiated Survivor podcast, where she speaks directly to the issues facing survivors of gender-based violence...

In today’s episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Jessica Hitchcock. Jessica is a self-taught artist who transitioned from working as a full-time Director of Finance and HR to building a thriving art business—without a formal art degree. Jessica walks us through the years it took to build a consistent income, how she planned her financial runway, and why visibility was the key to her growth...

In this episode, I sit down with Clare Storck- a midwife, mother, and longtime friend—who shares the powerful journey that led her to get an intuitive tattoo during one of the most challenging seasons of her life. Clare opens up about her daughter Tilly’s diagnosis, the intensity of a 70-week chemotherapy treatment, and how she found strength in marking that experience through deeply meaningful bo...

In this episode, we’re diving deep into creativity, healing, and reclaiming your power as an artist with the incredible Jade Chung—art therapist, healer, and visionary guide. We talk about what it really means to be an artist, how art connects to healing, and how trauma can show up in our creative process. This conversation is for you if: ✅ You’ve ever felt blocked or shut down when sitting down...

In this episode, I’m joined by Sophia Kaminski—an LA-based musician and singer who recently launched her own singing and piano studio, Kaminski Voice Studio. We explore her return to music after an eight-year break, and how she’s consciously choosing to come back to singing on her own terms—through embodiment, intuitive movement, and expression. Sophia shares how her journey with voice started at...

Welcome to the very first episode of Her Ink Empire! In this episode, I’m sharing something a little different. Recently, I had the opportunity to be a guest on Rebecca Lapage’s podcast, where we dove deep into my journey as an intuitive tattoo artist. I wanted to share that conversation here because we explored so many meaningful aspects of my story and how my sacred tattoo process came to be. Du...

Welcome to "Her Ink Empire," where I, Justine Almaraz —tattoo artist, educator, and founder of Earth Altar Tattoo Studio—am on a mission to redefine what's possible in tattoo education and creative entrepreneurship. As a passionate tattoo artist, I spend my days creating meaningful art on my clients' skin, while also guiding fellow artists to build thriving, creatively aligned practices. Whether y...