Keisha Way, owner and artist for K Way Fine Arts, also owns Hand Candy Tattoo located in Helper. Way started tattooing on her own after much studying and apprenticing in 2002 and opened Hand Candy in March of 2011.
Way has always had a hand in artistry and friends that would beg her to learn how to tattoo. Finally, they convinced Way to give it a chance, which led her to take her portfolio all over the state of Utah, looking for a professional that would be willing to take on an apprentice.
After some time, Way found a tattoo artist in Ogden. It was here that she apprenticed for nine months on weekends before starting on her own. According to Way, after completing her first tattoo she swore that she would never do it again due to nerves. However, later in the day she had another customer and decided that it wasn’t as nerve-wracking as before and made the choice to continue.
A few years into tattooing, Way made the decision to attend the Art Institute where she received a degree in graphic design. It is a choice that she is glad to have made, stating that it has really streamlined her work flow.
“The one thing I really love about tattooing is how therapeutic and healing it can be,” Way said. “So many people get memorial tattoos and it warms my heart at how overwhelmed they can become with emotion after our collaboration comes to fruition. It can bring big, gruff coal miners to tears, not from the pain, but from the joy they get from the end product. They get to carry their loved one as a part of themselves forever. Tattoos can also help so many people get past a rough patch in their lives, close a chapter and start a new one.”
Another favorite part of tattooing for Way consists of the challenge that comes with doing a cover-up tattoo. A tattoo cannot simply be covered-up with any old tattoo from the books, said Way. There are many tricks when it comes to covering them and camouflaging the original.
Watercolor tattoos and abstract/geometric tattoos are a personal favorite to work on for Way. A particular tattoo that stands out in Way’s mind consists of a piece of broccoli with a Flavor Flav clock, gold grills and 1980s louvered glasses.
“It’s so much fun when clients give me a wacky idea that they are passionate about. Everyone else rolls their eyes at them, and my eyes just light up because the odd ones really excite me,” said Way.
If you are interested in getting a tattoo done with Way, the minimum is $40 and the pricing from there is based on the piece in both size and detail. If there is a piece you would like completed that is quite large, the tattoo can be split into sessions to help with the pain and the cost.
Piercing is also performed at Way’s shop. Hand Candy Tattoo may be found on Facebook or you may contact the shop at (435) 472-1801.
