CLOVER ALDEN

Clover is a transgender tattooer from Memphis, TN. They have drawn their whole life and studied illustration at Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri. In addition to tattooing, Clover has done freelance work for musicians, most notably Julien Baker and Denzel Curry. Veganism, sustainability, and leftist practices are important values to Clover. In their free time, they enjoy reading, playing video games, and walking nature trails. An animal lover, Clover would be lost without their companion cats, Lettuce and Nori ⸺ Who or where do you get your inspiration from? I grew up reading a lot of manga and comics. I’m inspired by nature and wildlife, as well as domestic imagery such as furniture and full-room scenes. Music and song lyrics invoke more surreal imagery for me, which I find the most interesting ⸺ What advice would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo virgin) Drink a lot of water the day before and the morning leading up to your appointment. Eat a carb-heavy and protein-rich meal before your appointment ⸺ What did your family and friends think about you getting into the tattoo business? I’ve been lucky to be supported by almost everyone in my life.

⸺ What would you say is your favorite part of the job? Providing a service that helps people feel more at home in their bodies ⸺ What was it that initially sparked your interest in tattooing? I’d always appreciated the craft and began getting tattooed 13 years ago when I was 18. I saw it as a career potential after encouragement from my lifelong best friends, Emily and Ariel. ⸺ Are there any tattoos you would refuse to do? (face, private areas, etc.) If I like the idea and the client, I am generally down for whatever. There’s specific imagery I don’t like tattooing or drawing, and I will offer a referral to those requests. A client getting the best tattoo is more important to me than the money I would make off of the project ⸺ What do you think is in store for the future of tattooing? More styles and more acceptance in terms of queerness and gender; less stigma around DIY and self-taught artists. ✕