Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracie Wetherington.
Hi Tracie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I joined the military at 17 years old while still in high school and spent the next 15 years serving in various roles. I began my career as a Military Police officer, later transitioned into medical readiness, and eventually became a commissioned officer, attending flight school. Throughout that time, I also served on and off active duty, worked as a Department of Defense civilian, and later as a government contractor, giving me a broad range of leadership, operational, and administrative experience.
After leaving the military, I relocated to the Lowndes and Madison County area and felt called to pursue a more people-centered path. I worked at a Christian rehabilitation facility with the long-term goal of opening my own hypnotherapy practice. While hypnotherapy is a powerful tool for healing and overcoming trauma, I found it wasn’t widely accepted or financially sustainable at the time, despite my education and passion for the work.
During that season, I met a permanent makeup artist at the rehab facility, which unexpectedly sparked a new direction for me. I already had permanent makeup myself and became curious about the craft. I began learning, practicing, and quickly discovered both a natural ability and a growing demand for my work. From there, clients began asking for tattoos as well, and what started as a pivot out of necessity became a true passion.
Over time, I built my skills, my client base, and eventually my own business. What began as an unplanned transition turned into a calling—one that blends creativity, service, discipline, and connection. As my business has grown, so has my faith, and today my work reflects not just who I am as an artist and entrepreneur, but who I am becoming spiritually. I’m still growing—creatively, professionally, and as a Christian—but I’m grateful for every step that led me here.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I’ve faced many trials and challenges along the way, both professionally and personally. Like many people, I carried unresolved trauma from my childhood into adulthood, and for a long time I didn’t have the guidance or tools to fully understand or address it. That spilled over into different areas of my life as I tried to navigate career changes, relationships, and starting something completely new on my own.
There were seasons of uncertainty, financial strain, self-doubt, and learning things the hard way. Building a business without a roadmap meant making mistakes, pivoting often, and sometimes simply surviving rather than thriving. But perseverance and grit have carried me through. I refused to quit, even when it would have been easier to walk away.
Through it all, my faith has been a constant anchor. God has always had my back—even when I didn’t fully realize it at the time—and each challenge strengthened my resilience and clarified my purpose. Those obstacles shaped not only the business I’ve built, but the person I’m becoming. I’m still growing, still learning, and still pressing forward, but every hardship has played a role in getting me exactly where I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
am a tattoo artist, permanent makeup artist, and studio owner, but at my core I consider myself a creative who uses art as a way to serve, heal, and connect with people. My work focuses on custom tattoos and permanent makeup that are intentional, meaningful, and deeply personal. I’m especially known for detailed, symbolic pieces, fine-line work, and designs that tell a story rather than follow trends.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the artwork itself, but the environment I’ve built. I’ve created a space where clients feel safe, heard, and respected—many of whom come to me during vulnerable moments in their lives. I take the responsibility of permanently marking someone’s body seriously, and I approach each piece with care, patience, and purpose.
What sets me apart is my background and perspective. My military career instilled discipline, attention to detail, and a strong sense of responsibility, while my personal experiences have given me empathy and emotional awareness. I don’t rush the process or treat clients like numbers. I listen, I educate, and I collaborate with them to create something meaningful.
As my faith has grown, it has naturally become part of how I do business—through integrity, honesty, and the way I treat both clients and artists. I’m still evolving as an artist and business owner, but I’m proud of building something authentic, values-driven, and rooted in purpose rather than ego.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I see the tattoo and permanent makeup industry continuing to grow, but also maturing in important ways. Tattoos have become far more mainstream and accepted across generations and professions, which means clients are more intentional about what they choose and who they trust. I believe the industry is moving away from impulse work and trend-chasing and toward custom, meaningful pieces created by artists with strong personal brands and values.
There’s also a noticeable shift toward professionalism—higher standards for cleanliness, education, licensing, and client experience. Clients are more informed than ever, and they expect transparency, safety, and quality. Artists and studios that treat this as a true profession, not just a hobby, will continue to stand out.
Technology will play a role as well, from digital design tools to improved pigments and equipment, but I don’t believe it will replace the human element. If anything, it will highlight the difference between mass-produced work and thoughtful, collaborative artistry. People still want connection, intention, and trust—especially when it comes to something permanent.
I also see more artists building businesses that reflect their personal values, whether that’s faith, wellness, mental health, or community involvement. Studios are becoming more than just places to get tattooed—they’re creative spaces, safe spaces, and hubs for connection. The artists who adapt, stay grounded, and lead with integrity will be the ones who thrive long-term.
Pricing:
- • Custom Tattoos: Pricing is based on size, placement, level of detail, and time required. Most custom pieces begin with a consultation to ensure the design is intentional and tailored to the client. • Hourly Rate: Tattoos are typically priced hourly or by project, depending on the scope of work. • Permanent Makeup: Pricing varies by service (brows, lips, eyeliner, etc.) and includes a thorough consultation and aftercare guidance. • Deposits: A non-refundable deposit is required to secure appointments and is applied toward the final cost of the service. • Consultations: In-depth consultations are available to collaborate on design, placement, and expectations prior to booking.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blacksheepcollective.wixsite.com/the-bsc
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blacksheepcollectivebodyart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PermanentPinUp/
