Meet Bailey Crow | Artist & Tattoo Apprentice

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bailey Crow and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bailey, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
When I was determining what to do with my life, I first landed on a picturesque greys anatomy lifestyle of being a doctor…simply from watching the show. I was planning to be a hot-shot doctor making big bucks until i walked into Baylor’s Med school program and saw eight semesters of calculus. We walked out and headed back to the art building. Math isnt my thing, art is. I vividly remember sitting in the Baylor Student Cafeteria and my dad giving me a very serious “you can do what ever you choose, whatever makes you happy, IF, you are taken care of financially, you are happy, and you are enjoying what you do in life. Once my parents had given me the green light, art was never even a question. Its what ive done my whole life, since i was old enough to understand it. From Ms. Sandy’s art classes at the local hobby lobby, to thousands of hours on youtube curled up in the corner of my room drawing, it was just never even a question.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
So with my personal Tattoo designs, i definitely follow the american traditional style, but i love to put my own girly, whimsical spin on it all. Lots of hearts, lots of flowers, stars, just to give it a bit more pizzazz and flare. Truthfully, im still very early in my tattoo career! Im so thrilled and blessed to have gotten this far in such a short amount of time, i started pursing this about Mid-December of 22, so to already have an apprenticeship at a top notch tattoo lounge feels incredible and i constantly feel overwhelmed with emotions of it all. Thats not to say it was easy getting here, i spent dozens of nights awake until 3 and 4 in the morning drawing, practicing my skill, and looking at others art. Without my husband, John, i couldnt have done any of it though. He continuously motivated me to push through those late nights and inspires me every day to do my best for our little family. Overall, as an Artist, i want to communicate a sort of artistic but feminine flare on American Traditional tattoos. There isnt a ton of females in the industry so putting my whimsical touch really feels kind of important to me. Predominately, traditional tattoo artists back in the day were all guys… traditional started with Sailor Jerry and Ben Corday… not Baileys and Haileys.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Id definitely start at the MFA Houston and the Science Musuem… im a nerd and will geek out at the museums all day long. Afterwards, Darband Shishkabob… handsdown the BEST Persian food in town. For drinks though, were always going to heighs beir garten, theyve got something for everyone, beer wine hard liquor outdoor vibes, its the best.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Well I came from being an Art Teacher, a career that was never in my plan but happened when covid hit, and it was taking over my life and my health. My husband, John, has been the greatest support system in it all. Ive had plenty of people leave my life, friends that disappeared or life took over for them. But my husband has been there since 17 years old and damn does he deserve a moment of recognition for putting up with all my ups and downs.

Instagram: @b.crow.tattoo