Meet Brittany Barrera Mathews | Flight Attendant & Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittany Barrera Mathews and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always had an artistic background and actually have my Bachelor of Science in Dance! I started dancing around the age of 10 and I’m classically trained in styles of ballet, jazz and modern. I also really loved my high school art classes so the arts have always had a special place in my life. I’ve had amazing teachers that cultivated my creative abilities and I wouldn’t be where I am without them! Tattooing and microblading are so different from anything I’ve done in the past and it’s been amazing to learn these new skills. They’re beautiful forms of art and I love giving people a chance to view themselves in a fresh perspective – whether that’s giving them a new set of brows or a fine line tattoo to commemorate something significant in their life. It’s been an amazing journey and I’m excited to see where my art will take me!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
So I got into tattooing because of the pandemic- I had been furloughed from my flight attendant job and didn’t fly for an entire year. It had never even crossed my mind that one day I may not be able to fly and that was a huge realization for me. I missed doing something more artistic with my time so I decided to take a microblading course which led to a tiny tattoo course and that really opened up a new world to me. It’s been a challenge balancing 2 careers but it’s been so rewarding knowing that I’m capable of doing both! I’ve worked really hard this past year to expand my brand and to find the right tattoo studio and it finally feels like the dust is settling. It’s not easy finding a space where you feel appreciated or valued as a newer artist and older people in the industry may try to tell you that you’re not good enough but you just have to keep pushing forward. I’m really happy where I’m at right now and just want to continue working hard on my craft as a fine line tattoo artist.

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.
The great thing about Houston is it has so much to offer! If it’s summer and baseball season I’d definitely have to take them to an Astros game. We’d swing by a local coffee shop like Eden Plant and have lunch at Seaside Poké before the game and end the night at True Anomaly or Pitch 25- all local Eado spots. I’m partial to everything in this neighborhood! We’d definitely have to hit up Space Center Houston one day- I always forget that most people don’t grow up in a space centered community so everyone loves marveling at the Saturn V rocket and learning about it. If we’re having a girls day we’d start by getting our nails done (coffee already secured) and heading to the galleria to shop for an outfit that night. Drinks at Clarkwood because my girlfriends and I have gone there for years and it’s my favorite cocktail bar in Houston! Some more must hit spots are Rodeo Goat, Brass Tacks, Tiny Champions, Kata Robata, Drakes Hollywood and Postino!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve encountered so many incredible people throughout my life that have helped shape me into who I am today but I have to give my mom a big shoutout! She’s always been able to see my talent before I see it in myself. She was always encouraging me and pushing me to do the things I was interested in even if it wasn’t easy down the road. My husband also plays a huge role in everything, I wouldn’t be able to pursue my dreams without his support. My dance teachers taught me so much when I was young too. I was so distracted as a kid from my ADHD and they really cultivated my creative side and taught me to focus my energy into anything I wanted to do. It’s kind of crazy to look back and trace everything to those pivotal moments where people saw something unique in you and realize you’re here because of that.

Instagram: Inkbybrit

Image Credits
@calebisnotokay for headshot and action shots