Renton Tattooist Makes Her Mark On National Television

RENTON, WA -- Amanda Leitch always knew she would become an artist. The Renton tattoo artist said she began to draw as soon as she could pick up a pencil. Now, Leitch will have the opportunity to display her talent on national television as she competes in the latest season of Spike’s “Ink Master.”

The show, which begins its 10th season on Tuesday, gives 24 contestants challenges in the quest to $100,000.

Leitch, 25, said she became a tattoo artist when she was just 19 years old. In an effort to pay for college, she took on an apprenticeship with the hopes of quickly generating money for tuition. After two years of studying the craft, she knew tattooing was her destiny.

“It just seemed like a natural career for me because I’ve always enjoyed doing art,” Leitch said. “During the apprenticeship, I saw myself putting ink into people’s skin as a career that I could do the rest of my life.”

Inspired by artists such as Jeff Gogue and Alphonse Mucha, Leitch said she has spent endless days perfecting her craft to the point where she has become popular for her realism artwork.

But, the career did not come without its challenges. Leitch, who is originally from Canada, said she encountered sexism in the field.

“Being a female is the biggest challenge I’ve encountered in this career field,” Leitch said. “There’s a lot of old values still in place. As a female, I feel that I got it a bit harder than the males who were doing it.”

To overcome the challenges, she said she worked to stay motivated and focused on her career goals.

Leitch’s determination will appear on “Ink Master” as she competes alongside seasoned tattooists. The show will also bring back past reality show contestants.

Leitch said she hopes her appearance on the show will not only elevate her work, but inspire other people too.

“I feel like I was the underdog on the show,” Leitch said. “I hope that a lot of folks will be able to relate to me and know that I’m not some rockstar on a show, I’m a totally normal human being who just took a shot. I took the chance.”

“Ink Master” will air at 7 p.m. PST Tuesday on Spike Television.

For more information, go to spike.com.

--Photo courtesy of Spike Televison