Me and My Tattooing History
Artist Profile of Darbi "Marbles" Conradt
My name is Darbi Conradt though I often go by Marbles. For as long as I can remember I have always loved creating art and exploring new mediums to work in. Constantly drawing designs for myself along with my friends and family, I often find myself forever trying to grow as an artist. It is this drive to improve that has shaped my life and career from a young age.
In 2012 at the beginning of my senior year of High School I took on an apprenticeship at the local tattoo parlor known as Extreme Graphix and started my path to becoming a tattoo artist. After 5 years there I left to learn more from other artists at Mellow Madness tattoo. It is there that I had developed my style, rooting it in all things bright, colorful and cartoony. After 5 and half years of working with the wonderful and talented crew at Mellow I had grown a wonderful and supportive clientele that lead me to outgrown the space I was in. In early 2022 I began developing my plans for building out my own private studio where I can focus my attention purely on my clients and not the hustle and bustle of a busy shop atmosphere. In October of 2022 paperwork was finalized, remodeling began and I was officially the owner of Fire Flower Tattoo Studio located in South Town Plaza, 3333W Henrietta Rd. Rochester, NY 14623. As of January 1st, 2023 I will reside here for the foreseeable future. I look forward to seeing where this journey takes me and the new people I will meet along the way.
Side Projects
Below is a bit about me as a person aside from tattooing
Shoe Customizing
For many years I have also done illustration along with my tattooing. Whether it was a character design for a friend on paper or a digital logo for a local small business I have always enjoyed the challenge of putting new ideas into a physically viewable medium. Thanks to the time I was given off from the pandemic I was able to pick up a new medium that has been excitingly new yet familiar to work on and that is custom canvas shoes. The craft has re-sparked my joy for working with Copic markers and has given me a new community of artists whom I can learn from and I hope to incorporate the new knowledge I have obtained with my tattooing in one way or another.
Streaming
Along with shoe customizing I found I really enjoy making art and streaming it on Twitch. I hope one day to set a regular schedule once the chaos of opening my own private studio settles and I can set a better work-life balanced schedule. On Twitch you can find me working on shoes, skateboards, various illustrations and sometimes even customizing hydro flasks. On stream I basically make whatever I want to create for myself instead of the are that I create for my clients every day. Maybe one day I may even stream tattoos but for now we will just be sharing personal passion projects. If you would like watch along as I create art piece please feel free to check out my Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/marbleink.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read through this and getting to know me a little more.