Carlee WrightA woman, light on her feet, glides down the sidewalk with paint brush in hand. The world before her is grey and stale, but the world she leaves behind is vibrant, bustling and energetic.
That’s Danielle Baca’s fingerprint on Salem.
A lifelong Salemite, Danielle is humble, dedicated and creative. She’s passionate about her career as a tattoo artist, helping make a lasting impact on the lives of her clients through collaboration. She’s eager to be involved in the community, contributing countless hours to helping wherever she can, doing whatever is needed. She’s dedicated to Salem with a sincere interest in encouraging people to create art and cultivate connection in our city.
With her career, her hobbies, her volunteerism, her parenting, there is no aspect of Danielle’s life does not draw on some sort of creative channel. And just as art has given her focus, purpose and direction and she aims to share the inspiration she receives with the world.
Like many, Danielle found art in her youth. She used it as a way to help her socialize and connect with her peers and by the time she was in fourth grade, she knew she wanted to be an artist. Fortunately, despite discouragement from most adults, Danielle pursued those dreams to where she is today: a life and career in creating art daily.
After graduating high school, Danielle wasted no time. She enrolled at Hot Rod Betties Tattoo School and got her license to be able to tattoo in the state of Oregon.
Over the next four years, she worked at several different shops, gaining experience, building clientele. Until finally, she realized that to be able to truly offer her clients the experience she aimed for, she needed to go into business for herself. She needed to open her own shop.
That’s when Danielle opened My Living Canvas. Aiming to provide an experience free from the negative aspect of the industry she had seen and encountered over the years, Danielle wanted to create a studio that would be inclusive and non-intimidating — where the art of her clients was the highest priority.
As a female artist in a male-dominated industry, she aims to create a tattoo experience that is meaningful. Her most successful advertising is just as you would imagine: happy clients.
“I’m constantly inspired by my clients,” said Danielle, who has 11 years of experience. “They tell me their idea and I create it. I’m just the translator. The image I create is their art.”
While style may be varied, Danielle enjoys fine lines and detail work ranging from floral designs to mandalas. Ultimately, she is open to what her client is looking for. She loves hearing the creative ideas of those who come to her for a tattoo.
Danielle revels in the process of creating something that is a masterpiece for her client. “I tattoo for the person. Individuality encourages me,” she said.
After seven years in the Reed Opera House, Danielle’s shop has moved to Pringle Park Plaza. The new space allows her an opportunity to grow, which includes featuring guest artists and hosting regular special events, such as Mini Monday, where a client can get a mini tattoo selected from her book of custom flash designs for a low flat rate. Danielle has created and collected about 400 designs for her clients to choose from.
But Danielle’s creativity does not end there. Danielle dabbles in all kinds of art. From cooking to costuming to creative problem solving, Danielle uses art for everything, and it is a driving force behind her community contribution.
Nine years ago, she got involved with theater. During an interactive showing of The Big Lebowski, she got pulled up on stage to participate — an experience that stuck with her. Soon after, she volunteered behind-the-scenes with The Rocky Horror Picture Show. She was hooked, jumping in to play the part of Columbia next, and eventually transitioning to be a leader when in 2012 she began directing the show. That same year, she also welcomed her daughter, Fiona, into her life.
Having a child didn’t stop Danielle from her volunteering, it added to her desire to be more connected, to do more.
Salem Zombie Walk. TEDxSalem. There is a long list of community activities to which Danielle has a connection, and you may not always realize it’s her behind-the-scene — or the costume.
She is passionate about wanting to promote and support art; to use art to create something that encourages involvement, working together and everyone taking part
“Art brings people together. I appreciate that,” she said.
So keep an eye out, you never know when or where you’ll see the woman with a paintbrush.
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 5 (Feb/Mar 2019)
The Instigator
