Meet Zoey Hunter Vick | Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zoey Hunter Vick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zoey, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
Cursium Perficio, ‘ I will stand the course’. It’s the motto for Clan Hunter; the basic translation is ‘I will complete the course’, but my grandfather who is an immigrant used ‘stand’ and I tend to believe him over Google…HA! It’s on his grave and our family crest. My father used to always say it to me during difficult times in my life. ‘It’s in the blood’, ‘stand the course’…he’d say ‘get up and walk’. During very trying times in my career I’d hear his voice and I would stand the course. I even have it tattooed on me with pigment made from his ashes.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Tattooing is one of the last living trades. I was lucky enough to step through the doors when it was still ‘hands on’ and handed down learning from one person to another. I learned that you are always learning. As you advance in this career you learn to open yourself up to other artists you respect and they will teach you even more skills to help you along the way. I am the generation of tattooers that started with no phones in the shops, making our own needles, no credit card machines and no Google. I have watched it go from that through each transition of internet, pre-made needles, technology advancing our equipment, social media from My Space to what it has expanded into now, pencil and paper to iPads. All that being said, I’ve had to adapt and change A LOT! My three decades spanning in this industry has probably seen more change than those before me and definitely more than any tattooers who only came in 5-10 years ago.

Today I take it in stride. I do my best to keep my traditions alive but also at least be open to change. I put my effort into my artwork, trying to forever push myself, learn and expand my abilities. My journey was not easy and my story has been told many times through print. I started with nothing and I did what my father told me. I worked hard, I took the bumps in the road and got back up and walked and I held onto what was in my heart.

What sets me apart from others? I don’t know – my clients have many theories in this subject…haha. I am myself without apology. Take it or leave it, my clients and I have a bond that I am grateful for. We are real with each other and to me that makes a better environment to pull off great projects together. Whatever it is about me that sets me apart from others that keeps this little tattoo family together, I’m thankful for and will continue forward as long as they trust me with their skin.

What I want the world to know about me and my story? I guess you can see me through the print. What you read here is who I am, my story – I’m self-made but it was only possible by the strength my father instilled in me and those around me who helped me up and stood next to me when it was the darkest. About my work? I’ll give you my best. I won’t sugar coat anything or tell you I can pull off something I can’t. If you trust the process, we will both be smiling at the end.

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.
Fort Worth is my area. When people come here to visit, I like to show them the ‘touristy’ part as well as the local spots. The Stockyards for sure because there is so much history there and West 7th area. We are foodies, so we like to hot bbq places like Coopers for the experience with people who don’t have a lot of bbq in their areas. We are definitely repeat offenders at Lucille’s and Uncle Julio’s, so we also take our friends there and depending on who it is we definitely go to our little places like Bangkok House and Papi Tacos. We definitely are creatures of habit and end up regulars at places, so we like to do those things with loved ones. When our littles (grandkids) are with us they never tire of the Fort Worth Zoo and Movie Tavern. There is so much to do here depending on your likes/dislikes. I always suggest really just searching the area around wherever you eat or stay at and something will pop up.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In December 2025, I will hit 30 years of tattooing. My father was my number one hero and always will be. His death came so early it felt like being alone on a desolate island. I am forever grateful and blessed to have had several men who stepped into a father role for me one way or another, welcoming me into their families and teaching me the old school ways of tattooing. My journey went on. I look back at my little brother who kept me strong just by being my responsibility, but then just so proud by seeing him become an exceptional human being. My husband stepped into my world when I trusted no one. His friendship even on the bad days is invaluable to me. My true friendships that seem to have come out of nowhere but have endured the test of time…some family, some blood (most family by choice), their support has always helped me push through the dark days and enjoy the happy ones that much more. And my clients…man, my clients – their incredible loyalty never ceases to amaze me. None of us are perfect. I try to just be who I am and as honest with that as possible, so the love and loyalty my clients show me is so incredibly humbling.

Website: https://heartansoultattoo.com

Instagram: zoeydmonster2

Facebook: Zoeyhuntervick