Amanda Plavan Is Leaving a Lasting Mark on Northeast Ohio’s Tattoo Industry

Plavan smiles from ear to ear.

Amanda Plavan has been tattooing for nearly 17 years, establishing herself as a respected figure in Northeast Ohio’s tattoo scene. She began her journey at Focus Tattoos under the mentorship of Jimmy Hayden and now tattoos out of her own private suite—Sugar and Spice Tattoo Suite—located inside Image Studios in Downtown Cleveland. The name, inspired by the fairy tale phrase, reflects the blend of sweetness and strength that defines her work.

Tattooing has traditionally been a male-dominated field, but over the years, more women have stepped into leadership roles within the industry. Plavan is one of those trailblazers. Reflecting on her experience as a successful woman in the field, she shared: “...it means the world to me it really does because it is possible for females to succeed in this industry it just is and it's easier now than it was when I started…it is very important to me that females and women have a safe space to go…”

Plavan specializes in fine line, 99% custom work. Her pricing is determined by the piece, with a shop minimum of $100. Factors like placement, size, and detail all influence the final cost.

Ironically, Plavan didn’t grow up with tattoos or even plans to enter the field. She was told not to get them as a kid. It wasn’t until her 20s that she dove headfirst into tattooing. At that time, the industry was still heavily male-dominated, and she became the first female artist hired at Focus Tattoos. She said, “...I was happy that I landed there and just kept knocking on doors ya know, seeking out that apprenticeship. They're not easy to find they're ya know not easy to come by but if you’re stubborn enough and you want it enough you’ll just keep on keepin’ on…felt like I had a lot to prove to myself and prove to the guys ya know really didn’t wanna let anybody down……”

Plavan draws inspiration from female tattoo artists across the world, thanks to the power of the internet. She said, “...I feel like I’m just inspired all over the place and it’s just beautiful having the internet…so I feel like we’re very blessed because you can find inspiration from so many artists in so many different avenues without having to buy a million magazines so yeah we’re lucky that information is spreading in the industry. It’s not gatekept the way it was…”

She believes Northeast Ohio’s tattoo scene is underappreciated, with a wealth of hidden talent. Plavan added, “...Honestly I feel like Northeast Ohio is a hidden treasure. I feel like Cleveland in general is a hidden treasure…”

Creating a safe and welcoming space for her clients is at the heart of Plavan’s work. She said, “The impact that I want to leave is, it’s so important to me that my clients feel respected and that I’m creating a safe space so at the end of the day my clients need to feel comfortable, they need to feel like they are at ease, they need to know that I care about the quality of their work and I just need them to feel safe…”

Tattooing has had a profound personal impact on Plavan, both artistically and emotionally. She emphasized, “Oh it’s just become my life at this point to be honest with you. Ya know it's been the main vehicle that I’m delivering my art through which is wonderful and I feel like it's a true blessing, it really is and it's really taught me more about myself than I ever thought it would. It has shown me my own strength, it has shown me my own resilience, my own stubbornness, my determination, and I continue to love learning…”

The path to becoming a tattoo artist is far from easy, but Plavan encourages aspiring artists to stay persistent. She said, “Don’t give up…because it's not easy. Tattooing is not for the faint of heart. You gotta be stubborn. Keep going. Ya know if you’re out there looking for an apprenticeship and you hear a “no” don’t let that stop you…and as easy it is these days to access tattoo equipment I highly recommend that you only tattoo fake skin until you have a mentor…but just keep after it ya know keep learning, keep drawing, build your portfolio…”

Artists are change-makers and collaborators, and Plavan takes pride in contributing positively to her clients’ lives. She reflected, “It's the best feeling, it really is. I’m my hardest critic. I think all artists are. We’re all really hard on ourselves but when you see your clients smile and you see that they love the piece that you just made it really feels like a collaboration. It feels like you made something together because they needed to sit very still and be intentional with what they were doing so that you can work so there is nothing really better…It's an honor to be trusted in that way with somebody's body so I take that very seriously and I’m careful to only select artwork that is positive and that makes me feel good and that I feel would make others feel good…”

Tattooing, like any art form, comes with challenges. For Plavan, one of the hardest parts is staying focused on the big picture. Still, she feels deeply grateful to be where she is. She added, “I just feel so grateful to be in the company of so many talented artists in this city and to be working in an industry that I love, that I respect, and that is an honor for me to be a part of truly. I absolutely love what I do…”

Plavan’s motivation stems from a desire to perfect each tattoo she creates. She said,  “...it's the internal pressure of needing to have a perfect tattoo at the end of the session and so some are smooth sailing and some are a little bit rockier…”

Her dream project is to complete a full back piece, and she’s looking forward to exploring more nature-based designs and working with color. In the long run, she hopes to mentor other artists and continue fostering a welcoming environment. She said, “...I would just like to continue to grow. Down the road I would absolutely love to share what I know with other artists who want to learn and just expand, expand on the same vision of creating a safe and peaceful happy space for people to celebrate their bodies and make beautiful art. So yeah just growing…”

Follow Plavan:

Instagram:@amanda_sugar_and_spice_tattoo

Book with Plavan:

amandaplavan.glossgenius.com