Hailey Couto Builds Thriving Tattoo and Art Practice in Hawaii
Hailey (AQF '17) has built a flourishing artistic career in Hawaii, where she founded her own tattoo studio, while continuing to paint and expand her creative practice.
Since receiving her AQF scholarship in 2017, Hailey Couto (House) has transformed her artistic journey into a thriving career as a tattoo artist, painter, and entrepreneur. After attending the Maine College of Art pre-college program, where she studied painting and printmaking, Hailey discovered that her path lay outside of a traditional college setting. That program provided the artistic foundation and confidence she needed to explore new mediums and ultimately establish herself in the art world.
In 2022, Hailey opened her own tattoo studio, House.Inks, in Honolulu, Hawaii. What began as a small independent space has since grown into a creative hub; over the past year, she has expanded the studio and is developing a second space for other artists to tattoo and call home.Alongside her tattoo practice, Hailey continues to paint in acrylics, specializing in vibrant realism pop-art portraits. She has also completed mural projects on the U.S. Army military base in Hawai‘i, blending her creative practice with community engagement.
Her career is a testament to the courage of pursuing one’s own vision, even when the path takes unexpected turns. From honing her craft during the pandemic to establishing herself as both an entrepreneur and an artist, Hailey has carved out a career that allows her to live her passion every day. We celebrate Hailey’s entrepreneurial spirit and artistic growth, and look forward to seeing how she continues to inspire through her work.