Frank Discussions: Charity "Cake" Hamidullah

Photo Credit: Moriah Kirk

My name is... Charity Hamidullah to many or Cake if you've had the pleasure to know my artist persona.

And you might know me because... I am an artist at City of Ink in Atlanta's Castleberry Hill District. Or the art that I have graced across skins, canvases and paper all over America.

The best thing about what I do is... I can turn my fantasy into reality and no one can tell me otherwise.

... and the worst part is... I'm so focused as an artist to convey people’s imagery into reality that I lose a sense of self and the people that matter the most to me… the world outside my art.

The most addictive thing in my life right now is tattooing. There’s no better feeling than going to an artistic environment with mind-tantalizing music and sitting down with a client creating a masterpiece. I'm addicted to that feeling of release tattooing gives me.

More people should know that... the hidden secrets of the world are usually the best. Rather than looking for that person who is the most popular or has the most twitter followers, find more long lasting pleasure in the unknown. Search for them.

I always notice when... people first see you that first impression is what usually what makes you or breaks your future.

It'll always be in style to... follow. Whether people want to admit it or not they’re usually following. They may look like they are setting trends but usually they're just getting real crazy in the safe zone.

... but never... to think. I know the first step to being different is a higher level of thinking, but with the overwhelming nature to be like our environment and society, it’s hard to step outside those boundaries and truly accept yourself.

Someone from the past who will never forget me is... God. He is my past, present and future and the only person who knows what I came from and how I'm going to use it to change the world for the better.

Something I will never understand is... why the most talented people are usually not recognized or appreciated until they’re gone. Wouldn't you want to pick their brain while their alive?

The best thing about Atlanta is... the fact that it’s surrounded by a large landscape of country and no water, yet it is still a very dope city. New York is cool and where I'm from, but Atlanta is a diamond in the rough.

... and when you come here you should check out... City of Ink. No, I'm not being biased. But once you step into our world, breathe in the environment you are introduced to what I feel is the heart of Atlanta - people who really appreciate and love all this city has to offer. My shop is like the open door to what's hot.  And to those who felt I was just promoting my shop, I'd have to say my second choice is Little Five Points.  Next to the culture of City of Ink, it is one of the main reasons why I moved down here. I loved the life and spirit which exuberates from this area and I automatically knew it was home.

You haven't lived until... you took that first step to follow your dreams, quit your 9 to 5 with $100 in your pocket and not know what’s next.

If money wasn't looked at as a necessity or priority everything would be different.

The best frank advice I ever got was... from my dad right before I graduated from high school. He picked me up from work and said "you think you've been through something. You have not seen anything. You have not seen the world.” At that moment I felt like bump being on top of the world. I was the world. My dad's words proved me wrong and truly made me into a better person and the being I strive to become.