Today we’d like to introduce you to Frankie K. Laguna.
Hi Frankie K., we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey is, like many others, long and grueling. I have gone through many difficult obstacles to get to where I am today. And honestly; I wouldn’t have it any other way. I went through three different tattoo apprenticeships before I landed at this one. Each of those experiences taught me different things. I never expected, that at 24 years old, I would just now start my career.
Ever since I was a child, my mother had my entire life planned out. Being an ABC (American-Born Chinese), my mother had big plans for me. College, PHD, high-paying job or a rich husband. Tattooing was NEVER in the picture. So when I told her that my career choice was one so taboo, she refused to acknowledge it. Did I listen? Absolutely not.
My first apprenticeship was very much like a new relationship. I was swept off my feet with false promises and shiny new experiences, just to be met with an extremely toxic environment. I was used and lied to, and I didn’t learn a damn thing. This apprenticeship taught me that this industry was not kind to femmes. Especially Queer Femmes of color. I learned a hard lesson, but I stuck to my gut and got out of there.
Years went by before I got my second chance. My second apprenticeship, if you can even call it that, ended before it even started. My “mentor” had promised to start training me on April 1st of 2022. The day before I was supposed to start, he texted me and said that because of his “traveling schedule” he wasn’t able to start until August of 2022. I was absolutely devastated. Now, this may not seem like a big deal, but this was after years of constant searching and rejection. To have that excitement ripped away at the very last moment, it will either make you or break you.
I spent a good while in bed after that. I didn’t shower, or eat, or sleep. I was so depressed, and I had given up hope. I felt as if I was never going to amount to anything and I would never achieve my dream. Eventually, my fight or flight instinct kicked in. A little voice inside my head told me to get up, wash my face, and try again. So I did just that. I spent the next few hours messaging every single tattoo artist in the Atlanta area. Finally; someone responded. (Names will be redacted due to legal reasons). I went in to interview with this person and got an apprenticeship on the spot. This shop was really renowned and this artist had a pretty big reputation. After I had announced it on my social media, I started to receive messages from friends of mine in the industry. All of them were telling me to try to look for something else, as this shop did not have a good history. I took all of this with a grain of salt and decided to at least give it a month. Long story short, all those rumors were true, so I left.
I ended up reaching out to one of the friends who told me to run for the hills. He pointed me in the right direction, and now I believe I’m in the best spot I could ever be in. Everything about this new shop screams YES. I couldn’t be happier.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It was about as smooth as Atlanta roads. So no, not at all. Misogyny, homophobia, and racism still run rampant in the tattoo industry. It’s unfortunate but unavoidable. The only thing we can do now is change the future of this industry. One piece of art at a time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am currently a tattoo apprentice. My style is specialized in Neo-Traditional and color. I like to use my Asian culture as a large influence in my art. Painting, digital, and black and grey inking are the mediums I usually gravitate towards. My current large project (aside from my apprenticeship) is the designing of my own Tarot deck.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I typically stick to paper journaling, but I can’t live without Spotify. Music at all times!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: fkl.designs
