Meet Kiran (Ki) Kublalsingh of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiran (Ki) Kublalsingh.

Hi Kiran (Ki), thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Art has always been my life, the most passion I have ever experienced has been around and within it. Painting, drawing, crafting and tattooing takes me to my most natural flow state and has always been a place that feels right, like a cozy home I get the pleasure to visit. In the house I grew up in, my mom proudly has my 5 year old version of a fruit bowl atop a table hanging up in her kitchen, the fruit proportions still crack me up. In first grade I won a little contest to have my drawing of a Christmas scene complete with a fireplace, a decorated mantle with snow globes, stockings, and windows in the background featuring snowflakes and a snowman outside, turned into a holiday card, I thought it was the coolest thing to ever happen. Second grade my teacher announced at our award ceremony, I would be the next Picasso (I wish) and my love of everything art only grew from there. I never stopped creating. Looking back I did have somewhat of a checkered past but in between the ups and downs of life, I graduated with an Associates Degree in Psychology from Gordon State, then tada I had a sweet baby girl. My warm, glowing, Ember Lana who gave me more strength and strive to be more than I ever thought I was capable of. She turned the cute and terrible 2 during Covid and even though it was difficult being a single mom, I put my college education on hold and dove into something terrifying and new, tattooing. Life gave me an opportunity, my first and still to this day boss, changed my life. He gave me a chance to challenge and prove to myself that I could fight against my mental, endless self doubt, insecurities and become a tattoo artist. Through the sleepless nights and anxiety (lexapro can only do so much) I kept pushing and he gave me the chance to do so. My babygirl is now a whopping 8 years old, going on 18 and I have worked for my boss, Rod, in his studios for over 6 years now. My second home is now Area 54 in Peachtree city, Ga where I have the most incredible work family and best friends. I may have not turned into the next Picasso but I am so proud of who I’m becoming, the artists around me and the career I have. Tattooing is amazing, it is sacred, meticulous and a field where you can never stop evolving and I am so lucky to be apart of this community. I will forever be grateful I am here, making art and memories, it is a dream come true.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As mentioned before, self doubt and being a single mom. Balancing trying to be in a tattoo shop almost if not every day and working part time as a server to pay the bills.

My Instagram is @_kikistattooservice after the Studio Ghibli movie Kiki’s Delivery service because she leaves her home like I did, living in Butts County Ga and moves to a new city to learn her craft as a new witch. I resonate with this, living an hour away from my shop to learn my craft, tattooing.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I love anything mystical, magical, creepy and cute. Everyone knows fairies are my favorite but I’m happy to do my best at giving my clients and new faces what they are imagining and turn it into forever art. Black and grey, dot work/stipple shading has my heart but pops of color are always fun. My style is whimsy and illustrative, I would say. My most recent pieces of lady bodies without lady heads have been my proudest tattoos. I love getting to have full creative freedom and lucky enough to have clientele willing to let me blast them with my ideas. I’m hoping to do a series of them.
I attached photos in my email to show you.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I’ve always had a passion for anything art related, painting, drawing, any sort of craft. I’ve dabbled with refurbishing furniture and making moss covered shelves and mirrors.
Growing up, nature was always close to my heart so I get inspiration from that. I can’t remember a time I wasn’t fascinated by magic, all things witchy, faires and the whimsy of life.

Pricing:

• The minimum at Area 54 in Peachtree city is 100
• The hourly rate is 150 for myself
• I also price by the piece occasionally and will always break up an appt to accommodate a budget

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @_kikistattooservice
• Facebook: Area 54 tattoos