Today we’d like to introduce you to Liana Lewis
Hi Liana , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Liana but those in the tattoo world call me Li. I am from Boston Massachusetts, and I’ve been in Atlanta for almost 3 years. I left Boston because I was tired of cold weather lol, but also because I simply could not find black tattoo artists that I admired enough and was willing to take on an apprentice. So I jumped ship, and moved to Atlanta to follow my tattoo dreams.
In 2022, I began my apprenticeship almost immediately once arriving to Atlanta. I was an apprentice for 2 years, honing in on my style and developing my craft. After two years, two tattoo shops, and whole lot of learning; I am now in a beautiful tattoo suite in the heart of Downtown Atlanta. My style of choice is custom pop culture designs, new school characters, and anything I can add some color to!
I have also started a tattoo/lifestyle brand with two other female tattoo artists; it is called The Needle Bxtches. Our brand essentially is documenting our lives while we travel across country doing a tattoo tour, and building up our names to become household commodities.
Overall, I am thoroughly enjoying Atlanta. The creative vibe the city has is something like no other. I’ve found my tribe of people I am meant to be with, and I can’t wait to expand it further!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road in the slightest. Life in a tattoo shop is……not for the weak lol. In the tattoo shop, it’s just a different kind of culture. You have to have thick skin with the other artists critiquing your work, customers are haggling prices all day but also are dressed in designer and big chains, have to worry about cleanliness of others in the shop, people stealing your supplies, clients not showing up when you actually NEEDED that money. Tattooing is just like a gamble. There isn’t much stability in this at all, but if you hustle hard enough, you will be successful for sure.
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 am a tattoo artist. I specialize in custom script, custom pop culture designs, new school characters, and anything I can add color to!
I am most proud of staying down in the apprenticeship program that I started with. Free labor in return for tattoo skills was something I never saw myself doing, but I would not be the artist I am today if I hadn’t mopped, swept, and cleaned that shop top to bottom for two years straight.
What sets me apart from others is my determination. I wanted to be a tattoo artist so bad, I was willing to leave everything I ever knew in Massachusetts to do it. My family, my friends, my entire life; to start new and create a new lane for myself.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Funny, my nickname my father gave me as a child is Lucky. I have it tattooed on my back left shoulder. I’m not sure if luck had anything to do with it, but I believe my spirit gravitates people to me. The aura I give, and the positivity I bring; makes people want to help me. Next thing I know, these people want me to succeed and they are doing what they can to get me there. So again, I don’t know if it’s luck or it’s just who I am. But people tend to like me and it has helped me with my business tremendously.
Pricing:
- There is $20-50 deposit to book your tattoo appointment depending on your appointment type. All other prices can be found on my website or send me a DM and we can chat!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tatsbyli.square.site
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_tatsbyli_
Image Credits
All tattoos done by Tats By Li
Professional Pics taken by @oguncleskip
