We had the good fortune of connecting with Samantha Mancino and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samantha, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I never considered work life balance when I started. 16 years later, I have learned physical and mental resilience are key. Cultivating those qualities forces a balance, a separation of life and work. I think about the balance as always being in flux , it is a practice of gratitude and self awareness.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I focus on figuring out illustrative techniques in tattooing to better capture aspects of the natural world. I would never have been able to explore this without many incredible clients that also share a passion for wildlife and tattoos.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Outside first – Huntington Gardens, Griffith Park . In Malibu, Solstice Canyon with the burned down tropical mansion and flock of parakeets – or Escondido Falls with the triple tiered waterfall- after hiking, El Matador Beach. For food , Tsujita , M Cafe , Leo’s Tacos , Joy, Terroni, Cafe Gratitude, TOI , too much food to list . I loved the Bourgeois Pig for late night coffee in the forest room- next door to a bookstore , The Daily Planet. Museums – the Getty Villa and the LACMA. On the weekends , Melrose Trading Post for vintage leather and denim. For shows, the Whisky .

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
About 7 years into tattooing , I was hired by Karina Mayorga at Ink Ink Tattoo – she and Stephanie Suhm had been tattooing for 25 + years at that point. I am thankful for the time I had there and everything they taught me, about every aspect of tattooing.

Instagram: S.mancinotattoo

Image Credits
Lenny Di Lorenzo

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