Meet Danny Liu | Tattoo Artist

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

Hi Danny, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I think that risks are definitely necessary, otherwise there’s no progressing. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without taking any risks. I’ve taken plenty. I had to take a huge risk at the beginning of my career, for my apprenticeship. A tattoo apprenticeship usually lasts about 2 years, it’s unpaid and it takes up all of your time. You have to dedicate yourself to your mentor, the shop, and your art, hoping that one day you’ll become a successful tattoo artist. You have no way of knowing if you’ll be any good, because tattooing is a whole different art medium that you won’t know until you try. The risks don’t disappear once you graduate from apprenticeship . You have to decide if you want to draw what’s “safe”, designs that are mainstream and liked by everyone, or take a chance and put your own twist into your art.

I loved drawing florals as well as ahegao (a Japanese term for exaggerated, sensual facial expressions). One day I decided to combine them and put my designs out. I was surprised by the overwhelming support I received and how many people wanted to get it tattooed. Since then I’ve drawn so many crazy designs and they always get snatched up pretty quickly.

Finally, one of the biggest risks I’ve taken was opening my own shop, with fellow artists whom I’ve only ever spoken to online. But we had the same vision: to open a tattoo shop that is chill and relaxing, where clients would not only feel safe but also have fun playing Super Smash Bros with us, listening to Lo-Fi music or watching whatever anime or movie we felt like playing. Again, the support was overwhelmingly insane. Our clients and followers on Instagram are the sweetest people, they’re our biggest supporters.

The bottom line is: you have to take a chance and put yourself out there, otherwise the answer will always be no. But at the same time, these aren’t blind risks. You’ve gotta have confidence in yourself, your abilities, and your decisions. It’ll show.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Like most tattoo artists, my career began with an apprenticeship. It wasn’t easy because as apprentices we don’t get paid so that was definitely tough. Luckily, I had a wife and family that supported me and my dream. To achieve this dream I spent a lot of time drawing, painting, looking at art, studying art. Whatever career your trying to pursue or whatever your passion is. You will always get back what you put into it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Lunch at Lunasia Dimsum. After that we can grab dessert at Melo Melo. Walk it all off at the Santa Anita Mall and hopefully burn some calories. Night time we would go to Chapman Plaza in Koreatown for some Korean bar food and soju. That sounds like a perfect day to me.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to all my clients who’ve been with me since the beginning of my apprenticeship to now. Thank you guys so much. It was crazy opening the shop during the pandemic and Oni Tattoo has only come this far thanks to you guys!

I also want to thank my team of amazing artists at Oni Tattoo including the apprentices and all staff. Because of all of you, we were able to create a space where everyone feels welcome and at home.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onitattoo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onitattooalhambra

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/oni-tattoo-alhambra?osq=oni+tattoo

Other: https://www.instagram.com/dan._.tat/