Meet Hetty (Christine) Hettinger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hetty (Christine) Hettinger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hetty (Christine), what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is a big part of being a traveling tattoo artist. Every time I go somewhere new, there’s a chance I might not have enough clients to cover my expenses—flights, hotels, studio space. It’s stressful, but taking those risks has opened up incredible opportunities for me. I’ve met amazing people, expanded my skills, and built connections I wouldn’t have otherwise.

It’s not just the financial risk, though. Traveling alone can be lonely, and being self-employed makes it easy to overwork. Social media adds pressure to stay relevant and respond quickly to clients, so it’s hard to fully relax. I’m still learning to set boundaries and remind myself that taking breaks is okay.

In the end, risk has been a huge part of my growth. It’s not always easy, but the experiences and rewards make it worth it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always believed in myself, and I’m proud of that. I remember when I first started and told myself, “You’ll see me in L.A. one day”—and here I am. Tattooing isn’t easy. You’re constantly learning, because every client’s skin is different, and every piece comes with new challenges. I always aim to do my best work, but I’m not always satisfied with it—which I think is a good thing. That drive to improve is how you grow.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I know there’s still so much more to achieve. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to never quit just because things get hard. Believe in yourself, put in the work, and always do your best—you’ll become great if you keep going.

I’m also really proud to have my own shop, all eyes on you tattoo, for almost three years now. It’s been going so well, and I truly have the best team and clients anyone could ask for. They’re a huge part of my journey, and I’m so grateful for them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting, I’d make sure they had an unforgettable week in L.A.!

We’d start with a hike to the Hollywood sign—there’s no better way to kick things off than with those iconic views. Then we’d check out Griffith Observatory for some more amazing sights and maybe catch the sunset there. For food, we’d definitely eat at Toi on Sunset—I’m obsessed with that place—and of course, stop by The Cheesecake Factory for dessert.

No trip would be complete without a visit to Disneyland and Universal Studios, because why not go all out? We’d also spend a day at Venice Beach, hanging out by the skate park, soaking up the vibe, and just relaxing. And if they’re up for it, I’d take them to The California Dream Tattoo in L.A. to get a tattoo—such a cool way to remember the trip!

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?
A big shoutout to my family, friends, and my girlfriend for always supporting me on this journey. I also want to give special recognition to my good friend Filip, who helped me so much in the beginning—love you, bro! And Vincent from Lakimii, who gave me advice that’s stuck with me ever since: “Take what you deserve and go for it.”

I also want to give a huge shoutout to my amazing tattoo team at my shop in Hanau ,,all eyes on you tattoo‘‘. You guys are incredible, and I’m so proud of what we’re building together. We’re making tattoos into art again, and I couldn’t do it without you!

Website: www.alleyesonyoutattoo.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hettys.tattoos

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hettys.tattoos

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hettystattoos