Meet Lyjah Vaatete | Tattoo Artist

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

Hi Lyjah, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Before I was even of aware of the path I would walk one day I was already chasing the arts. It wasn’t something that I saw as a career but just my passion and my love far art alone. As I grew older and the time came to make the decision for where I wanted to go in life it felt very natural to continue with art. From a very early age I was always drawing and painting and for as long as can remember I never went anywhere without my sketch book as a kid. I grew up in a house with my father being an extremely talented artist ,the walls filled with his art and always watching him create really drew me to the arts at very early age and most of my family would say that I was painting and drawing before I was walking.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a tattoo artist , it is the one on one connection with each of my clients that makes my practice so rewarding. Being able to connect with people, to hear there stories and turn them into a piece that will live with them forever is what made me fall in love with the art of tattoo. It was not easy and It still isn’t , every person that you work with is essentially a different canvas; the way their body moves , the texture and complexion of their skin, along with how their body reacts to the ink will always be different and it is our job as a tattoo artist to not only create a piece that compliments our clients body but to also be able to constantly adjust our application as we work with each person. What techniques may work on one persons skin but not the next but at the end of the day you must still produce the same quality and create a peace of equal beauty. In a way were always trouble shooting while still aiming for bullseye. I’m always looking forward to my next piece, the next story that I will be able to convey for someone.

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?
My Father has not only raised me to be the man I am today but also the artist that I am. One evening when I was about five years old, as me and my dad got home I looked at him and I asked “Hey dad, so why don’t you teach me to draw” , as if It was something that he obviously should’ve had already started. Ever since then he has been my mentor , his patience and desire to see me grow is what helped nurture my skills for as long as I can remember. Along with his teachings and all my peers within my tattoo shop who are always eager to teach me knew skills whenever I inquire I always find myself surrounded by people looking to help me push myself. It is both my family and tattoo family that has made my growth possible.

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