Meet Manny Lorenzana | Tattooer & Artist

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

Hi Manny, how do you think about risk?
I started in a tattoo shop when I was 17 years old. I would clean the shop and organize the stations. I took care of 8 tattooers. Getting food and speaking to their clients and getting appointments booked. It was the way I was going to be able to tattoo one day myself. I was getting consistently tattooed then and one day I asked my friend to tattoo “pray for me” above my eyebrow. That night she tattooed my face while another one of my friends danced around me while playin “Do you realize??” By the flaming lips. I was 17 years old when I got my face tattooed. I knew then that I wanted to make tattoos. So I made sure I was never going to be able to get any regular day job. I would have to make it in tattooing. Risk is something that is embedded in tattooing. From creating the artwork, to trying new equipment, to the actual application of the tattoo. Taking risks is something I’ve had to get comfortable doing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Making art and tattoos did not come naturally to me. It was something I had to constantly work at. When I first started I would trace old Sailor Jerry designs. When tracing became natural I started redrawing designs trying to mimic what I saw on paper. I started tattooing only a couple years into learning. I had to start taking peoples ideas and making them work on paper and then skin. At the time I worked off a lot based on flash which gave me a good base to start with. Eventually I only drew custom designs for tattoos and I have spent years now drawing all sorts of subjects over and over again. I believe that there are signs in the universe that let you know that you’re on the right path. I believe I ended up in a shop named Ten Thousand Waves because you have to overcome 10,000 waves before you master them and I believe it’s the same for drawing and tattooing. You have to draw something 10,000 times before you master it. I have been lucky enough to have had a good long career now and I believe I’ve hit my 10,000 hours. I’ll always consider myself a student, but tattooing, drawing and painting feel a lot more natural. At the moment I’m excited that I’ve been able to start producing larger work. I’ve been able to make more sleeves, back pieces, and larger full coverage tattoos. When I first started I was really mostly interested in traditional tattoos. At the time my friend and mentor Eric Evans told me that in order to really make it I had to be able to tattoo everything that walks in the door. Ever since that moment I dedicated myself to being able to tattoo everything that walks in. It helped me in a lot of ways. It expanded the sorts of images I was drawing. It gave me new insight into how to create my own artwork through techniques I learned creating designs for people. Now a days I believe I’ve become pretty fluent in different styles of tattooing. I can make almost everything that walks in and I say almost because there are some clients that come in who don’t really know how tattooing works and unfortunately there are some we choose not to do. Tattooing and art is not easy. It’s not something that you can just start doin out of nowhere and be any kind of good. It’s something I have had to dedicate my life to and it’s something that is sacred to many, myself included. Information is not free and tattooing owes you nothing. Persevere through the hard times and tattooing will reward and nothing that comes too easy will last long.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love this question. I grew up in the west San Fernando valley so most of my spots are on the west end but I love going everywhere. It it’s a week long trip let’s start day by day. Monday would probably start with breakfast at Nat’s west which is a lovely little breakfast diner simple but delicious. Daglas for lunch because it reminds me of being a kid and is still my favorite burger. After that probably go for a game of bowling at Winnetka bowl which is a block away from my childhood home. Tuesday depending on the weather I would probably get some starbies and head to Nicholas canyon beach and just hang among the sand and ocean. Then I would take pch to the misfit in Santa Monica. After that take a little walk to the end of the pier. Wednesday I would hit the Laurel tavern for brunch then maybe go to the Getty and for dinner lets do Mariscos Corona which is one of my favorite spots. Thursday I’m gonna keep it old school with Henri’s in Canoga park. Then maybe a bike ride around Balboa park. After that we go to Burbank to the broken compass tiki for delicious food and drinks then cocktails at Casey’s (don’t swear) to end the night. Friday I would start the day at more than waffles then maybe a walk around echo park lake, then over to the broad to check out some art. Dinner would be at Otium, and capping the night at la Cita. Saturday start the day with breakfast at Cici’s in Tarzana then a walk through the Santee Alley then to the grand central market for all the goodies there. Then over to bar eighty two for drinks and video games. Sunday I would start the day at Bea Bea’s then a walk through Olvera st and through union station. After that to cole’s for lunch and I’m for sure doing dinner at Quarters in Korea town and ending the night at chimney sweep in Sherman oaks. So mostly art museums and cocktails. Some of these honestly might not be the fanciest or sleekest places in town but almost all hold a special place in my heart.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would definitely like to shout out the tattoo shop “Ten Thousand Waves” and the owners Robert Atkinson and Jojo Ackermann for giving me the freedom to make it happen the way I need to and for providing such a beautiful studio to make it comfortable to create the best I can. Especially to Robert Atkinson for being a friend and helping me along for so long now. I would also like to shout out my beautiful lady April Guidry for having my back and helping our family along. And everyone I work alongside with everyday at the studio Natalia “hypnatic”, Karen Costleigh, Shadan Boloor, Michael Caldwell, Ross Vinstein, Diego Mannino, Dan Sinnes, and Ryan Mueller. My daughter Brody Lorenzana for being the coolest little girl.

Website: Lorenzanatattoos@gmail.com

Instagram: Manny_lore13

Image Credits
The picture of me drawing and the picture of me with my truck behind me was taken by Adrian Lorenzana @smallicedcoffee