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

Hi Marisa, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
That marketing and branding are important when translating your story to the community who will support you. You need to understand the story you are sharing with the world. Everything you produce is tied to this story with the branding of your company. Every social media post or video can tie back to your story. When you notice something yourself not making sense that’s a sign to take a step back and take a break. It’s ok to take breaks because the community you are cultivating will be understanding, just like how you need to be understanding of yourself while building your business. You are only human trying to build an empire. Patience is key and you are your biggest supporter of what you are growing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For the past 2 years I have been apprenticing learning the trade of tattooing. I have a degree in fashion design, so I understand the movement of body and what is necessary with the way lines can create shape to form and accentuate or take away attention from a certain part of your body. My mentor has helped me develop the illustration style I have today. My tattoo designs are whimsical and clean. I’ve developed clowns that are cute and approachable. With having developed my marker like cartoon style, I am able to express my designs and ideas with efficiency and seamlessness which comes with growing as an artist. This is what helps me appreciate the journey and where it will take me.

I believe reaching any goal is about making decisions. Whether it be a small decision that just happened at random or finally taking a big leap for something you may have been overthinking. Along my tattoo journey it has taught me so much about myself as an artist and pushed me to really start sharing my art to the world. Guesting at other tattoo studios has taught me even more of how artists are handled in different places. Learning about how studios handle marketing and supporting the artist they welcome into their space. Getting where I am in this point in time is always from pushing myself to keep doing outreach and having curiosity to learn about other artists and their processes.

I want the world to know that as a tattoo artist I am here. Here to work with you to bring an idea to life that you want placed on your skin for eternity. That’s an honor to be able to tattoo you and I am grateful for you letting me into your world of creativity.

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.
I am constantly driving around LA checking out different galleries, studios, getting errands done so I compiled this list of places to eat or stop by for a break in between the hectic traffic of LA.

Homage Brewery – chill DJ’s and amazing sparkling wine for weekend nights, go during the day to grab a bite, work at your laptop, read
American Beauty – the venice location has nice outdoor seating to chat and eat a burger with lemonade
Maru Coffee – my favorite place to get beans
Cadoro Bakery – horchata latte, olive bread, best breakfast sandwiches
Commissary Coffee – good coffee to go, havana latte
Hanbat Sultang – a quick stop to eat
Cafe de mama – delicious mochi in your latte
Sunday Gravy – pasta!
Kind Grounds – really sweet spot and cute tiny outdoor seating
Mashti Malone’s – ice cream!
Van Leuwan’s – honeycomb flavor is my favorite
Mitsuwa Market – order the ramen and rice bowl combo and while you’re waiting get groceries or buy stationary
Melody Lounge – so chill for a day drink or go on a specific day for the dj

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents for their everlasting support and my dog BearBear for always being a smiling face. I am so thankful being from the Bay Area and want to give a shout out to where I am from because when I tend to get overwhelmed or feel like I am losing myself here in LA, I remind myself of my roots. It grounds me and pushes me to keep going. My roots are where I am recently receiving a lot of inspiration for my work as well, specifically my paintings. I am thankful that I can be in LA where I have developed and continue to grow along my artist journey whether it be tattoo, painting, or ceramics. Some times when being so busy simply getting on the phone and talking to my family is all I need to keep going.

Website: https://www.marisamlee.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marisamlee/?hl=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marisamlee/featured

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.