Tattoos carry feelings and stories. In the South Korean tattooist Vanessa interview, she shares her journey, her work, and tattooing 101.
Flower tattoos have been around forever, and they have always been popular worldwide. One reason for that is the versatility. Different flower types, shapes, and colors create endless possibilities for flower tattoos. And I have a chance to talk with an expert tattooist in this area – South Korean tattooist Vanessa.
South Korean tattoos are known to be dainty, feminine, and intricate. But Vanessa takes them to the next level with the use of abundant colors and her extreme attention to detail. Because of that, she accumulated over 90k followers on Instagram. Her works are shared so often that you may have seen one of them before.
In this tattooist Venessa interview, she takes us through her tattooing journey and shares her views on flower tattoos and more. Read on.
Tattooist Venessa interview: all about colors and lines
From painter to tattooist
I first saw Vanessa’s tattoos when I was researching flower tattoo ideas. What makes her design stand out in a stream of flowers are the colors. She has lots of minimalist, neutral color designs. But she doesn’t shy away from bold colors.
One of her works, a large bouquet of different flowers, has over 20k likes on Instagram. And it’s my favorite Vanessa tattoo as well.
Of course, yellow and red are both vivid colors. But she decorated the flowers with lots of green and dark green leaves, creating a beautiful balance of dark and bright.
Such a big back ink takes courage to do. The process is long, and you have to concentrate on every detail fully. She hadn’t done a lot of huge pieces like this. But she remembered the first one, also a bouquet tattoo on the back.
“It was my first time, and it was so much fun. After I shared it online, I got more and more inquiries about big tattoos.”
Vanessa is not afraid to take on new challenges, just like tattooing such a huge back piece. Part of the confidence comes from a solid background in art and practice.
“I began to learn to tattoo in college, and I worked as a professional tattooist for five years. But what enables me to create so many different designs is my artistic background. In fact, I have been drawing for more than half of my life. And it is the passion for drawing that pushes me forward.”
The love for flowers
If you scroll through her Instagram profile, you will find that 80% of Vanessa’s tattoos are about flowers. And it’s a common thing in South Korean tattoo culture. People adore sophisticated, colorful flower tattoos.
Vanessa does not just love tattooing flowers, but she loves flowers personally.
“Flowers give you various emotions and feelings. And that’s amazing. Our lives and flowers are so closely connected. Different flowers may remind us of happy, sad, or memorable moments.”
Flowers don’t last long. But flower tattoos, on the other hand, bloom permanently. “That’s why I love tattooing flowers – to make memories that never wither.”
But creating such beautiful and intricate flowers on the skin is not easy. For tattooist Vanessa, the most challenging part is the colors.
“Since clients have different skin tones, I have to find the perfect color palette that complements their skin. But at the same time, the clients also have to like the colors. And that’s an act of balance.”
How to choose a tattoo – tattooist Vanessa interview
For tattooists, the design, execution, and aftercare are equally important. And we, as people getting tattoos, have less to worry about. Find the design you want and a good tattooist, problem solved.
But for some people, it’s not easy to find a tattoo that they adore and can, at the same time, represent themselves. So I ask Vanessa for some insights.
“I think a good tattoo is the one that the clients love. And better if it tells a story. The meaning of the tattoo will make it timeless.”
She told me that she wears a small heart shape on her wrist. “It means love, and it touches me.”
If you are looking for ideas for your first tattoo, Vanessa suggests starting small. And find a pattern, a quote, or a word that is meaningful to you.
Placement is also something to consider. The most popular placements are the outer arm, behind the ear, and the collarbone, in Vanessa’s opinion.
If you are sensitive to pain, you may want to avoid areas where the skin is thin, such as the instep (the top of the foot), ribcage, and inner thigh.
The clientele and profession
Most of Vanessa’s clients are women. But the age and profession vary, not just teenage school girls.
“In fact, lots of mothers will come with their daughters to get matching mother-daughter tattoos. And that’s so sweet.”
Tattoos are not widely accepted in some eastern countries like Japan. That’s why I am surprised by the acceptance and openness of South Korean tattoo culture.
“There is no specific ban on teachers, doctors, or nurses getting tattoos. I have a regular client who is a kindergarten teacher. And she had tattoos drawn by children. But, of course, when you work in public service, it would be better to tattoo in a less exposed area. But it’s not banned by any means.”
Future outlook
Being a tattooist is where passion meets profession for Vanessa. It’s something she enjoys doing and will keep doing. The love she receives for her tattoos and drawings gives her validation and confidence.
She hopes she can meet with clients from different cultures and backgrounds in the future. As her tutor opens a new shop in Los Angeles, working there might mean a new chapter in her career.
That’s all for the tattooist Vanessa interview. If you want to see more of her work, check out her Instagram profile! Have a question for Vanessa? Leave a comment down below!
