Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexa Melendez.
Hi Alexa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to do art. I enjoy creating and reimagining things. I never expected to become a tattoo artist, it quite literally fell into my lap. I was offered an apprenticeship back in October of 2021 and was overjoyed with excitement and nerves.
My apprenticeship was fairly quick and I was tattooing full-time starting February 2022 thus my journey as an artist began. It easily became such a fun job. It like any career has its up and downs and when I felt at a time that things weren’t going right I managed to find better opportunities to grow.
Only a year into this, I quickly became part owner of a small private studio along with a fellow artist I met along my journey. Proud is an understatement. Never expected this especially so early on in my career. But all the hard work is worth it. Business is blooming and in awe of how things are going.
B & L Tattoos is women-owned, black owned & Latina owned. Bunny (colleague/business partner) and I created this home not only for us to have a safe space to create but also a safe space for clients to feel comfortable being themselves and not be judged by the tattoos they want.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wish it was smooth. Haha, but what is a success story without some obstacles?
First bump was getting fired from the place that gave me the apprenticeship. I was promised some things and when I spoke up for myself they just rather get rid of me instead of being honest. I lost everything to even my home because I put so much faith on an untrustworthy person.
Second bump was definitely opening your own tattoo studio. Working a late night shift while taking appointments was and still is exhausting. But I am still so grateful I was able to get my own space. Anything to keep my dream alive.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m known more for being a tattoo artist, I go by the name of Lexx. While I do tattoo an array of different styles the ones I gravitate towards to is mainly black work, some pops of color, anime, lady faces, reimagining cartoon/comic book characters, floral, contemporary/abstract, script/lettering, neotraditional/ American traditional & practicing my new favorite animal realism portraits.
I am very much open to trying all styles and forms of art, that’s something I have always loved to do. Outside of tattooing I do commissions for character design.
What sets me apart from other tattooers in the little time I’ve been in the industry, I would say is the experience my clients receive throughout. From the moment they reach out to me to the moment they get the tattoo. I have the best clientele that is growing almost every day. They come back because they get to be themselves without feeling judged. And the best part is doing a happy dance when they can’t help but show off the tattoo.
I’ve very passionate about art, all forms of it.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is for sure happiness. On top of more wealth and health. I have always chased after my dreams or whatever made me feel whole inside.
I don’t believe we are meant to be working the 9-5 job, live off paycheck to paycheck just to pay bills and not truly live.
So far all I know is that this is the only life I have, I want to enjoy every minute of it. And creating is what brings so much peace and joy it keeps me going.
Pricing:
- Studio Minimum for walk-ins starts at $100
- Hourly Rate: $100
- Small Tattoos start at $150
- Medium Tattoos start at $250
- Large Tattoos start at $350
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lexxtattoozandco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexxtattooz/
Image Credits
LexxTattooz
