Today we’d like to introduce you to Lia Jones.
Hi Lia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I would say the biggest recurring theme in my life has been a duality in myself between my artistic and scientific sides that I’ve struggled with often. Originally from the Appalachian mountains of Roanoke, VA. The daughter of an art teacher, mother and engineering father, I had a lot of training in both fields from the beginning. I was curious about how the world worked and how we could change and improve upon it while I relied on art to deal with daily stresses. Even my college education began with a AS in Fine Arts but I didn’t like what I could do with a BA in art so I switched my major to Biology. This degree landed me a job in the medical field sales and then clinical adviser after receiving my CPed. I stayed there for five years but about a year in, I missed art so much I got a tattoo apprenticeship and worked my weekends learning and growing as a tattoo artist. When I couldn’t stand dealing with insurance and a corporate environment anymore, I started tattooing full time.
After about two years tattooing full time I had an opportunity to move to Orlando FL. I’ve since grown exponentially as an artist, landing a lucky apprenticeship at a local permanent makeup PMU academy and finally became a trainer myself. I was also able to learn not only PMU but paramedical tattooing, finally being able to blend the two sides of my brain and do something so satisfying. This includes things like Areola restoration for post-mastectomy patients, scar camouflage, and hairline restoration for thinning hair. Covid sucks but my business now that I went freelance is actually thriving. I have many students of my own trying to learn tattooing and PMU and I’m currently looking in East Orlando for a location to open a tattoo and beauty studio… but that’s for a future article, lol.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Of course, there have been many struggles, personal and industry. It was very hard to be a female in the tattoo industry and the corporate world, including getting paid ab $3 less than a male counterpart with NO college. I had to learn to “keep up with the boys” but I think I did it well. I did have to go to five tattoo studios till I found a place that didn’t just want me to wear cute outfits and sit around but one guy did finally give me a shot based on my art portfolio and professionalism and he taught me well.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a tattoo artist, I’m probably most known for my professionalism and clean line work. I also do a lot of floral pieces and watercolor work. For PMU probably best known for very realistic 3-D areola tattoos. I’m also known for making sure all of my clients are comfortable and educated about the process they are about to go through.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I learned not to rely on the government as I was unable to ever pin down the DEO for unemployment lol… I also learned a lot about business and how loyal my clients actually were. I felt very luck actually during this pandemic and have definitely counted my blessings. I was about to sign a lease to open my own studio back in March of 2019 until I saw the news Disney was going to shut down. I’m lucky I didn’t sink all of my savings into this business venture and was able to live off of that savings. I of course had many cancellations right before the mandatory shut down but was surprised to have so many clients who were financially unaffected and wanted to “pay if forward” putting down large deposits for appointments when I was able to reopen. Since reopening my business has honestly boomed and I’m looking at the future with confidence.
Pricing:
- Traditional tattoo $150/hr
- Eyebrows PMU $450
- Lips $500
Contact Info:
- Email: Liathetattooer@gmail.com
- Instagram: Liathetattooer
- Facebook: Lia the Tattooer
