Luxuriant Lettering Tattoos: Think Before You Ink’s Q&A With Tattoo Artist Saul Lira
By Sidra Lackey
Self-taught tattoo artist Saul Lira of Los Angeles, California specializes in beautiful, bold custom lettering (also incredible fine line) tattoos. Celebrity clients such as: Hip-Hop mogul Diddy, singer/actress Becky G, singers Jeremih and Bryson Tiller have graced his studio, Saul Tattoo.
Think Before You Ink had the pleasure of picking Saul’s brain for an exclusive interview:
THINK BEFORE YOU INK: Where did you grow up? And did that have an impact on you becoming a tattoo artist? (ex: Were you around tattoo culture via your family / friends / people in your neighborhood?)
SAUL LIRA: I grew up in the West part of Downtown L.A. Growing up there had an impact in the art and culture of tattooing.
TBYI: How long have you been a tattoo artist?
SAUL LIRA: I’ve been tattooing for 12+ years.
TBYI: Did you choose to be a tattoo artist or did tattooing choose you? (ex: did you always want to be an artist or did you fall into it?)
SAUL LIRA: I think tattooing chose me. And I fell into it at a really young age where I was able to absorb a lot pretty early.
TBYI: Who are the tattoo artists you look up to or who inspires you? And why?
SAUL LIRA: There’s a lot to mention but they all have something different that has inspired me.
TBYI: Did you have a tattoo apprenticeship or were you self-taught?
SAUL LIRA: No I didn’t have an apprenticeship, I was self-taught.
TBYI: Do you think tattoo artist’s tattoos should be regarded as art, even if the tattooist doesn’t have a formal art background? Why or why not?
SAUL LIRA: They don’t necessarily have to have an art background but definitely does help when you do.
TBYI: What is your style specialty when it comes to tattooing? Is there a style you feel you want to get better at?
SAUL LIRA: My specialty is Lettering. Yes, there’s always room for growth.
TBYI: What types of tattoos do you enjoy and dislike doing most?
SAUL LIRA: I enjoy doing small fine line, custom lettering and black and grey but dislike doing color or Aztec etc.
TBYI: How do you collaborate with a client on a piece who has no / little idea what they want? Do you prefer that or do you prefer if a client already has a set idea on a piece?
SAUL LIRA: I try to stay on the same page as the client and try to match their idea that they have as much as I can. Or sometimes they bring me the reference which is good too.
TBYI: There’s many changes happening within the tattoo industry currently: from ink colors being banned to inks being linked to cancer, to there being “made-to-fade” ink and even light sensitive ink that can “turn on” and off supposedly. Tattoos can now be turned into NFTs too. What do you think about all these innovations yet setbacks? How do you think tattoos and the tattoo industry will evolve further over the next few years into the next decade?
SAUL LIRA: I think it’s really cool how tattoos have evolved and have gone very mainstream in today’s day. And it’s only going to get bigger.
TBYI: Do you have any advice for tattoo artists in training or those just thinking about entering the tattoo industry as a tattoo artist?
SAUL LIRA: My advice for an upcoming tattoo artist is to give it his / her all. If you want to succeed and be great at it, it requires long hours and a lot of discipline, yet a lot of sacrifice. But the sky is the limit.
You can follow Saul on IG @SAUL_TAT2
And make sure to check out his website: saultattoo.com