How long have you worked at Hula Moon ? Since April of 2008 . My apprenticeship was in Nashville , TN . I was there for about a year and two months , doing apprenticeship and tattooing . I liked living in Nashville , but I really love this shop , and I love the atmosphere of this shop . It ’ s a whole lot more conducive to the creative side . I feel like the guys really motivate me more as far as creativity versus the dollar . If you ’ re doing what you love , and people can see that , the dollar comes . I grew up around Pensacola pretty much most of my life so I have always loved this town .
What would you consider your style ?
You know that ’ s kinda funny , people say I have a style . Gabe said I have a style but I don ’ t see it myself . I think because a lot of the stuff I do is what people bring in . If I had to compare my style , it ’ s obviously more girly , since I ’ m the only girl here . I like doing anything with line detail and blends of color . But I also like anything primitive , like tribal tattoos . But tribal in the sense of Polynesian , actual tribal , not American tribal . I ’ m half Filipino so I think I ’ m more inclined to like that kind of really primitive tribal , the ancient and basic foundation of tattooing . There ’ s something to be said about something very stark and black and contrast driven .
Do you have a lot of people adhering to the recent trend of picking out tattoos off of Pinterest ?
Yeah that ’ s kinda the new thing ! In the 80 ’ s and 90 ’ s it was more about picking something off of the wall . I think that was part of the legacy of American tattooing , that ’ s what Sailor Jerry and Bert Grim did , flash . But I think it became something it wasn ’ t intended to become . But if someone brings in something like that , I try to ask why they want it and if we can change it to make it more personal . It ’ s all about making inquiries of your client , trying to figure out what kind of person they are and then hopefully that comes out in the tattoo when everything is said and done .
Do you have people wanting to get work from you just because you are a female artist ?
Sometimes . I get it , obviously if a person feels more comfortable , like women , if they feel more comfortable getting something private from a lady , then that ’ s fine . I think it ’ s also part of the reason that I have been asked to work here . On the flip side , someone could say “ I want a guy to do it .” I think it ’ s just kind of a preference for people and their level of comfortability . Anything to help people mellow out a little and be more relaxed during the tattoo . Just as long as they aren ’ t creepy . The guys are like a bunch of big brothers that are my backup for the creeps .
Tell me about the craziest tattoo you ’ ve done . Two years ago , a girl asked for a pot leaf on her foot in red , yellow , and green . For about forty minutes , everybody in the shop tried to talk her out of it . We made her go to her car and think about it and she came back in and said “ No I want to do it !” This was one of those judgement calls where I was like “ Ok , well if you don ’ t get it from me , you ’ re gonna go down the street and get it from someone else and possibly get a bad tattoo . Even though I don ’ t agree with it , I want it done right .” We do the tattoo , she ’ s completely elated . About six months ago , a girl comes in and we are doing her tattoo . She says “ Yeah you tattooed my friend , she has the pot leave on her foot . She still loves it , and she actually ended up moving to Colorado with her boyfriend and they started a dispensary together .” And of course that ’ s when it dawned on me , it was meant to be . I felt less responsible for anything bad happening to her because of my tattoo .
If you ’ re in the market for a tattoo , I strongly suggest stopping by Hula Moon to see Lo . She is an extremely conscientious and clean artist with tons of beautiful tattoos in her portfolio .
How do you feel about all the tattoo shows coming on t . v . now ? Do you get a lot of people coming in because of that ?
Yeah , that ’ s the funny thing about media , I think . Obviously the exposure is nice . Tattoos aren ’ t quite as taboo as they used to be . People are really starting to understand certain aspects . It ’ s not just some kind of fad , it ’ s not just a bunch of hooligans getting them , but sometimes , I think people have some sort of an unrealistic expectation . It makes people expect things quick and not put as much thought into picking an artist . Some of the drama I could do without . But it ’ s national television , they have to do that to draw in more of an audience .
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