Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren La Bella

Hi Lauren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

I have been tattooing professionally since 2017. In that time I have founded, owned and operated two studios; the most recent being The Pearl: Tattoo & Fine Art Gallery in Oyster Bay, New York where I am currently working by appointment. My goal for the business has been to bridge the tattoo community with the fine art community, both of which have been a equally tremendous parts of my life and my career. I have hosted many exhibitions which included fine artists, and fine artists who also tattoo. I’ve also had the opportunity to be a part of many exhibitions outside of my own space, as a participating artist, at times a juror, and as a curator. Tattooing has allowed me to travel both within the US and internationally, which has allowed me to connect with artists from all over the world from a vast array of artistic backgrounds.

Prior to tattooing I predominantly maintained a studio practice, while freelancing for publications as a photo editor, and occasionally selling my illustrations and drawings to certain publications or individuals. I have a BFA in Painting from the Savannah College of Art & Design in Savannah, Georgia, where I concentrated heavily on gallery practices in addition to creating my own body of work. I have worked in a variety of media in both small and large scale, and dabbled in other areas of art such as fashion, photography and graphic design. I’ve been able to pull inspiration from so many places in order to create the brand you see today.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

The road has not necessarily been smooth, and I continue to face certain challenges, but I believe that it all has lead me to where I am. Art without struggle is just boring, pointless, and unconvincing.

First of all, being an artist for a living is a struggle in general. However, as an artist you don’t have any other choice. There’s no half-involvement in making your life as an artist. You’re in or you’re out. You live it or you don’t. You truly sell your soul to creating and there’s just no other way for you to live. Without being totally obsessed, there is no fuel for progression, there is nothing to feed the work. When this happens, the work speaks for itself, and eventually you make a living.

That being said, one of the more palpable struggles is the initial financial hit you will take while investing yourself, in combination with your relationships being challenged. Since I have hit my stride I am better able to balance these things but I still find myself having to make certain choices everyday, and I think it goes without saying what often is put first.

As far as more personal struggles, I am an only parent to a beautiful little girl. I lost my partner tragically when our daughter was just 8 months old, and the challenges that arose from this seem to be never-ending, It seems that although I’ve been able to overcome so much in this regard, as time goes on new and unexpected issues present themselves to me and challenge me as an artist, a mother, and as a woman.

Leaving my first business was also a struggle for me. I had poured so much of myself and my education into this project, and although it was bittersweet to move on, there is something to be said about realizing when your time has been served in a certain place, the strength it takes to continue on, and the growth that comes along with it. Each step seems scary, but every time I’m at that moment where I feel like the next step is just beyond my grasp, I jump. And it hasn’t failed me yet.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Pearl?

The Pearl: Tattoo & Fine Art Gallery in Oyster Bay, New York is a small but sweet, and filled with antique charm. It’s an old space with contemporary elements. It’s bright and clean and comforting.

Tattoo clients receive custom and completely original pieces of art in a quiet setting adorned with artwork, antique furniture and plants. The atmosphere is intimate and inspiring, while the space is shared by tattooers and artists/creatives of other media as well. The idea is to create a space where creativity of all kinds can flourish, connect, and escape.

Community has always been of the utmost importance in art, and its truly serendipitous when our respective creative worlds intertwine. I know that I personally am the most inspired when I am able to explore multiple avenues and learn from others.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?

There are several ways we can collaborate/work together, and many ways to support the studio! This space is intended to be shared. We have a lineup of guest tattooers coming to share the space for varying spans of time. We also travel as a group or individually for conventions and guest spots all over the country and internationally.

We have plans to begin quarterly art exhibitions in 2025, as well as participating in art exhibitions and events outside of the studio. Artists of all media will be welcome to apply to exhibit their works.

I personally am always interested in collaborative projects with other artists which could involve special edition merchandise, art works, photoshoots, etc.

We also welcome artists to come sit in and work if they need a change of scenery, and plan to host art nights in the near future!

If you are not an artist but would like to support us, you could get tattooed, commission an art piece, buy a print or a piece of merch, or even a simple like/share on social media is helpful!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laurenlabellatattoo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenlabellatattoo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurendlabellatattoo/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/thepearltattoo/

Image Credits

All images by Clive Swaby Jr. ( @freeswaytek on Instagram)