We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Frankie K. Laguna a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Frankie K., looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I couldn’t imagine my life without art in it. Everything I do, seeps creativity. Whether it’s tattooing, fine art, music, or even my spiritual practices; there will always be art. I knew from a very young age that I was destined to do something creative. I spent a lot of years going back and forth; marine biology, Air Force/Navy, chef, botanist. None of these felt right to me and I always went right back to tattooing. I felt like if I didn’t do this, and didn’t have art in my life, what was the point of living? Being a creative has been both my anchor and the thing that set me free. Without art in my life, I would be walking through life with little to no direction, lost and alone. I love being an artist, it has let me see the world for what it truly is; endless connecting stories full of color.
Frankie K., love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I spent a while fighting for my spot in the tattoo industry. Now, I find myself in one of the most amazing shops in Atlanta (Empire Arts Gallery). We are a women owned and ran tattoo shop/boutique/art gallery. Every month we feature a local artist in our gallery, and our boutique supports the local art scene. I am currently 1 of 3 tattoo artists at EAG. I work along side a whole team of creatives. Painters, glass workers, fine artists, musicians, even someone who can throw it down with some baked goods. We are located right in the heart of Kirkwood, less than 10 minutes from Little Five Points and East Atlanta Village. Come check us out and support one of the many wonderful homes of Atlanta’s dying art scene!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I want to be a part of keeping our local art scene alive and well. With the rising Atlanta population, many of our artistic history is being torn down and replaced with condominiums and shopping centers. I remember not even five years ago, you couldn’t walk two minutes down the block without being surrounded with colors and music. Our creative scene is slowly, but surely, being wiped away. It breaks my heart to see it, and I refuse to let it go without a fight.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Anyone who knows my apprentice journey knows how hard I have fought for my place as a tattoo artist. I spent years being knocked down and told that I wasn’t enough, or was too much. I never gave up. Every time I felt resistance, I pushed back harder. My best advice to anyone experiencing the same thing, keep going. Eventually, you will find yourself exactly where you need to be. If it can work out for me, it can work out for you too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.empireartsgallery.com/
- Instagram: FKL.Designs