We recently connected with Ping ping Li and have shared our conversation below.

Ping ping, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

As a tattoo artist, I have had the fortunate to work on many meaningful projects however, over the years I’ve learned that what gives a tattoo meaning can be very different. I got to work with a breast cancer survivor who wasn’t confident about her body anymore from her scars. She wanted a tattoo to cover the scars and it meant a lot to both of us that her tattoo made her feel beautiful again. I’ve also worked on meaningful projects where my client and I shared a vision for an amazing piece of art and the resulting aesthetic gave the projects its meaning. From beginning to end, tattooing a permanent work on art on a client is meaningful to me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I never knew that I wanted to be a tattoo artist, but I always had a passion for art. I was working in a restaurant when I got my first tattoo. That first tattoo changed everything. I was watching the artist work on my skin and something in me clicked and I knew this was what I wanted to do. I had a family to take care of, but I didn’t want to let this opportunity pass me by. I was 28 years old and up to this point in my life, I had only lived for my family always taking care of them and putting myself last.
Although I felt guilty chasing my dreams, I was never nervous because I knew that once I had made the decision that I had to go for it. I come from a traditional Chinese family and I felt the pressure of being a wife, mother, and daughter. I had so many thoughts about what was expected of me and I was completely surprised when I told them what I wanted to do and my family supported me 100%.

My family gave me an opportunity and I was not going to waste it. If I kept thinking and didn’t act, then I would stay stuck so moved forward only focused on the next thing I had to do. I worked hard and gave it my all and today I am able to support my family and live the life I once dreamed of.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I want to create beautiful works of art that are visually aesthetic though the medium of ink on skin. In the process of pursuing that goal, I found a passion for creating a space for like-minded artists and clients where tattoos can be an expression of any style of art even incorporating elements of other art forms such as watercolors, surrealism, and realism. I want to push the boundaries of what is possible with tattoos and connect with artists and clients who share my vision. My art lives on skin, but it’s also the culture in my studio. In my new Seattle studio, each design decision, each artist that takes part in the vision, is a part of the art of promoting our craft.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I finished tattoo school, I had very limited experience and no clients. I took each step on with confidence up until this point, but now I wasn’t sure what to do. My business wasn’t looking great at that point, and I couldn’t see a future in tattoo. I was so lost that I felt like I should just quit, but I didn’t want to.
I made the hard decision to live apart from my family and begin an apprenticeship in a different state. I felt guilt leaving my family one more time, but I knew that I needed to find my way. I needed to learn more, I needed more experience, and I needed to continue pushing forward.

I decided that I would never stop learning and working hard to be better than the artist I was the day before and I believe that mindset allowed me to achieve the success that I’ve had.   

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nieustudio.com
• Instagram: Inkprick