We were lucky to catch up with Tiffany Lai recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tiffany, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Growing up I was the quiet art kid that kept her head down and got my work done. I was terrified of life itself and something as simple as raising my hand in class or checking out at the store by myself felt like a huge risk. I had certain expectations as a Chinese-American as well. My life was essentially planned out before I was even born. I was expected to fit into the mold of the “model minority”, and get good grades, go to college, become a doctor, and never do anything to bring shame to the family. It really wasn’t until I pursued tattooing when my world began to expand.

My interest in tattooing began in high school but I didn’t seriously pursue it until Junior year of under-grad. All I knew about the tattoo industry was what I saw in the media — heavily-tattooed, burly guys and hyper-feminine/sexualized women — and I thought ‘I absolutely do not fit in’. Me, an introvert who would much rather stay at home than go out and who gets overstimulated by noises and crowds, how would I ever make it as a tattoo artist? The industry, quite frankly, scared me. So, when it was time for me to apply to colleges, I put this dream behind me and focused on a career that was more “attainable”. The first risk I took was to major in the arts and not in science, which my parents greatly didn’t approve of. I majored in Illustration at Parsons School of Design and was planning to either get a job in animation or commercial illustration, but the idea of tattooing was still lingering in the back of my mind. By my Junior year, I decided to just go for it and made the best and riskiest decision of my life. I put together a portfolio and resume and began going into shops to apply for an apprenticeship. I have never been more anxious in my life — palms sweating, heart racing so fast I felt like I was going to pass out. That quiet little art kid took her biggest step towards carving her own path in life. When I finally got my apprenticeship, I was ecstatic. I excitedly shared the news with all my friends and nervously prepared to tell my parents. To say my parents were disappointed and furious was an understatement. Why was the thing that brought me the most joy brought the most pain to my parents?

I stayed in college while I did my tattoo apprenticeship, but then Covid hit before I even began it. Everything got shut down and I was left with the unknown of if I still had an apprenticeship. Luckily once things were opening back up, I got a call from the shop and they asked me to come in. All my courses got move to online and I juggled going into the studio 4 times a week for about 40-50 hours per week and studying as a full-time student. I graduated with a BFA in Illustration in 2021 and around the same time I “graduated” from my apprenticeship and became a full-time tattoo artist. The scariest risk I took proved to be the most rewarding. I grew so much in that first year of my apprenticeship than I did in my life up until then. I gained more confidence in myself and self-esteem in myself by showing myself that I can handle multiple responsibilities and stressors. I gained so much social skills interacting with clients on a regular basis. I gained so many meaningful friendships and connections with coworkers and clients. I learned so many hard lessons being in this industry which has pushed me to advocate for myself. As of March 2024, I’ve been tattooing for about 3 1/2 years and my parents have come around with my choice in career. My choice in risk over safety hasn’t been the smoothest or easiest path, but it has been the happiest and most fulfilling choice I could’ve ever made.

Tiffany, 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’m a tattoo artist currently working at High Hopes Tattoo which is a women and queer owned tattoo studio in Brooklyn, NY. I’ve been tattooing for about 3 1/2 years and love to tattoo in traditional and neo-traditional styles. My goal is to provide as comfortable and as welcoming tattoo experience I can for my clients. Before becoming a tattoo artist, I was always intimidated walking into a tattoo shop, and using that experience I can better empathize with new clients, especially first time tattoo getters. I love the one-on-one nature of tattooing. It is such a personal and intimate experience, not only because of the physical proximity, but often times because clients feel comfortable being emotionally vulnerable with me. I want clients to treat me like a safe space, where they can walk in knowing that for a moment in their day they can forget about whatever stressors they’ve been carrying onto and maybe walk away feeling a little bit lighter.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a tattoo artist is definitely the connections I make with my clients. My clients vary in age and life experiences and it’s so cool hearing them talk about what’s been going on in their life! I’m always learning of new jobs I never thought existed. It is an amazing feeling when we’re finished with a session and a client goes up to the mirror to see their tattoo and I see a smile form on their face. That smile has many meanings for various clients — that smile represents a self-confidence in seeing their body in a new light; that smile is a bittersweet feeling of seeing their beloved pet on them forever; that smile of accomplishment in their first tattoo; that smile is simply just enjoying a new tattoo.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I often get the question from non-creatives of why I chose a path of uncertainty and instability. The simplest answer I can give to that is freedom. Everyone is wired differently. Some people thrive off of the predictability and structured nature of a 9-5. Some people thrive off of the fluidity of varying work hours. I fall somewhere in between and my job as a tattoo artist allows me to be as structured as I want and to be as fluid as I want. Don’t get me wrong, it is definitely scary at times when slow season rolls around and I don’t know when the next time I’ll get paid is, but I know for me I would rather stick through this than the repetitiveness of the corporate world. I am incredibly grateful that I am able to make a living with my passion and I understand that not many people have the opportunity to explore or discover their passions in life, let alone make money off of it. I spent my whole life forcing myself into boxes that I either didn’t fit in or want to be in, and when I finally broke out of that cycle, I felt infinitely lighter and happier. That feeling is not something I can trade away.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tifflaitattoos.com/
• Instagram: tifflai.tattoos