Hollywood Tattoo Artist Dr. Woo on the Most Intricate Tattoo He’s Inked During the Pandemic

Woo grew up doing stick-and-poke tattoos, getting his first actual tattoo on his ankle at age 14. His skilled begin got here within the 2000s, when he started apprenticing for the legendary tattoo artist Mark Mahoney at Mahoney’s West Hollywood studio, the Shamrock Social Membership. Now, he works out of his personal secluded spot, the Hideaway at Suite X contained in the Hollywood Roosevelt Resort. His signature black-and-grey work can usually be seen on hard-to-tattoo physique components of celebrities: Zoë Kravtiz’s palms (a micro leaf tattoo on the again of every; she’s gotten a number of others from him too, together with a dragonfly on her left shoulder and a flying eagle on her proper forearm), in addition to one in all Child Cudi’s palms (the photo voltaic system), and Emilia Clarke (she bought a bee on one in all her pinky fingers, along with dragons on her wrist). Final month, Justin Bieber made headlines for a brand new Dr. Woo design, a big rose tattooed on his neck. If you happen to’re a well-known individual in L.A., Woo might be who you’re calling (or DMing on Instagram) if you wish to get some ink.

Earlier this yr, he launched a small-batch skincare line, Woo Skincare, that’s bought solely on luxurious magnificence web site Violet Gray along with Woo’s personal web site. It’s the primary launch of his product improvement studio, ProjectWoo, that he created in partnership with the model collective c/olabworks. Along with a tattoo after-care equipment, which comprises a mild cleaning soap and moisturizer protected for not too long ago tattooed pores and skin, Woo Skincare consists of staples formulated for delicate pores and skin like sunscreen, lip balm and hand sanitizer, an particularly widespread product. A number of the choices come wrapped in paper adorned with Woo’s delicate designs, and Woo not too long ago added a physique moisturizer to the road. Right here, he speaks to WSJ. about mornings together with his spouse, Jayme, and sons Lion, 9, and Raif, 6, in addition to probably the most intricate tattoo he’s performed through the pandemic and the way a lot he misses reserving flights to his favourite cities.

What time do you often stand up on Mondays, and what’s the very first thing you do?

I often get up round 7 a.m., and the very first thing I do is let the canines out [a Bracco Italiano, a Xoloitzcuintle and a rescue mix] after which I be certain the children get their tooth brushed and prepared for his or her Zoom classes.

Oh, man, how’s that going?

It’s unusual, it’s a bit robust. I believe [for] children on the whole, even in a classroom, it’s exhausting to remain totally centered. My sons continuously run into one another’s areas throughout courses. We’re figuring it out.

Often after that, my spouse takes over the Zoom class half and I am going attempt to catch a pair extra Z’s once more earlier than I [fully] get up.

Do you might have a go-to breakfast?

I’m horrible about breakfast. I don’t eat breakfast. I simply drink an enormous cup of espresso. I prefer to go to La Colombe and get the iced Americano. Often my schedule could be I get up, take a bathe, dress, after which I am going to La Colombe after which I am going to my fitness center. I often practice jiu-jitsu after which I’ve a coach each different day. That was pre-lockdown.

What have you ever been doing for train as an alternative?

I’m horrible now. That’s the one factor, throughout this complete lockdown, I really feel responsible about. Apart from enterprise, I’ve stayed very busy, aside from health. I attempt to do 100 push-ups and sit-ups a day, and that’s about it.

That doesn’t sound missing to me.

It’s like, 10 right here and 10 there. It’s positively not all of sudden.

Do you are taking nutritional vitamins?

I take these zinc drops, I take vitamin C. I’ve these natural wellness drops which have a mishmosh of horrible testing herbs.

How do you handle your time and divide the work between purchasers and your skincare line?

I haven’t been working [on tattoos] that a lot however after I do, I’ll do tattoos after 2 p.m., into the night. All instances earlier than that I designate for calls and Zoom conferences and if there must be a photograph shoot or something like that. Frequently, I in all probability do nearly 10 [tattoos] per week and now I’m down to 3 per week.

What has it been prefer to launch a brand new line this yr?

It’s been an unconventional manner of launching a model. Every little thing that went into it was fairly by the guide, then when it got here to launch, it form of all went the wrong way up. However I believe it’s been form of a blessing as a result of it’s put [my team] via a trial and we made it via to the opposite facet unscathed. It taught us that we actually do want to concentrate on our environment and our group and the individuals we’re affecting.

How has the pandemic impacted your creativity?

It’s been exhausting. At first, it was very thrilling: Wow, let’s do what we do however below totally different circumstances. I [got] an opportunity to discover totally different mediums and concentrate on portray once more. There’s so many different tasks coming in from the perimeters that aren’t so tattoo-specific, extra design and artwork stuff. In order that was very thrilling however now it’s getting difficult once more as a result of the power to maneuver round and journey and work together continues to be hindered and I believe I’m beginning to see that a whole lot of that’s what conjures up me.

Have you ever been in L.A. the entire time?

I did one [tattoo] job that was within the Caribbean however even simply touring there and again and doing one million checks and all that, it’s such a headache. It’s not the identical form of journey that it was. It’s extra of this super-paranoid, you’re in a plastic bubble form of factor. Attempting to steer clear of individuals.

I’m undecided when you decide favorites, however is there a tattoo you’ve performed through the pandemic that was distinctive or sudden?

I haven’t been doing actually, actually detailed tattoos since I’m making an attempt to not spend an excessive amount of time within the studio, however I simply did one on a daily consumer of mine who will get these cool, detailed pictures of journey and know-how, and we combine themes like house and ocean. We simply did a cool etching from a Jules Verne story. There’s a mountain scene and a ship and a bunch of fellows in it. It’s cool, I preferred it, I spent a whole lot of time on it.

What’s your media eating regimen like proper now?

I used to be speaking to my buddy the opposite day, and he had utterly detoxed from all screens. He requested me, What’s been occurring? What have I been lacking? And I used to be like, It’s nonetheless this election, it’s nonetheless this pandemic and it’s nonetheless a whole lot of offended individuals. Truly, you’re not lacking something. It made me assume that I don’t actually should be maintaining with a lot of these items continuously. It makes me offended. So I’ve been retaining it mellow. However I’ve a gaggle chat with my buddies, my shut buddies rising up, and we have now a few guys on there who’re at all times the investigators. They discover all of the information tales first and share them, so I’m stored in control on that finish.

What are you studying and anticipating enjoyable?

I’m rereading Harry Potter with my children. I’m studying it to them, despite the fact that they’ll learn, it’s good to learn to them after they fall asleep. A consumer of mine really helpful the audiobook of Dune. I like sci-fi, and I can’t consider I’ve by no means learn the Dune guide. And for exhibits, I’ve been watching Yellowstone. It takes place in Montana and it’s horses and this lovely surroundings, so it form of makes me really feel like I’m on trip.

Do you might have a funniest or weirdest second at dwelling to date?

Truthfully, it’s simply being at dwelling and having a shower and generally I’ve to run to get packages. Now we have an enormous window and half the time I’m simply in my underwear. Individuals are like, Uh, sir. I make my children open the door.

What do you miss probably the most from pre-pandemic life?

I miss simply with the ability to go surfing, shopping for a ticket to Tokyo or Paris or wherever after which simply going, Alright, cool, in two weeks I’m going to fly there and go to my favourite restaurant and go to my favourite spots. And it’s form of loopy I can’t do this. Actually the international locations is not going to allow us to in.

What’s one piece of recommendation you’ve gotten that’s guided you?

I’ve at all times been very unbiased and artistic and “my manner or the freeway” but it surely’s essential to pay attention and have good advisors round you. And heed recommendation. You don’t should at all times blindly observe it, however I believe it’s essential to collect recommendation and take heed to all these round you.

This interview has been edited and condensed.