Tyrell Gittens
24 Minutes In the past
Tattoo artist Tianna Andrews attracts a tattoo on a shopper’s arm at Ghost Tattoo Studio in La Brea.
PHOTOS BY LINCOLN HOLDER
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Purchasers visiting Ghost Tattoo Studio, in La Brea, are sometimes stunned upon studying they’ve the choice of getting a tattoo executed by 12-year-old Tiana Andrews.
Tianna proudly follows within the footsteps of her father Ghost Andrews, who has been a tattoo artist for the previous 15 years and opened the studio two years in the past.
However earlier than Tianna may have even positioned a needle to anybody’s pores and skin, she needed to study the tips on how to and there was no higher instructor than her father.
Newsday Youngsters spoke with Tianna who was inspired by her father to begin doing tattoos, in 2019, when she was 11.
“I used to be nervous at first. He (my dad) introduced me his personal tattoo machine and I began practising at residence.
“I began on grapefruit then I went over to pig pores and skin till my dad purchased pretend pores and skin for me to practise on,” she stated.
Whereas she ready for final yr’s SEA examination, practising her new-found talent took a backseat.
However as soon as the examination was accomplished final August, Tianna’s father challenged her to do a tattoo on him. She was terrified, not of doing the tattoo, however of wounding her father.
For the tattoo, Tianna did a Gye Nyame image which took round 45 minutes to finish. Originating in West Africa, the image represents the supremacy of God over all life on earth.
Since then, Tianna has tattooed over ten purchasers with most being referred by her father.
“Thus far, on purchasers, I’ve executed a peony (a flower) design, an anime lady, which is certainly one of my favorite tattoos I’ve executed thus far, and little symbols.
“Every time I’m practising new or completely different (designs), I am going on the pretend pores and skin and practise there.
“I normally discuss to purchasers whereas I’m tattooing them as a result of it’s very nice to hook up with individuals,” stated Tianna who will get most of her tattoo concepts from Pinterest.
For Tianna, the toughest a part of doing a tattoo is sustaining correct needle depth.
She defined that if the needle goes too deep in somebody’s pores and skin, whereas doing a tattoo, the pores and skin will be broken.
On the flipside, if the needle doesn’t go deep sufficient into the pores and skin, the tattoo design won’t be seen on the pores and skin when it’s accomplished.
Whereas doing tattoos is enjoyable for Tianna, her father can also be making certain it’s a studying expertise.
He needs her to understand the worth of creating an trustworthy greenback.
“My purpose just isn’t for her to be a tattoo artist per se, however she should have the choice.
“If one thing is to occur in life and he or she wants one thing to fall again on one thing, she has this talent to earn a dwelling.
“She has her ledger e book the place she writes how a lot cash she makes, how a lot goes to the store and the way a lot cash goes to the credit score union. I’m equipping her for all times.
“Even when she chooses to not tattoo and opens one other enterprise, not less than she has the rules and basis to take to no matter enterprise she chooses,” stated Andrews.
Framed, and hanging within the tattoo studio, is the primary greenback Tianna ever earned.
Andrews stated tattooing with Tianna has been a fantastic bonding expertise which has helped him to study extra about her.
Whereas Tianna is a tough employee on the tattoo studio, she’s additionally one within the classroom.
After writing final yr’s SEA examination, she handed for St Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando and was awarded a scholarship by Atlantic LNG for her efficiency within the examination.
“I don’t know what I wish to be after I develop up. However I do know I wish to maintain tattooing as a result of it’s enjoyable, stress-free, and fulfilling. So, I’ll maintain tattooing as a facet gig.”
When Tianna isn’t in on-line courses, or on the tattoo store, she enjoys watching anime and studying comedian books.
Anybody fascinated about Tianna’s tattoos can observe her on Instagram @tee_tat2
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