Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Bartram.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I grew up in Encinitas and spent many days hanging out at Lou’s Records. There was a tattoo shop next door and one day I just walked in. I immediately fell in love. All of the art on the walls was exactly how I already liked to draw. Bold, clean images of ladies, animals, skulls. From that day on I would just hang out there. I got to know everyone over the years and when I got to my senior year of high school, I asked for a job. They promptly said no, so I ended up going to college. I went to UC Santa Cruz for Fine Arts and MCD Biology. I worked at a Biotech Lab and kind of forgot about my dream of becoming a tattoo artist. Then through a boyfriend, I found another tattoo shop in Santa Cruz that reminded me a lot of 454 Tattoo. It felt like home and I started just hanging around there. Through the generosity of one of the artists, I started to learn little things, like how to paint flash and what steps I needed to take to acquire an apprenticeship. Back in Encinitas I still kept in touch with everyone at 454 Tattoo and when they learned that this shop in Sant Cruz was helping me out, they said if I moved back after I graduated they would offer me a job as front counter help. I took the job and worked my way up to a formal apprenticeship all the while also holding a job at another biotech company. Over the next two years, I would either be at the shop or the lab. When the day finally came to quit my lab job to just pursue tattooing, I was ecstatic and terrified, but it’s been the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Please tell us about your art.
I still draw and paint ladies, animals, and botanicals, but tattooing itself revolves around what my clients request. Some get their tattoos because of their love of the subject. Some get them to remember a person, place, or event. Some get them to cover scars or alter their appearance. Then some get them because they just love my art, which is the most fun and flattering. I’m inspired by just about everything. And because tattooing is so custom, I literally draw something I’ve never drawn before in my entire life on a daily basis. It keeps me on my toes and it keeps me interested. I love the challenge. I love that my medium has to be perfect because it’s permanent.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
Hustle! Having a full-time job at the lab and the tattoo shop was stressful, but it wasn’t an option not to have another job. I also was lucky enough to be able to stay with my dad and stepmom for a bit. That enabled me to put some money aside to use in case the first few months of tattooing weren’t financially successful. I wasn’t stoked on living at home again, but I wasn’t willing to put myself in financial strain because I wanted my own apartment. I didn’t go out often and if I did, I kept it cheap. Once I moved out, I chose to live with a roommate to keep costs down. We both were trying to save money, so we opted out of things like cable and internet. Any little bit counts.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My art is walking all around San Diego and the world! But to see the most up to date photos, Instagram is the best. I can be found at laurenalexandralux. I can also be found at 454 Tattoo in Encinitas.
Contact Info:
- Address: 454 Tattoo
North Coast Hwy 101
Encinitas CA - Website: 454tattoo.com
- Phone: 760-942-2333
- Email: laurenalexandra454@gmail.com
- Instagram: laurenalexandralux
Image Credit:
This was from the last convention I attended with my friends Dean and Mauricio in Austin, Texas!
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