Meet Lina Aquino | Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lina Aquino and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lina, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I had graduated with a BFA in Fashion Design from Parsons in 2017 and started working as a waitress while searching for a job in fashion. I realized that, after interning for 4 years in different sectors of the industry, I was not that in love with fashion to put up with the bad salary and/or entitled attitudes in the field, as well as the environmental degradation that the fashion system instills. So I was a bit lost and kind of going throughout motions just to make some money and pay my bills, but every time I looked at jobs ads online my heart would sink, and I knew deep down I was not fully invested in that future.

I’ve been getting tattooed since I was 19 and loved that environment and the life of daily creativity the artists had, but never thought I belonged in that world because I’m not a tough guy.
My then roomate and friend Nicole suggested I spoke to her friend that was a tattoo artist, Tessa. She was kind enough to tell me everything I needed to know to get an apprenticeship, and I decided to take a chance because I had nothing to lose.

I’ve been an independent artist for 6 years now, and work at different shops around the world. I’m still doing research and learning from my experiences, but I believe that with at least 10 years under my belt I’ll be ready to open a small tattoo shop, probably in Brazil, where I’m from.
For the next 2 years I’m focusing on working between San Diego, Chicago and New York, where I already have a solid clientele, and doing monthly guest spots in shops around the US, as well as conventions.

Tattooing is my absolute passion, and to me it is an honor to have my client’s trust to help them curate their body as a piece of art. This craft has the power to change a persons’ relationship with their body and boost their self confidence in a way that will affect how they carry themselves in the world, and that can change your life. When you feel good about yourself and approach life with confidence you have a better chance at getting what you ask for. It is a collaborative process that requires trust between each other and with the right guidance, we can create something truly unique to you that will heal well and look good on your skin forever.
Since I have a background in fashion design with a focus on tailoring, I like to approach tattooing as simply print making, following the muscle structures and focusing on how that tattoo will move with you. Almost like skin “couture”, since it’s made-to-measure to you.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I like to approach image making by bringing opposite forces together, like fineline and soft shading with strong blackwork. Or a very delicate subject made with darker, more aggressive elements, like a flower made out of metal spikes. At the moment I’m working on a full body suit concept painting that is 6 ft tall, and it will be on the Commitment III art show organized by Guru Tattoo, in San Diego , on November 11th. This is going to be my biggest project yet and a change of direction for my work, as I have focused mainly on doing smaller pieces in composition. The piece will be available to be tattooed as a full bodysuit design without alterations other than to make the design fit to the clients’ natural body curves. The path till now was not easy but also not horrible, I think the main issue is self confidence and being stuck in my head with doubting thoughts or comparing myself with people that are way ahead in their careers. But I have learned that there will always be people that are better and/or more experienced, and that is great because the worse thing that can happen to an artist is thinking that they know everything and there is nothing else to explore. Movement is key, and not letting fear of other’s judgement of your work make you stuck. We have all started somewhere and I have been at peace with the fact that the only competition I have is with myself and if my peers are better than me in different ways, I can learn from them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Honestly San Diego has some of the best tattoo shops in the country and if you want to get something special, go to Guru Tattoo (Little Italy or Pacific Beach, both locations have incredible artists of all styles) and Full Circle Tattoo. For art, I love Balboa Park and the museums in it, specifically the Mingei Museum that focuses on crafts from around the world, and the pottery studios in the Spanish Village Art Center.
Lá Jolla has really nice restaurants and the drinks at the La Valencia Hotel bar are amazing and the setting is breathtaking with a Spanish decor and view of the ocean.
Pacific Beach is where you’ll find the most interesting people and there is plenty of partying there if you are out of town and wanna have fun.
My favorite place to go salsa dancing is Sevilla Nightclub downtown on wednesdays.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My entire family for giving so much love, emotional and financial support and pushed me to travel and learn from the world.I want to thank my friend Nicole Coiscou, who encouraged me to take the chance on my art. Karen Glass that welcomed me in her studio and gave me her space in New York when I was in a very fragile place in life. Stef Bastian that helped me find structure and guided me towards stepping up my tattooing and art practice. And the best book I ever read called “Letting Go” by David R, Hawkins, that taught me how to be more emotionally aware and move through tough life situations with grace.

Website: www.linaaquino.com

Instagram: @linaaquinotattoo

Other: For art commissions, project collaborations and tattoo inquiries please e-mail linaaquinotattoo@gmail.com

Image Credits
Profile photo by Nathaniel Jimenez @nateinfocus