In the world of tattooing, where every design etches a story onto the canvas of one's skin, there exists an artist who dives deep into the realms of the sea for inspiration.
Lau Mestre, a tattoo artist with a penchant for maritime themes, weaves intricate tales of oceanic wonder with her delicate and detailed work. From the sandy shores of Mallorca to the bustling streets of Prague, Lau's journey as a tattoo artist has been as adventurous as the creatures she brings to life on her clients' bodies.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into Lau's artistic journey, exploring the currents that led her to tattooing, the evolution of her style, and the nomadic nature of her profession. With a background rooted in fine arts and a passion for the sea instilled since childhood, Lau's story is a testament to the transformative power of artistic expression. Join us as we unravel the depths of Lau's creativity, her aspirations for the future, and the waves of inspiration that continue to shape her remarkable career.
Lau, let's start with our traditional questions. How did your tattoo career begin? Who or what led you to tattooing, and when?
I wanted to learn artistic makeup and I tried in two different schools; however, it didn't work out, so I understood it wasn't for me. Afterwards, I started to think about what else I could do, and tattooing was something that I always had in mind. Three years ago, a tattoo artist called Ivan Cubas, who had already tattooed me, announced that he was going to offer a course for just one apprentice, and I thought, "Let's do it!"
Is tattooing art, a profession, or something else to you?
For me, tattooing is my profession, but it's also much more than that. I believe that what we do is art as well, and I enjoy so much the part where you leave a forever memory on people's skin.
Do you have a background in art? In your opinion, is it necessary for a modern tattoo artist to have artistic education?
Yes, since childhood, I've always liked anything related to drafts. I also did ceramics and painting as a kid. I remember my mom telling me and my siblings that we could choose an activity to do after school, and I always chose painting. I did an artistic bachelor's, and then I went to Barcelona University to study fine arts. I believe that having an artistic education is not a requirement for being a tattoo artist, however, it helps a lot for many things, especially with matters like mixing colors, volumes, compositions, etc.
Describe how your style developed. What particular aspects would you highlight in your work?
Like the majority of tattoo artists, I took my first steps with simpler designs, and when I felt confident enough, I started to do more realistic pieces. I have always done tattoos related to nature like animals, flowers, and landscapes. However, after a while, I started just doing what I enjoyed most: sea animals! I would say that my tattoos are very delicate, and despite their size, they are very detailed.
Your portfolio is filled with maritime themes. Why did you choose this particular theme for your tattoos?
I was born and raised in Mallorca, Balearic Islands, so I have always been in touch with the sea. Every time anybody asked me for a sea tattoo, I was very excited, so much so that I decided to specialize in marine tattoos.
What is the smallest tattoo you've done? Tell us about this piece.
It was a 3-centimeter killer whale that I did for a girl in Prague.
Judging by your Instagram, you're always on the move. How much do you travel as a tattoo artist?
I would say that I spend more time traveling and participating in conventions and guesting than being settled in a studio. Last year, I tattooed in 10 countries and multiple places like Lyon, Zurich, Budapest, Rotterdam, Brussels, Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon, Mallorca, Ibiza, etc. That is the reason I haven't opened my own tattoo shop yet.
Have you won any awards?
I have participated in a few tattoo conventions, but I haven't won any awards. But it is not relevant to me because normally judges in tattoo conventions recognize bigger pieces.
Do you have favorite tattoos, clients, projects, or perhaps some unusual stories in your career?
I enjoy the most when people ask me to do a whole arm of sea animals, so I can create a composition with shells, starfishes, corals, at the bottom, seahorses, octopuses, in the middle, and turtles, rays, whales, sharks, at the top, so it looks like an ocean full of life.
What is the most important aspect of being a tattoo artist for you? What goals do you set for yourself? Share your creative plans for the near future.
I think that the most important aspect for me is that, as a tattoo artist, I can travel so much to different places and meet people from everywhere around the world. Also, that makes me learn from different studios and helps me to find more precisely what I want for my future ideal tattoo shop. Someday when I plan to settle, I would like to open my own one, and I believe that when I do, I will have accumulated a lot of ideas! But for now, I plan to be around different places in Spain like Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca, and the Canary Islands.
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