In this interview, we have the pleasure of chatting with Da Hye Lee, a tattoo artist based in Seoul, South Korea. Her unique style, reminiscent of children's drawings, has captured the hearts of clients, especially among women, and garnered the attention of both domestic and international admirers. In this conversation, Da Hye Lee will share insights into her creative journey, sources of inspiration, and future plans. She will also regale us with stories of how her passion for art led to a career as a tattoo artist.
Let's get to know each other first. Where are you from? Where and how did your tattoo career start?
- Hello. I'm Da Hye Lee, based in Seoul, South Korea. I started working as a tattoo artist under the name "dareumtattoo" in 2018.
Do you have an art education? What job did you leave for a career as a tattoo artist?
- When I was 22 years old, I had the opportunity to learn about tattooing while studying Visual Design at Konkuk University. After a brief experience, I thought it was a good fit for me, and as a result, I decided to take a leave of absence from college to truly delve into learning the art of tattooing. From that time until now, I've been living as a tattoo artist, and it has been my profession ever since.
You have a very interesting and adorable style that resembles children's drawings. Tell us more about it. How did your style come about? Why do you like this stylistic approach?
- I have a preference for hand-drawn, unrefined drawing styles. When I first started in the tattoo industry, traditional, standardized tattoo styles were quite prevalent. I wanted to merge my new drawing style into tattooing and transfer the artwork itself onto the skin. Many of my clients also appreciate the cute and lovely color palettes I use, which is why I've been able to maintain this style. In the beginning, I used to incorporate a lot of lines into my work, and because I enjoy that process, I plan to continue using it.
There are many images of pets in your portfolio. Is this a close subject for you?
- I have a lovely fat cat. I loved drawing pictures of my cat, and when I posted several pictures of cats I drew on Instagram, the customers thankfully liked them. Since then, I have been doing a lot of pet tattoos, and I consistently create custom designs for pet tattoos. Pets make me so happy every time I draw them; they're just too cute.
Your tattoos are very cute, and it seems they are more popular among women. Is that correct? Tell us about your clients. Who are they? Are there many foreigners among your fans?
- Yes, that's correct. I have a significant number of female clients. While I enjoy working on small tattoos, I always have a desire to do larger tattoos, even though they might not come along as frequently. Many of our foreign clients appreciate and opt for larger pieces, so I'm considering doing more guest work to accommodate their preferences. I'm truly grateful for the foreign clients who appreciate my drawing style. I hope to see them more often.
Do clients most often come with their own ideas, or do you implement your own ideas more often? Tell me how your projects come to life.
- My tattoo work ratio leans towards custom designs at about 7:3. Lately, I've been working on many tattoos with themes like pets and birth flowers, so it seems like I've been doing a lot of custom designs where I develop the concept based on what the client desires. Clients can tell me their preferred theme, provide reference photos or drawings, and I'll prepare a custom design that aligns with my style.
Do you have a favorite project or tattoo that you are proud of?
- One of my relatively recent tattoo projects involved redesigning my own drawings into tattoos featuring the client's beloved pets. This design was a Christmas tree adorned with a total of 5 cats and 1 dog. While it was a time-consuming project, it was incredibly cute and enjoyable to work on.
Tell us a little about the studio where you work now.
- I have a small private studio located in Yongsan-gu, right in the center of Seoul, South Korea. In my studio, there's a large window that provides a view of the iconic Seoul Tower. With its great view and excellent transportation access, it's a convenient place for foreign clients and those who don't reside in Seoul to visit.
What drives you to create, and what keeps you inspired?
- Everyday life is my inspiration! From our household cat to the blue sky, setting sun, and the flowers I pass by, they all serve as subjects for my art. Additionally, the diverse colors found in Monet's paintings that I admire contribute to my creative process.
Do you have any other passions besides tattooing?
- These days, I've been going to the gym and working out. Tattooing can be physically demanding, so I've started to enjoy exercising both for my job and my overall health.
What is your main goal in your tattoo career?
- My current goal is to travel and do guest work in various countries, meeting diverse clients. I want to work on different styles and larger-sized tattoos, constantly improving my tattooing skills.
Do you have any creative plans for the near future?
- I want to try illustrating children's books! I think it matches my drawing style well, and whenever I visit bookstores or libraries, I always browse through children's books. Right now, it's just a thought, but if the opportunity arises, I'd love to give it a try.
