“I’ve always been an artist. It was self-expression that turned into schooling, formal schooling and going to college for art. When you do something and you do it out of pure love, it turns into something else,” she said.
That something else is a lucrative career as one of the country’s best tattoo artists.
The 12-year veteran notes that she began her journey in the tattoo industry at a time when there were few women, specifically black, female artists. She credits Flint native Jacci Gresham as an inspiration because she paved the way for black, black female and female tattoo artists. Gresham is the first black female tattoo artist, who currently owns the oldest tattoo shop in New Orleans.
“Twelve years ago when I started tattooing, I couldn’t find any black female [tattoo artists], except for Jacci Gresham who was the very first acknowledged black tattoo artist that happened to be a woman. Now, there are quite a few,” she said.
“Last year, I started a black female tattoo artist tour. We are all from different parts of the United States. The whole purpose of the tour, called Ladies of Ink, is to gain more exposure because being a black female tattoo artist, you don’t find us in the industry. The industry is white and male dominated. So we needed that exposure,” she said.
Just as the women of Ladies of Ink are making their mark and “doing it for the culture,” this month black excellence will be on display at the second annual Detroit Black Tattoo, Art and Music Expo to be held July 23 at the Eastern Market.
“This will be our first year at the expo. There will be different tattoo artists, all black. It’s different because we have the Motor City Tattoo Convention that comes in February or March and we really don’t see any black tattoo artists. So, this is something that needs to be done,” said Lady L.
To book your next tattoo appointment with Lady L at Detroit Ink Spot, located at 19845 W. McNichols in Detroit, call (313) 202-9737 or visit www.detroitinkspot.com.
To purchase tickets to the second annual Detroit Black Tattoo, Art and Music Expo, go to btame313.com.