Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Campos.
Liz, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Born and raised in Lynwood CA, a few minutes from downtown Los Angeles, I began tattooing in 2009 at Tattoo Mania at the age of 19 as an apprentice. I began growing my craft and developing my style of art under the influence of local artists and guest artists from across the country and the world. Having some years under my belt, I moved my craft to the east coast and worked In New York and New Jersey.
I moved back to Los Angeles in 2015. All the while traveling the whole country, working Tattoo Conventions and doing guest spots in various cities (New Orleans, Cleveland, Philadelphia… to name a few).
Having worked at various reputable shops in Los Angeles like thunderbird tattoo and the Los Angeles river tattoo I now happily own my own tattoo studio, Rosa Obscura. Working alongside my long-time friend and professional tattoo artist, Brian “Sweet Pea” Riet I am able to create one of a kind tattoos and experiences for our customers.
Has it been a smooth road?
Being taken seriously as a young woman in the tattoo industry is challenging. Walking into tattoo shops in NY was hard, many people would not even look at my portfolio. It is difficult to go to a new town and not know anyone but you must always find ways to keeping pushing oneself even when the odds are stacked up against you. Adapting to life as a young adult is tough, no less with the added challenge of traveling alone and finding a way to get my art noticed.
Even with all the time I’ve put in, the challenge of keeping my art relevant and true to myself is something I will always battle with.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I like doing blackwork tattoos with dark imagery. Skulls are one of my main specialties.
I use the contrast of bold lines juxtaposed with thin lines to create one of a kind images.
Each and every image is custom drawn. The part of the body I tattoo makes a big difference in how I draw and size the art. My designs are made to compliment the body and flow with its natural movement.
My clients give me their full trust and allow me full creative freedom to further explore my style and truly push my art to the next level. It is a real honor to tattoo people and leaves my mark on them forever.
Rosa Obscura is not only a place to go get a great piece of art, but it is very much a place to be around artists that take pride in giving an enjoyable, personalized experience.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a mentor in the tattoo industry can be a difficult process. It takes a lot of persistence and dedication from someone to get an apprenticeship. I worked long hours with little to no pay for a chance to get better at my craft. Traveling to different cities and working in new locations really helped me meet new artists and open doors all over the world. Meeting different artists is a great inspiration for creativity and new ways of drawing.
Contact Info:
- Email: ironXliztattoo@gmail.com
- Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/ironxliz
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/ironxliz
Image Credit:
Photo of me by Marianne Tuukkanen
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