Today we’d like to introduce you to Talitha Leah.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
When I was little, people would ask me what I wanted to do when I grew up and I would say “art!” What usually followed was the adult explaining that no one can make a living doing art, and that I should pursue something more practical. Well, it’s still what I want to do! At this point, hundreds of people have paid me to put art on their skin and I feel like the luckiest girl! It is my fervent conviction that each person owns their own life and should enjoy the freedom of expressing themselves and declaring their individuality. When a client sits in my chair and asks me to create a piece of art on their body to represent someone they love, or an accomplishment, or a rite of passage, it is an incredibly intimate honor. I love meeting people from around the world, hearing their stories, and giving them a little decoration to take with them on their journey.
Several years ago, I was getting henna from an amazing artist and I told her I was an artist, but would love to learn henna someday. Her name was Debi Varvi and she invited me to attend a four day henna intensive where she would be teaching. It was a life changing experience and I ended up attending four years in a row. There I learned about the history, chemistry, cultivation, preparation, and many traditional practices surrounding this ancient art form. At first, I practiced henna on paper or any family member willing to hold still 🙂 Then friends started asking, and before long I was doing henna at parties and fairs. Eventually I met Joy at Mystical Joy on the Redondo Beach Pier, and I’ve been doing henna out of her shop during the tourist season for the past few years in addition to private bookings.
After two years of training, I am pleased to be offering permanent tattoos as well.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Smooth road?? Nope. Is it ever? But if my life had continued on smoothly, I’d still be a married, stay at home mom who did art after the kids were put to bed. The breakdown of my 23 year marriage pushed me to take my little endeavor to the next level. My henna biz was doing well, and I loved creating body art, so I started a tattoo apprenticeship. It’s been challenging to go through divorce, selling our home, launching the older kids on to college, working on the pier and doing the tattoo training at the same time, but things are finally settling into a new normal. As my kids get older, I’m able to spend more time creating and I just love it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Studio Litha – what should we know?
I am a henna and tattoo artist. One of the reasons I went into tattooing was to be able to offer women more delicate and feminine body art than is often available at typical tattoo shops. I designed my own tattoos and women often stop me to ask where I got them, and remark that they are not like the more masculine tattoo styles. I think of body art as a form of visual storytelling, often involving ritual and meaningful life events. It is beautiful and can be deeply meaningful. I’ve worked with people who are grieving, or celebrating, or trying to heal, or marking an important event. It can be very touching and humbling to listen to people’s stories and create something just for them.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
So many!
Debi Varvi, world class henna artist, every word she said in my presence was something I learned from.
The artists at Body Art and Soul Tattoo in Silverlake, most notably Martin Dare and Chris “Dolphin” Coles.
Clients/cheerleaders/friends Lisa Barry and Crystal Bailey (so many more, could go on and on!) have supported me all the way through.
Grandma Lorene who showed me a woman can make a living through art.
Grandma Rita whose hands were always making something.
Grandma Naomi who taught so gently.
Grandma Alice, who was a painter, art supply store owner, a great supported of the arts, and my first patron, paying five whole dollars for my school art contest winning cat play doh sculpture. Thanks grandma!
Contact Info:
- Address: For henna-
Mystical Joy
108 N. International Boardwalk
Redondo Beach, CA 90277Tattoo-
Body Art and Soul Tattoo
2815 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90026
United States - Phone: 310-719-8909
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Studiolitha
- Facebook: Studio Litha
- Twitter: @studiolitha
- Other: StudioLitha.etsy.com
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