Rising Stars: Meet Mariya Mathers of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariya Mathers.

Hi Mariya, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine and moved to Los Angeles in 1999, where I was raised in the San Fernando Valley. I discovered my love for art in high school through AP Studio Art and my skill grew when I studied at Ryman Arts at Otis for almost three years. When I was 20, after going through a breakup, I decided it was time to seriously pursue something meaningful with my life. I walked into all the tattoo shops asking for an apprenticeship and was fortunate enough to find my way into the industry.

What drew me to tattooing was the ability to create something deeply personal that someone carries with them forever. Over the years I’ve continued to grow my craft and have been at Wildlife Tattoos for almost 8 years now. I’m also currently building my own business, Till Ink Do Us Part, which is a collective that does tattoos at weddings.

Like many people in creative industries, some early challenges came from navigating sexism and other difficult dynamics in a male-dominated field. Those experiences ultimately pushed me to work harder and continue proving myself through my work.

Becoming a mother has also changed my perspective in the best way. My son motivates me to work harder, create more meaningful art for my clients, and focus on building welcoming and inclusive spaces within the industry.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Moving here from Ukraine meant growing up feeling like a bit of an outsider while learning English, which was really difficult for me at first. Most of my extended family is still in Ukraine, so my support system here was pretty small. Thankfully my parents and my brother have always supported me, and I’m really grateful for them.

Starting in the tattoo industry almost a decade ago was also a challenge. It was very male-dominated at the time, and in a lot of ways it still is, but it’s really inspiring to see more and more women stepping into the industry and doing amazing work. Like anyone pursuing something they care about, I’ve had my share of hardships along the way. But I think those experiences shape you and push you to grow, and I honestly don’t regret any of it because it helped lead me exactly to where I am today.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
For a long time I mainly focused on Neo-Traditional blackwork with a lot of stippling. Recently I’ve been shifting my focus more toward ornamental designs, especially ones influenced by Buddhism, Taoism, and traditional ornamental patterns from those cultures. I’m really drawn to pieces that feel balanced, intentional, and timeless.

I’m honestly most proud of simply sticking with it. There have definitely been hard years, but I’ve been lucky enough to build a consistent clientele and continue growing as an artist. I’m also not afraid to evolve and try new directions with my work, which I think is important in any creative field. Also proud of myself for starting a business thats separate from the studio. I’m sure that in itself will hold a lot of its challenges, but I’m ready to greet them.

It’s hard to say what makes one artist completely different from another because there are so many talented tattooers out there. For me, I’m drawn to designs that are bold, clear, and built to last. I love strong blackwork that holds up over time.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I honestly think that there are a couple of things that really surprise people that walk into my space for the first time. One thing I’m mostly proud of is how much I get to make people laugh on a daily basis and create a place where people can talk to me about their life and problems. I’m a very empathetic woman and I use that to my full advantage.

Pricing:

• Minimum $100
• I don’t charge hourly, I work too quick lol

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Tillinkdouspart.com
• Instagram: Mariyamatherstattoos