Today we’d like to introduce you to Huka Lewis.
Huka, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I got my first tattoo when I was 16 after my parents died, I lied about how old I was. It lit a fire in me. When I turned 18, I dropped out of college to learn to tattoo. I knew I wanted an art-based career and tattooing seemed to fit for me. The idea of permanent art and the lifestyle drew me in. I apprenticed with a guy named L.T. Woods, he changed my life. He taught me to tattoo but he taught me so much more. One apprenticeship, many questionable choices and 12 years later here I am as a color specialist and manager at Timeless Tattoo in Hollywood. I eventually went back to school and got a B.A. in art education but tattooing is what’s made me. I came out when I was 20 and have made a name for myself as a LGBTQ tattoo artist with a knack for drawing and tattooing hilarious vagina pictures and other questionable choices that would make your mom faint. Life is short, laugh more.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I make tattoos. Specifically, color tattoos of the most wild things. I try to make people feel comfortable no matter what they are asking for (unless it’s racist or gang related) A lot of what I draw is based of inappropriate puns, trouser snake, for example, is a picture of a snake wearing pants. I also have a love affair vaginas, I will draw them in fruit, faces, whatever I can. There’s a big stigma about what people get tattooed. Everyone seems to think they that need to have the most amount of meaning, false. I create tattoos that, sure sometimes they have meaning and I love that, but sometimes they are JUST pretty or JUST funny. It doesn’t mean they are less important tattoos if they don’t have a meaning. I’m out here to elicit a reaction when you see my work. I don’t care if you’re mortified, think it’s pretty, or just want to laugh your ass off, I just hope you feel something.
Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
I do think the role has changed slightly. Being an artist is a great way to promote your stance and be more vocal about current events. Just be prepared to stand your ground, I did a tattoo of Donald Trump sucking a d*$k once, it pissed off a lot of people, I just see it as a way to weed those out of my life who are easily offended or just don’t like my views….bye Felicia. I’ll never change what I make because it might offend someone.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My Instagram is the best way to see updated pictures of my work, @iamhuka. You can always stop by Timeless Tattoo in Hollywood and get a dose of me in person. I would love to have a consult and see what your tattoo dreams are made of.
Contact Info:
- Address: 738 Vine St
- Website: Www.timelesstattoola.com
- Phone: 323-461-1233
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @iamhuka
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