Daily Inspiration: Meet Esther Oldenkamp

Today we’d like to introduce you to Esther Oldenkamp.

Hi Esther, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I first came to the U.S. from Korea with the idea of staying just a year—to study English and gain some work experience. But after that year, I found myself drawn to the lifestyle in Los Angeles, and decided to make it my home. Looking back, I realize I’ve walked a path filled with many different experiences. I originally studied jewelry design in Korea and, after moving to LA, began working as a jewelry designer downtown for about a year. From there, I shifted into fashion graphic design for a couple of years. During that time, I had a growing desire to work for a company that truly represented California—and for me, that dream was Disney.
I discovered the field of toy design almost by accident, through reading about Disney Princess doll designers. I had never known such a profession even existed, but it immediately captured my heart. Through researching, I learned about the Toy Design program at Otis College of Art and Design, where many graduates went on to work for Disney, Mattel, and Hasbro. I transferred into the program, worked relentlessly, and eventually graduated at the top of my class.
That led me to my dream role at Disney, designing for the Princess department. Some of my most memorable moments included presenting my doll designs in front of the Moana movie director and later seeing my creations on store shelves. After Disney, I branched out into freelance work, focusing on concept design for companies like Hasbro, Netflix, Spin Master, and others. My strength had always been in concept sketches, mood boards, and ideation for girls’ toys, and I was fortunate to spend more than a decade in that field.
Over time, though, I realized that while I was grateful for those opportunities, I no longer felt the same spark. I wanted to explore drawing in a different, more personal way. That’s when I discovered tattooing. I returned to Korea for an intensive three-month course, and after hard training, I came back to LA. By chance and good fortune, I found Sasha Tattooing Gallery, where I began my new journey as a tattoo artist.
Today, I see tattooing as a natural extension of all the creative paths I’ve taken—from jewelry and fashion to toy design. Each chapter has shaped my perspective, and I feel grateful to bring that collective experience into the work I do now.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all—it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Nothing has ever come easily for me. Because I had a child and was still working in toy design at the time, pursuing an apprenticeship just wasn’t possible. Instead, I went back to Korea and enrolled in an intensive three-month training program. That period was physically exhausting, and balancing my studies while caring for my child made it even more challenging. On top of that, I was older than most of the other students, so I often felt that everything took me twice as long to learn. When I came back to LA, I had no clients in the beginning, and I wasn’t sure if I was on the right path.
But I kept practicing—trying out different styles, sketching every day, and working on my technique. In the early days, the struggles definitely outweighed the joy. But now, I truly love and enjoy what I do. Even though it’s still challenging, the passion I feel for tattooing makes the journey worthwhile. My hope is to continue growing and to become the best artist I can be.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I started my creative journey in sculpture, jewelry design, fashion graphics, and toy design, and today I work as a fine line tattoo artist. After graduating from university in Korea and moving to the U.S., I found that my background in fine art, sculpture, and design, combined with my studies and professional design experience here, naturally came together in my tattoo work.
Growing up with painter parents, I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember and have explored many different ways of making art. That’s why I especially enjoy creating custom tattoos that carry each person’s unique story. The process of translating someone’s story into a design is deeply meaningful to me, and seeing it come to life on their skin is incredibly rewarding.
I’m also drawn to large floral tattoos that enhance the body’s natural lines. When I freehand these designs, I often think back to what I learned in sculpture—considering body movement and muscle lines—which makes the process both challenging and exciting.
Tattooing is such a wide-ranging art form, with countless styles and approaches, and the more I do it, the more I realize how much there is to learn. That ongoing discovery is what keeps me passionate about my work.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in an environment where art was part of everyday life. My parents were both painters, so the smell of paint and the presence of canvases were always around me.
My late father was a leading figure in Korean art, serving as the head juror for the National Art Exhibition and even being invited to President Kim Dae-jung’s inauguration ceremony. My mother has been an art teacher for decades, spending her life drawing with children. Growing up in such a creative atmosphere, I naturally developed a deep artistic sensibility.
In high school, I majored in sculpture, where I learned to carefully study and express the structure of bones and muscles through plaster figures. Later, I studied metalcraft and jewelry design at university. At the same time, I explored different forms of creative expression, even performing on stage as a rapper with a hip-hop crew I formed with friends.
Travel has also played a huge role in shaping me. Inspired by a travel writer’s book, I backpacked through India and Thailand every winter break. To fund these trips, I taught drawing lessons, painted murals, sold jewelry at weekend markets, and even did face painting. During my junior year, I took a year off from school for a cross-continental backpacking trip. One of the most unforgettable moments was in Dahab, Egypt, where I earned a scuba diving certification and swam alongside a school of manta rays.
Looking back, my life has always been defined by bold challenges. Transferring schools later than most to become a Disney Princess doll designer, and now, starting a new career as a tattoo artist while being a mother — both came from the same mindset. I truly believe that if you overcalculate possibilities, you end up missing what you really want.
Even now, I carry dreams that might look bold to others, and I work every day to bring them to life. All of my experiences and artistic background naturally flow into my tattoo work, creating a unique world of its own. Moving forward, I want to continue giving my best to every opportunity that comes my way, and keep growing along the journey.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @estherinkflower