Meet Alper Firatli of Los Angeles / OC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alper Firatli.

Hi Alper, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t start out as a tattoo artist. Before tattooing, I worked as a computer engineer, and I’ve also been a musician since I was 15, writing, recording, and performing with my band as well as solo.

Over time, tattooing became the place where everything came together. My background in engineering shaped the way I think about structure, composition, and precision, while music influenced the rhythm and flow of my work. I enjoy combining different styles like realism, abstract, geometric, and painterly elements to create tattoos that feel personal and unique rather than fitting into a single category.

Outside of tattooing, I still paint and make music whenever I can. I’m currently based in Los Angeles and regularly travel as a guest artist to New York and the San Francisco Bay Area, working with clients from different places and backgrounds.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think anyone’s path is completely smooth, but honestly, I’ve been very fortunate. My wife has supported me from the very beginning, emotionally, financially, and even by being my first live canvas while I was learning. Having someone who believed in me that much made a huge difference and gave me the confidence to keep going.

Of course, building a career as a tattoo artist takes time. Earning people’s trust, finding your own voice, and growing your client base doesn’t happen overnight. But thanks to that support, it never felt like I was facing those challenges alone.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I create custom tattoos that blend realism, abstract, geometric, illustrative, and painterly elements into one cohesive piece. I especially enjoy working with color and using it as part of the composition rather than just filling shapes. Every tattoo is designed specifically for the person wearing it, so no two projects ever feel the same.

What I’m most proud of is that, over the years, my work has developed its own identity. Every now and then I hear stories about people recognizing one of my tattoos and asking, “Is that an Alper piece?” That’s probably the biggest compliment I could receive as an artist.

I also like to involve my clients throughout the design process. I don’t just present a finished drawing and say, “Here it is.” We talk, exchange ideas, and refine the design together until it feels right. I think that collaboration leads to more meaningful tattoos and a much better experience for everyone involved. My background in engineering also influences the way I approach design; I tend to be very detail-oriented and enjoy understanding the technical side of whatever I work with.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Tattooing itself is a kind of risk. You’re creating something permanent on another person’s skin; something they’ll carry with them for the rest of their life. I take that responsibility very seriously, which is why I put a lot of thought into every design and every decision throughout the process.

When I look back at my life, I realize I’ve taken some pretty big risks without thinking of them that way at the time. After spending about a decade as a computer engineer, I left a stable career to pursue tattooing full-time. Later, my wife and I moved to a completely new country and started over from scratch. Looking back, those were huge leaps.

For me, the biggest risk isn’t trying something new; it’s wondering “what if?” for the rest of your life. We try to make decisions that will lead to a happier and more fulfilling life, even if they don’t seem like the safest choice at the time. That doesn’t mean being reckless; it just means being willing to leave your comfort zone when something truly matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alperfiratli.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alperfiratli_tattoo/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlperFiratli
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@alperfiratli