We recently had the chance to connect with Lain Freefall and have shared our conversation below.
Lain, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Nice and easy, honestly. I’ve got a few chickens and roosters, so my day usually starts with Goku – my rooster- crowing like an alarm clock. I get up, feed my Cane Corso pup, and not long after, my daughter wakes up. I make her breakfast and just enjoy our quiet time together at home. I’ll water the garden, feed the chicken and start easing into the day. If it’s a day off, I move a lot slower- those 90 minutes disappear real quick.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Lain Freefall- I tattoo out of The Queens Head Tattoo in Koreatown, LA (I still travel across counties and different states) specializing in blackwork and dotwork, though I love exploring all styles. Outside of tattooing, I’m raising my child, caring for a little backyard farm with chickens and a cane corso, and training in jiujitsu and Muay Thai. Gym life isn’t always easy- I enjoy it, but sometimes life just gets loud and it’s a battle in my own head. Art, training, and being present with my family kept me balanced. My work is all about connection- translating people’s thoughts and experiences into something permanent, personal, and beautiful.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
In what we do, we are always pushing each other and constantly learning, even after 18 years, Im still learning. I wouldn’t be where I am today if my mentor, Tomas Tomas hadn’t given me the chance to begin with. He showed me a style and technique that he and another friend were really the true pioneers of. He set me up with my dream shop to start in (simply the shop he had started his London career in amongst so many well known artists). Within that shop was Dave Bryant, a true “ink master” in every style and taught me all the key things to be a better all round artist. These are the 2 I think of most often when I think back to core techniques.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I really believe that struggle builds character. I’d never wish hardship on anyone, but it has a way of teaching humility that nothing else can. Life can change in an instant—everything you’ve built can fall apart just as quickly as it came together. But I’ve learned that taking risks is never a bad thing. Every leap I’ve taken, even the scary ones, has shaped who I am and brought me to where I am today.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
In tattooing, I think the difference between a fad and a real shift comes down to longevity and depth. Fads tend to explode on social media, dominate for a short while, and then fade, usually because they’re driven by novelty rather than substance. A foundational shift, on the other hand, develops over time, gets adopted by experienced artists, and becomes part of how the industry actually works—whether that’s through new techniques, equipment, or styles that open creative possibilities. I look for trends that solve real problems or elevate the client experience, because those are the ones that last and shape the craft in a meaningful way.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think the biggest misunderstanding might be that my legacy is defined by a style or a trend I worked in. In reality, it’s about the risks I took, the connections I built, and the way I approached the craft. Styles will come and go, but what I want people to remember is the intention and care behind every piece, not just the look of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.Lainfreefall.com
- Instagram: @silveransalt
- Twitter: Lainfreefall
