03 LUCKY STAR STUDIO
A few weeks ago we caught up with tattoo artists Tara and Mya who co-founded Lucky Star Studio in North West London earlier this year. They told us all about how they got started in the tattoo industry, how Lucky Star Studio came about and where they’d like to see it a year from now + lots more!
You guys recently founded Lucky Star, a tattoo studio in North West London. How did this come about?
We met through insta a year ago and Tara tattooed me during her very first guest spot, since then we always joked about getting a studio together and naming it silly little studio.
And then at the end of 2022 the opportunity arose and we said fuck it - within 3 days we viewed the studio and signed the contract.
By 16th of January.. after many name changes , Lucky Star was born!
And then at the end of 2022 the opportunity arose and we said fuck it - within 3 days we viewed the studio and signed the contract.
By 16th of January.. after many name changes , Lucky Star was born!
What three words would you use to describe your tattooing style?
T: Nostalgic, sweet, cute silly little tokens!
M: Doodles , cute , very fuckin sick!
M: Doodles , cute , very fuckin sick!
You both take different approaches to tattooing; Tara using the more traditional method of stick and poke and Mya working primarily with a handgun/machine. What made you use this approach and why?
M: Well when I very first started tattooing I did handpoke because I saw it as a good introduction into tattooing - but slowly found i did not have the patience for it! And transitioned into machine during lockdown , where I practiced loads on myself and family until we came out of lockdown and I got my license and opened up my home studio.
T: similarly to mya I started tattooing in lockdown as a hobby - I’ve always been interested in the traditional form of tattooing . I enjoy a slow approach and see tattooing as a very intimate experience that should be calm and relaxing (hence “sabai” tatu , “sabai” literally translating to comfortable, chill, well in Thai). I prefer not to have a man made machine between me and my client (doesn’t mean I’m opposed to it!)…machines are scary haha…maybe one day!
We are planning on delving into more creative endeavours and selling them in the studio so keep an eye out for that. And also…maybe…Lucky Star world tour ;)
FUCK NO! That only made us wanna do it more. The industry is definitely changing and there is defo a lot more safe spaces for anyone and everyone - that being the artists themselves and clients. The community we’ve entered into as young ,female tattoo artists has been an extremely welcoming space and we are very fortunate to know and be surrounded by other artists who have had similar introductions into tattooing. We both love tattooing and it’s most definitely not just limited to men.
T: similarly to mya I started tattooing in lockdown as a hobby - I’ve always been interested in the traditional form of tattooing . I enjoy a slow approach and see tattooing as a very intimate experience that should be calm and relaxing (hence “sabai” tatu , “sabai” literally translating to comfortable, chill, well in Thai). I prefer not to have a man made machine between me and my client (doesn’t mean I’m opposed to it!)…machines are scary haha…maybe one day!
Where do you see Lucky Star Studio in a year’s time?
Thriving, full of plants and booked + busy! We are planning on delving into more creative endeavours and selling them in the studio so keep an eye out for that. And also…maybe…Lucky Star world tour ;)
Traditionally, tattooing has been a male dominated industry, did this ever put you off being a tattoo artist?
FUCK NO! That only made us wanna do it more. The industry is definitely changing and there is defo a lot more safe spaces for anyone and everyone - that being the artists themselves and clients. The community we’ve entered into as young ,female tattoo artists has been an extremely welcoming space and we are very fortunate to know and be surrounded by other artists who have had similar introductions into tattooing. We both love tattooing and it’s most definitely not just limited to men.
What were you both doing this time last year?
M: This time last year I had only been tattooing for 6 months in my home studio!
T: this time last year I was finishing my bloody degree, and tattooing on the side on my living room sofa. Little did we know we’d be
sat here together a year later writing this in our own studio, wtf!
T: this time last year I was finishing my bloody degree, and tattooing on the side on my living room sofa. Little did we know we’d be
sat here together a year later writing this in our own studio, wtf!