Alyssa wants to make tattooing painless

I have candles, plants, tea, snacks - I just want people to feel really good right when they walk in. When I started getting into tattoos, I was both getting tattoos and giving tattoos. I would get a tattoo at a shop, then I would get a tattoo at a friend’s private studio, and then get another tattoo back at a shop. I realized people finally have a choice with what experience they want. I’ve been really inspired by a lot of people who are redefining the tattooing experience.

It's difficult and hard to balance the burnout with all of it. But I really take pride in creating an experience that people feel heard, safe, welcome, and comfortable.

Providing great experiences comes naturally for Alyssa. She was trained as a classical musician, but realized in college that it wasn't what she wanted. During this transition, she worked in the service industry as a server, bartender, and barista, learning the importance of customer service and how to make people feel at home. Today she masterfully draws inspiration from these experiences to shape her approach to tattooing.

I recently had a revelation about my own creative process. I thought my practices were more compartmentalized, but they're all connected. A lot [about being creative] is about getting out of my own way, whether it's music or drawing or tattooing. So much of it is just putting one foot in front of the next and just doing it.

It's difficult and hard to balance the burnout with all of it. But I really take pride in creating an experience that people feel heard, safe, welcome, and comfortable. By having my own space, I’m creating my everything - I really think all artists just want to have their own space. If you can create a small space that's 100% your vibe, that's really special and will help people feel even more comfortable as soon as they walk in.

Pushing herself to stay creative isn’t easy, but it's what brings her joy. "It's difficult and hard to balance the burnout with all of it. But I really take pride in creating an experience that people feel heard, safe, welcome, and comfortable. [By having my own space,] I’m creating my everything - I really think [all artists] just want to have their own space. If you can create a small space that's 100% your vibe, that's really special and will help people feel even more comfortable as soon as they walk in."

Book @frankly_tattoo and experience how Alyssa is redefining getting a tattoo. Her books are open. You'll find her gently handpoking at her private studio in East LA.

‍