TATTOO ARTIST FEATURE

COLLECTION ONE | ARTIST ONE

TINA NGUYEN

Tina Nguyen is a Los Angeles based tattoo artist specialising in large scale Asian black and grey work.

Her pieces are built on flow, structure, and intention designed to move with the body and hold over time.

WHAT FIRST DREW YOU TO TATTOOING?

I’ve always been into art, but tattooing stood out because it’s so different from traditional painting or drawing. It felt more real and more permanent. Back in high school, I was always drawing on people’s arms, and that’s when I realised I could turn it into something serious. I also wanted to stand out, especially as a female tattoo artist working in more aggressive, bold styles that you don’t usually see.

WHERE ARE YOU CURRENTLY BASED?

I’m based in Torrance, California, in the LA/OC area, working out of my own studio, TNA Studios.

WHAT STYLE DO YOU SPECIALISE IN?

I specialise in large-scale Asian black and grey pieces, mostly focused on sleeves and bigger projects.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK IN YOUR OWN WORDS?

I’d describe my work as clean, structured, and high contrast, with strong flow throughout the piece. I focus on making sure everything fits the body naturally while still hitting visually.

WHAT INFLUENCES YOUR WORK THE MOST?

My work is heavily influenced by traditional Asian tattooing, especially the flow, composition, and storytelling behind it. I also take inspiration from artists who focus on strong structure and create work that holds up over time.

DO YOU HAVE ANY CONNECTION TO JAPANESE CULTURE OR TATTOO HERITAGE?

I don’t have a direct connection, but I have a lot of respect for Japanese tattoo culture and its history. I’m drawn to how everything connects within a piece and the storytelling behind it, and I try to approach it with respect while bringing in my own perspective.

HOW HAS YOUR STYLE EVOLVED OVER TIME?

My style has changed a lot as I’ve grown. I’ve become more intentional with my work, focusing less on just doing it and more on making sure everything flows and makes sense as a whole.

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"Good tattoos follow the body. Great ones become part of it."

WHAT MATTERS MOST TO YOU WHEN YOU’RE TATTOOING SOMEONE?

What matters most to me is making sure everything comes together right: the flow, placement, and how it fits the person and their body. I want the piece to feel intentional, look strong, and hold up over time. I also want my clients to feel confident in what they’re getting and trust the process.

HAS A TATTOO EVER MEANT SOMETHING TO YOU,

Not Just the client? why?

Yeah, especially with long-term projects like sleeves. You spend a lot of time with the client, and over those sessions you build a real connection. It takes patience and genuine care for both the person and the work, and seeing everything come together makes it more meaningful for me too.

WHAT'S THE ONE LESSON OR MESSAGE
YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH THE WORLD?

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One thing I've learned is that consistency beats talent every time. You don't need to be the best, you just need to show up every day and keep getting better. Be patient with yourself, keep practicing, go at your own pace, and don't compare yourself to others just be yourself!