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Wiji Lacsamana, my friend and tattoo artist, doesn’t have a favorite tattoo because she adores every tattoo she has on her body. “I like everything because when I look at my tattoos, it takes me back to the period when it happened. Supposedly the one behind me, I don’t always notice that tattoo, but when I do, I recall that you were the one with me when I had that tattoo,” she shares. She also adds that every tattoo that she has represents different chapters of her life that even if some particular chapters weren’t good, it would make her realize that she’s currently in a better place.
Wiji has always struck me as a talented artist. She’s a graduate of Political Science at the De La Salle University and for a time employed what she had learned in her work, but she soon caved in and began to produce art, which has always been her passion. While Wiji recalled that I accompanied her while she got a tattoo, I likewise remember that she joined me when I had inks done by other tattoo artists until she began tattooing me herself. She has an interesting story on how she did her first tattoo and it was on a common friend of ours. Wiji got invited to a friend’s birthday and when she got to the venue, which was at a tattoo shop, our friend, the birthday boy, was lying down on a tattoo chair. “He had frames tattooed on his back and he wanted everyone at the party to tattoo him,” shares Wiji. Professional tattoo artist Dyun Depasupil was there at the party and he was the one who guided everybody, including Wiji, on how to properly use the tattoo gun. From there, Wiji had an epiphany that she wanted to try her hand on tattooing, so she sent a message to Dyun asking whether he can get her to be his apprentice. “He did not respond. It’s been about a week, and I’m still thinking about it, so I texted him again. When I texted Dyun again, he said, ‘You passed the first test.’ He wanted to know whether I was serious, and if it wasn’t simply a passing thought because many wanted to be his apprentice,” Wiji says. From there, Wiji started going to 55Tinta, a tattoo shop where Dyun used to be part of, and observed Dyun’s process as well as assisted him. “I made a point to not interfere. Dyun was my teacher. I am also grateful to Dyun’s tattooing contemporaries there at the shop for also teaching me,” says Wiji.
Wiji has been tattooing for more than a decade and has built a loyal client base, which includes myself. After my nth tattoo from Wiji, we sat down to do this interview about tattooing, as well as a few things you might find informative before getting your first tattoo from her.
DYUN DEPASUPIL IS YOUR TATTOO MENTOR. WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO CHOOSE HIM AS YOUR MENTOR? WHAT KEY THINGS HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM HIM THAT YOU ARE PUTTING INTO PRACTICE NOW IN YOUR CRAFT?
I know he’s good. At that time, I’d seen his works on our friends.
He’s very O.C. when it comes to hygiene. When I set up, I make sure that I always think about that. One of the key things about him would be that you want your clients to be in a comfortable space; no disrespect will happen. There should be a balance being professional and being a friend.
WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED TATTOOING STYLE?
Colored and shading. A lot of people want me to do watercolor style tattoos. I also really like doing vintage, botanical designs, scientific illustrations, and asymmetrical tattoos. Come to me for colorful, happy tattoos.
The first few years, I was frustrated because I don’t do bold lines well, but then I realized that every artist has a unique style. So, I just accepted it. I’m able to tell my clients that I’m not comfortable doing certain styles because, at the end of the day, no one will be happy if they force it on me. It’s a waste of both of our time, and I’m prepared to refer other artists because I have many good friends based on your tattoo design and location.
When I first started out, I didn’t think I had a choice of rejecting clients. But, gradually, I recognized that, while rejecting someone may make you appear like a bitch, it’s for their own benefit because I can’t make their tattoos look good.
IS THERE A DESIGN THAT YOU WOULD NOT DO, AND IF SO, WHY?
Those that aren’t my style. I also do not tattoo boyfriend and girlfriend names. People are more responsive when I say it’s unlucky rather than I don’t like it, which I truly believe is unlucky.
WHO IS YOUR IDEAL CLIENT?
I like clients that have complete trust in you or who have a general concept of what they want but will let you do your thing. When you look at my portfolio, you can tell which ones I was most excited to work on because the client is also easy to talk to and open to suggestions.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE TATTOO ARTIST WITH WHOM YOU’D LIKE TO GET A TATTOO? WHICH DESIGN WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Amanda Wachob. She used to live in New York, but she currently lives in Los Angeles. Actually, Mia Reyes (Chronic Tattoo) introduced me to her when I was just getting started with tattooing. She is a painter. Her tattoos are quite colorful. I want a tattoo of what she wants to tattoo on me. I also admire her business acumen.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ASPIRE TO BECOME TATTOO ARTISTS?
I strongly advise getting an apprenticeship even if I am aware that it is now easier to learn how to tattoo through online videos. There are a lot of information on the internet now on how to tattoo, so if you do your research, you should be able to learn about it. However, I believe that being an apprentice is preferable because you can see how to set-up in real life.
Dyun ingrained in me the importance of cleanliness, as it should be. It is also critical to consider how you interact with clients. Chances are, the individual who will get a tattoo from you has a compelling narrative behind it. Just like us at first, but now I guess we’re relieved that there’s no longer any drama surrounding our tattoos. I propose doing an apprenticeship with a tattoo artist whose resonates with you. You’re heading in the same direction, and you admire him.
WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE LOOKING TO GET THEIR FIRST TATTOO?
Search for an artist whose work speaks to you because there is a lot. Look at his or her portfolio. Try to be courteous when you inquire. Some people accept DMs, while others do not. I’m sure their social media profile will tell you how to contact them.
Wiji schedules tattoo appointments at Tattoo Nebula and Crimson River Tattoo. In addition, she just launched her specialized studio named Tender Studio in the South. Aside from tattoos, Wiji also offers Reiki healing, tarot and astrology readings. Please direct your inquiry to her by email at wiji.lacsamana@gmail.com . Follow her on Instagram.
Denise J. Mallabo 