Liz Alvarez’s journey into the world of tattooing is as vibrant and inspiring as the art she creates. From her early days as a high school graphic design student to her decade-long evolution as a tattoo artist, Liz’s story is one of passion, resilience, and personal growth. With her studio, Blossom Tattoo Co., named in honor of a deeply personal journey, Liz brings a unique blend of artistic skill and heartfelt connection to each tattoo she crafts. In this interview, she shares how her experiences have shaped her approach to art, the challenges she’s navigated as a mother and artist, and her vision for the future of tattooing. Her story is a testament to the power of turning personal trials into transformative and beautiful expressions of art.
1. What initially drew you to the art of tattooing, and how did you develop your unique style over the past decade?
I was initially pursuing graphic design and was in a graphic art program my last two years of high school. Many seeds were planted for me to get into tattooing but I started my apprenticeship when I was 17, a senior in high school. I would go to the studio right after school and I would watch, draw, file paperwork, get coffee and food for the shop, clean etc etc. My mentor specialized in portraits and soft realism color work which definitely influenced and lead me to the style of work I do now!
2. Could you share more about the personal significance of the name “Blossom Tattoo Co.” and how it evolved from a personal journey?
I had a miscarriage at 13 weeks in beginning of 2015. My husband and I were going to name the baby Blossom if it was a girl! That name has stuck with us ever since. Although it was heartbreaking, unexpected and one of the most painful things I’ve experienced (physically and emotionally), we knew there were good things to come and wanted to continue to honor the little baby and really live up to its name.
3. How has your experience of loss and resilience shaped your approach to both life and art?
-Part of my life experience has been navigating storms and working through things that out of my control, things that have been gut wrenching, painful, heart breaking and full of hardships. It hasn’t been an entirely easy ride but I have positioned myself to be on the other side and embrace the fullness of life and enjoy it with an open and joyful heart. I only hope to do that in my tattooing..take a story, a good or painful memory or trauma and reconcile it in some way and make something beautiful out of it. I find great purpose in that through my work.
4. What are some challenges you’ve faced as a woman in the tattooing industry, and how have you navigated and overcome them?
-I think the biggest unique challenge has been since I became a mom (now mom of 3)…rediscovering how exactly i want and need to operate as a tattoo artist and business owner. I had to make a major shift from the amount of hours I booked, how much time I could take off and plan for maternity leave, my new schedule after having the baby, etc etc. and I had to shift and see what worked best for me three different times and continue to do that as my kids get older and their needs change. Becoming/Being a mom is physically, emotionally, and mentally consuming and so is tattooing, managing my own clientele and running a studio! So with that, I try and be super intentional with my time and as present as I can be with whatever I’m doing in the moment.
9. What role do you believe tattoos play in personal expression and empowerment, especially for women?
-I’m 29 years old and I tattoo women of many ages (younger and older than me) and sometimes it’s a woman that’s 65 years old getting their first tattoo and finally got the courage and confidence (and many other things that came together for them) to get a tattoo because when they were my age it was just NOT what you did, social and economical pressures and judgments, Or it’s still to this day not accepting by their peers etc etc. So in that scenario it’s like A you know what, this is what I’m doing with my body and everyone one else will just have to deal with it- kind of moment.
Getting a tattoo(s) is a way to stand out, celebrate your uniqueness, a way to claim your body and represent your unique life all in one permanent act and it’s really beautiful to see that all that come together! Even for myself, when I get tattooed!
10. How do you continue to grow and evolve as an artist, and what keeps your passion for tattooing alive after a decade in the industry?
-As far as the skill set and artistry: continued education. There is always something to learn and take away from every tattoo. And I invest in tattoo seminars, competitions, anything that sharpens my skills. It’s also really inspiring to be around other tattoo artists and gain knowledge and just be around people like me.
Clients themselves also keep my passion alive by really just sharing the reasons behind their tattoo ideas. Then I find a way to relate to their story so I can really get invested in their design and what they want to convey in the piece. Even when things feel mundane, when I get can get in that mindset, it ignites the inspiration and desire to create something special.
12. What impact do you hope to leave with your artwork and studio, both in the Columbus community and beyond?
-I want people to feel good about themselves and help or enhance their life’s journey through my tattoos! I put my heart and soul in each and every piece I do and it’s that one on one time with a client…learning about their life’s journey, their struggles, triumphs and contributing to their story and what they want to say about themselves is HUGE! It’s that one-on-one, one-by-one type of impact and it’s become a beautiful thing. And I hope for the studio as a whole to replicate that feeling and experience!
13. How do you prioritize self-care and wellness while managing a busy tattooing schedule and running a business?
– First it starts with making sure the business/career things are being completed so they dont build up and cause extra anxiety. Intention and purpose is everything, making sure that I know exactly what I’m going to do and why and making sure the schedule lines up accordingly so I’m not doing anything that wastes time and energy. Coming from that space contributes to my overall balance and when it is time to chill then I really can! Any self care days or vacations I have to schedule in the calendar just like a client appointment so that in my mind, it’s actually a priority and something I will do because that time is set aside and intended for that!
14. What are some upcoming projects or goals you’re excited about for Blossom Tattoo Co. or your personal artistic journey?
-One ongoing project has been creating the Blossom Catalog, the first one is an online catalog of available designs and the second is going to showcase tattoo projects I’ve worked on over the years, client stories etc. I wanted it to be an immersive experience of my work and express myself in another way as well as involve my clients! We got all dress up for a photoshoot, hair, makeup, the works and that whole experience alone was so much fun!
15. How do you see the future of tattooing evolving, and what trends or changes do you anticipate in the industry?
-A lot of what I’ve already seen is the technology and use of AI to design and prepare for the tattoo itself, new machines, new equipment etc. (which I use). To me, all of these changes and innovations has contributed to the improvement of my own work. The beautiful thing about tattooing is that you can constantly innovate the technology but you CANNOT replace the artist and the in person experience, you just can’t. Tattooing is rooted in culture and deep history…and as much as things have evolved and changed in very recent years…I would say the education and history aspect has equally been celebrated and pushed as its very easy to forget the roots when evolution and shifts occur.
For clients, there are so many styles and artists to choose from all over the world that they can see by just looking on social media causing them to be more aware, educated and knowing of all possibilities for them, and for the most part they see incredible artists and are educated by reputable tattooers! So I think clients are being really intentional with who they want to get tattooed by and how exactly they want their body to look as there are so many great options!
IG: @blossomtattooco & @LizAlvarezArt
W: www.blossomtattooco.com
