Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Randall
Hi Lauren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
After finishing high school, I had this big dream of taking a gap year and traveling to Europe with my best friend. Determined to make it happen, I worked four jobs simultaneously for three months, saving every penny I could. My days were a blur of shifts, often meeting friends for quick coffee breaks between jobs. Living at home was a huge help, as it allowed me to save all my earnings for this adventure.
We initially planned the same trip but ended up taking different trips: she went to Thailand to work with stray dogs, and I joined her towards the end of her stay. After she returned home, I embarked on my solo journey across Europe. For over five months, I traveled through various countries, soaking in the cultures and meeting incredible people until my funds ran out. That journey was a game-changer. At 18, I learned to rely on myself and gained a lifetime of experiences.
Returning home, I jumped straight into work, bartending at a restaurant where my best friend also worked. She helped me get the job, and I stayed there for quite some time. It was during this period that I started experimenting with tattoos. My first tattoo project was a small one for my uncle. This sparked a passion, and soon I was tattooing myself and close friends. Tattooing in Vermont without an apprenticeship or license is highly regulated, but I got lucky. A coworker introduced me to my mentor, and the shop owner offered me an apprenticeship just as I was planning to move to Utah.
I had a heartfelt conversation with the shop owner at a friend’s birthday party. Although I was excited about moving to Utah, this opportunity was too good to pass up. I decided to stay in Vermont and pursue the apprenticeship, knowing it was the right step for my career. Apprenticeships are hard to come by, and I was fortunate to have this one fall into my lap.
After a year of learning and honing my skills, I began taking clients at Onyx Ink, an all-women studio where I worked from 2020 to 2023. I built strong relationships and gained valuable experience during my time there.
In 2023, I decided it was finally time to move to Utah. Leaving family and friends was tough, but maintaining a long-distance relationship with my partner was harder. We packed up and drove to Utah, arriving on July 3rd. I took my time finding the right shop, guesting at several to find the perfect fit. After three months, I found a woman-owned shop with high traffic, which was ideal for building a new clientele.
While I enjoyed my time there, I craved more challenges and growth opportunities. I found another shop, also woman owned, with eight resident artists, which felt like the perfect environment for me. I joined Lucid in February, and it’s been a fantastic fit. The shop offers the growth, community, and support I was seeking, and it’s been great for my career. I’m excited about what the future holds and look forward to continuing my journey in the tattoo industry.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve faced several challenges, including burnout, self-doubt, and building a new clientele. At my first shop, things moved quickly. Having experimented with tattooing on my own, I had to unlearn many bad habits. I took a few steps back in my career, and if I could do it over, I’d pursue an apprenticeship and start with a clean slate.
Growing up in the area with many friends and nearby colleges, finding willing clients wasn’t difficult. Everyone I tattooed while practicing was very trusting and supportive. Some of my clients still proudly display my earliest tattoos alongside my latest work, appreciating the visible progress. They refuse touch-ups, valuing the originals as special milestones.
Although I didn’t attend college, I enjoyed the social aspects through friends. Word of mouth was my main form of advertisement, and I was booked at least three months in advance. I started working five days a week, 10-6, which quickly escalated to seven days a week, sometimes until 9-10 at night. My calendar became crucial for managing everything, from socializing to personal appointments. I didn’t recognize burnout until I began dreading the work I was once so passionate about. I stopped drawing for myself, a vital form of self-care.
Moving provided a much-needed break from tattooing and allowed me to rediscover my passion for drawing. After settling in Utah and taking three months off, I became eager to return to work. I searched for the right shop, knowing the importance of a supportive, close-knit community. I almost lost hope until I found a woman-owned shop that felt promising. Despite things going well, I wasn’t feeling challenged, something I had vowed to pursue when I moved.
Then, I had a guest spot at Lucid and met with the owner, who offered me a position. I started in February. Working with these talented artists has made me question if I’m at their level. Some have only been tattooing for a few years, while others have formal art training. It’s common for artists to compare themselves and second-guess their work. However, I realized that being critical is essential for improvement. Being surrounded by amazing artists is a blow to my ego but also the discomfort I need to grow. Already, I see improvements in my drawing and application, and the supportive environment at the shop is a huge plus.
The biggest struggle has been moving to a new place and building a clientele. I naively thought I’d be as busy as I was back home, but my clients are all there. This pushed me out of my comfort zone to use social media for advertising, relying on my few local clients to spread the word. In Vermont, I had many clients due to friends and acquaintances. Utah has more tattoo shops, making competition tougher. If I could do it differently, I’d travel and establish a client base before completely leaving a good situation behind.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a tattoo artist, a permanent art applicator on temporary bodies. While I specialize in black and grey work, I’m open to any ideas that fit within my skill set. I’m still in the process of developing a distinct, recognizable style within the community, so for now, I’m a jack-of-all-trades, mastering my craft one step at a time. I’m genuinely thrilled to have this as my career and eager to tattoo anything, especially if it’s something I’ve created.
One of the aspects I cherish most about my work is the opportunity to share these experiences with people. I can’t pinpoint when or why I became attracted to tattoos; I just knew I wanted many of them. Tattoos reveal so much about a person without a single word spoken—they instantly mark someone as cool and create an immediate connection. They are a unique form of self-expression, capable of telling profound stories.
When you get tattooed by me, I try to ensure a positive experience. I take pride in knowing that my clients carry happy reminders of our time together. For me, it’s crucial that the tattoo process feels like a safe, creative collaboration. While I offer my artistic opinions, I always respect that the client will be the one wearing the tattoo.
I’m not entirely sure what sets me apart from other artists, but people often tell me that my kind demeanor and easy-going nature make a difference. Many clients, including myself, have had negative experiences with other artists. My colleagues and I strive to create a welcoming environment in the tattoo community. We aim to produce work that clients can wear proudly and are tied to positive memories.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Support my work by getting tattooed or sharing my art with others who appreciate this unique form of expression. Purchasing and sharing art is one of the best ways to support any artist. I’m always open to collaborations with individuals or fellow artists.
The best way to reach me or any of my colleagues is through Instagram or email. Researching your artist can help you find the right fit, as everyone has different prices and processes. Be sure to check out our shop on the Lucid Studio Instagram to see if we’re the right match for you or another collector of permanent art.
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