Creativity in Micro ʀᴇᴀʟism – Interview with tattoo artist Nonlee

ʀᴇᴀʟism is not just a copy of ʀᴇᴀʟ life. In this interview, tattoo artist Nonlee talks about how she combines imagination with ʀᴇᴀʟism.

Every once in a while, some tattoo pops up on my feed and makes me go “wow.” And the works of Korean tattoo artist Nonlee are one of them. As someone just starting out in the tattoo industry, she has a profile that keeps me coming back to it over and over again. With delicate lines, precise lighting and creative color combinations, she invites us into the sublime world of microcosmism.

So I reached out to her and asked if she wanted to share her insights on tattoos and art. And it turns out she has a unique perspective on how to choose a tattoo and how to create a beautiful one. So keep scrolling to learn more about tattoo artist Nonlee and her wild world of art.

Interview with tattoo artist Nonlee

From recipient to creator

Based in Seoul, Korean tattooist Nonlee is making a name for herself with her ʀᴇᴀʟism micro tattoos. Most of her work is based on fine arts. And she is no stranger to that.

Nonlee has always been passionate about painting. And after graduating with an art degree from university, she became a drawing teacher for ten years.

“I have always loved painting. And I love creating from scratch. But at the same time, I also crave a change in my life.”

That’s when opportunity knocked on the door. She got a tattoo. Immediately, she fell in love with tattooing.

“It’s an art form, like what I’ve been doing for a long time. But it is permanent and closely linked to humans. That’s what makes this job so attractive to me.” It’s been more than a year since she started tattooing. And she’s got an impressive resume.

Being able to leave a permanent mark on others is a great power. It will be even more wonderful if the tattoo brings joy or strength to the wearer. But with power comes responsibility. And one thing Nonlee faces every day is pressure.

“When you think about how your work will affect other people, it’s both exciting and scary. And it requires your full attention to every detail. And sometimes it’s hard to concentrate for long, especially on big things.”

But tattoo artist Nonlee sees adversity as an opportunity to grow. With practice, she is determined to get better at her craft.

“My goal this year is to strengthen my form and practice whenever I can. I love being a tattoo artist and creating amazing illustrations on skin. When you do your work with passion, your customers will feel it.”

ʀᴇᴀʟ and unʀᴇᴀʟ

Just like other artists, tattoo artists draw inspiration from their lives. And Nonlee is one of them.

She likes watching documentaries about nature and wildlife. And animals with their distinct characteristics and unique habitats fascinated her.

“My favorite animal is always changing but right now it’s the harvest mouse. Now I have one. It’s so tiny and the way it burrows into the flowers is so adorable.”

She has created many animal tattoos inspired by her love for them. For example, she got a lion tattoo done, and it’s so cute that it will melt your heart.

The bird tattoos she made are so detailed that they make you want to touch them and see if they are ʀᴇᴀʟ or not.

Bird tattoo by @non_lee_ink

Turtles are also one of Nonlee’s favorites. But instead of replicating those things in ʀᴇᴀʟ life, you have turtles with dreamy rainbow colors or with flowers growing from their shells.

Animal tattoos can look different. But they all have one thing in common: they look ʀᴇᴀʟ but they are not the same. And the colors have contributed to creating this unique style.

“When I choose an object to tattoo, I also think about the concept of color. That’s where my artistic background shines and what makes tattoos stand out.”

In addition to animals, Nonlee is also fascinated by mythical creatures such as dragons, unicorns and Haetae. Color, again, is a tool to sharpen the design.

“I think rusty or faded colors are perfect for these legendary creatures. They give them a sense of age as if they were treasure buried for centuries.”

To become a good tattoo artist and continuously produce creative and quality work, one must have a creative mindset. And that’s what Nonlee does. Inspired by modern artists Peter Doig and Wayne Tebow, she learned to interpret light and color in her tattoos. And when combined with her microscopic techniques, the results are mesmerizing.

Tattooing 101

People who want to get a tattoo don’t need to worry about not choosing the right needle or color. If you want to get a tattoo, all you need to do is find a good design and a good tattoo artist. But that can be difficult if you don’t have an idea in mind. So to inspire you, I asked tattoo artist Nonlee for her insights.

“If you’re getting your first tattoo, find something that’s visually appealing to you.” While most people look for a meaningful tattoo first, Nonlee suggests otherwise.

“When I got my first tattoo, I also spent a lot of time thinking and rethinking. But later on, I realized that what was meaningful to me no longer represented me. So I had to cover up.”

So instead of trying to find something meaningful, make sure your first tattoo is beautiful. “As you grow, your perspectives and values will change. But beauty standards haven’t changed that much.” So, start with something simple but artistic and you won’t regret it later.

But don’t worry if you’re not satisfied with your old tattoo. Besides removal, you can also think about covering up the tattoo.

“I think covering up is a challenge, especially when the old tattoos are dark. And many customers don’t want their new tattoo to be dark. So I ʀᴇᴀʟly have to be creative and strategic.”

For Nonlee, tattoos are a joint effort between both the client and the tattooist. That’s why tattoo artists must be able to communicate well with customers and ensure that their thoughts are heard.

“Most of the time, when I’m happy with the tattoo’s appearance, the customer is happy too. That’s because I understand their needs and stories. And I put myself in their shoes as if I were the one getting the tattoo. Joint effort, good communication and empathy are what create beautiful tattoos.”

Location and post-tattoo care also play an important role in the tattoo process.

“One of the most popular tattoo locations is the arm, including the outer arm or sleeve, inner arm and forearm. If you want your ink to appear clear and eye-catching then these are the placements for you.”

Aftercare is very important in keeping the color of your tattoo vibrant. “Since the ink is injected under the skin, it is important to keep the skin healthy. Make sure it is kept moist, especially during the first few weeks of healing. That will prevent overproduction of keratin. So the colors are always fresh and vibrant.”

Life beyond tattoos

Every artist has a list of hobbies and passions to refresh their mind. And tattoo artist Nonlee is no exception.

“One thing I really love is meeting new people. I love talking to them about their stories. And if I weren’t a tattoo artist, I might be a fortune teller. How fun it will be!”

She also likes watching movies, TV series, reading books and cartoons. The plots and stories in it are what impressed her.

“Also, board games are my favorite. Before the pandemic, I loved gathering in large groups and playing board games. Now we mostly stay in our own homes; My husband is my only teammate. And recently, we discovered ‘Splendors’ and we’ve been playing it a lot.”

A fun life, fun personality and fun tattoos, that’s how I’ll summarize this interview with Nonlee. If you want to know more about her work, check out her Instagram profile. Or if you have any questions about her, leave them in the comments!