Visual artist Lalaine Grace Apacionado has tried her hand in the art of tattooing. And one thing she learned is that the human skin is a beautiful canvas.

Lalaine likes doing watercolor styles, Oriental and bio organic designs. She wants to translate these into tattoos.

“Sa canvas ko lang po kasi talaga siya nagagawa; kung itatattoo ko na siya sa tao, gusto ko yung gusto niya talaga yung design, hindi yung itatattoo mo lang,” says Lalaine, who started tattooing in 2011 when she met a tattoo artist who asked her if she would be interested in tattooing.

Lalaine says working on canvas and on human skin are both the same and very different.

“Both need practice and proper training. Pero sa tattoo, kailangan ng proper hygiene and makinig sa mentor and practice lang ng practice,” she says.

Lalaine’s first tattoo was a small Polynesian design. She is learning every day, from her mentors Joseph Sinio and Allan Mandi. Lalaine feels honored being their apprentice, in the male-dominated tattoo industry.

“Siyempre honored ako dahil alam ko positive sila sa mga babaeng tattoo artist. Pinakamahalaga yung apprenticeship, sa umpisa iismolin ka ng mga lalake pero hangga’t meron kang gustong ipakita, tuloy tuloy lang at eventually magiging kaibigan mo din sila. Nung umpisa medyo hindi nila ako suportado, pero nung nakita nila kung gaano ko ‘to kagusto, ngayon sinusoportahan na nila ako,” shares Lalaine.

Lalaine admits she needs to improve on doing human figures, especially portraits. But she is armed with the desire, proper training and patience in dealing with clients. Someday, Lalaine wishes to ink famous people with her own designs, taking inspiration from her idol, American surreal painter Greg Simkins.

For Lalaine, art is a good way to express individuality – and she hopes to do this on both canvas and skin.