Check Out Mindori Nam’s Story

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Mindori Nam.

Hi Mindori, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I graduated with a master’s in architecture. And was trained to be an architect before I found my passion to be a tattoo artist. Everyone including my family was pretty against it when I told them about it at first. I met a tattoo artist at a cafe when I was drawing on my sketchbook and this person happened to be someone who inked Post Malone!

In the cafe, I was asked if I was drawing for my next appointment and I said I wasn’t a tattoo artist, this person invited me over to the studio and ever since then I have been fascinated by the tattoo world.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I had internal struggles. It was hard to give up on something I went to school for. I wanted to follow my passion and it also caused tension between my family and me. Coming from a typical Asian family, my mom didn’t like the fact that I didn’t want to work as an architect anymore. But also my family is Korean.

In Korea, tattoos are still illegal, so the general concept of being a tattoo artist didn’t sound good to her. She eventually came along and now shares videos about cool tattoos with me on Instagram. My family supports me!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I definitely have my own style of art but I do love trying new things. One of the best things I got to work on was a chimera for a girl from Spain. I fell in love with drawing my own version of mythical creatures. I could sit down and talk for hours to find the right mythical spirit animal for my customers.

There’s something about drawing mythical creatures that fascinates me. I think it’s the fact that I get to know the history of one’s culture and study many versions of the subject over time. I also specialize in realism, do any size of realism from micro size to full arm or back. I have done touch-ups and coverups. I love drawing tigers and beasts! Love animals.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I love cookbooks. I know it’s random but that’s something I am really passionate about. So naturally my favorite blog is Sally’s baking addiction. Apart from cooking, I listen to the 99% Invisible podcast which began as a collaborative project with the American Institute of Architects in San Francisco. I still like to listen to design-related things even though I’m not working as an architect anymore.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @mindori.tt