Contents A little about Leti
2
Animal
10
Flash
16
Floral
22
Lady Heads
28
Skulls
34
A bit about Leti
A bit about Leti This publication explores the work of London based Tattoo Artist, Leti Mortimer. Having trained and completed her apprenticeship in Timeout Magazine’s top voted tattoo Shop; Vagabond Studio. It’s fair to say that at the blossoming age of 24, Leti is in high demand for her attention to detail and diverse style. She continues to make her mark in the Tattoo community and endeavours to continually improve and perfect her practise.
2
3
A bit about Leti
Where are you originally from?
First Tattoo?
I grew up in Suffolk, in a small seaside town called Southwold.
My first one I didn’t tell anyone I was going to get it, I just went and did it. I’d just turned 18 and really wanted one. It’s a small heart with wings on my wrist that cost me £25 at my local tattoo shop. I felt so badass (haha).
When did you know you wanted to become a tattoo artist? I didn’t know what I wanted to do for a while. I did a degree and tried a few internships but nothing stuck. Whilst getting tattooed one day the tattooist explained what his job entailed. He listed everything I was interested in; painting, drawing, travelling with guest spots. Using a skill to make a living rather than doing a job that I hated felt far more appealing.
‘Using a skill to make a living rather than doing a job that I hated, felt far more appealing’ Family and friends from home didn’t really have tattoos so I wasn’t surrounded by them growing up. The thought didn’t even occur to me until later on. I remember the first bit of homework I was given by my mentor Rose was a sheet of realistic roses and I worked for hours and hours drawing out these roses and loved every minute. It sounds silly but it just clicked.
4
How long where you an apprentice for before you became qualified? I apprenticed for 2 and a half years under Rose Harley. After getting the courage, I remember going round various shops with my portfolio, I was given a trial (3 month challenge) at a shop in South London. I quit my job and got a retail job 3 days a week to cover rent and food, then worked 4 days at the tattoo shop. The three months were to prove that I really wanted to tattoo, so I set up and cleaned stations, cleaned some more, did food runs, shop runs , scrubbed grips and cleaned some more. Rose saw that I really wanted to do this properly and took me on. From then on, we were pretty much family. My first tattoo was on Rose, a linework cactus on her ankle. It took ages and I was so nervous the whole way through, by the end of it I was sweating. The second was on myself then on kind people who hung out at the shop who were heavily tattooed and didn’t mind too much.
How would you describe your style? If you indeed have one. In terms of style, I was taught to try a bit of everything before I specialise. I want a career in tattooing, not to be screwed when a fashion comes and goes. I’ll always be building a skill set and style. That’s one of the things I’m most excited about, constantly trying to better myself and develop as an artist.
Favourite things to tattoo? I love tattooing lady heads, cat heads, skulls, flowers. I also enjoy taking someone’s ideas and making them into a tattoo. Basically I really love to tattoo!
5
A bit about Leti
6
7
A bit about Leti
8
9
10
Animal
Animal
11
Animal
12
13
Animal
14
15
16
17
Flash
18
19
Flash
I found that Leti was so welcoming and she took everything at my own pace. Leti is an amazing tattoo artist and I hope to get more tattoos done by her in the future.
Bethany Being tattooed by Leti was incredible. She is a perfectionist and I love that. This is only one of the many reasons why I love her as a tattoo artist, she’s also got such a beautiful soul.
Arabella
20
21
Floral Floral Floral Floral
22
Floral Floral Floral Floral
23
Floral
24
25
Floral
Leti tattooed me when she first started out as an apprentice. She was so lovely and I was mega scared about having my first tatt, but she reassured me. Her tattoos really are the coolest!
Ellie It was my one and only tattoo and Leti was very reassuring. She was accurate and meticulous in carrying out her work. She truly is fabulous.
Rob
26
27 27
28
29
Lady Heads
30
31
Lady Heads
Leti has always been incredibly thoughtful prepared and super fun to get tattoos with. Her eye for detail and laid back manner makes getting tattoos an awesome experience.
Matt Leti was super sweet. I came in and she was able to create exactly what I wanted. I gave her some freedom with the design and shading and I am really glad I did, I love how my tattoo came out!
Hannah
32
33
34
35
Skulls
36
37
Skulls
My experience with Leti was very positive. I felt very welcomed, we discussed together what way round my tattoo would look best and I enjoyed the conversations we had and the experience as a whole.
Viki Leti is fantastic, she really loves her work and has a deep interest in tattoos which really reflects the outcome.
Seb
38
39
40
Designed by
Kat Soo